This week, I have proofs of my book to go over. This is the stage where the book has been typeset and designed as the pages will appear in the finished book. Corrections from the copy editing stage have been made, and it’s one last chance to make sure no mistakes were made anywhere.
It’s also my first chance to see how beautifully they are designing the interior of the book.
(Yes, this book is dedicated to a goat. And to all of you.)
You know those cute chickens in the header here on my website? They’re in the book.
Sprinkled through the pages.
I love it!
There’s also a special design for the recipe and craft pages in the back of the book.
While it’s still six months before my book will be published, advance reader copies are being prepared soon. I’m not sure who all will be getting these, but I think they will be used at BEA (Book Expo America), which is a major annual publishing event, and advance copies will go to people like booksellers and distributors and whoever else they come up with—if I paid better attention and could remember things they tell me, I’d know more! I asked for one, so I’ll be getting one, too.
The book, it looks more real all the time!
P.S. Special shout out to Noel Chrisman at HarperOne, who is The Woman responsible for overseeing all this beautiful production inside the book!
littlekaren says:
There are many Mother Hens out here rooting for you and sooo proud of all that you have accomplished. :duck: :duck: :sheepjump:
On April 4, 2013 at 8:13 am
BuckeyeGirl says:
:snoopy: EXCITING!!! :woof: :hug:
On April 4, 2013 at 8:17 am
marrypoppinz says:
Cngratulations! Looks really good and it’s quite a teaser. Don’t want to wish my life away but I love a good book–I think this will be one, so “Hurry, October!”
On April 4, 2013 at 8:19 am
daria says:
I don’t want to wish away the spring and summer, but this is definitely something to look forward to in autumn. Thank you for posting the teaser page, I think… A lot of blogs end up with/as books, but I think yours is going to really be worth the read.
On April 4, 2013 at 9:07 am
GA_in_GA says:
So exciting to see the pages! Congrats, Suzanne!
On April 4, 2013 at 9:10 am
amysoup says:
So exciting! I can’t wait for it to come out! Congratulations to you!
On April 4, 2013 at 9:31 am
beforethedawn says:
So exciting! Looks great and I cannot wait for my own copy!
On April 4, 2013 at 9:34 am
joykenn says:
Generally advanced reader copies go first to book reviewers– Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Kirkus, major newspapers, etc. Some might go to people that they want to quote on the cover or in ads. Anywhere the marketing department think might generate a buzz or attention to the sale of the book. Then the rest will be given out at major bookselling events. I’ve gotten advanced reader copies of some books at major library conferences.
I’m excited for you, Suzanne, since they’ve obviously put a lot of design elements into the book. They must really have faith that they’ll get some major sales of the book.
On April 4, 2013 at 9:35 am
Suzanne McMinn says:
joykenn, yes, I know they go to reviewers also. I think they’re getting them ready this early because of BEA, though.
On April 4, 2013 at 9:45 am
willsahna says:
It’s a beautiful book. I’m excited to buy it!
On April 4, 2013 at 9:49 am
plazamerito says:
How exciting and fun for you. Everything you write is wonderful and funny. Love it!! :snoopy:
On April 4, 2013 at 9:56 am
Donna says:
Lovely detail design on the book… I’ve pre-ordered my copy! Looking forward to getting it in the mail this coming fall :clover:
On April 4, 2013 at 10:11 am
cabynfevr says:
Congratulations once again! By no means am I lookin forward to the return of cold weather but I am looking forward to October for the book release!
On April 4, 2013 at 10:30 am
Louise says:
So exciting. I can’t wait. :snoopy: Congratulations and Thank you for writing it. :wave:
On April 4, 2013 at 10:45 am
hdavenbux says:
Congratulations on your book! I’ve pre-ordered and can’t wait to read it!
On April 4, 2013 at 11:12 am
SpinnersEndFarm says:
Proud of you sister!
On April 4, 2013 at 11:14 am
silentgoddess says:
Oh I love all of those little details. The font on the Title page and the little chickens sprinkled (your word) throughout. It is going to be beautiful. I really can’t wait to get my hands on it. This will be one book I will buy that is a hardcopy. I read 95% of books on my Nook now. Not this one. Not a chance!!
On April 4, 2013 at 11:18 am
BostonSu says:
Congratulations!! I can hardly wait to read it. I hope you’ll let us know the minute we can pre-order it! :woof:
On April 4, 2013 at 11:24 am
VaGirl2 says:
Yahoooo!!!! Can’t wait for the book. Congratulations Suzanne! :happyflower:
On April 4, 2013 at 12:02 pm
Linda Goble says:
Love it!!! I can’t wait also. I need to know where you go to pre order the book. I look all over and can’t find it. Suzanne, I am so excited for you!!! It will be a number one on the best seller list… 😀
On April 4, 2013 at 12:03 pm
wildcat says:
OMG – I teared up a little bit when I saw that the book is dedicated to Clover. We all miss her.
I mostly read books from my Kindle Fire these days, and 95% of the books I have on there I downloaded for free. But I will be buying yours in hardback. I am so excited for your book to come out!!!
Will you be going on tour, doing book signings around the country?
The book looks amazing…. Congratulations!
On April 4, 2013 at 12:08 pm
aprilsinohio says:
Can’t Wait! :snoopy:
On April 4, 2013 at 12:08 pm
Imperious Fig says:
I started to tear-up when I read the dedication to Clover. How sweet.
On April 4, 2013 at 12:20 pm
jodiezoeller says:
For those that haven’t pre-ordered the book yet, it’s available on Amazon.com. Just search for Suzanne McMinn.
On April 4, 2013 at 12:39 pm
Leck Kill Farm says:
I pre-ordered a while back and am very excited for the release.
On April 4, 2013 at 1:04 pm
doubletroublegen says:
I am so thrilled for you!! It’s like looking forward to the birth of a new baby!!! :snoopy: Congratulations Suzanne!! :heart:
On April 4, 2013 at 1:48 pm
steakandeggs says:
Six more months :turtle: and we will be reading your book. Like waiting for Christmas.
On April 4, 2013 at 2:15 pm
Mo olelo says:
It looks great. I can only imagine how excited you must be! I know if it was me, I wouldn’t know whether to sit down, standing up or run around… lol. I hope you sell out the first printing and they have to do lots of other printings.
On April 4, 2013 at 3:27 pm
Pat says:
Outstanding! Can’t wait. Congratulations, Suzanne! :snoopy:
Pat in Eastern NC
On April 4, 2013 at 3:33 pm
bonita says:
Will Noel be getting a shipment of goodies from Sassafras Farm? He certainly applied design savvy to enhance the book’s text. The design elements look to enhance the story as opposed to design for design’s sake. Also, congrats to HarperOne for offering shelter to inventive design ideas. But of course, all this started with YOUR ideas and YOUR words woven together to form YOUR book.
On April 4, 2013 at 4:22 pm
Camille says:
So very happy for you Suzanne. Such a journey you’ve been on these past several years and such adventures! I too am a kindle person but am looking forward to buying my very own hardcopy to read this fall. This one I must keep for my bookshelves!
On April 4, 2013 at 5:46 pm
KarenAnne says:
I might have missed your saying this, but it’s on amazon for pre-ordering:
https://www.amazon.com/Chickens-Road-Adventure-Ordinary-Splendor/dp/0062223704
On April 4, 2013 at 6:32 pm
yvonnem says:
I pre-ordered two of your new book yesterday from Amazon. One for me and one as a gift. I can’t wait to read it! I figure you should have plenty of new material since you’ve moved to your new farm to start on your next book….hint, hint!
On April 4, 2013 at 8:05 pm
Chickenlady62 says:
Can’t wait to buy a copy :shimmy: , but I can’t help but wonder…. will we be able to purchase a signed copy? :yes: I can’t be the only one thinking this.
TinaH
On April 4, 2013 at 8:16 pm
Country Blossom says:
We have to wait 6 months?!? Argh! I was hoping 6 weeks. Tell the publisher we are impatient, LOL. :snoopy:
On April 5, 2013 at 12:00 am
holstein woman says:
Such a beautiful book, I am so glad I preordered, looks just like I see everything you do “just perfect”. I am so glad for you and I look forward to reading more about you in the book.
On April 5, 2013 at 12:22 am
bonita says:
yes, I know Noel is a woman, I just can’t type!
On April 5, 2013 at 2:21 am
Diane says:
This is so exciting!!!
On April 5, 2013 at 5:54 am
jodiezoeller says:
Reading that snippet of the contents has me really interested. I hope we will see Georgia in your book. I love your stories about her when you lived in the slanted little house.
On April 5, 2013 at 12:53 pm
oneoldgoat says:
I absolutely love that you dedicated this book to Clover! I am so looking forward to receiving my reserved copy!
Beth
On April 5, 2013 at 3:28 pm
SuzieQ says:
I feel like a kid waiting for Santa to come…..how many more days till Christmas, Mom?
On April 5, 2013 at 7:42 pm
lavenderblue says:
How exciting! Are you as impatient as we all are to see it in bookstores for the first time or are you just relieved that it is nearly done? Or are you so busy with all the farm projects that you don’t even have time to think about it?
On April 6, 2013 at 8:09 am
Debbie in PA says:
This is so exciting! I am really looking forward to getting a copy of your book. I have been reading your blog since the little slanted house days, and am a great admirer of your perserverance in following your dreams
On April 7, 2013 at 11:12 am
brookdale says:
Pre-ordered today. Really looking forward to reading the book!
Will you be doing a book tour? Even if you do you probably won’t be coming way up here to our little corner of Maine I guess.
On April 7, 2013 at 8:47 pm
Stick Horse Cowgirls says:
Can’t wait to get my hands on my own copy! This will be a book to hold and peruse instead reading on my Kindle!
On April 8, 2013 at 7:48 am
lilgmommy says:
Sounds like it will hit shelves just in time for the christmas shopping season. That’s good news!
On April 16, 2013 at 9:46 pm