Ah, it is not over until it is over or until the fat lady sings or until I get all the work done, basically, whenever I am working on a jewelry book. I’m reminded of when I went back and school and was often asked, “When are you going to graduate?” To those not in the know, it seemed like it took forever! And, the same can be said for putting together a jewelry making book. Admittedly, even though I know how long it takes, even to me it seems like each one takes forever.
From beginning to end, most jewelry books I’ve worked on usually take about a year: 6 months for me to do my thing and 6 months for the publisher. My 6 months is mainly the first part of the year, but then I have additional tasks that mix in with the rest of the year, and some of that I will be working on this weekend. This book has over 700 photographs, and about a dozen were rejected by the publisher. That means more photos! Considering (so far) only a dozen seem to be problematic, I’m not too worried.
After we re-shoot some of the photos, the next step will require that I review the galley print of the book, which is a loose copy of big sheets of paper that have the complete book, photos and all. This my last full look and chance to make any major changes before it goes to print. I read, edit, proof, mark it up, and fingers crossed most of my changes/corrections are made before it heads off to printing and the bookshelves of local book stores.
Amazon still has it up for early ordering and still has it pegged for coming out in January 2011. Sometimes titles make it out a little early, but I have to just continue to be patient, sigh!
July 3, 2010 at 10:05 am
12 out of 700 photos is definitely not bad but I can imagine how frustrating it still must be. You have to have a pretty thick skin to work with a publisher, don’t you?
I look forward to the book. 700 photos – wow! I’m sure it will be gorgeous!
July 3, 2010 at 10:14 am
Sista I feel your pain! I have a month to finish the designs for my new book…I’ve got three to go…then the variations…then the instructions…then the romance copy and the front material…and sometimes it really does feel like it will never end. But then it does and you kind of forget how much work it was and dive back into another one.
Keep on keepin’ on, Ms. Tammy!
Love
Madge
July 3, 2010 at 4:31 pm
Eileen – Most everyone is pretty nice in the publishing world, or at least that has been my experience so far, but yes, it is never easy to take criticism or be told something you just plain don’t want to hear!
Madge – Oh, you are so right! I may bitch and moan and grown, but after I’m done, I start jonesing for a new book project in about a week or two! It’s addicting, as you well know.