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This week: Observations From The Publishing Puppy Edited by: Fyn More Newsletters By This Editor
1. About this Newsletter 2. A Word from our Sponsor 3. Letter from the Editor 4. Editor's Picks 5. A Word from Writing.Com 6. Ask & Answer 7. Removal instructions
“Happiness is a warm puppy.” ~~Charles M. Schulz
“A person can learn a lot from a dog, even a loopy one like ours. Marley taught me about living each day with unbridled exuberance and joy, about seizing the moment and following your heart. He taught me to appreciate the simple things-a walk in the woods, a fresh snowfall, a nap in a shaft of winter sunlight. And as he grew old and achy, he taught me about optimism in the face of adversity. Mostly, he taught me about friendship and selflessness and, above all else, unwavering loyalty.” ~~John Grogan, Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World's Worst Dog
“No matter how close we are to another person, few human relationships are as free from strife, disagreement, and frustration as is the relationship you have with a good dog. Few human beings give of themselves to another as a dog gives of itself. I also suspect that we cherish dogs because their unblemished souls make us wish - consciously or unconsciously - that we were as innocent as they are, and make us yearn for a place where innocence is universal and where the meanness, the betrayals, and the cruelties of this world are unknown.” ~~ Dean Koontz, A Big Little Life: A Memoir of a Joyful Dog
Dogs are miracles with paws. ~~Attributed to Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy
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Amazon's Price: $ 12.95
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Hi! My name is Bear and I am a VIP2 - A Very Important Publishing Puppy. I'm a Bichon Frise and I spend many of my days plopped under my Mom's desk at her work. She has lots of interesting people come in to see me...well, her, actually, but I greet them and love them and expect them to pet me.
The thing is, I hear and see a lot even when I am curled up in my bed or under her desk keeping her feet warm. Usually she is in a very good mood. Sometimes, though, she gets a bit cranky. I don't like it when she's cranky. At All. Nope. Now I wish I could read. She spends so much time helping people have their files made into books. She has one coming out about a fox. I'd like to be able to read that one. But i can't read. Books that is. People, well, I can read them pretty well. Of course as they can read, I wish sometimes they'd remember what they read better.
For instance, my mom has these things called contracts. I guess they are full of important stuff, but sometimes people seem to either forget it or ignore it or something. Now me, when I'm told to sit: I sit. When I'm told to stay; I stay. (Most of the time.) But I am thinking that some of the things I've noticed are things that could apply to all writers getting published, so I thought I'd share a few with you guys. (I'm writing Mom's newsletter this week because she is very busy getting a lot of books to the printer and is allmost too busy to pay attention to me. I figure if I write it for her, maybe we'll have time to go for a nice long walk.)
When the peoples have a book coming out they get very excited! I guess it is like a new bone or something. Before their book comes out, she sends them something called a proof. I hear her tell her authors that they need to 'read every word, look at every paragraph, to make sure there are no unscheduled spaces or typos or anything that the author doesn't like before they sign off that the book is good to go to the printer."
I think this happens whenever a book is getting published because it is very important. But people do not always do this. They assume it is fine. Then the book comes out and instead of being all bouncy and happy, they are upset and cranky. Layout people (hers is named Dave and he just thinks I'm awesome!) use a program called InDesign. When they add something to one part, all the words flow along and move. But sometimes the words get rambunctious and don't run where they should. There might be a weird spacing issue or an extra blank line or something. If they'd looked at all the things she said to look at, they'd have seen it and it would have been fixed. Seems pretty simple to me, but then again, I am just a dog. But if I could read (I can spell lots of words ... like 'o-u-t' and 'd-i-n-n-e-r' and 'b-e-d' and 't-r-e-a-t.') I would want to be absolutely sure that my book was as perfect as it could be before going to print.
Another thing she tells them is to never, ever, ever set up a book signing before they actually have their books. Some folks think they know better and do it anyway. They don't think about the glitching that could result because they didn't look at their proof. Or they don't think about a storm that makes the lights go out. (It isn't like the old days when presses were run by hand; nowadays they need electricity.) Or they don't realize that the delivery truck or even Mom could skid off the road in a snow storm and their books could end up scattered all over the road or be eaten by a big mean dog. (Not me, mind you. I know better than to chew on books...I stick to laundry-basket socks, thank you very much!)
The thing is, events are a really big deal and to not have books for them is terrible. So it only makes sense to be patient. Too much hard work has happened to have the end result be anything less that dog-spastic-ally happy! I really like happy people. But if they don't listen, then there is nothing I can do to make them feel better. It won't matter how much I try to cuddle or lick their hand, they are just mad or sad. That makes me sad too, because they could have avoided it.
The best parts are when Mom gets their books and everyone is happy and crying happy tears. She takes their picture and puts a new leaf on her tree. It is a real tree. (She doesn't let me water that one, though. Only outside trees.) It is fun seeing people act like young puppies!
Anyway, it's time for my walk with Mom. Just thought that these words might come in handy for any of you who either are 'mid-publishing' or even considering it down the road. It is kind of like what 'Dad' says...measure twice; cut once. It is your book, it is up to the author to double check to be sure everything is the way you want it!
Bear
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Thought I'd use pieces featuring my cousins!
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| | Pet Peeve (E) What words abound to serve me best to write a poem about my pet? #1279785 by ShiShad |
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Quick-Quill writes: I love this NL! My dream job most of my life (61yrs)was to run a bookstore. Now I see that the future is E-books and while there will be book stores for a while, it might not be as profitable by itself. My other dream to publish a novel is something I am in control of. If I put in the work and follow the rules, I can hold a book with my name as the author in my hands and be proud of it. I don't want to publish garbage like what I have read and bought. I want a book that others will WANT to read! I'm trading in my binoculars for a magnifying glass.
Joto-Kai says: Love the way you bring objects from far afield and work into your subject. Fridges and binoculars. Remember every character, narrator, and reader have their own prescription binoculars, usually with botched settings... That's what causes a lot of conflicts- and a lot of better stories.
Joshiahis muses: When you wrapped up your newsletter with a booze reference, I immediately comprehended the theme. What does that say about me?
ANN Counselor, Lesbian & Happy comments: I learned something from your newsletter message; that's what makes a good or great newsletter. This was great. ann
Thanking you!
Marci Missing Everyone adds: In the past I have been guilty of worrying about the end result that I indeed forget to enjoy the journey. However, when I took my life coach training, that was one of the first things that I learned. It has made a huge difference. Thanks for sharing your insights on this and the topic of perspective. ~Marci
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