I'm Not Her -A Mini Journey.
By the time you read this, I'M NOT HER will be "officially released".
(I'm writing this a few days early because I have lots to do and my brain is a mess and I'm afraid I might forget to post on my day if I don't pre-post now)
When you read this I'll probably be sleeping with drool coming out of the side of my mouth. Okay. The second part isn't true. I'll probably be sitting in almost the exact spot where I'm sitting now, my laptop on a pillow on my lap...Bruce Almighty at my side, wearing yoga pants (me not Bruce who btw is a chubby Chihuhua), putting off exercising and wondering when it's appropriate to eat again. But I could be sleeping. Depends what your blog reading habits are like.
Anyhow.......The Book Gestational Period.
In the space of many months I've gone from the very first email from my agent, Jill Corcoran, about Sourcebooks being interested in my book, (Yay!) to news the acquiring editor Dan was leaving Sourcebooks (OH NO!) to news that editor Leah was on board and was also fabulous (Whew! and Yay!).
Like every single book, it's had some predictable and not so predictable stops along the way.
I chatted with fabulous Leah about the book and got my first revision notes. Then came copy edits and then page proofs. (Scary in so many ways but also Yay!!) And then came some cover suggestions and a cover I loved!
But then I learned that the original title The Weight of Bones was going to be changed (OH NO) along with the cover I so loved (OH NO).
And then I got to see the final approved cover which I'm so glad to declare that I LOVE! (Yay!)
And then came the final back cover copy (Yay!)
“For the first time in my life, I didn’t feel envy…”
Tess is the exact opposite of her beautiful, athletic sister. And that’s okay. Kristina is the sporty one, Tess is the smart one, and they each have their place. Until Kristina is diagnosed with cancer. Suddenly Tess is the center of the popular crowd, everyone eager for updates. There are senior boys flirting with her. Yet the smiles of her picture-perfect family are cracking and her sister could be dying. Now Tess has to fill a new role: the strong one. Because if she doesn’t hold it together, who will?
Next came a blurb from the wonderful Sarah Ockler! (Yay Yay!)
"Gurtler's writing unfurls with the exquisite grace of a flower. Readers will cheer Tess' triumphant awakening as she blooms in the shade of insecurity, family tragedy, and sibling rivalry to discover a strength and beauty all her own."- Sarah Ockler, bestselling author of Fixing Delilah and Twenty Boy Summer
Eventually I received ARC's (Advanced Reader's Copies) and then finally a big box of final books! Before I knew it, books were being shipped from bookstores and are available almost everywhere. Right now I'm waiting for the final, final step --seeing I'M NOT HER on bookstore shelves. (Yay, Yay, Yay!!!)
Welcome to the world my little pink spined book! I look forward to trying to spot you on shelves soon!! I hope you have a long life, and I hope you are loved. Okay. At least liked. I know I know. It just can't be by everyone. It doesn't work that way. But you will always be beautiful and special to me.
I can't wait to read it. I've been oh-so-good not reading the copy you gave me for my blog giveaway. :D
ReplyDeleteI love ALL three cover choices for I'M NOT HER, though the orignal one was cool too.
Yay! Congrats! Can't wait to read it. :)
ReplyDeleteJanet, I'm really looking forward to reading it! It sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it fascinating that we write a book, but the way people perceive the book, and decide to read it or not, all comes down to the work of other people on completely different projects--the title, the blurb, the cover art? There are some beautiful covers in the right-hand column and I think everyone on this blog has been very lucky!
The cover is gorgeous and it has been sitting next to my writing desk, beckoning me to read, for days. I finally think I'm almost caught up on life to dig in . . . and I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteYay for this beautiful story making its way out into the world! Can't wait to read it (again ;))
ReplyDeleteThanks lovely people who feed my fragile ego with your kind words. :)
ReplyDeleteEvery book is a journey. Thanks for sharing yours. May your sales shoot through the roof!
ReplyDeleteBTW, I love all those covers, but the final one is the best. Congrats!!!