I’ll make this quick. The first proof copy of The Conscience of Abe’s Turn (the Advanced Copy version) arrived earlier this week (on Monday).
I had made a mock-up of the final version (also showed in the video), wrapping it around Julie Carobini’s Chocolate Beach, which happens to be about the same size (about 5.5″ x 8.5″ x .78″), and which I’m enjoying more and more the further along I read it. My original plan was to print up a bunch of advanced copies through Lulu, because they’re fast, if expensive. I had expected the final version to take between 1 and 3 months to come to market. However…
As it turns out, submitting the final book block and cover to Lightning Source (the on-demand printer & fulfillment company) went off without a hitch. As I sit here right now, the proof copy of the actual book (as it will appear on Amazon) is on a UPS Overnight plane (or at least ready to be loaded onto a plane), destined to be delivered to my front door tomorrow. If it looks good (as I expect it to), the book may have a page on Amazon before the week is out. (However, it may take longer for the full details to become available on Amazon, or for Amazon to realize that it can actually order copies.) And I’ll definitely be able to order as many copies as I want from Lightning Source, at about half what Lulu charges. So, bully!
I may have to figure out to whom to give the one and only “Advanced Copy” of the book (autographed, with a notation that it’s the one and only Advanced Copy ever produced).
-TimK
UPDATE: Indeed that’s what I’m going to do. I received the proof today (September 18) and approved it. (Then I noticed a minor font problem and decided not to correct it because it only affects 3 pages and you won’t even notice it unless you’re looking for it and you’re anal-perfectionist like I am.) Here’s a video of me opening the package from Lightning Source: