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Barbara McArthur - Late-Blooming Author
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It's never too late to start writing!
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Thank you for visiting. When I set up this website, I was brimming with excitement about my book being accepted by a publisher - and since Requital has been out, almost everyone I talk with wants to hear about how that was accomplished. I hope you'll find my story interesting.
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September, 2004
MY BOOK, "REQUITAL", IS GOING TO BE PUBLISHED! I got a letter of acceptance from a small publisher, and the contract is on its way!
I'm looking forward to exploring this big, rather frightening world of book publishing, and sharing my experiences with you. Writing a book is only the beginning of a long, sometimes, very confusing process, if you have your sights set on becoming an author. You're a writer until you have something published - then, you're an "author"!
I've done a lot of research about the best way to find a publisher - and whether an agent is a total necessity. I've arrived at my decision after a lot of checking!
When you know your book is going to be published, it moves you to a new level, and it's a good one, as you can see the fruits of your labors becoming tangible. When your manuscript sits for a long period of time, garnering one rejection after another, I think you become stymied. You don't know whether to spend a lot of time revising, or go on to something new. It's a liberating feeling to know you'll see your story in print!
It's a busy time, and in the section about Requital, I'll go through my preparations to turn in a finished manuscript. It's not only a busy time - it's an exciting time, too!
December, 2004
Contracts are all signed, and I'm in the editing process - and they tell me this takes the longest. They plead for my patience! After all the time it took to write REQUITAL, what's six months or so for editing! I spent a lot of time editing myself, so I'm hoping they won't find much that needs changing. We'll see!
February, 2005
After several reassuring e-mails that all was going well - and to continue to have patience - my book proofs arrived - complete with my ISBN number - 1-4137-5434-1! Is there anything more beautiful than seeing your ISBN number for the first time? At last, proof positive that there will be a book! And, to order it from any bookstore, there is the identifying number!
February, 2005
I sent the proofs back with 52 corrections - mostly the use of the wrong word - like "it bares a resemblance" -can you believe I've read this book 300 times and didn't catch that?
In 48 hours, I had the book back again, with all the corrections made, and a firm instruction that I now had 48 hours to give the manuscript one more look before it goes to the printer. I did, and with a trembling heart, gave it the final okay. It is what it is, there will be no further changes!
March, 2005
I am now waiting to hear from the cover production department. This is getting very exciting! They tell me that after the cover is settled, the book will be published within 30 days or do. So, let's see. At the earliest, the end of May? Or, perhaps, more reasonably, June or July. Stay tuned!
April, 2005
With the cover successfully designed after many back and forth adjustments - we're now ready to go to print. We have a publication date of June 11th - the date the book will be sent to those who have ordered it pre-release - and the date it can also be ordered at Barnes and Noble, amazon.com, etc.
I can't wait to see it!
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