Book Production

My next two books will be out soon. One is about underground treasures in the Black Hills, and the other highlights Ozark show caves. Both books have been written; still that’s just the beginning of making a book. Next is the editing stage. I and two other people do the editing. We pass the manuscripts back and forth until they have been edited three times by each of the three readers. I even took a manuscript to a Super Bowl party and edited during the game. The editing for both books was finished just last week.

Next is the production phase. This starts with a production meeting. Here the publishing company decides the size, shape, page count, layout, print-date and so forth about the book. Sometimes such as when the copyrights are owned by someone other than the publisher, there is another party in the meeting. The author usually isn’t in the meeting. Often the author doesn’t even get to pick the title. There is a joke amongst writers that goes, I thought I wrote a good book until I got it back from the publisher. I own my book’s copyrights so I am in the meetings. I pick the title. I select the layout. It is wonderful being in control of a product from conception to distribution.

The company I publish under is Donning Company Publishers. They have a printing plant and an office in Marceline, MO. The town is the birthplace of Walt Disney and they have Mickey Mouse ears on the street signs. It’s adorable. The General Manager of the company is Steve Mull. He sits in on all the production meetings. I have worked with him since 2005. Our latest production meeting was on Thursday, February 23rd. The meeting went well but brought up some logistical points as well. 

The challenge here is that we are producing two books simultaneously and trying to have them out by early spring. Also you have to get editorial and photo approval from 50 different places. You know the old military saying, “The difficult we do right away, the impossible takes a little bit longer.” This just might take a little bit longer.

The production session lasted a couple of hours, during which time the whole staff pitches in ideas and pretends I know what I’m talking about. By the end of the meeting I thought most things had been worked out. And the meeting even included lunch. They treated me like a VIP. They always do. The previous number of titles and reprints that I have done with Donning has a little to do with this. Mostly its their professionalism and because they are nice people.

Donning has added me to their Facebook page. They have set up an adventure Facebook page for me, The Ghost Town Hunter. This is my 2nd Facebook page. My first one is for personal friends and family and fellow writer’s page. Donning has also set up a Twitter account for me. Since I don’t Tweet yet this could present another challenge. 

As always, check out my website: www.theghosttownhunter.com

Next time: My book dedications