The front cover for Stolen is ready, the copy editing in process. If all goes well, ARCs will go out in two months, maybe three.
This book has been in the making for six years. It has been edited and re-edited multiple times. It has been wanted by two publishers and an agent IF I would completely change the ending. However, changing the ending would change the theme and meaning of the whole book: People have to go on with their lives when bad things happen or destroy themselves.
I've waited, sometimes patiently, sometimes impatiently, for the book to come into its own.
The emotions and many of the incidents found in Stolen are true, but I placed those into a fictional format. I, and other family members, lived the pain. I began writing the book as a way to deal with the suffering of missing grandchildren. My daughter shared some of her experiences, too, which found their way into the plot. As I wrote I fell in love with Lyle, Leanne, Torri, and Jason, and the other family members. They lived in my mind, real, breathing people, not just characters.
When Stolen is released later this year, I hope readers will agree that the ending couldn't be changed without the whole story being changed -- and ruined.
Thanks to Aidana WillowRaven for the cover, to Mandy Hedrick for formatting and now doing the nitty-gritty work of copy editing, to Janelle and Jacque for their hours and hours of editing time after time, to the other editors who gave their time and input to make this book better.
Now, finally, I can see the end of the process to the time I can place copies into the hands of my daughter, my grandchildren, and others.
Please watch for Stolen and read it when it appears. I think you'll be glad you did.
.
36 comments:
I'm glad that it is making it to those last stages and coming out. I don't know the ending but am glad you stood your ground on what you wanted for the book. I really respect you for doing that.
Good luck with the book.
:-)
Thanks, Dawn. Sometimes it's difficult not to change, but this is one of those times when I just couldn't.
Beautiful cover.
I agree. This is your story, your ending. Good for you to stand up for what you wanted to accomplish. Look forward to reading the book.
Bev
Thank you, Bev. Aidana did a beautiful job. She definitely has the novel's theme pictured.
What a happy story of perseverance!
Congratulations, Vivian! Sounds like it was a long, hard but ultimately worthwhile journey. Keep us posted on your book's progress!
I need to toot the horn for some other books, ones that just came out and will be out shortly from 4RV.
But, that will be the next blog post. I just had to show off this lovely cover.
Besides your grandchildren, I imagine Ian and I will be the readers most eagerly awaiting our copies, Viv.
You both had a hand in the outcome of the true story.
I could never resist a happy ending. ;)
Heheheh, that's the sequel.
Great looking cover, Vivian. I can't wait to read the book.
Jean
http://themysteriouswriter.blogspot.com/
How exciting, Vivian! And hearing your story of patience and perseverance, and of being true to your story, inspires me more than you know. I look forward to reading your book :)
Congrats!! ((hugs)) Nicki
Congratulations, Vivian! What a thrill it must be to almost have your book in your hands. I certainly hope it will become a best seller for you. You do so much hard work in so many areas, I am amazed at how you can even write another book!
Congratulations! You inspire me to keep pushing along.
Congratulations! It's great that you hold onto what you think is best for your book.
Really Angelic
Thanks, all, for your comments. I think the cover is so absolutely the essence of the book.
Vivian, I can't begin to imagine living through the events you've put into this book -- reading about them will be hard enough. Congratulations on your book getting ready to see the light of day. It sounds riveting.
Peggy
Love the cover. Congratulations, Vivian, can't wait for the book to come out.
Writing Stolen helped me survive a very difficult time in my life, Peggy.
Lea, can you see the goose bumps? I can hardly believe it's almost time.
For those who mentioned continuing after disappointment, just keep on keeping on.
Six years in the making - WOW! Congrats on the soon to come release, Vivian. I'll definitely be on the lookout for it.
Marvin D Wilson
Best of luck with the book. I think an author has to tell a story his/her way. The ending belongs to you. (I'm very stubborn about such things.) What a joy it will be when your first copy of the printed book is there on the table in front of you.
Malcolm
Marv and Malcolm, thanks for stopping by. I hope you get a chance to read Stolen, too.
Congratulations. And I'll look out for it.
I don't know what all you've gone through, but it took courage and determination to write your story and stick by its ending. The cover is stunning, in my opinion, and I'm looking forward to its release.
I have to admit the storyline draws me because our oldest son has been missing since mid-December of 2002, and I've been writing about him in one way or another almost ever since.
Congratulations, Vivian.
I hope to have a virtual book tour when the book comes out. Guess I'd better begin to look for hosts.
Margi, I can so empathize. My grandchildren were gone for 12 years before we knew whether they were alive or not. Every year, on the anniversary of the last time I knew where they were, I'd post a message to them, using their names. In November 2007, a friend in the UK asked if he could have other people around the world use my post on their blogs. I said of course.
In February 2008, my grandson emailed me. He googled his name and found all those blog posts about him and his sister. Miracles do happen.
If anyone would understand how healing your words are, it would be you, Vivian. Gary and I remember what he looked like the last time we saw him a week before Christmas that year. And along with that "anniversary date" we pray for him to appear at our door on any other number of important dates. It's the main reason we haven't moved--we want him to be able to find us.
Thanks for reminding us that miracles still happen.
Margi
Vivian,
I'm looking forward to getting a copy when it's out.
Wow, how you found your grandchildren gave me goosebumps. You're right...miracles do happen.
Karen Cioffi
Vivian,
I dimly remember a movie my parents used to watch a lot where someone whose child was snatched would name a star after them and have it published in all the papers she could reach. The child found her as a young adult and was able to make her way home the same way. I look forward to reading your book.
Stephanie Smith
Vivian,
Your book cover is amazing - I believe it will draw readers into the story before they even pick up the book.
I'm so sorry you had to go through those trials with your grandchildren. It must have been devastating to not know what happened to them. You and your family are true heroes for persevering on through that pain. I look forward to reading your book.
Thank you, all.
Oh, anyone want to be a host for a book blog tour for Stolen when it comes out?
Of course.
Congratulations Vivian. What a difficult story this must have been to write. I'd be happy to be a stop on the blog tour.
Me. Me. I'd love to host you, Vivian.
Bev
Great book cover Vivian. I'll be sure to read the book when it comes out.
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