My third book is almost good to go and I have got 10 sample copies in my hands! It seems such a long time ago that I wrote the blog ‘Time to Put Pen to Paper‘ and back then my third book ‘to-do’ list was rather long. Thankfully, pretty much all of that list is now ticked off! I struggle to proof the book content properly if it is on a computer screen. So having a few copies printed means that I can check through them and make any last minute amends.
In the last month…
…I have been busy with the book from getting the ‘professional’ photos done, to tweaking the artwork, whilst working on the design of the book and finally re-writing some of the content.
First off, photo-shoot time
Towards the end of July, Tobz came round to do the photographs for the book. We discussed the kind of images that I wanted to capture and then it was time to get the desired shots.
It was a lovely warm, sunny day but the rather strong breeze proved to be challenging with Alfie’s beard!
However, Tobz managed to get some great shots of the Dood and I, which I am chuffed to bits with. I have now chosen a couple of the images that he took to use in the book. As a little extra twist I have been rummaging at my Mum and Dad’s in search of some childhood photos to use too.
Designing the book
I am so pleased with the illustrations that Lisa Williams has created for my book. Her drawings are absolutely beautiful and she really captures the sentiment of the story for me. An added bonus is that she doesn’t live too far from me, so I got to give her one of the sample copies of the book.
Steve from Redcar Design and I have spent a couple of weeks putting the book together to create the final design. We have kept the square shape of the first two books, but we have gone for a bit of a different look and layout. I look forward to hearing what you think! The great thing about it being a book about a rainbow, is how much colour we have been able to inject into it.
Time to print
I have made quite a few changes to the book since seeing the samples. Plus, a few more creative ideas have come to me, so I have introduced these too. One addition is the page mentioned earlier with images of pets I have had both past and present. Once the books are printed, I’ll be off to see my local stockists. Hopefully, they will like it and are happy to sell it for me, fingers crossed.
Taking pre-orders now
If you would like to pre-order one of my books, I can put a personalised message in it and sign it from Alfie Doodle and I. The books will be printed next week and whilst I have not yet listed them with Waterstones or on Amazon, you can Contact Me to place your order. Once they are published, it would be my pleasure to get a book sent out. The book will be priced at £9.99 and once again I will be donating 10% of all my sales to the Dog’s Trust.