I'll Paint a Sun 

Diary of a Novel on Its Way to Market

March 1, 2005--Today is the official release date of I'll Paint a Sun. Yesterday I contacted Genesis to ask about distribution and was told that Kensington is the distributor and that the book would be widely available through mass market chain stores. As yet, the online booksellers are still showing the title as unavailable.

January 26, 2005--I received the final typewritten text in a .pdf file and the cover.
I like the layout a lot and am very pleased with the cover. Since Genesis/Indigo does not consult the author on cover design (other than asking for some general suggestions at the beginning of the publishing process), it's always an anxious moment when the cover arrives. Genesis doesn't send galleys to the author, either, which is another concern, but they do a pretty thorough job of proofreading. It was the same when they published Finding Isabella in 2000.
Publication date of this Indigo Love Stories book is March 2005, but the book will be delivered to Kensington for distribution on February 14, 2005. How appropriate since Valentine's Day plays a prominent role in the story.
I'm pleased that I'll Paint a Sun is already available on Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com, and Books A Million.com.
If you read my book, I hope you'll contact me by e-mail and let me know what you think of it.
My next, and probably last, posting on this diary will be day I receive my author's copies.

December 7, 2004--Genesis Press requested the Dedication, Acknowledgments, and Author Bio. The book is now in the typesetting process.

September 14, 2004--Today I received a request from Genesis Press's New York office for an electronic file containing I'll Paint a Sun to be sent to her by e-mail.

August 21, 2004--I've revised my manuscript incorporating about 95% of the editors suggestions. One thing I've learned in my fiction-writing career is that my book is always better after an editor has scoured it. I never resent any editorial comments or recommendations for changes. I don't always comply, but editors force me to take a fresh look at a sentence, a paragraph, a scene, character, etc. All this after I have declared "Mission Accomplished!" By that I mean, I don't send a ms. off to my agent until I think it's the very best work I can do with this book. Yet, inevitably (watch those -ly adverbs!!) my books are better after someone else (not a family member or best friend) has taken an objective, reader's-eye look at my work.

Now, it's time to get the ms. in the mail back to New York where the production process will continue on a path toward March 2005 publication. I'll get one more shot at the text when I get the galleys. Otherwise, it's done!! 

August 17, 2004--I received my first prepublication review from fellow Genesis Press author Dar Tomlinson. Dar is an award-winning author, whose positive assessment of I'll Paint a Sun I am grateful for.

July 22, 2004--I received the edited ms. and a copy of the editor's letter to Angelique Justin of Genesis Press, Inc.'s New York office. The editor used the following language to describe her reaction to the book: "a gorgeous story" . . ."This is a wonderful story--poetic--beautifully written. My synopsis doesn't do it justice" . . . "must be read to be appreciated." Just what every author wants to hear. Editing recommendations were few and minor (with the exception of the issues found in my July 8 note).

July 8, 2004--The Editor at Genesis Press called to tell me how much she loves this book. They'd like me to make one change. Because of Genesis's distribution agreement with Kensington Publishing (see June 1, 2004 below), one of the two main characters needs to be of African descent. In my original ms., Libby O'Neill is as Irish as you can get; the male protagonist is Hispanic. So, we've agreed that I will rewrite the "Painter" character as Spanish-speaking but of mixed Hispanic and African heritage. I have no objection to doing this and it shouldn't be a problem from the revision standpoint. It just illustrates what can happen to an author's ms./story even after the publishing contract is signed. My alternative would be to withdraw from the contract and not have my story published. I'm not willing to do that, nor is there any reason to. What would you do?

June 2, 2004--Genesis Press sent me a Book Brief to complete and return. This is a document that contains data on the author's previous sales, a book summary, selling points, reviewer quotes, comparisons and competition (the book's distinguishing characteristics), marketing and promotion ideas, an author profile, and a chapter-by-chapter summary of the story.

June 1, 2004--During the past week I heard from my agent Sue Clark that Genesis Press has entered into an agreement with New York City-based Kensington Publishing Corp that will greatly expand distribution of some Genesis titles. Genesis (Columbus, Mississippi) has opened a New York office as part of this deal. What I don't know yet is whether I'll Paint a Sun will be part of that arrangement. I've asked Sue to look into this. 

May 25, 2004--I received permission from copyright agents Peermusic III, Ltd. to quote a verse from "The Colour of Love" by David Foster and Arthur Janov. The copy right is owned by One Four Three Music and Janov Publishing.
For writers who do not know how to get permission to quote copyrighted works in their books, here are the steps I took. 
(1) I searched the Internet for the lyrics to the song and looked for the copyright designation. 
(2) I followed that lead to the copyright owner's website to learn whom to contact for permission. In this case it was a copyright agent whose job it is to collect fees on behalf of the owners. 
(3) I contacted the agents to get information on the process.
(4) The agents faxed me the proper form and a statement of the cost.
(5) I completed the form and sent it back along with a check. 

Cost for permission is based on the length of the quote and the number of copies of the book the publisher will print (not sell). In my case it was $150 for up to 10,000 books. If the publisher prints more than the stated amount, I have to go back and pay another fee. I wouldn't mind.

The big question for me was: Is using the quote worth the cost? I had to think about it, believe me. But, since the book title is in the lyrics to the song, I decided it was important enough to go forward. 

March 26, 2004--I signed an advance plus royalties contract with Genesis Press, Inc. for publication of I'll Paint a Sun in February 2005. Although this ms. was written before Circles of Stone, I did not give it to my agent, Sue Clark, until after "Circles" went to press for a Fall 2003 release from Hilliard & Harris Publishers. Genesis Press was the second publisher to receive the ms. One rejection, one acceptance. Not bad, I guess. 

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