It's a Book! or two or three or four....

Well, it's about time! Two years plus invested in prayer, research, writing, reading, red ink, rewriting, more red ink, more rewriting. They have finally arrived! Or have they?

The Bible School Dropout's Bigger and Better Guide to Bible Study came first. Because of the material left over from this book, along came The Bible School Dropout's Guide to More Bible Study. So while I shopped around for a publisher to take my baby out into the world, the second book was completed.

Part of the second book included a bonus section called B.I.B.L.E - Basic Instruction Before Leaving Earth. It consisted of 6 lessons covering how you can build God's Word into your life. I thought "Hmmm... I wonder." And in quick order The Bible School Dropout's Guide to Building the Word of God in My Life came into being.

During 2009 and into this year, I studied Hebrews. Of course, I was using the Bible study method I outlined in my first two books. As the study was drawing to a close, I thought "Hmmm... I wonder." You guessed it! The Bible School Dropout's Guide to Hebrews came together rather quickly.

Did I plan it this way? Not on your life. I have a lot of ideas for future projects and a goal to continue publishing. But I did not think I would be releasing four titles at one time! My mind was spinning as I worked from one to the other, polishing and working to get them to a place where I was confident enough to let them go.

There I was, all pleased and happy. They were released. Then... oops. I noticed a wrong reference in two of them. OK. So i halt production, and correct them. Whew! At least nobody bought them and then emailed me.

Do I think these books are perfect? No. If the goal was perfection, then I still would be ordering proofs and tweaking. They may never have gotten published if I was waiting for them to be absolutely perfect.

What I did accomplish was the satisfaction of reaching a goal. The satisfaction of reaching that finish line called published.

However, I also know that I can't sit back and wait for the royalties to come in. I have to switch to a marketer and promoter, thinking how I can get my children in front of people and find them good homes

I also have ideas which are yelling at me to be put on paper. I am currently completing the draft of my next project, a doctrinal study guide. I am also researching another book idea. My book study this year is Genesis. Well, that would make at least four guides. "Hmmmm... I wonder..."

False Labor

Way back in the dark ages, college, my creative writing professor said that getting a book published is like being pregnant; it takes about nine months.

Most writers would say it takes longer than that. You have an idea that you gestate into a full blown manuscript, and then you have to work to get it published. Whether or not you go traditional route or self-publish, the process is pretty much the same.

But what he didn't tell you was the false labor that also accompanies the publishing process. You work hard to reach that goal of seeing your book in print. You submit your manuscript and get a proof back in your hands.

And there is it, in your hands, a copy of what your book will look like when you approve it and send it out into the world. Then you open it..

Crap!!! mistakes and typos. I knew I was in trouble when I noticed on the copyright notice Yahoo was spelled with 3 o's. I can't even blame my copy editor or typsetter because I am the copy editor and typesetter! Out comes the red pen and I pour over the manuscript. It's bleeding ink, but I'm satisfied I have corrected the mistakes.

Off goes the revised manuscript. Order another proof and I wait, again.

Crap!! More mistakes. Start the process all over again. make the corrections revise the manuscript, upload it and order a new proof

Well hopefully the third time will be the charm. I'm running out of red ink.