I’ve had these flowers perched on the windowsill as inspiration. Spring is here and the gardens are calling and so are my the first round of edits on my book. It’s been a while since I shared some updates with you and I thought that I would get you all up to speed on my backyard chicken book.
A week ago, I received the entire manuscript back from my editor at Storey Publishing. I am now in the process of reviewing the entire book in its edited form. From reading the editor’s comments, rewriting certain sections, adding new material, and elaborating on her favorite parts; I’ve been busy!
I am really pleased at how well the book is coming along. I never really realized how the entire book process works. There truly must be over 200 deadlines for my book alone. I’ve been assigned an entire team at Storey. This week the book’s photographer is being selected and the photo shoot planning is underway for later this spring. We are also in the process of designing the book as well as finalizing subjects for photos and working with the illustrator. In a couple of week, we will be treated to some sample pages of the book that will determine the overall style and feel of the book. Then later this year, my publicist will help promote the book, schedule a book tour and other fun engagements along the way. I can’t wait!
So for now, I’m off to finish the editing. The gardens will need to wait at least one more week until I can come out and play.
If you would like to get involved, have an idea or two for my publicist, suggest where you would like me to visit, please leave a comment. I’d love to hear what you have to say! ~Melissa
12 thoughts on “The Editorial Process: A Book Update”
I can't wait for the book! I find it most hard to write too when it is spring outside, and flowers are blooming! 🙂
Thanks Charlie!
That is a GORGEOUS arrangement – did those come from your gardens (early blooms)? and I agree with Charlie – I couldn't hold a focus with the sunshine, but go get 'em!
Yes, the daffodils did. The ranunculus came from Trader Joe's. They're my go to flower place when my gardens are not fully awake.
I am so looking forward to your book! I am in a full-fledged chicken-raising quandary. Researching every blog I can find to determine whether I can do this or not, and headed to the book store for some more resources. I love your blog and can't wait for your wisdom and advice in book form. Good luck!
Thanks Karla! Your sweet words are great encouragement during this entire process. I hope you will check out my book when it's out to use as a resource. I've packed it with lots of goodies and information.
The process sounds so egg-citing! sorry. How long has it taken so far – from your first words written down? Also, it would be great if you could visit the Sacramento Valley here in California during your book tour! Will you be including all your tips and tricks you share with us here on the blog? Oooo……. I can't wait for the book!
Hi Vickie! Thanks. Yes, I will try to get to Northern California for sure. I do include lots of information that I have shared all along on my blog and there are lots of things for chicken keepers that I have never shared before. I started exploring this book with Storey in July 2012. It's a long process for sure and I can't tell you how hard it has been to not share more about the book with you all!
Congratulations, many more things to do but you are truly seeing the light at the end of the long tunnel! I'm in NC, south of Raleigh so I hope your tour will bring you somewhere close enough that I might drive to see you! I do miss the Cape and Martha's Vineyard, seeing you will be like a little bit of Home!
I hope you have included a lot of advice that is drug and chemical free. after 2 years of planning and actual chicken keeping, reading so many sites that have chicken and other livestock related subject matter, I realize that many people take the route that industrial poultry corporations take, they just do it in their back yard! Countless comments and advice, all saying Medicate, deworm, spray etc, even when they don't know the cause, do not test and do not even try to figure out what happened to the chicken after the fact to try to save the next. I am into deep litter, free grazing or I supplement with greens and home grown worms, meal bugs, lots of runs so they have lots of space, no over crowding. Though I want 20 more, I won't because the time to care for them, the expense of expansion to properly care for these creatures is just not going to magically appear. Be nice if you could figure out a way to help on that in the book too!!!!! best of luck~
Yes and yes to all the above Roberta! I sure do share in the book my same philosophy I share on the blog. I do hope to drop in near you and I am planning on going to a Mother Earth News fair or two as well. I'd love to meet you <3
Never in my life did I plan to own chickens until two weeks ago. I had a thought to go to my local feed store and with my three children we did and came home an hour later with six chicks of various breeds and one turken. I have no idea what I'm doing or why I chose to bring them home but we love them. OH! We love them. Today, thanks to one of your posts, I successfully cleaned some poop off of a sweet baby chicks bum. It was awesome! I felt so useful! My children are in love with the chicks and I am too. My husband is building a coop and has plans all sketched out. I have been reading your blog about chickens and bees. BEES! This is a wonderful resource. Thank you. I don't feel so intimidated now. A book on top of all this is fantastic. I feel effusive and kind of crazy in my gratitude, but it is sincere. Thank you. Tomorrow I'm making a trip to our local hive supply store to ask questions about local beekeeping. 🙂 Thank you!
You are more than welcome. I am so happy that you have started chicken keeping. I surprised myself too! Please keep us posted on your adventures. Enjoy!