From the first spark of inspiration for a story to that story being a book a reader can pick up takes a while and goes through a number of steps.
I first did some brainstorming for ideas for new stories that my publishers might be interested in seeing me write several years ago. As many of you know since you have been wonderful and read many of my books, I’ve come up with quite a few different ideas over the years. Next year’s title will be my 39th published book. Many of my ideas have come from a bit of history I’ve read about in a book or newspaper or perhaps online. I stick to Kentucky settings which you might think would narrow down my possibilities. I guess it does in some ways, but so far I’ve been able to glean plenty of Kentucky based ideas for new stories.
The story, The Pursuit of Elena Bradford, that will release in May 2025 is one of them. I’ll be telling you more about the story in the months to come, and I’ll be getting more information about it on my website too the first of the year. But now I thought you might like to know some of those steps toward a book in your hands if the book has a traditional publisher and is not self-published.
First the idea is pitched to the publishers. If they think it is a story their customers might buy, they offer a contract with a date when I am expected to have the book written and in their hands. That usually gives me a year for research and writing. Some writers are faster at getting a book written, but I’m comfortable with the year timeline. I have written two books in a year and think I could again if I kept my nose to the grindstone. But for this book, I had a year.
Once I write the story and get to the end and go back and do my personal edits to try to make the story the best I can, I send it off to the acquiring editor who reads the manuscript and suggests ways the story can be improved or odds and ends that need a little more explanation or less. Once the editor and I are satisfied with the edits, the book moves on to the next step – a title. Of course, I have already titled the story, but often that title doesn’t seem to work as well as the publishers think it should. Those who usher the book along its publishing trail brainstorm for a title they think will fit the story and appeal to readers. I’ve filled out a questionnaire about the setting, plot, and characters that helps them get a vision of the story. We agreed on The Pursuit of Elena Bradford. I think it’s a good title for the story.
Next step, another editor reads the manuscript to clean up any remaining questions about the story and to catch various grammar missteps, descriptions or timing that are off, and a myriad of other things that might make a reader stumble while reading the story. That editor sends the manuscript back to me with these kinds of things pointed out. These wonderful editors catch things such as a word that might not be in circulation at the time of a historical story or they might point out when one word is used too many times to make the story feel too repetitive or tired. They try to do things like make sure everybody’s eyes stay the same color from the beginning of the book to the end.
I’m working through those edits on this book right now. One of the things the editor caught was that I mentioned the Grand Canyon which wasn’t actually a park until after the date of my story. Another time an editor caught when I said Wes in my Hollyhill books was a fan of a certain mystery writer who didn’t publish books until after the time of those stories. A good content or copyeditor can save a writer from making those sorts of mistakes.
During this time, the art department at the publishers is designing a cover that will fit the story. Again, they make use of the questionnaire I filled out to know about the characters and the setting of the story. Once they have a design, they send it to me to see if I think it works. I can make suggestions about things I don’t think work, but usually the cover is lovely. The art department at Baker Books is outstanding and my covers are always eye-catching. The cover for The Pursuit of Elena Bradford is one of those. I usually like to wait until a little later to share the cover, but when I do, the cover gets out there online before I get my act together. I’m trying to be first with the reveal this time. So, I sent out a newsletter last week to give my newsletter subscribers the first peek at the cover.
I’m happy to let you faithful readers here see it now too. I’m sure some of you have already seen it in my newsletter and if you did, I thank you for being a newsletter subscriber. If you didn’t see the newsletter and you think you should be on my email newsletter list, check your Spam folder. If my news isn’t there, let me know and I’ll check if you are still subscribed. In the change from one newsletter service to another, I lost some names.
Anyway, whether you have already seen the cover or are just now seeing it, I hope you think it is inviting and a cover that will entice you into the story. The book is already listed at Baker Book House. No cover there yet, but the pre-release deal of 40% off and free shipping is there. The cover will show up on the entry soon.
The cover is a big step toward publication and always a fun one for writers and readers to see. There will be another round of editing after the ones I’m working on now. That will be to check for minor errors such as typos or various small errors missed in the first two rounds of edits. Once that is done, the book will be out of my hands. Copies will be sent out to advance readers and reviewers. I’ll be asked to do podcasts, blog visits, and other things to try to let readers know about my new story. Most of that happens in the last few months before publication which for this story is May 2025.
So, now you know why it takes a couple of years or more from my first spark of inspiration for the story to that book in your hands.
Does the cover make you want to find out more about the woman on the steps and holding a parasol?
Comments 26
Oh yes,I love to know this lady’s story!
Author
I hope you will think it’s a good story when you get a chance to get to know Elena and others.
Ann I thought I received your newsletter but I have checked both places and did not receive the one showing your new book cover. Can you please check to see if I am on the list? Thanks so much!
Author
I will check, Pamela, and sign you up if you aren’t on the list. I’ll also send you a copy to the newsletter. Thanks for wanting to get my news.
Love the cover! When I see your name on a book I know I want to read it!
Author
That’s so nice to read, Ola. Thank you for your encouragement and for reading my stories. So glad you love the cover. It is different from most of my book covers, but different can be good.
I LOVE the cover of your new book! It’s kind of mysterious and really makes me want to know what is beyond the haze! Can’t wait to read it!
Author
So glad you love the cover, Judi. I like how the cover has that mysterious feel. You’ll know why when you get to read the story.
My very first thought — this is a mysterious lady. Really like this cover which makes me wonder, is she leaving something or going to something? The cover is very intriguing. It certainly has my attention.
Author
All ladies need to have a little mystery about them, Loretta. Well, at least ladies in a story. 🙂
It sure does. I love the cover and the title is intriguing, can’t wait to read it!
Author
I’m glad you think so, Amy. Intriguing is a good word when I hope to find readers for a story.
The cover begs me to step inside and discover its secrets. Blessings!
Author
The story does have some secrets, Lucy.
I do want to find out more of this story. May seems a long time away, but I know with how fast time goes by, will be here before we know it!
This cover makes me think that the woman is living in a time when her life may have been planned out for her already, but she is ready to go out and create her own future and figure out what she wants for her life, even if she can’t see what that is at the moment. The slightly foggy scene she is looking at gave me that impression. Whatever the story, I know it will be a good one. 🙂
Author
Neat, Hope. I like how you tell what the cover makes you think about the story. And you are so right about the months passing quickly. Here we are looking directly at November. I’m not rushing May though in spite of the fun of having a new book out for readers. I need to get another book written by then. I’ll need every month to get that done.
Looking forward to reading this book . The cover is very appealing offering many possibilities of what may occur along Elena’s journey.
Author
Elena does have quite a journey, Nancy. Hope you will find the story appealing when you get to read the story.
The cover is attractive and appealing. The way the woman is dressed and the architectural elements shown indicate an historical period I would find interesting. Both the cover and the title make me want to know more about the story. The title holds an element of mystery. Is Elena pursuing something? Or is Elena being pursued? Why? For reasons of courtship or for some rather nefarious purpose?
Author
Isn’t nefarious the neatest word, Karen? I do agree that the cover and title hold a hint of something mysterious going on. I’m glad it makes you ready to read the story to find some of the answers.
This cover is beautiful! I’m so interested in what the story is about.
I really like this cover! Yes, I do wonder who this woman – she looks rather mysterious! I will look forward to reading her story!
The cover is lovely. I wonder what she’s seeing from up there and what the garden behind her is like, what the house is like, etc. The title also makes me curious. Is someone pursuing her, or is she pursuing someone or something, or both? So, you’ve made me interested in reading your book.
Yes, this book cover is drawing me to find out what intriguing things are written inside, the places I will be traveling to, and the people I will become acquainted with as I read this book with the engaging cover.
May the Lord help you & bless you with what you have need of as you write this book. Looking forward to reading it in May 2025.
🤗
That’s a lovely cover. The title makes me wonder why Elena is being pursued. Also is she being pursued by someone who wants to court her or is the pursuit more sinister in nature? I’ve add this to my list of books to anticipate reading.
Yes, I would love to hear more about her dreams and her interests and inspirations.