When I set out to write a book, I didn’t fully know what to expect or even how to exactly think through a book from initial thought to published product. Maybe if I did know I’d still be standing there at the beginning dismissing the journey of writing, rewriting, editing and so much more editing, as one of those insurmountable heights in life climbed and conquered by few. Namely, not me.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step,” may certainly be quite accurate of a statement, but it is with each subsequent step slipping, falling and rising again, where the journey becomes more than just a walk from somewhere.
Each meandering morning earlier than the sun when a block of 500 words written held more value than sleep, gold or the foolishness of being a published author with book in hand stacked on top of the other. Before too long, blocks of words did more than float on my computer screen and journal. They stacked higher and higher still one on the next and the many following the first. Most days spent writing seemed like I was crafting words and spinning them into a forever stretching horizon ending nowhere but still feeling warm.
Such are dreams too big and unbelonging in our little context of no and can’t and well, maybe. That is, until we believe, and more importantly, assume beginning with a readiness to just keeping stepping into thin days where dreams quickly vanish into ridiculous.
The completion of my first book should rightly be diminished to just that: a collection of footprints maybe leading somewhere, but at least stepped onto, pressed into and smeared upon the mountain pushing down heavy into each ordinary day.
And so, not only does a completed manuscript exist, but now the wheels are a-turnin’ and the manuscript is being crafted into a real, actual book!
Here are a few updates on my book’s progress despite my lingering unbelief at times:
Final round of editing almost complete! Editing has been the most uncomfortable element to the process, but by far and wide, the most helpful and guiding. My editor is simply an amazing mix of strong encouragement and sharp edge slicing through unnecessary.
Book design and artwork! Hand meets digital expression, illustration meets design. I have an incredible duo creating the artwork for my book combining hand drawn illustration and artfully brilliant computer design. I literally sent a few pictorial examples of what I want and excerpts of my manuscript and the design began to lift off the ground. I can’t wait to show you guys what they come up with!
Book endorsements! 6 published authors have agreed to read my manuscript and endorse my book. Ridiculous ...enough said.
Video shoot! Somehow I am crossing paths with the right people at the right time (wink). This month as editing is wrapping, design is coming together and book endorsements are being crafted, all in preparation for printing to begin, I am prepping for a video shoot with an incredibly talented filmmaker. This video will act as a sort of trailer for the book. Location in Dallas has been confirmed and the script is done.
KICKSTARTER! All of this - the writing, painstaking edits, exciting art design, endorsements and video shoot - converge at one moment, the scramble to summit the mountain, if you will. I need pay for it all. Rather than going the route of a traditional publisher, I chose to go with a publishing imprint that will allow me to retain rights to the book that I wrote. This means that I will own my own book instead of a publishing house owning the rights to my book. To go this route meant me having to pay for the team to bring the book from concept and dream locked in my head to life.
I will write more about my Kickstarter campaign in the next week or so. Please be on the look out and consider helping me in bringing this book into reality by pre-ordering copies of my book and additional items such as commissioned print copies of the book cover artwork and an exclusive ebook of poetry and thoughts not included in my book.
I cannot express the excitement building in each passing day and the depth of gratitude to you, the community who has surrounded me in support and encouragement. In large part to each of you who subscribe to my blog, this book is soon to transcend dream!!