What Now?

The stack of revised manuscripts stands more than a foot tall. And that does not include revisions of the individual stories. At work, I often return writing to various members of the staff who think of me as a hard-ass when it comes to editing (I'll not go there in discussing what else they call me).I always tell them I'm just as hard on myself when it comes to a red pen. The day before Thanksgiving I met with my editor (though he's left for another job) and publisher and agreed to spend the next four days making one last revision. I did, logging some 40 hours thinking, editing, typing, proofing. Sent the ms early on Monday. An hour later I contacted the publisher and said there was one story I still needed to revise again. I bought another day, and worked that night until 11 and again the next night to make a final set of revisions, then sent the finished ms.



Next step: galleys for reviewers and proofing.



Also: a Web site. This blog may soon disappear, or perhaps it will be appended to the new web site. I've been waiting on the Web site until I had the book listed for sale. Now it it, so I am working this weekend on Web site copy and navigation architecture. Hoping to go live the first week of January with that, so the blog may migrate over, or simply be linked. Not sure.



Also working now on finalizing a few appearances and working on others for signings, readings and panels at conferences for 2008.

Link added for purchase

I've added the link directly to Amazon to purchase the book at the pre-distribution pricing. They'll ship in late March maybe, but most likely on April 1, 2008 or so. Be sure to leave me a message on the blog if you want me to send a signed book plate for free. I'll be happy to inscribe books to anyone you like, if you want to make a book gift. Thanks. Philip

Amazon listing for book

The book has been listed in amazon.com. Just go there, type in Philip Shirley and scroll down. You can get the regular Amazon discount plus an additional 5% if you purchase now. And if you buy two you can get free shipping. If you buy, email me and let me know and I will send you a signed bookplate to make it a signed first edition. If you want it warmly inscribed to you or others as gifts just let me know what names to use when you email me. Be sure to include your mailing address.

I also noticed that two people had listed my 1981 book, Endings, for sale at a good price if you like poetry. There are only a few of these first editions left in print.

An interesting thing: Amazon turns in their sales, so they are "counted" by the industry. But they only count up to five books per sale, so if you order six it would only count as five. And, the sales that are pre-sold all count on the first week of books shipping, so anything that is sold now will help the book get off to a great start because all sales are reported that first week. Good stuff to know if you have a book upcoming.

Don't forget...they don't charge your card until the book is available, which will be after they ship to the sellers on March 1, 2008.

I have lots more to report on my meeting with the publisher this week in Chattanooga, but for now I have a big deadline. Final edits by Monday!.....Thanks, Philip

The Final Lap

On Friday I began a last read of the ms. My editor Henry O has left Jefferson Press to work for an ecumenical press, where I'm certain he'll be successful. (Good luck Henry, and thanks for your caring edits.) I have his final red lines and comments, and will review them one last time before a final run-through of edits and then calling the ms complete. I finished rewriting the last story and will review it tomorrow before sending to a friend for one last outside opinion.

I had to laugh when Henry called to let me know he'd left the press. Three years ago a regional press agreed to publish a novel ms of mine, which they contacted me to ask to see. After the owner of the press called me at home one Sunday night at 9:30 to say he loved it and would start a contract the next day, I assumed everything was rosy. I worked with the editor they assigned for a year, during which time the acquisitions editor left and the publisher had a major illness. When all was said and done the book was not released. For a fleeting moment I have to admit my heart rose into my throat last week during my conversation with Henry. Not again, I thought. Don't worry he said, this is a done deal and everyone who has seen the book is excited about it.

This time things will work out, and the catalog copy and cover are out the door. I'm meeting with the publisher the day before Thanksgiving to discuss final plans and marketing ideas....will keep you posted on that.

Clearing my head

After the fifth re-reading of the next-to-last round of major edits of Oh Don't You Cry for Me, I thought a head-clearing change of pace would do my writing some good. On a whim I started another blog, with the idea that I needed something broad enough to allow me to write on any number of topics, yet focused enough to provide the glue to make the blog hold together. The result: www.500greatthings.blogspot.com

I'm writing about 500 things I love about life, in no particular order. Come visit and let me know what you love about life.