My copy edits for Friday Mornings at Nine arrived last week and I only have about 8 days to read through them, fix anything and everything I want changed and get it back in the mail to Kensington. This requires (for me) reading through the whole manuscript about 3 times: checking the copy editor's changes (first pass, quickly), making my changes (second pass, v.e.r.y slowly), checking both together (third pass, quickly but with growing anxiety). Right now I'm in the midst of my second run through, where I'm reading every sentence and asking myself repeatedly if I really want it to read this way in the final version. And no matter how much time and thought I put into it now, I know I'm still going to panic when I see the page proofs in May.
This is kind of exhausting.
However, I'm also in a never-ending state of awe over what copy editors do. For three years now--THREE years!!--I've been unknowingly leaving out the second "r" in "Ghirardelli," despite the fact that I have the actual product IN MY HOUSE almost every week. The amazing CE discovered and corrected this error...along with about 200 others. Maybe I should send her some chocolate, huh?Anyway, between this and finishing up judging RITA books (some very good ones but I have 8 of them!), I'm going to have to be offline more than on this week. Looking forward to catching up on blog posts and what's happening with all of you very soon, though!
BTW, many thanks to those of you who stopped by "Mr. Knightley's Picnic" last week :). The event itself is over but those interested in winning prizes still have until March 27th to leave comments on the posts. There are tons of things to win--especially books and fairy-related things. Here is the full schedule of events. On that page, just click on the time listed for each event and it will take you to the proper post. Both Amanda Grange (author of many Austenesque novels, including Mr. Knightley's Diary and Mr. Darcy, Vampyre) and I wrote little fiction pieces to accompany the picnicking. Each story can be read in 7 parts (these are noted on the schedule), and a comment on those posts puts you in the running to win books. Amanda's story is called "Mr. Knightley and the Fairies" and mine is "A Tale of Two Matchmakers." (Part one of mine begins here, and there are links at the bottom of the post to the rest of the story.)
So, now you know about my wacky week. What are you all doing?? Hope the start of March brings you much sunshine and that first wonderful wiff of spring (or fall, if you're in the Southern Hemisphere--love that season, too ;).
14 comments:
I'm sure you'll do a fabulous job with the copy edits. I'm a Ghirardelli fan too. One of my favorite chocolates. And I checked your blog to make sure I spelled it right too. lol
Last week was hectic for us. My FIL passed away. He lived a full life, and we were expecting it. We inherited his 17-year old beagle, which kept up busy. I'm sure having her with us helped my husband. She's behind me right now, licking herself. I'm putting her in my next book.
Good luck with your copy edits, Marilyn! I've no doubt the book is going to be perfect!
Hooray for copy edits, because that means FRIDAY MORNINGS AT NINE is that much closer to being in my hot little hands! (And, of course, hooray for chocolate, but that goes without saying!)
Edie~thanks for the vote of confidence... I'm very sorry to hear about the loss of your FIL, though. That's always hard. My thoughts are with your family... Wishing your new family member a big welcome!
Robin~LOL!! I have no doubt it won't even approach "perfect" but hugs to you for being so sweet!
Pamela~definitely hooray for chocolate! And a double hooray for Ghirardelli's (esp. now that I finally know how to spell it ;). Hope you have a great week!!
Good luck with edits!
I have four boys who are all 10-16 with many sport activites so my week is filled with making them happy!!!! Plus getting done some writing done daily is top of my list. I also do a monthly interview on a local radio show and it's being taped this week.
I can't wait to do edits with a real editor!!
Good luck with the copy edits! I know how nerve-wracking those can be;(
Goodluck with the copy edits! It really needs attention and time. :)
Good luck with your copy edits, Marilyn. I'm sure you'll do fine.
I'm off to go read your lovely suprise, A Tale of Two Matchmakers. *waves*
Loving that crazy author life, huh? This week, I'm all junior high..."vote for me". Kinda crazy, these games we play.
Take care of yourself so you can be brilliant :)
It's nearing midnight here, and it's been a day of much work and racing around--but I saw all of these wonderful comments and just wanted to say thank you!!
Tonya~I have only one son in that age bracket--I can only imagine how busy you are with four!! Fingers crossed you'll get that editor soon ;).
Maria~thanks, hon! I know you know the time involved in this... I need some more chocolate to wake me up, I think!
Precious~thank you so much!! You're right--it's really time consuming--but I hope the end result will make the effort worth it, and I really hope all of you will like this new book :-).
Pamala~thank you for reading my "Matchmaker" tale and leaving comments, too!! I'm hoping you'll win one of Velvet's cool prizes!
L.A.~yeah, the author life has its highs, lows and (frequently for me) its chocolate-infusion moments... Wishing you a great week, too!
Good luck with the copy edits. My week has been a blur so far.
Thanks, Kwana! I've finally got 'em mailed... Hope your week/weekend is a great one!
Hope the edits went well. Hey thanks for mentioning Mr Knightley's Picnic. Still getting readers of the story. They all love it!
Thanks so much, Velvet! I'm really pleased to hear that your readers enjoyed my little tale. It was fun to write it ;).
Post a Comment