Welcome!

Welcome to 'Old Acquaintances' blog...The debut book by author Ursula Gorman. 'Old Acquaintances' is a mystery/romance.

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Author Picture

It is getting close to the time that my publisher is going to start asking for things...endorsements, cover art ideas, any pictures...including my author picture. I've been told that having your picture on your book helps the reader connect with the author. I'm not sure if it's true or not, but I do like to see what an author looks like when 'I' read a book...but the important part to me is the part of the jacket that tells you what the story is about, not so much the picture.
But I will take the advice and do an author picture on my book...but what type of picture do I do? I could do a serious picture and be sitting at my desk in my home office, or in front of my bookshelf full of books. Or I could do a casual picture of me at the local nature center and have a nice outdoorsy picture. Another option is to do a head shot with a solid background...
I'm not sure what I'll do, but I'll probably take a lot so I can hopefully find at least one that I'm willing to use!
Any thoughts?

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Multimedia Options

Good Tuesday evening. I have been e-mailing back and forth with the multimedia department at Tate Publishing. It is time for me to pick my option that goes along with my contract. I narrowed it down to commercials or an audio book. I have finally made my decision...I'm going with the audio book!
I think it is the best choice for my book. Once the commercials air, that's it...but with the audio book, it can keep going 'forever'! Plus many people I've talked to say they prefer to listen to audio books instead of reading the book due to long hours in a car or while exercising...I think this will help get my 'book' into more hands than the commercials will.
So, keep your fingers crossed...we are getting there!

Saturday, May 8, 2010

To start pre-sales or not to start pre-sells...

I have been debating with when I should start the pre-sells of 'Old Acquaintances'. I have gotten some really good advice from two people that I've come to respect, they both say it is never too early. BUT...they have both written and sold books that have been released already and didn't start pre-selling until subsequent books...They have an idea of what to expect in this area whereas I don't have a clue!
So, I know I want to do pre-sells but am perplexed on when to start them. I am currently thinking that when I start vacation the first week of June, that will give me the needed time to get things set up for pay pal and other necessities to start pre-sells. My estimate is that 'Old Acquaintances' will be available for purchase directly from me starting in October (hopeful thinking) or November (more realistic).
So would readers be willing to purchase a book 5 to 6 months before they will receive their book? I'm going to hope so and move forward with pre-sells as soon as I can get it set up with pay pal. What do you think?

Wednesday, May 5, 2010

First contact with my editor

I have officially meet my editor...it's kind of cool to be able to say that I have an editor! Her name is Ashley and so far I think she's great! She sent me my welcome e-mail Monday and in it is a timeline of the editing process that takes me through July 15th.
I am now waiting to get my first round of edits from her, that will be on the 31st. I will then have 2 weeks to make any changes I agree with. I like that I don't have to make all the changes if I find I don't agree with them! At the end of the two weeks, I send my revisions back. She then has two weeks to incorporate all my changes and get a 'clean' manuscript to me for approval. I have two weeks to re-read the manuscript and sign a content approval if everything is good. Once she gets it back, she makes sure I've signed the approval then it heads to layout and design. That will be July 15th.
So while it isn't the speediest process, it is moving! I sent Ashley an e-mail with a question or two and she was wonderful in her response but what made my week was her parting comment. She said that the copy editor, Ashley is the conceptual editor, recommended the book to Ashley since it is her favorite type of genre AND the copy editor said she thought she would really enjoy it because she thought it was great!!!! Now, I realize that are there to help and encourage the authors and if this is something they routinely tell us, I DON'T CARE!! ;^} It made me feel great and I can't wait to see what Ashley has to say!
So stay posted and we will find out together what happens next.
God Bless