As predicted, it wasn’t my final manuscript.

Since June, I have provided two more rounds of edits to the team. They are working on the latest revisions, and I should have the (dare I say it?) final proof soon!

At the beginning of September, I received an email from my Publishing Services Associate (PSA). Attached, were both the hardcover and softcover proofs of my book. The butterflies were doing what they do best as I clicked open the first attachment. My book had a cover, and a price, and an ISBN number. The pinch confirmed it — real life.

Next came the proof of the inside copy. Seeing the 2-page layout design just increased my anticipation for the final publication. It looked more like a book and less like a Google doc. Wanting to visualize exactly what it would look like once I held it in my hands, I zoomed in to the exact print size and “flipped” through the pages. Y’all, this book is near and dear to my heart and I cannot wait to share it! Who’s excited? Are you excited? I’m excited!

Chris and I spent the next few weeks reading through it with a fine-toothed comb in hand. I was harder on that thing than my high school lit teacher would have been (although there are definitely some “to be” verbs). I compiled my list of edits and sent it off to my PSA.

I also sent her a list of questions about specifics of the layout and available fonts.

Thankfully, she affirmed all of my wonderings and even said I was able to write my own chapter titles in my handwriting! The personal touches have been some of the most fun to incorporate!

We have made it this far. The book I started (slowly) in 2013 is on the brink of publication. It seems surreal. Again, a pinch is likely the only thing that will make this feel like a reality. The publishing team is making the necessary corrections and the proof will pop into my inbox imminently.

Thanks for being on this journey with me. If you are interested in being part of the launch team, which means you would help with some word-of-mouth/social media support, send me an email at mccallamber2@gmail.com with the subject “Launch Team!”. I’ll send you an email back from the official email address of the book (psst…that means you’ll learn the title!).