July, 2026

The finish line is so close I can taste it. I've locked in the text and from here it's just the cover art and typesetting as well as the audio book. 

I've been working nights getting the artwork just right. At first it was simply because my commissioned artwork was a cover, not a full wrap. I could only do the wrap once I knew how thick the final product would be and had the text locked in so I'd know the page length. When I went through that effort, I learned that the back could be a little fancy. And then I wanted it a little more fancy. When you give an artist a book cover, she'll need a back to go with it...

The first proof came in the mail and that is when I realized just how important resolution is as well as the size of the book. It was too big! It didn't FEEL right in my hands. That's when I learned ISBN is associated with not just per media (paperback vs ebook vs hardback) but the physical printing dimensions as well. So I had to burn another ISBN number in "whoopsie" tax.

That's when I learned about photoshop/GIMP, an image editing software. I became self taught in layers, smudge, heal, and all the fancy words to get me to force my image to do what I wanted. I finished the cover for Proof #3 last night around midnight and ordered it this morning, it will come in the mail Saturday. Then it's just (hopefully) ready to order REAL books in prep for the launch party/book sales at Killer Nashville.

Meanwhile, a friend reached out who is wanting to do audiobook narration and offered to work with me. I asked for samples and my jaw dropped. I am very picky about audio book narration, since that is how I consume most of my literature. I want a voice like butter, warm and comforting without drama, just nuance, like a tired father at the end of a long day of work reading a story to his child before bed. I'm absolutely floored and snagged a contract with him. As soon as we have Chapter 1 recorded and edited, I'm going to upload it for all of you to listen.

We're at the home stretch! Stay tuned for more drama in August as we near the launch date.