Blog Schedule

I post on Monday with an occasional random blog thrown in for good measure. I do my best to answer all comments via email and visit around on the days I post.

Monday, July 25, 2016

Update on The Bowl and the Stone: A Haunting Tale from the Virgin Islands

Next Monday is the cover reveal for The Bowl and the Stone: A Haunting Tale from the Virgin Islands.

I'm sending out a BIG THANKS to all those who are participating!




Come October I have quite a line-up of people who will be participating in my book tour. I don't know how I've managed it, but I'm ever so grateful. And nervous. Every post will be different, so I'll be busy writing them up through August and September and sending them off.

Work still to be done

I have received a proof copy of the book from Create Space. I'm delighted with the overall look. However, as I've been reading through it, I'm finding way more mistakes than I'm comfortable with. I can accept one or two mistakes, but I'm finding one or two mistakes in just about every chapter. It means the ebooks have these mistakes as well. This will never do. Corrections will have to be made.

Question

For those of you with more experience doing tours and such, I have a question about email etiquette. When I send out an email with attachments and information, should I expect an acknowledgement that the information was received? Or, should I assume that the email was never received? If I assume the latter, is it appropriate for me to email and ask if the information/attachments were received? What should I do if I don't hear back from that email? I sure don't want to be pushy, but knowing who's going to do what when, is kind of important.

Giveaway
I'm also planning a giveaway via Rafflecopter and Goodreads. I've never done either of these things before... (gulp)


Being Thankful

Today I'm thankful for

HUGS

Local Afghan Doctors, Coalition Medical Teams Render Assistance in Afghanistan Avalanche

ClĂ udia

Gurung hugging goat

Treehugger

What are you thankful for? Got any advice for me on email etiquette? If you've published a book, have you been disappointed by the number of mistakes in your print proof copy? Do you get nervous/anxious before a cover reveal and/or book tour?

24 comments:

  1. Exciting times, Bish! Those dreaded typos and mistakes have been the bane of my life for the past two weeks - I've done so many final read throughs I'm inclined to ditch the word final to a more appropriate word - never-ending read through perhaps :) Have fun and I look forward to your guest post on 19th October. Answering your question: I will send you a confirmation of all info received :) I don't find contact with another writer at all 'pushy'. Have a lovely week.

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    1. Nicola, I think a lot of my problem is I'm SO familiar with the story, I know what it's supposed to say so I don't see what it actually says. Having the hard copy, though, has thrown some huge mistakes up in my face!

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  2. Typos are a bummer.
    I would confirm the email was received.

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    1. Yes you would, Alex, because you always do. Thanks.

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  3. As someone who gets a lot of e-mails with posts, I always respond. I agree with Alex. Glad your blog tour is shaping up.

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    1. And I'm grateful for the response. My real question is, do I send an email asking if they got my email?

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  4. It's only polite to respond to an email.

    Ready to help you fix those mistakes.

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    1. Thanks Diane, when I've finished reading it I'll get it touch with you to figure out how to get those corrections make.

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  5. Hello Bish, I’ve been out of the blogging scene for a while, so I’m just catching up with my favourite blogs. Congratulations on the new book, how exciting.
    I do think you should get acknowledgments when you email something you have spent time and trouble on. Maybe send a polite follow up – something along the lines of ‘just making sure you received my email OK’. It can’t do any harm and at least then you can stop worrying about.
    I’m thankful for the health of my friends and family and hope they all stay safe in these troubling times. Barbara x

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    1. I might try your suggestion, Barbara. Thanks!

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  6. I hate finding those errors in the proof, but I know they're going to be there. It's good to read the book in its final form. Somehow that makes it easier to spot the problems.

    What are you emailing to people? Let's talk.

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  7. When I get an email like that, I like to confirm I received it. When I send one, I like the same. It helps me be sure that everything is going smoothly.

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  8. How exciting for you, Bish. I've never published a novel, so can't offer any advice, but good luck with all your preparations - you sound very organised!

    Susan at
    Travel, Fiction and Photos

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    1. Ha! Organized... lists, written in pencil, in a spiral binder with checks and stars besides the names to indicate certain mysterious things!

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  9. Hi Bish - congratulations on the new book ... I'm sure you'll smooth things out - typos are just a 'pain'.

    Anything where you encounter others needs to be dealt with as sensitively or as sensibly as possible - ie etiquette is the same as being around home ... always polite and considerate - however much it irritates ... like being asked a question you've answered in your post ... or something they could look up themselves - but leave you to do it .. : this is the grump me sometimes! But I do answer properly ...

    Cheers and all the best - Hilary

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  10. Can't wait to do a reading - aloud - to certain parties who, with you, heard a very early draft.

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  11. I usually email back or comment on the latest post that I'm ready for the tour. Typos are a pain. I feel like when I'm finally done looking, I find some more when I read again.

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  12. I've published a lot of books and no matter how thoroughly I (and others) proof them, I always find mistakes. It's exhausting but the good thing about POD is you can make corrections easily enough.

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  13. How exciting! Aw, I hate finding mistakes when I think I'm finally finished. No worries, at least you caught them.
    Absolutely, you should expect a reply. I'd send a second email as well. It's not being pushy if someone promised to host you.
    I'm thankful for hugs too!

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  14. The last book I put out never got back to me for a final read-through (side eye to some people...sigh). There were too many typos and it still makes me upset. As for the email thing, maybe add a phrase to your original email asking for confirmation?

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  15. I love that sparkly fairy!

    I don't think it is pushy to send a second email. Emails randomly go to spam sometimes- especially with attachments. You may be able to add a sentence to the email you send that says something like: Please let me know that you received this email and/or if you have any questions.

    Good luck with everything!
    ~Jess

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Your Random Thoughts are most welcome!