As I was laying in bed last night thinking about what today might feel like (still kind of surreal if you're wondering. I'm sure that's because I can't walk into a book store and see PLAYING FOR KEEPS on a shelf), I thought about how slow this process really is. And considering that things with PfK moved pretty quickly in the book world makes that all the more funny. If I had a nickel for every time I heard "When is your book coming out" over the past few years, I'd already be a rich author. So I thought I'd make a timeline to show the non-book people out there how "quick" the process is.
* Late 2012 - Writing - I can't nail down a date that I actually started writing PfK. I know I was writing it while I was pregnant with Squishy and I think that I finished it in early 2013.
* Spring 2013 - Editing - I finished and sent it out to beta readers.
* May 2013 - Pitching - Went to Storymakers in Provo, Utah and pitched the book to Kathy Gordon at Covenant. She loved it and requested to see it. I went home and edited and edited some more and sent it to my CP extraordinaire, Kaylee.
* July 2013 - Submissions - I remember this date exactly, July 24th, because I remember it was Pioneer Day, a holiday in Utah.
* February 2014 (SEVEN months later) - Acceptance - I received an email that started my dreams of being a published author coming true.
* January 2015 (ELEVEN months after that!) - Getting a publication date - My editor emailed me that she'd gotten my book into the 2015 line, which was actually a surprise for me. I expected it wouldn't get in until 2016 at the earliest.
* March 2015 - Cover - I got the cover for PfK, which I loved and adored. Want to see it again? I knew you would. ;)
* Later in March 2015 - Galleys - I got the proof for the inside of PfK to read over and make sure we didn't miss any last minute typos. Once I sent it back, it went to press!
* Today, June 1, 2015 - HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY! - Today PfK officially released!
Were you keeping track? That's about 3 1/2 years from finishing to publication. And that is SO FAST. Seriously, guys. I have been dreaming about this day, about having a real live book out there and published since I was little. I've been serious about getting it done for about eight years now. Just wait until someday I do a timeline for KISSING A SUPERHERO. I'm guessing it will have almost a ten-year span by that point. Ha!
Want some links so you can go get PLAYING FOR KEEPS? Okay, you've got it.
Get the book and ebook at Deseret Book: https://deseretbook.com/p/playing-for-keeps-ppr
Get the book via Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Playing-Keeps-Ranee-S-Clark/dp/1621088502
Add it to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25264002-playing-for-keeps
Thanks for hanging in there even though the publishing process is a long one. I really enjoyed your book - super fun characters! I love to read and it's always fun to discover a new, talented author. I look forward to reading more :) On a side note - after PfK, I think The Beast deserves his own happy ending. What a good friend :)
ReplyDeleteThank you! You're in good company wanting David/Beast to have his own story. :) Fear not, I'm working on it!
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