Sunday 14 March 2010

Almost there




Almost True is almost a book - the bound proofs arrived last week, 435 pages thick with a blood red cover.
Some copies will be sent out immediately - to booksellers and maybe some reviewers, and the people who signed up for copies at Yunaleska's online launch party for When I Was Joe. I feel a bit strange about that - excited that people will read it, five and a half months before the launch date but protective as well - it's not quite finished yet, I'm not ready to show it yet.
In the meantime I've been reading it through and making my final changes. I mark the page and then make a note to myself in the back of the book (click on the picture). Those notes will later go into a note for my editor. So far - as you can see - most of the changes are little things that can be deleted, or small changes needed to avoid repetition. There are a few words that need to come out because they don't ring true for Ty (what possessed me to think he would use the word 'tentative' for example) So far I've only found two pages where I want to rewrite a whole paragraph.
It's strange reading it through as a book - quite a different experience from reading on the screen. This is the point where I realised that my editor was completely correct to suggest getting rid of chapter 17 - thank goodness I listened.
And whereas in When I Was Joe I became a little obsessed with feeding Ty (whenever he's tucking into chicken sandwiches, chips or fruit cake you can be assured that my Inner Jewish Mother is showing), this time I'm much more interested in his washing habits. I had only vaguely realised how often he washes in this book - the whole thing is about showers, soap, toothbrushes and laundry (err...it's a bit more interesting than that. Honest.)
I've reached page 285 in my editing, but even when I've finished I won't send it off to the editor until my chief proof-reader has read it for me. This is someone who lives with me but must not be identified further, but she is an eagle-eyed sub-editor who instantly spotted the only error to have got through me and everyone at the publisher in Joe (alas, too late for it to be excised from the first edition but as we're now reprinting then if you have a first edition it might be worth something one day. Buy now, they are running out. Page 116)
We negotiated a price for her to proof-read Almost True. I started at £10, she offered to do it for £30. We agreed £25. Yes, she is a good negotiator. But worth it..she's already told me that London teens say 'cop' instead of 'copper' which makes me a bit sad - I prefer the London word to the American - but she knows best. She's 13 after all.
Anyway, once we've made all our changes the book will be printed and ready to sell. September 2nd, according to Amazon. And very soon I'll be moving on my next project. It's actually quite a sad process when you've written about someone for two books. Ty's been my foster child...now he's leaving. I'll miss him a lot.

16 comments:

  1. I was thinking about this myself the other day. I wondered why publishers would want to send out proofs so early to bloggy people like me? Is it just for a review? To think I'll be reading it before it is finished makes me feel like I'm going through someone's sock draw looking for something sinister. Obviously, I would bite your right arm off to read AT but I want you to feel ready. If I get my proof shall I read it or shall I just wait until August? I am going to buy a finished copy whether I read it early or not.

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  2. So exciting to think that you're almost there. Hope the finishing touches go well.

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  3. Woop, can't wait to read this. Though I am a little worried about your washing fetish. Does L know about this?
    *Plentymorefishoutofwater - One Man's Dating Diary*

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  4. Congrats on receiving your proofs. The cover for Almost True is fab. I'm hoping to get When I Was Joe soon as I love the sound of it!

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  5. Nothing sinister in my sock drawer Becky...as far as I know...
    I'd prefer no reviews until round about publication time because of the dreaded spoilers. On the other hand I'm actually quite relaxed about people reading, as long as that's OK with them - if it will then make it impossible to read and review later then don't. Would love to get feedback, and know if anyone spots hideous holes in the plot.
    Fish - I'm slightly concerned about this washing fetish too. And the poor boy barely gets a square meal throught the entire book.
    Leah - thanks for the lovely wishlist mention on your blog. If you email me I will see if I can rustle up a review copy for you.

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  6. How exciting, can't WAIT to read it.

    Hah! What a talented proofreader (and negotiator) she must be. She completely deserves her 25/hour. Good for her!

    I love how little bits of ourselves sneak their way into the text. I hadn't thought about the Jewish mother bit, but it completely makes sense. You do feed Ty an awful lot. =)

    Would LOVE to get my hands on a proof, but I imagine I'm somewhat below middling on the list, and am okay buying it when it's out in stores.

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  7. £25 per hour???? We're talking £25 per BOOK!
    He hardly gets fed at all in Almost True and whenever someone tries to make him a proper meal everything goes awry. He has two meals - takeaway curry and Christmas dinner, and the rest of the book is all sandwiches and junk food, and very sugary tea and coffee. Oh and vodka, beer and brandy. Poor lad, I have not looked after him properly.

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  8. Sorted! I hope it all turns out how you want it to Keren.

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  9. Okay, Keren. I will read and write review but not post it until August. I'll just save it as a word doc and if you want to read it then I'll email it to you. As yet, AT has not arrived on my doorstep. I feel like ambushing the postie!

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  10. Congrats Keren. Can't wait to read the finished product!

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  11. Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!! How thrilling that you're already reprinting WHEN I WAS JOE and that ALMOST TRUE is already in book form. Well done Keren!

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  12. Congratulations it all sounds so exciting! I can't wait to read.

    Kate xx

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  13. I just came across your blog!

    It is lovely!

    colormenana.blogspot.com

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  14. I'm holding out on reviewing until August, and possibly on reading too. Sounds mad, but I know I'll want to publish the review immediately :) I'll be good.

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  15. Hello lovely people and thanks for all the congrats. Am v impatient person, so slightly changing my mind about reading and reviewing now...go ahead if you want, just be careful of your spoilers. As I know you will be.

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  16. I know how you feel about bidding goodbye to a character! Odd, isn't it? They feel so real.

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