Prairie Dog Cowboy is in the last stage of publication, and and now we wait for the finished book to appear . The scheduled release date is October 15. Since this is one of my books, I can hardly wait to hold a copy in my hands, the prize after months and months of work and effort on my part and Jordan Vinyard's.Does anyone realize how many problems can pop up as a book works its way from author and illustrator through the editing process and designing and formatting before it actually can be printed? Looking back over my experiences at all stops a book makes, I'm amazed any are actually released. However, that's another blog post - gremlins in the publishing business.
Prairie Dog Cowboy has taken over a year, but that's really not a long time in the publishing world. Other books have taken two and three years from contract to release. Why? Because doing a good job takes longer than throwing something together.
Many of us have picked up a book and found too many errors, inconsistency, and lack of cohesion. We wonder how editors missed the problems. Some times, editors may not know what to look for or hurry the process. Other times, no editing or proofreading occurs. Experienced editors are required for a good results, as is thorough edits and multiple revisions.
Perhaps the author failed to edit the final proof sent him (or her), personally, but accepted that editors did their jobs. I go over mine with a fine-tooth comb, over and over. I know that there will be something missed, but I want to be sure the errors are few if any, and nothing major.
The best way to survive the experience of creating a book is to put the time, effort, edits, and revisions needed into having as perfect a book as possible. Now, that's bubble wrap.
Note: Cross posted on Vivian's Site
