I can't count the number of times I've been asked this questions recently. It comes up in daily conversation and I have a hard time explaining in succinct terms. The best I've heard so far is "text blogging." But that really doesn't explain much, now does it?
Watch this and you'll get it ...
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[HT: *the blogstar]
Great Production
By: Andrew T. Le Peau
"Design, production, and manufacturing, in many publishing houses, are not considered as glamorous as editorial or sales, and may be looked upon a secondary. They should be viewed as quite the reverse," says publishing guru Tom Woll (p. 161). Why? Well, how many times have design and production saved editorial's and marketing’s behind when an author was late or a book needed to come out early? How many times has great jacket design made customers give a second look at something new? And how much money has been saved by shrewd print buyers?
Woll rightly points out, however, that it is unwise and unfair for others always to rely on production to bear the burden of fixing problems. When it comes to scheduling, one guideline we’ve implemented with some success is this: Do not schedule a book for publication until the revised manuscript is in hand.
That could sound draconian, but it works. Why? Authors may not always meet their deadlines because they are not employees of the publisher. So editors, as peers, have a limited set of tools they can use in working with authors to stay on schedule. But authors always want to know, "When will my book come out?" (Not so subtle subtext: "the sooner the better.")
Typically the answer would be, “In nine to twelve months.” By saying it can be scheduled only when the final draft is in hand puts responsibility (and motivation) properly in the author’s hands.
Exceptions? Certainly. A big upcoming event for which the book must be available. A big-name author whose bestseller is wanted by marketing (and probably finance) for this fiscal year. But those should be exceptions, not the rule.
That’s just one idea for trying to deal with the scheduling dragon. Any other good ideas out there?
It was today.
Even after all of the crazy, busyness, trying-to-do-3-jobs at work. Trying to find a sub for my Sunday School class. Returning phone calls. Making sure I stay nutritionally on course. Going to an Indonesia meeting. Dealing with a tragedy in a friends life. Even after all that, this was my favorite day.
Why?
Because it's First Wednesday Worship at my church. The first Wednesday night of each month is a night when everyone comes together in one room and worships and prays. It's like one big small group ... as oxymoronic as that may be. It's in the presence of God and with family.
After a long day, a long month, a hard week, this is the good stuff. I could have stayed all night long.
This will make you smile ...
So, last week was crazy, busy and over-sensory with the layoffs and the marathon. This week has just been recovering from both the physical and mental shocks of last week.
Tomorrow is rest day. I'm sleeping in - hallelujah. Maybe I'll blog about something substantial after my resting is done.
Last weekend at the main street festival my friend and I saw the best invention: a picture frame with netting stapled inside and it's used to hang earrings. I'm so making one of those - instead of buying one for $60.
Went back to spin class this week and it's such a great stress reliever. I kind of quit spin for the month before the big run ... it's good to be back.
Saw Made of Honor tonight ... loved it!! Patrick Dempsey is sooo ...
Wow ... I did it. I accomplished my number 1 goal on my new year's resolution by finishing the Country Music Half Marathon today and it feels so great (well the achy muscles and joints don't feel great, but the feeling is irreplaceable).
April and I finished in 3:06:22 and are content with our time. It's a faster pace than any of our training - I think the excitement of the day moved us along. And the time includes one toilet break. Next year we'll work on improving our time since they say the first year should just be about finishing.
The beginning started out with a brisk walk and then we started running/walking at mile 1.5. Honestly after that the miles were a blur - but entertaining with people out in their yards cheering us on. It was great to hear complete strangers say, "go team nelson!" How cool? You can't help but smile and keep going. Thankfully there was no more rain after the race started and the clouds had dissipated by the time we were almost through; we were thankful for the cooling clouds for the majority of the race, though.
I loved being a part of a larger team (Team Nelson) and being able to spot our blue shirts along the way. It was encouraging to see people I know. And in that last .2 of a mile one of my Nelson teammates (I don't even know her name) passed by me and encouraged me to finish strong. It was great.
The runners high at the end is awesome ... crossing that finish line, knowing we set a goal and made it. Finishing a half-marathon is something I never even let myself dream of doing a few years ago and now I've done it! I didn't cry at the end ... too excited and exhausted, but it was definitely emotional.
Thanks to my parents and my little brother Phillip, who came out and cheered us on at mile 10 and then again at the finish line. It was great to know that someone was out there supporting us. And congrats to Sheila who has encouraged me through my training - she made her goal of under 2 hours. I'm so impressed!
So, here's to next year - where we will train harder and run faster! I've drank the kool-aid. :)
(pics: top - some Nelson crew before we got into our corrals. L-R: Sharon C., me, Neil, Adam & Sharon W.; middle - April and I waiting to start the race; bottom - with the family at the end!)
