*pulls spider webs out of hair*

Please pardon my appearance. I’m in the depths of uploading a book to various thingies, and I’m afraid I haven’t had time to clean up.

*shakes off rat that’s gnawing on boot*

It’s been an interesting day, but it looks like things are working out. Yes, I broke down and paid someone to format for me. I know, time investment, yadda yadda. But the truth is that the book looks better than I ever could have managed on my own with my current skill set, and considering the troubleshooting my guy had to do today, I think my sanity is worth what I paid.

Actually, it was kind of amusing. I’m Canadian and he’s a Brit, so the e-mail replies read like a merry-go-round of apologies and thank-yous.

One of the problems stemmed from the high-ish page count of the book, which requires a deeper gutter (space between the spine and the text). Not a big deal once we identified the problem, but it took a few tries to get it. And then this came in the mail this afternoon…

button by beanforest (etsy)

I thought it was kind of funny. 🙂

Bottom line is: I have delicious, beautiful, formatted files that I’m sending to ARC readers tonight. Everyone on my list as it stands, that is. Remember that thing where the basement flooded and I lost information on who was helping with the cover reveal? There’s a small chance that a name or two could have been lost from this list, as well. If you signed up and did’t get an e-mail today, just send me a message at kate.sparkes (at) live.ca and we’ll get you fixed up. It’s not personal, I promise!

And yes, I’m getting excited again. The cover art for the paperback nearly blew my mind. If all goes well I should have a copy of the book in my hands next week.

This frustrating, infuriating, beautiful book. I may cry.

If you haven’t added it to Goodreads yet, here’s the link. One ARC reader has rated, and is going to put a review up soon.

I think I should take a screenshot while this rating lasts.

–

So looking back on my goals for this round of ROW80…

• editing FINISHED
• proofreading FINISHED
• formatting FINISHED
• send out ARCs FINISHED
• set up Facebook page (here) FINISHED
• submit to KDP, D2D READY TO ROLL
• submit to Createspace FINISHED
• order proof copy PENDING
• Revise Book 2 for JuNoWriMo… NOT GOING SO WELL

…but I’m letting myself off the hook as far as word count goes. I’m reading and making notes right now.

Side note: Holy crap, tax stuff is complicated and intimidating and annoying. I still have to call for my EIN and get that off to Amazon. Anyone who knows me knows that this is NOT my idea of a good time. Phone calls make me anxious.

But I have to do it if I don’t want them to withhold 30% of my money.

So I’ll do it.

Tomorrow.

So, how are things in your neck of the woods?