I love receiving the actual physical proof copy of my book. So, when I reviewed the print proof copy of Dead Ringer 4th Murder Mystery in the Beaufort’s Landing series, I said to a writer friend who also self-publishes, thatI love editing the hard copy because I always find lots of errors I have previously missed in the on-screen copies. The reply was that they never bother with a physical proof copy because they have checked the copy on-screen and they are satisfied with it and have faith in themselves and so just go ahead and order their author copies.
How fabulous to be so very sure of yourself, I thought, but worried aloud that reading actual pages is intrinsically different from on-screen reading. Nah, they said. It costs extra and isn’t worth it. I trust myself.
To which I replied, I never trust myself and neither should I, as I always find so many errors, many minor but some very important ones.
Also, I had a big problem with the cover photo it came up slightly/obviously out of focus. It looked pretty good in the thumbnails, damnit! Well, back to the drawing boardI went (I use Photoshop) to try to improve things, ended up taking another photo, nope didn’t like it, then it was suggested I scan the painting I used. What do you think of that suggestion? I checked out some local printers and that worked much better. Stay tuned.What do you think? do you trust yourself?
Anywho, I have edited the proof, re-run it through the formatter and sent it off—received my author copies, had a, not very successful, launch in Charters Towers.
You can get all four books in the series and the prequel at Books by: Celebration Publishing.
I have started Book 5 — Murder in the Mist. Have managed a couple of chapters but am in a bit of a funk. Hence my being here writing a post and not beavering away on the book.
Caio for now,
Percy Rose - Author 