Children of Vale

Writing is fun. Publication is boring.

That doesn't mean it isn't important. In fact, it is just as important as writing, because it's the part when the ink really, finally dries. It's worth it to get it right.

The last couple of weeks, I've been finalizing a lot of those details before heading off to the printers. Things like:

• Getting a Library of Congress Control Number, which ensures that Children of Vale will be recognized (and stored) at the Library of Congress, and ensuring that number is in the printed copy itself. Done!

• Taking my author photo. I opted to do this one professionally—no selfies.

• Filing for extended copyright and nailing down minutiae between formats. Fun fact: you need a different ISBN for each format (e-books, paperbacks, hardcovers, etc.), but only one LCCN per title.

Now that we're in February, you might be wondering when exactly the novel might be released. The last proofreading, the portion that is out of my hands, has been delayed a bit, and I'm waiting on the finalized photo from my photographer. Ideally, both will get back to me after this weekend, and I can push on forward. If so, the week of February 4th will be the week I get to review the various formats and start the submission process through the printers. Once those things are done, publication will be complete, and I can be more specific with you as to when you may see the novel delivered or available for online order. I expect all this to be wrapped up this month.

I'll let you in on a little secret: February 4th also happens to be my 30th birthday.

My dream was always to finish and publish this novel by the time I turned this age. Through the Kickstarter, my backers made that dream possible.

I have a great deal to be grateful for. I'm looking forward to sending this novel off to the printers, ordering the first batch, and sending them to my backers. In a way, it's the best birthday present I could ask for.

Can't wait to read it for the first time on paper, in ink, along with you.