Photo Friday: Just "one more edit"

I'm not sure what my photo has to do with this post, but the look on those cows...faces...seems to mirror how I feel about the prospect of "one more edit."

I can't even tell you how many times I've said these words in the past six months, "I'm working on the final edits." Or worse, "I just sent in the final edits." But truly, it never ends. It just doesn't. I am told that the edits on my manuscript were relatively minor. Turns out that the word "minor" is relative, indeed!

This "last" edit is from the proof-reader. I received it last week. This one does look different. First off, it is laid out just as the book will be. It includes photos and other memorabilia. Everything is there. And this time, I can't just make changes within the document. I have to comment on the comments the proof-reader has left or create my own comments. I cannot actually change the document.

I do think that this is truly the last pass through for Breaking the Code. But then, I've thought that before, haven't I?

Photo Friday: Touring Sourcebooks

This is the first face I saw upon entering the Sourcebooks Headquarters. OK, well I was walking in with my editor, Peter. Still, the bull was the first animal I encountered. I'm not sure exactly what the bull represents but I kept hearing the phrase, "Take the bull by the horns" in my head all day. Maybe that has something to do with it. This very large bull is surrounded by books - they are even stacked on top of him and under him. And there are quotes all over him. I can't remember exactly which quotes and by whom; that's why I put such a large photo here, so you can see what you can find.

Here's what Mr. Bull meant to me - he embodied all that Sourcebooks is. It's a creative place and that's what we writers want, right? We want creativity in editing, marketing, publicity, and more! What could embody that more than a bull in the office? I've talked to other authors who visited their publishers. Most felt like their visit was an imposition on the business. I didn't feel that way at all. In fact, it seemed that the whole publishing company, stopped everything to be sure I felt welcome and had a terrific visit. So, I'd say, I know how to pick 'em. (and so do they, of course)

Next time: The Meeting