I think I'm ready! There's still no Christmas tree in the house but we do have one on the deck which the wind keeps blowing over. And Wyatt bought a big log cabin gingerbread house for $2 at a festival. I've wrapped a couple of gifts which is my favorite thing to do at Christmas. And last but not least, I ordered a Honeybaked ham as I've dreamed of doing for years. It comes with a cheesecake, thankfully. Saves me from butchering a hog and all that churning to make dessert, as Lael would say:) Last year at this time I received the galleys for The Frontiersman's Daughter - a sort of early Christmas present from my publisher:) For those of you who don't know and want to, the galleys are just the typeset version of the manuscript prior to its being turned into actual pages and sent to the printer. It's the author's last chance to make any significant changes.
I call last Christmas my drive-thru experience as I hardly noticed that it came or went with the galleys in my lap. At the Denver ACFW conference a couple of months ago a fellow author and friend of mine told me she was expecting galleys upon her return home. I bit my lip and didn't tell her my tale. When I heard from her a couple of days later she'd finished with the galleys in less time that it takes to sneeze! The only way I can understand this is to say she's smarter than I am:)
I haven't seen Courting Morrow Little since the end of July when I submitted it a few days before deadline. Since then I've had time to sift through the story in between research and The Locket to see how I might improve it. Last chance, after all! I read it over many times during the three weeks or so I'm given and make changes, etc. I should see the galleys any minute now as this is how the publication schedule falls for me.
So...ready, set, galleys:)
What a wonderful Christmas present two years in a row! I can't imagine how it must feel to hold your baby in your arms for the very first time!
ReplyDeleteSo, did you make any chances? Catch any editing mistakes that weren't caught by the professionals? I have to say that, for the most part, the Christian fiction I have read has been thoroughly proofread. In fact I can't think of any glaring errors and yet mainstream books seem riddled with them. I wonder why? (and yes it's odd, but I notice those little details).
And Laura, do you have a real Christmas tree with candles in the boughs? It strikes me that you'd cook over an open fire if it furthered your research efforts for a story! LOL.
I got to Chapter 16 of TFD last night. If my books every get published and you honor me by reading them, you will see the similarities right away! The stories and settings are different but all the the fireplace cooking, churning, puncheon-floor walking, and corn crowing will strike a familiar note with you!
ReplyDeleteLet me add that I am enjoying your book. Who do I like so far? Simon? Captain Jack? I know there is a lot more to go.
Kav, You are right about Christian fiction being clean at the line level, as they say. I'm reading a secular book on an 18th-c. Tory widow and it is riddled with typos. And it's from a major pub.
ReplyDeleteNot sure why that is.
Since I'm such a perfectionist I tend to overkill on the galleys or any other part of the process. There were so few changes made or needed by the galleys stage though I did add a couple of extra finishing school scenes. And I spruced up CJ a bit. You'd be amazed at what you catch. Mostly for me it's just finding a word that sounds better, etc.
And yes, I used to have a tree with real candles in tiny pewter holders but my fireproofing hubby put the kabosh on that big time:) And I love cooking on open fires though I haven't tried making-corn-cakes-on-bark method yet!
Britt, I knew we were kindred spirits when I found your wonderful blog:) So I'm not surprised to see that you're finding things close to home. Keep reading! After Lael leaves finishing school it really heats up. Fortunately, in my next 2 novels, my heroes make their entrance much earlier. Poor Ian! He arrives so late. But then there's always Captain Jack...
ReplyDeleteI am completely freaked out by the fact that Christmas is less than 3 weeks away. Still so much to do, and so little time (and no galleys in my future, LOL)!
ReplyDeleteSo, is this Christmas going to be a drive-thru, too? It's exciting that you are this far along on CML, because that means your readers are closer to reading the finished product! We're excited for you!
ReplyDeleteYes, we want to know more about Captain Jack, please! :)
ReplyDeleteI hope your galleys turn out exactly how you hoped.
I love your enthusiasm, Mary! And so glad you want to read CML as much as I'm wanting to see it out there for my readers:) Thank you for your comments. They always brighten my day!
ReplyDeleteRuth, I understand your comment oh so well! You'd think, the older I get, that I'd get better at Christmas but instead the opposite seems to be happening. You are way ahead of me though - you have your beautiful tree:)
ReplyDeleteThe only thing I've done for Christmas so far is water the Pointsettia that a friend gave me. I'm kind of a last minute person, anyway.
ReplyDeleteWhat a very exciting time of the year for you, Laura, for so many reasons! I hope your galleys come soon.
Another early Christmas present. Will you be making galleys before Christmas a tradition.
ReplyDeleteEileen, I had to chuckle - yes, I HOPE these galleys will be a tradition, Christmas or otherwise:) I sometimes think it would be dismal to be a one book wonder or even a 3 book wonder and then have no other work. But I hear it does happen. Yikes!! But then if you're like Harper Lee and "To Kill A Mockingbird" you don't have to worry about writing another!
ReplyDeleteStacey,
ReplyDeleteIt always makes me smile when I find another reader who likes CJ as much as I do! I sure hope you like Courting Morrow Little as it expands on that theme a little bit... Best say no more! I just remembered your my first book winner for CML:) Since they moved the release date up a month I may get that book to Texas by early June. So blessed to have you as my reader!
Speaking of typos, ever read back over my blog commments to you readers? Typos indeed! I am ashamed! And I apologize:)
ReplyDeleteCarla,
ReplyDeleteFrom what I'm hearing, you don't even need to do any decorating as the Master Decorator has gifted you with an amazing snowfall! Enjoy it for me, please:)
Oh, so true! The beautiful snow is always a wonderful reminder of how in His eyes we are whiter than snow, thanks to His gift to us at Christmas.
ReplyDeleteLove that, Carla! It's one of my favorite Scriptures.
ReplyDeleteHi I saw your comment on Bell Whistle Moon that you read Ann Rinaldi. I'm glad to find another fan above the targeted age group! I've been a fan of her work since I was in said target.
ReplyDeleteI see you are a writer. Christian and historical fiction? Awesome. I'll have to check your book out sometime. But how romance would you say your book is? Is that a primary or secondary (as Ann Rinaldi's books have romance, but it's not really the focus) genre?
Becky,
ReplyDeleteGlad you stopped by! Guess what I'm reading currently? Ann Rinaldi's A Ride Into Morning:) My books are definitely historical fiction like hers but they have much more of a romantic element. However, my books really don't meet the criteria for romance (hero and heroine meet right away and dance around till the end of the book). Kind of confusing, probably. If you read The Frontiersman's Daughter I hope it grabs you:)
I'm curious to know if you have any favorite Rinaldi books? I'm waiting on two more through our library - Finishing Becca and another title I've forgotten. My favorite of hers is Or Give Me Death.
BTW, you have one interesting site yourself!
I've read a good handful of her but my tbr list is still long, but my favorites so far are:
ReplyDeleteThe Fifth of March (i don't remember it, but just remember loving it...maybe because it was my first)
Time Enough for Drums (probably because i think i saw the most character development in that one)
As i was looking over the titles on my shelf just now, I realize that I need to reread a lot of them because I don't really remember half of them because it was so many years ago I read them.
Oh and A Ride Into Morning is one I still need to read. I wish I had it when I finished Cast Two Shadows, which I read right after Time Enough for Drums. I was on a Revolutionary War kick until life got in the way and the craving subsided. Let me know how it is!
ReplyDeleteAnd, thanks! (about my site)
Becky, You are ahead of me in the Rinaldi reading challenge:) I just brought her up on Amazon and am seeing books I've never heard of! She is one prolific author. There's even a bio of her that looks really good.
ReplyDeleteHey, I'm also on a Revolutionary War kick but mine doesn't ever subside though sometimes I wish it would. I just read The 5th of March and it's very good so no wonder you loved it. She has a new one coming out this spring.
I'll have to bounce over to your site again. Glad we've met!
Yeah mine was a kick because I NEEDED more and I look around and all my books are civil war or not history. But colonial/revolutionary war is my second favorite period after the civil war
ReplyDeleteLaura you are the greastest, I love the book Frontiersman's Daughter and will be glad when your new one comes out. I have wrapped a few gifts since that is all I am giving this year is a few. No tree yet, want a live one so hubby will get me one this week as we are having our family Christmas next Sunday the 20th.
ReplyDeleteMerry Christmas and may God bless
mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net
Edna,
ReplyDeleteWonderful to hear from you! Sounds like you are going to have a wonderful holiday, especially with those new baby grands for you:) That's the best gift of all!