Sunday, February 17, 2008

The Ultimate Valentine’s Day Gift

It’s been a busy couple of days. On Friday, I went to the ballet to see Romeo and Juliet. It was absolutely fantastic. I don’t understand why more people don’t go to see the ballet. The music is phenomenal and the sheer athleticism of these dancers is amazing. The only thing that disappoints me is the fact that the season is so short.

Saturday was all about writing. I churned out a large chunk of book 2 and I’m taking a brief pause today to re-plot the ending of the book. The original ending that I had planned has been thrown out due to some changes that were made in Nightwalker along with changes that were made to the long-term plans for the series. My goal is to have the rough draft of the book done before the end of the month. I will then take a week off from it to plot out the anthology short story that is due in July before returning to complete the final drafts of the book. Once the book is sent off to my editor, I will be diving into writing the short story.

Jumping back to Valentine’s Day, I will admit that I have never actually celebrated the “holiday.” However, my wonderful editor gave me the perfect gift. I don’t know whether she planned it this way or if it just happened to work out, but I got my galleys on Thursday. Also known as Advanced Reader Copies (ARC). I couldn’t believe it. It was the first time that I was able to hold my manuscript it book format. They are beautiful. Simply beautiful. The cover of the ARC is slightly different from how the book will actually look when it is finished, but Harpers has done a fantastic job.

I am waiting to hear if I am allowed to give away a copy or two in a contest on my blog. I’ll keep you updated regarding the approval. If I am allowed, it will still be at least a month before I do so. I don’t want to give one away so far from the actual release date, which is July 29.

5 comments:

Candace said...

Those ARCs are gorgeous! If you're giving away an ARC or two then I'm definitely going to enter the contest! Is July really five months away?!

Jocelynn Drake said...

Thanks! I wish I could show off the front. July sounds really far away, except when I think about how much writing I need to get done between now and the release -- then it sounds way too soon!

Harry Markov said...

Oh, these are so beautiful. I actually wanted to reacg out in the picture and take on. If you do make a giveaway I am 100% sure to enter. I still don't believe I have to wait that long.

Rachel Vincent said...

Yea, congratulations! How's it feel to hold your ARC? ;-)

Chandra Rooney said...

That would definitely make Valentine's Day worth celebrating.

Just think, next Valentine's Day you can celebrate being a published author who first held her ARCs a year ago.