I’ve been sick for a few days. It’s winter here, down under, and it doesn’t help that I use public transport to get to work every day. Nothing like packing into a tram with a hundred other coughing people on a dreary gray morning, to remind me of my Soviet era childhood. Needless to say, I’m not at all nostalgic about it. I took a sick day and tried to sleep it off, but my brain is still no working so good.
Despite the general mental fog and lack of interest in anything outside the bed, I’ve managed to progress a little. First of all, I’ve made a decision on what to do about the proofread. Thank you so much to everyone who took time to read and advise me on my latest predicament. I’m going to persevere with the option #2, which is to get back to the editor and resolve what I perceive to be issues. I’m currently going through the manuscript, from the beginning, compiling a list of all the changes I don’t understand or agree with, and hope to send a complete list to her later today. In the process of doing it, I’ve realised that she’s actually done a good job overall, very thorough. I’ve also realised that I have a ready editor right next to me, in form of my fiancé. Why it has not occurred to me to ask him before, I’m not sure (refer mental fog), but it turns out his private school and uni education is worth something :-).
There has also been progress on the cover front. Due to popular demand from the focus group (thank you so much again!!) I have reverted back to the double rip, but used the more script-y font:
It’s not finished yet, but I think the future changes will be very minor, as in fiddling with font color or placement, and maybe color saturation or overlays. There will never be a perfect cover to please everybody, but I’m quite happy with the feedback so far, which suggests that it’s catchy and interesting enough. I have certainly loved the process of working on it myself.
So there you go. Not too bad for the sneezing, coughing, mess that I am at the moment. Back to bed, I guess 🙂
Ana Spoke, author 
Nice!!
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Thank you!
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P.S. Hope you feel better soon. 🙂
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Thanks again, that’s very sweet of you 🙂
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The cover is looking good. Glad you have resolved the editing issue. Sounds like a good strategy. Take care of you – not good marketing to have a signing author leaving a bacterial signature as well. : )
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Hahaha! I’m afraid it’s a long way till the signings…aahh, one day 🙂
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Great looking cover, Ana. I think the fiance option is a great idea. You must lean on him a bit to be forthright and honest with you, too.
Hope you’re feeling better soon!
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Didn’t realise you are in Australia. Hope the flu is gone soon 🙂
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Thank you 🙂 I did spend 14 years in the US at one point, so still sentimental and that’s why my first novel is set there.
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So glad you have worked out your editing and proofreading issues. The cover looks wonderful. Now, get well.
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Thank you 🙂
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I’m glad you are sticking with the editor. I’m not glad that you aren’t feeling well.
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Thank you for caring – I wasn’t expecting well wishes, such a nice surprise 🙂
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It’s a catching cover. Nicely crafted.
It seems for all its woes, the cold -despite the mental fog- has given you an opportunity to process. It sucks to be sick, but what a great side effect.
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Thank you! Much appreciated – hopefully I get it in the second gear this week 🙂
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I hope you’re feeling better soon.
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Thank you so much 🙂
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Yes, yes make use of your built-in resource 🙂
Your plan of attack seems sound – more work for you – but you will come away with a much better understanding in the end. The finished product will be something both you and your proofreader agree upon.
Who is the cover model? She looks familiar to me?
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She does, doesn’t she? She is just a stock photo model from Shutterstock, maybe she’s been in something after those pics were taken…
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So your from russia but live in australia? Howd you end up there? Love th cover btw:)
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It’s a long story, which started with me winning a scholarship to study in the US over 2 decades ago. That’s why my novel is set in the southeastern US, I spent 14 years there.
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Ohhh thats cool! Theres such a diverse range of people on here
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Hope you feel better soon. Glad you resolved the proofreading issue.The cover will be perfect when you finish it and your book a best seller! Take care!
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Thank you Olivia! It’s a hard slog and I appreciate all the support I can get 🙂
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My wife probably the best editor I’ve ever had – mainly because she isn’t afraid to be brutal with me if necessary! The cover’s looking good as well!
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Thank you! She’s a fearless woman 🙂
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Love the cover! My husband is my number one beta reader, too!
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Thank you Meg 🙂
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I’m starting to despise the winter. There is absolutely nothing fun about a constantly blocked nose and fizzy hair from sweaters.
At least being sick is the perfect excuse to not leave bed. Hope you feel better soon.
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Thank you Enette! This winter has actually been better, because I’ve bought a huge (fake) fur coat. It gets me weird looks from other (freezing) people, but I don’t care. I have a DNA right to wear furs, being Russian and all…
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I hope you feel better soon! I love your cover design.
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Thank you Elizabeth
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The cover looks awesome! If you ever need another proofreader, I proofread for another indie author. I can’t wait to read it & review for you!! Feel better!
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Thank you so much! I would love to have a beta-reader for my next one, very much appreciated 🙂 Can’t wait to see reviews, it would be amazing to know what people outside of the immediate circle really thought…
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Do you have a release date yet? I’ll be on the look out, so I can review for you. 😊
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I’m now quite certain it will be in 2 weeks. I will most definitely let you know! Thank you so much 🙂
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Of course!! Good luck with the release, and I can’t wait to read it!!
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Hi, this was a nice read. Get well soon!!
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Thank you!
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What a great cover. I love it! I hope you feel better soon.
Chelsea
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Thank you so much Chelsea 🙂
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Since this was penned a few days ago, I hope you are feeling much better. Thank you for taking the time to follow my blog. Wishing you continued progress on the book.
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Thank you 🙂 yes, a lot better and working to a deadline…just a couple of weeks of effort, at most 🙂
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Glad it seems to have worked out (so far). Hoping the talk with your proofreader ends bloodlessly!
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Thank you John, it did – I was polite and she was reasonable, so that particular drama is over on good terms 🙂
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