Final Proof Arrived for Review

It's Here!

This is the final proof of my book. I cannot believe I'm holding it. But the picture doesn't lie!

I got it late last week and literally carried it around with me all day. After all, it's a story that's been inside of me for a long time--it does feel almost like the arrival of a baby!

Once it passes review, I can get this baby up on Amazon pre-sales.  I am looking into the best way to handle the launch. There will definitely be one on social media, and perhaps a local launch near my home.

In any case, the planning is moving forward and I'm beyond ecstatic!

Thank you for all your support!

Nanette

Countdown to launch!

HI Skyborn Warriors!

If you are reading my blog, I am promoting you to the status of Skyborn Warrior! You are committed to being a part of this adventure, and I thank you for your dedication. I couldn't have gotten this far without you.

I am waiting to hear back from CreateSpace for my final printed draft of Believe. And while I'm waiting, I'm juggling fear, stress, and excitement like those guys who juggle a chainsaw, bowling ball, and an egg. It's driving me crazy!! *deep breaths*

My inner self is telling me this will all work out. This was meant to be. This is what I'm supposed to be doing. But my outer self has chewed my fingernails down to the nubs. I'm told this is normal, (well, maybe not the fingernail thing) so at least I know I'm not alone. *more deep breaths*

So, here is the countdown:

1. Once I get the final print draft back, and I decide it looks pretty, I will
2. Set the book up on Amazon pre-sales at a discount so that people can
3. pre-order the book and get ready for the
4. Launch Day!

I am looking for a launch team to help me with the Launch Day. If you are on board with this project, if you are as excited as I am about this book, and if you are willing to help me, you should join my  Skyborn Warrior Launch Team. What does that mean?

Skyborn Warrior Launch Team:

1. Let me know you want to be on the team--reply to this blog, email, etc.
2. Pre-order the book
3. I will send you a pdf of the first few chapters to review ahead of time!
4. Be ready to post a review on Launch Day to Amazon.com
5. Join my Facebook Group for A Doorway Back to Forever: Believe and be part of the Launch Day celebration.

I'm still working on the logistics of Launch Day, but I know there will be some fun give-away items, interviews, information about the series, and maybe other things I haven't even thought of yet! So stay tuned in.

I will send a special email with the pre-order information and the Facebook Group.  I'm looking at possibly late March or mid-April for the launch date.

Thank you for your patience, your love, and your willingness to be a part of my team!
 *big sigh of relief*

A Doorway Back to Forever: Believe --The evolution of a cover

What an experience! I've got a super awesome cover design, created by the team at CreateSpace, but the evolution of it was pretty fun. I first searched for an image from a website that I wanted to use as a base. Here is a screen shot of the doorway which I liked.

I purchased the image, and sent it along with a sketch I made of a sunburst:

I requested they put the sunburst inside the top arch of the door, with a castle inside the sun.
Simple enough request...and this is what they came up with:

For some reason, they put the sunburst outside of the archway, and the castle in the top crowning rays...*smiles* So I called the wonderful team at CreateSpace and asked for a do-over! They were happy to comply. This was their solution:

I loved the way they set the sunburst and castle above the opening of the door. But I wanted a few more changes. I felt the cover was too busy the way it was laid out, so we moved the endorsement to the back, moved the title up top, took out the subtitle, and maneuvered some of the wording and images on the back and the spine. After a few color enhancements, I finally settled on this:

In this version, the doorway pops a bit more, and the word, BELIEVE, is redder in color. I like the way the entire presentation is less busy. It seems to convey the fantasy-style I'm looking for.
It was a fun process to go through, and I really enjoyed the steps taken to create it. What do you think?

I'm in the process of approving the interior, meaning the printed portion of the book. Once it's done, I'm going to set a launch date, probably mid March. I will be setting the book up for pre-sales at a discount in a few weeks. Be on the lookout for my invitation for you to be on my Skyborn Warrior Launch Team! You'll receive some added perks, to be announced!

 It's finally happening, people. Can you BELIEVE it??