Printers and layouts and deadlines…oh, my!

Augggh!

OK, got that out of my system.

In case you ever thought publishing a book was a cakewalk, let me assure you that beneath this calm surface (“we’re releasing WriteShop Primary in the spring, tra-la-la”) lies a roiling cauldron ready to spew!

As of last night:

  1. I am a week behind in getting an updated style sheet to Sallie, our dear and wonderful editor.
  2. I also owe Sallie stamps of approval on Lessons 8-10 in Book A.
  3. We keep finding corrections to make in lessons long ago finished. Lessons 1-6 have been “final” about ten times now! Lesson 7 alone has passed muster thus far.
  4. Our talented, amazing layout guy, David, had the nerve to show us interior pages in color. Why is that a bad thing? Because they’re just BEAUTIFUL! And it’s hard to think about printing them in black and white now. I know, I know, they would still look great in B&W. But oh, if you could just see how the color pops off the page…. Anyway, it means making another decision because we’d have to price the books a few dollars higher. Oh, what to do?
  5. I can’t find the surface of my desk. 
  6. Our printer just informed us that their plant is on overload during April and May due to their mass printing of school yearbooks. So much for having stock to take to conventions!
  7. My to-do list grows faster than I can check things off.
  8. While our big printing job is in the queue, we need to find another printer who can do just a few books POD (print-on-demand) so we can take samples to show convention-goers.
  9. Several of the families testing WriteShop Primary for us are going to be ready for their next lessons, since they’re now testing Books B and C. Have I finished formatting them? No. Have I added the extra Guided Writing Practice dialogues? No. Have I sent them to Sallie for editing? You’re joking, right?
  10. My dear friend, who was screening picture books for our “Suggested Books” list, calls to tell me she’s in major crisis and has to bow out. Don’t think I’ll be able to squeeze that section into the book now. But that’s an easy fix. We can always add a book list to our website.
  11. And speaking of our website…I realize afresh that the entire site is devoted to WriteShop (as in our original books, WriteShop I and II). My point is…? With the advent of WriteShop Primary, we’ll be adding kindergarten, first- and second-grade writing to a line that previously targeted junior high and high school only. So not only do we need to think about the new books themselves, we need to think about redoing our entire website, which is still somewhat in limbo from the site design overhaul.

I have it all sewn up most of the time. Lookin’ good, Kim! But sometimes the stuffing just begins to fall out. The good news? God’s strength is made perfect in my weakness. And nothing escapes his eye.

As fragmented as I feel (and look to you!), in truth I’m SO excited. Publishing a new book for the first time in years…well, it’s positively thrilling! And even though all these plates are spinning wildly on their wobbly poles, they’re still spinning.

So…stay tuned for more on our crazy publishing adventure!

On Legos and writing
Reluctant writers tip #1: Using a tape recorder

4 Comments

  • Posted February 28, 2008

    Nancy I. Sanders

    Wow!!!! What a crazy to-do list you have–but lots of fun! And what a great picture to go with it. Have a great day!
    -Nancy

  • Posted February 28, 2008

    Kim

    Once I made that list and actually stepped back from it, I was able to unfreeze myself and pick through a couple of those items. I love checking things off and saying, “Done!”

    Kim

  • Posted February 29, 2008

    Sallie @ A Gracious Home

    Kim,

    I know what you mean about crossing things off. If I do something that isn’t on my list I will write it down and then cross it off just for the pleasure of crossing it off. :-)

    Thank you for your kind words. It is my pleasure to be working with you on this project. :-)

  • Posted March 2, 2008

    Kim

    Sallie, how funny! I thought I was the only one who did that! :)

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