Day 1867: Proof number 4

For thirteen days I waited for proof number 3 to arrive.  As each day passed, I grew more anxious about the time line for release.  On Monday, I realized that if I held the party on Dec. 1, I would not have time to get 200 books printed and delivered.  So, on Tuesday I moved the party date to Monday, Dec. 11.  It would make it possible to get books there on time, IF, the third proof was correct.

It's not.  When it arrived today, I was frustrated, irritated, exasperated.  For some reason, the printer wrapped the back cover image over the spine and 1/8 inch onto the front.  The color is a bit washed out, but at least the white was truly white and not pink.  Also, the hikers are in proportion and positioned correctly on the page.  So, I called the publisher.  He put together another cover that is the original image, positioned correctly with a bright green frame around the title.  If the printer just replicates the design accurately, we'll be all set.  The green is more lime than I wanted, but so be it.

Now, I have to wait 10-12 days again.  I hope it comes before we go to NYC for Thanksgiving.  If it's ok, the book will go live on Amazon within 24 hours.  If a person who has Amazon Prime orders the book, they will get it in 2 days.  That's faster than I can get copies.

My next big question is when to send the invitations to the launch party.  I should probably wait till I see the proof, but that depends on when it arrives.  This part of the process is so stressful, but I must persevere.  I wanted to be done by Dec. 1, so I could spend the month resting and focusing on family. Oh, well.

Tomorrow, we'll be speaking with the 8th graders about Quest after school.  The student leaders will be there to share their stories and I'll show the new promo video.  The next few weeks are packed with student meetings and then parent meetings just after Thanksgiving.

Over the weekend, I sat and read a novel straight through.  It felt great and I liked the book until the very end.  It will be an interesting discussion at book club tomorrow night.