It’s real!!!
All up 393 pages, 380+ pages of actual story…
I’m sitting here with mixed emotions right now; relief that the editing process is done, happiness that I have a real book (at least a proof copy), and fear (or terror) of the reception of the book…
I owe a large number of people debts of thanks too…
All of you blog readers for your support…
For the Alpha and Beta readers… Your patience was amazing, and thank you for ALL the constructive criticism, and correcting my lousy punctuation…
For the fact checkers (and no I STILL don’t know how the other 2 disappeared from the ballistics calculation; and yes I corrected for the altitude)…
For the published authors I talked to that gave good advice, especially about editing and constructive and destructive criticism…
To my editor, whom I purposely chose as a woman located in Chicago; figuring she would catch all the problems with understanding the tech jargon, and questions about location. Only to find out via one of her comments back, SHE GREW UP IN TEXAS… Sigh
And my illustrator… A blog reader and graphics wizard, who’s patience, was amazing… Along with her artwork and knowledge of what had to be done to make the cover ‘fit’…
And most of all to the naysayers…
Having come up through the ranks in the military, pretty much NOTHING sets my teeth on edge and makes me MORE determined to do something than being told I can’t, or it’s not good enough…
You know who you are, and please accept my humble thanks…
This is the last step, reviewing the proof, and making any final corrections that we catch, so I’m hoping to go ‘live’ with it either in late February, or early March. I’m planning a Kindle version, a Nook version (via B&N), and a print version.
One piece of advice. DO NOT read people’s critical reviews. It’s your work and screw them each (collectively or individually) if they don’t like it.
Just move on to book 2.
I always knew it would happen. High five.
I’d judge a book THAT cover.
Lookin’ good!
Grats!
LL- Thanks, and I WILL take that to heart…
FG- Thanks 🙂
Ed- Thanks!
Robert- Appreciate that!
+1 for LL’s comment. Pay no attention to the naysayers. The only person who really ‘must’ be happy with the work is the author.
Is there any chance of getting a signed copy of the dead tree edition?
Congrats Sir! Can’t wait for the print version. You will autograph it right =) ?
Well done, sir. Well done, indeed.
Wonderful!
Let me know when it’s up, so I can get a copy!
Yee Haw and Congrats Sir!
Dollars to donuts the naysayers NEVER published a novel. Congrats to you!
That’s Great! I can’t wait to read it!
I really like the dust jacket art and hereby lay claim to a signed first. Congratulations.
Fantastic! I can’t wait.
Congrats and good luck with the roll-out.
Well done Sir!
Now I can read the “Rest of the Story”. Congrats Jim.
Awesome! Congratulations on a great accomplishment!
Hope it is the first of many.
Sweet! Count me in for a print version.
looking forward to getting a copy ASAP. When I first started reading the grey man I immediately started looking for a copy not realizing this was your work. Congrats.
Great news! Count me in for a copy as soon as it’s published.
All- WOW, thanks for the comments, and I’ll figure out how to do signed copies.
Posted from my iPhone.
I’ll be looking for the Kindle version. If you can get it listed on Amazon, I’ll pre-order immediately.
Standing here with money in my raised fist waiting on the book to be on sale. Really looking forward to reading it.
As others have said, pay zero attention to the negative reviews–especially on Amazon where one doesn’t even have to give a name or anything to write a review.
Most art critics don’t know one end of a paintbrush from another. Most music critics can’t even sing in the shower. And most literary critics can’t write a book that would hold a reader’s interest for more than a couple of pages, if even that.
It’s kind of like being a veteran. Everyone you meet SAYS “Oh, I thought about joining the Army/Navy/Air Force/Marines/Coast Guard, BUT. . .” and then comes the reason or excuse why they didn’t. Us, on the other hand, represent the approximately one to two percent who did sign up and go do the job.
You’ll run into all kinds of people who’ll tell you, “Yeah, I started to write a book once, BUT. . . ” or “Yep, everyone tells me I should write my life’s story and make it a book–probably even a movie, BUT. . .”
Ignore the critics.
We’ll be keeping an eye out on Amazon for the launch.
Congrats.
–AOA
Good Job!
I’ll be waiting for the print version.
And yeah, IGNORE the armchair “critics”. 99.99% of them have never written a book, but are “qualified” to critique yours!
Hey Old NFO;
SWEET!!!, Now when you get a dead tree edition(Signed of course) let me know and I of course will get a kindle version when you use that format. I am big on supporting my blog buddies. Now you have to think about a sequel:)
Congrats !!!! So happy for you. Will it be on Amazon? I would love to order a copy.
Writing a book is an enormous undertaking and publishing a book is a huge accomplishment – ENJOY it!!! Congratulations on your book, I wish you much success, and if you need company on the book tour – call me!
All- Thanks, and I’m actually more scared of NOT meeting y’alls expectations…
Yay! Looking forward to reading it!
Wow! Good for you!
Sorry I’m late to this party…
What everyone else said + as long as you met your expectations, who cares what others think!
gfa
Congratulations! Tina’s cover looks great, and I can’t wait to go burrowing into the text!
Snigs/gfa- Thanks!
Joe- There ARE some text errors… sigh… fixing them now.
Very cool. Pencil me in for a death tree version.
BGM
Woot!
All- For those interested in a dead tree version, at least on first look, the easiest way will be for me to order books, and y’all send me an email with the inscription you want via email and mail me a check. As far as availability, it’s going to be via Amazon for Kindle and dead tree, and Barnes and Noble for the Nook version. One of the ‘issues’ I’m having with Kindle is getting the formatting right… sigh… If I get it ‘correct’ for Kindle devices, it comes with ‘extra’ blank pages in iPhone and iPad Kindle versions… sigh
Shut up and take my money! (Frye, from Futurama)
And if I find a mistake, you can be damn sure I’m gonna tell the author, in no uncertain terms! 😛
I can’t wait to read this! What a huge achievement, in your copious free time, too!
WN- LOL, just what I’d expect from you… 🙂 And thanks!
Yahooooo! Can’t wait to get Kindle and Dead Tree Versions! And then I can go all geeky fan grrrl on you too! 🙂
Looking forward to it! I’ll get both the kindle and dead tree.
MC- 😛 Stop it…
Rick- Thanks!
I will be waitng for the book
This is almost half way through February, two Appleseeds, a pacemaker for my heart and you tease me with a kindle version, I just have so much on my plate, will have to thank you and the Lord. Great job!
Kewl beans! Count me in for a Kindle version right off the bat!
Rick/Jeffro- Soon!
Earl- Working on it! Glad you’re back in battery!!!
Congratulations! Can’t wait …
Woot! Looking forward to it!
DB- You’re on the list too… 🙂
Kool!!
Sign a couple and email an address for the money.
I’ll take two.
I want a signed copy so I can hold it, sniff it, and as an old friend used to say “read the works off it”. Just give me the where & how much. You should be proud!! I don’t care what some of your neighbors in N.VA. may say about us, most of us in Roanoke can read!
Skip- Soon!
Woody- LOL, I’ve never doubted it…
I’m down, just let us know when we can pre order and I’ll send money.
Ras would be happy for you.
Six- Will do!