The Manuscript!

Hi!  I figured it was time for another update.  The manuscript is not only written, it is typed!  I put in about five hours, excluding a break for supper and washing dishes, to type up the last two and a half chapters last night.  I finished around midnight. It is a whole 77 pages of 8x11 size paper.  When people ask why it takes so long to type it up, I wish I could ask them how long it takes them to type up 77 pages.  It might sound easy, but it is not.  Besides, when I write I do not create paragraphs or check to make sure I am spelling my words correctly.  That comes as I type.

For those of you who are wondering what will happen next, the manuscript will be printed off and distributed to four different people.  One copy will go to the person doing the illustrations, two will go adults who have agreed to do a read through and some editing for me, and the final one will go to a juvenile to offer me a younger perspective and help with the editing.  A fifth copy will be printed and will serve as my "poor man's copyright."

While my manuscript is off being read and worked on by the four wonderful people who have agreed to help, I will be going through it myself looking for a number of things.  The first thing will be my own editing and revisions.  I will also be going through it to help contribute illustrating ideas.  Last, I will be going through it to select the material for the front and back matter of the book.  I will be compiling and typing up the front and back matter while I wait for feedback.

What makes up the front matter?  The excerpt right behind the front cover, the list of books I have written, the title and copyright pages, and finally, the dedication and acknowledgments.  The back matter of the book consists of the glossary, diagrams, sections about the author and illustrator, and a page with ordering information.

The book is at a point in the writing/publishing cycle where there will be big changes in the next few months.  I hope you will continue to check back often for updates and a possible schedule.  I look forward to being able to share the final book in the Sarah and London series with my dedicated readers.  Take care!

Updates!

My oh my, I have not posted for quite some time!  I apologize to those who have been patiently waiting.  I just wanted to send a quick update for anyone who reads this.  My fourth book is finally written (yay!) and I am 95% sure I have my title (double yay!) so it is progressing along nicely.  I have also managed to type up half of the manuscript.  I will be away from my story for a few weeks but will resume typing it up around the middle of February.  I am hoping to finish it up by the end of next month so that we can begin editing and illustrating.  At this point there is a possibility that it could be released this fall, or this summer at the earliest.  In the meantime, I am hoping to update the website and am tossing around the idea of running some sort of contest once this book is typed up.  I will post further updates as I have them and look forward to what this year will hold for us.

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www.pumpkinheadpublishing.com

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