On July 28, 2012, I learned that my memoir, Diary of a Vet's Wife, Loving and Living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder had slammed into a brick wall, and for a while, I didn't know if my PERFECT COVER was going to survive. I was crushed . . . but not broken.
Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Gilda Radner
Life is about not knowing, having to change, taking the moment and making the best of it, without knowing what's going to happen next. Gilda Radner
My last post on July 16th was a SNEAK PEEK at the cover of my memoir, Diary of a Vet’s Wife, Loving and Living with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The PERFECT COVER for my story!
A literary high enveloped me as I downloaded my PERFECT COVER to Booklocker, my self-publisher, on July 28th. My mind wandered as I envisioned unwrapping the brown paper package, which could arrive within two weeks. After all the tears and all the years, I would finally hold in my hands, the first copy of Diary of a Vet's Wife, otherwise known as the galley.
The next day, I learned my cover had been rejected!!
It isn’t the mountain ahead that wears you out; it’s the grain of sand in your shoe. Robert W. Service, poet
BookLocker’s email indicated there was no bleed . . . .
What did that mean? I had no idea, so I looked it up: "A bleed is when a photo or graphic runs beyond the edge of the finished printed page, with the excess trimmed off before the book is bound. You prepare for a bleed in the document setup before you begin your layout, and in the file preparation for the commercial printer after the design is finished."
I forwarded BookLocker's email to Australia, but they were already on holiday in Hawaii. And I was leaving for my family reunion in Ohio - for THREE weeks. What a predicament!
Hence, the parade of delays began . . . .
Once I returned from Ohio, my team in Australia worked diligently to correct the problem. After another rejection, they apologized with the fact that they were unable to meet all of the printer's specifications.
I contacted BookLocker and asked if their cover designer could correct the bleed. My next lesson unfolded . . . "like all written material, there’s an automatic copyright on original covers." BookLocker’s cover designer would only design a NEW COVER!
But I didn't want a new cover! Was I about to lose my PERFECT COVER?
A tearful pity party brought my sister to my rescue. She and her husband have published a local newspaper in Ohio since 1995. She said SHE COULD FIX IT!! Thank you, Lord. However, she and her assistant must start from scratch. By working with the team in Australia, they could duplicate the original cover design, but I'd have to WAIT IN LINE with the newspapers yet to be published.
“A setback is a setup for a comeback.” T.D. Jakes
Sadly, my technical-know-how could swim laps in a match box. Without going into detail, I learned that "computer advertising" and "newspaper printing" each have their own unique set of specifications. Never the two shall mix like oil and water. Period.
Self-publishing is a little like putting an octopus to bed. Anne LamottI'll skip the details. As soon as the three editions went to press, my sister, Karen, and her assistant, Amanda, went to work to re-create my PERFECT COVER. All of the original photos, blurbs, book review, etc., had been sent from Sydney to Ohio, where everyone concurred to duplicate the original cover. There were a few snags along the way, but all were determined to make it happen. My sister is amazing!
I held my breath and waited. Everything was upside-down and I had no idea how to translate this into a blog. Anyone ever been there?
On October 29th, the re-creation of my PERFECT COVER was downloaded to BookLocker! They acknowledged receipt! The next day, I learned that shortly after my cover was sent, Hurricane Sandy hit Ohio, knocking power out for three days. I feel guilty being happy when so many have had their lives and futures destroyed. Please forgive me.
Where am I today?
As a writer, who decided to self-publish after a year of querying with no results, I can breathe again. If I had known the challenges up-front, would I still have proceeded? I don't know. But I do know I'm a much stronger and self-confident person because of this journey.
What next?
I wait for the galley. And as soon as it arrives, I'm going to Trader Joes and buy bouquets of yellow roses! Off in the distance you might hear the sound of fireworks soaring through the heavens, as I compose a blog with the announcement. I've spent almost two decades preparing for this moment!
My Personal Request ~
If anyone reading my memoir knew my husband, Lorne, in Viet Nam, I'd like to communicate with you. Does anyone know who took the picture that's on the cover? I'd be most grateful. . . .
Please contact me @ diaryofavetswife@hotmail.com.
On October 29th, the re-creation of my PERFECT COVER was downloaded to BookLocker! They acknowledged receipt! The next day, I learned that shortly after my cover was sent, Hurricane Sandy hit Ohio, knocking power out for three days. I feel guilty being happy when so many have had their lives and futures destroyed. Please forgive me.
Where am I today?
As a writer, who decided to self-publish after a year of querying with no results, I can breathe again. If I had known the challenges up-front, would I still have proceeded? I don't know. But I do know I'm a much stronger and self-confident person because of this journey.
What next?
I wait for the galley. And as soon as it arrives, I'm going to Trader Joes and buy bouquets of yellow roses! Off in the distance you might hear the sound of fireworks soaring through the heavens, as I compose a blog with the announcement. I've spent almost two decades preparing for this moment!
My Personal Request ~
If anyone reading my memoir knew my husband, Lorne, in Viet Nam, I'd like to communicate with you. Does anyone know who took the picture that's on the cover? I'd be most grateful. . . .
Please contact me @ diaryofavetswife@hotmail.com.
