Cutting Room Floor: Part 5

Shhhh. I have a title. Don’t scare it away. It took me a very long time to come up with one, but titles have always been difficult for me. Luckily, though, they haven’t ever left me high and dry when the pressure is on. 18 days to go, and I definitely needed a title so I could begin constructing the book cover. Now that the title is in the bag, it’s a rush to the finish. Here’s what I have left to do:

• Finish the final edit (I’m 40 pages from the end)
• Decide on final fonts and layout
• Create a book summary
• Confirm my author appearances in support of the book
• Order and approve the final draft
• Update my Amazon author page

And I’m sure there’s something else I’m forgetting at the moment but will show its head as the process continues. Did I mention I only have 18 days left? Oh yes, I forgot the acknowledgements page. We writers really are hardest on ourselves, aren’t we? A friend of mine is working hard on getting the second book in her series finished so she can get it out there in the world, and it’s so exciting for me to read her blog and see how alike and how different our paths are. I mean, I couldn’t imagine writing series books, but that’s all she writes. Maybe one day.

In the meantime, I’m still working hard on getting the word out there that I have a second novel about to be released. I was invited to be the special guest at a class on self-publishing at the library earlier this week, and I had an amazing time walking the participants through the process. It reminded me that writing and publishing novels isn’t just about writing and publishing novels. It’s about a connection with readers, the give and take of it all.

Now it’s time to get back to the Cutting Room Floor, but never forget just because you cut it doesn’t mean you can’t use the ideas elsewhere. Never get rid of anything. You never know when it might come in useful another time, and in another place.

Sam

P.S. – As soon as I’m done with the cover art I will post another Cutting Room Floor with the title reveal. Look for it!