Then I started on the publishing process. I guess I've gotten impatient to get this manuscript out of my hands and get some feedback. It's far more complicated than I anticipated and I know I have just one chance with each publisher to get the proposal right. The social media component was something I didn't anticipate. After spending the last two weeks doing more research and fiddling with Facebook photo uploads, I think I've finally figured it out. Perhaps by the end of the week, I can launch that new page to promote Quest backpacking. That will give me the evidence I need that I have an audience.
The manuscript is down to 108,200 words with eight chapters left to edit again. The book has been strengthened by the cuts. It's tighter and more fluid. It's easier to cut now that it's my only purpose when I review text. I will return to the history chapter again to cut more words and that will help me reach the 100,000 word target.
So, a new deadline would be more realistic. Time in California, musical rehearsals and shows, set breakdown, backpacking classes in four schools for eight more weeks, seven days of backpacking, and a trip to Scotland. And my garden is calling to me. And the pool. Two or three weeks to finish cutting words. A week to put together the new Facebook page, then regularly update and add content. Get the kids to return the photo release forms. Two more weeks to revise the query again. Time to gather followers for the page. Reconsider the title, again. Overcome doubts that plague me.
Usually, I put the book to bed in March to devote my attention to running Quest and regular life and then resurrect it in October. Can I juggle it all at the same time? If so, I could try for May 1, but June 25 may make more sense. So, I'll just do the best I can and try to be patient.
A favorite photo from our trip to Spain in 2011
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