We took another small, but important step in the publishing process today by requesting our “proof” copy from CreateSpace. After a small, irritating hitch in the order process via the online CreateSpace dashboard we were finally successful in requesting the proof. We had to use the online-only (no phone support) customer support feature to alert them that their process was not working properly. this resulted in a delay of about two days. We are now waiting to see if the projected delivery date of next Tuesday, July 22, 2008 is correct.

Still, it was exciting to finally get the process underway to get our first novel for sale online. After we receive the “proof” we will have the opportunity to either approve the book for release, or make any corrections or adjustments in the uploaded files and request yet another proof. We’re praying that we can give a thumbs-up on the proof on the first attempt.

Today we began the final phase of actual publication of Dear Walt.

We elected to go with CreateSpace, an amazon.com online print-on-demand, self-publishing company because there is very little cost involved in actually getting salable books online almost immediately.

In our case we were able to leverage our previous graphic design, layout, writing, editing, and web design experience into real dollar savings over other print-on-demand publishing companies which offer varying cost packages which include combinations of these services.

So, today we uploaded Dear Walt into the CreateSpace sytem and are awaiting review of the uploaded files. After their review to make sure the files are to their specifications, we’ll be able to order a proof copy before the book actually goes “online” for sale in two locations, the CreateSpace E-Store and Amazon.com.

The E-Store page is still in its preliminary stages today, but you are welcome to look at it. I believe the thumbnail image of the book cover will be added after the book is finally available for purchase. Right now there is only a placeholder for it. To view the E-Store page click here.

There were many steps involved in getting to this point, and a few more before the book acctually appears for sale on the web. We will chronicle these steps in future posts and give you more step-by-step instruction on how we got to this point later, when we have the chance. Stay tuned!

August 1, 2008 ???????

We are now in the process of completing final review and editing of the manuscript as well as development of collateral material such as the author’s biography and back cover promotional copy. After the final revisions and additions we expect to go to press sometime in mid to late July, 2008. Of course there will still be a proofing process before the actual retail release.

August 1 is now our target date for retail release. If you would like to be one of the first to obtain a copy please let us know ahead of time by using the comment form on most pages on this web site and we’ll notify you via email when “Dear Walt” actually goes on sale. At that time you will be able to purchase a copy online at our “e-Store.” A link to the Dear Walt page at the e-Store will be provided in your notification email.

Stay tuned to this web site for updates as they are posted.

Today we adopted our preliminary cover design. We’ll be making a few detail changes to it when we get the back cover copy finished. But, we thought you might want to see a thumbnail view of where we’re headed with the design, so here it is.

This particular photo captures the daydream-like quality image that Andy (and possibly Bronson) had in their minds while sitting on that boulder in Platteville looking West. Read the book after it comes out and tell me if you agree.

I was a professional photographer in Cheyenne at the time, and this photograph was what I call an “opportunity” shot because of the fluidity of scene change due to lighting, clouds and waning light just before sunset. The photo was taken in Colorado over 25 years ago when we were heading back to Cheyenne from a day of skiing at a Colorado ski resort somewhere West of Boulder. I was able to capture only a few frames before the clouds completely enveloped the snow covered peaks. A few minutes later the scene completely changed character and I packed up the camera and we headed back to Cheyenne.

The camera I was using was a wooden Tachihara 4″x5″ inch view camera. The film was Ektachrome Professional and the lens was a Schnieder 180mm Symmar.