Book News

[Moonitic]

For those who may remember, my novel
SECRETS OF THE MAIDEN is coming soon. On Friday (& what a Friday it was!) I received the galley proofs at last. The corrections have been made & submitted. It's just a matter of time now.

The book, according to contract, will be out no later than March. I'll be sure to let everyone know when it does come out.

[John]

Congrats again moon...what a wonderful accoplishment. You should be very proud! And now you can say..."I'm published" (sounds good, doesn't it? http://www.fencing.net/forum/wink.gif )

[HilandDoug]

And, of course, you'll have to sign copies for every member of the Schoolcraft College Fencing Club!

[Moonitic]

John, it's wonderful. Seeing that book set up in those neat little proof pages was just amazing. Not to mention seeing my name with the copyright, as well as the ISBN. It's REAL.

Doug, if they buy the book, I'll sign it! Big party coming...be warned!

[robbie]

Reserve me a copy!!

[Moonitic]

I'll be sure to pass along ordering info when the book comes out! No problem!

[Zelda]

GO MOON GO MOON GO MOON!!! U RULE GIRL! BTW I want a copy sent to me and autographed as my favourite bookstore just got sold and I havent yet convinced the new owners I am harmless.

[MikeHarm]

On the subject of autographed books, Nick Evangelista mails you his signature to turn any of his books you buy into an autographed copy if you email him. :-)

I got an autographed copy of The Art And Science of Fencing like that.

Mike

[FencingQueen4]

Woohooo!! Congrats Moonatic!! ^-^ That is soooo awesome! I checked it out on your page, and it looks great! I can't wait to read it!! *-* Eeeek! Congrats!!!

[Moonitic]

Zelda, you're still on the *official* mailing list for the book announcements. When the time comes, I'll have to arrange something for out of state people to get their autographs (wow...autographs...). Too bad you've spent all your money on the Olympics...the publishing party will be great fun!

Remind me to send you pictures from Festival!

Thanks FencingQueen. It's great to have a "fan." :0)

[JWS]

Which publishing house and when is it coming out--I'll pick up a copy and you don't even have to autograph it.

[Moonitic]

I don't have an official publication date yet, but when I do, I'll let everyone know.

The publisher is America House. I'll also give ordering info when it's available.

[Moonitic]

UPDATE:

Today I received my official copyright registration. My book is recognized & on file at the Library of Congress. A pretty wonderful thing...I also received my cover art, yet I can't seem to read it with my Adobe Acrobat (it's in a .pdf file). AAAGGHH!

It appears that the process is flying now, & any day now, "my baby" (the book, not a real one) will make its debut.

I'll keep you all posted.

[Moonitic]

Another UPDATE:

I saw the cover art...

I wish I didn't.

Let's just say it's not appropriate for children to look at.

[Zelda]

So tell them to change it! Its your book! With a title like that I would expect castles, maps and a typical little girl princess (blonde hair, long flowing dress etc etc) all superimposed on one another. Sort of a ghosting effect. Or you could always do what Tamora Pierce did in her "Allana" series and just have a nice sort of action portrait of the main character.......Hope it helps!
Zelda

[JWS]

Are we talking busty and revealing or something else?

[John]

Hehehe...I dabble in Illustration from time to time, and truly feel for ya moon. Remember it's not always the best illustrator/ artist that is getting the job, it's the one that most recently took the art director out for lunch :P (which is why it only a hobby for me and not a career)

Z-
I may be speaking out of turn, but here is my experience. First of all, it's not her book anymore, she sold the rights to the publisher. I run into this issue all the time when I sell artwork (they cropped it wrong, they f#$%ed with the colors, etc.) Once you sell the work, its gone. There is an editor/ art director/ marketing dept. out there calling all the shots. Most publishers give very little say to the author when it comes to the artwork/ marketing of a book. Moon might be able to suggest minor revisions but it's likely she is seeing a finished work. That means, under most artwork contracts, the art director has already approved sketches and more than likely even the final piece. In other words, it's already bought and paid for. To refuse the work would mean new contracts, new $'s, and a about 3-5 weeks more work that may not be in the "budget" or time-table for her book. Basically, she is probably just getting a FYI about the cover of her book...

[Zelda]

Thats just a bugger!

[Moonitic]

oh boy, let me tell you guys what has been going on in Mooniworld!

I emailed the vp of the publishing company (the one who emailed me) & told him that naked breasts (we're talking NIPPLES, people) were not acceptable for a young adult novel (which is for kids 8-16). He basically told me "tough luck" & was very rude about it. John is right in one regard: not much I can do about it. Their decision. Right? Well...to a point.

NEVER tell me "nothing can be done." Why? Because I find a way to do it anyhow! I emailed everyone I knew, & asked that they email the publisher telling them just how inappropriate the cover would be, & that the publisher would lose money if they didn't change it. It only took 5 or 6 emails from other people to convince him (now known as "Mr. Big Fat Hairy LIAR") that he needed to change it. He said that he didn't know it was for kids. BULL puckey! I made it abundantly clear!

So, fortune has smiled upon the Moon. I'll have a new, more appropriate cover (or I'll threaten him with Guido & my gang of thugs again...ok, how about a bunch of moms who don't like dirty pics on the fronts of their kids' books?), & everything will be wonderfully peachy.

Would you believe I went as far as to contact Rosie O'Donnell & Lois Duncan (a young adult author) for help? heee heee...

[John]

Wow! Nipples?! What were they thinking?! I didn't realize that it was that bad, I thought you just meant it wasn't what you had pictured. Good for you, hats off to ya cuz what you did is very difficult to get done.