(To listen to the audio of this blog post, use the purple play button.)
Final Proof Approved
Finally! We’ve approved Proof #2 of K-9 Kudzu: Observations of a Working Dog Who Loves to Play. Now, the children’s book is in line for printing at POD Print. We’re hoping to have copies in hand within two weeks.
Creating this book has been like a five-act play. If Act 1 was writing the book, and Act 2 was editing the book, then Act 3 was the process of developing the color illustrations with Gina Laiso, Integrita Productions. Whether an intermission or a brief Act 4, sending files for a proof copy and examining the results was a milestone.
Once we receive the boxes of freshly printed books, I’ll be ready for the final act—marketing and selling K-9 Kudzu.
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It’s been a long six months for Alex and me as we continually improved K-9 Kudzu. We’re both worn out and elated. Relief and disbelief have hit me. I’ve been running on gas fumes. I’d like a quick breather before the final act commences, but there’s an opportunity to submit an essay to 105 Meadowlark Reader if I can complete my story in time. If I don’t make the deadline or if it isn’t accepted, I’ll use it as a blog post.
Recently, I’ve contacted the Hutchinson Public Library and ESSDACK (Educational Services and Staff Development Association of Central Kansas) about book promotion, and I’m constantly viewing photos on Facebook of K-9s and their police handlers. These law enforcement agencies are all potential customers to purchase K-9 Kudzu.
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Yesterday, Alex asked me, “Who will be the first person you’re going to send K-9 Kudzu to?”
After J. Alex Potter receives her copy for being my confidante, first reader, and color illustration consultant, here’s my list:
- Gina Laiso, Integrita Productions. She created the color illustrations, designed the book cover, and designed and formatted the interior of the book.
- Marilyn Bolton, forever English teacher, is my grammar guru. When Marilyn’s not traveling or reading a book, she enjoys line editing.
- Melody Cole, author of Sentiments of a Survivor (sold by Time-Honored Productions, and Bookends bookstore), has an eagle eye for catching typos. She’s also available to hire for line editing.
- Gwen Bartlett, retired elementary school librarian and co-owner of Bookends bookstore in Hutchinson, KS, was an early reader of K-9 Kudzu. She recommended an important structural change. Gwen wrote an endorsement for the back cover.
- Isaiah St. Pierre is going into 5th grade this school year. He enjoys reading and loves dogs. He wrote a “blurb” for the back cover.
- Judy Gray, Isaiah’s great-grandmother, mentor to many, was our supportive contact person with Isaiah.
- Randy Henderson, former Reno County (KS) sheriff and current Executive Director of Kansas Association of Police, also wrote an endorsement for the back cover.
- Joelle Rene, creative artist, and friend, she encouraged me to have narrator K-9 Kudzu tell more stories while he introduced police vocabulary words to the reader.
Until next time, happy writing,
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Book signing July 20th from 6-8 pm. at Bookends. - Bookends bookstore, 123 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS, is open Wednesady through Saturday. Phone 620-259-7511. Website link http://bookendshutch.com
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