Predictably… Plus: ebook update
I want to thank everyone for the comments and emails of support and encouragement. I’m not able reply to each one immediately; I hope you’ll be patient. Comments in this blog are likelier to get a quick response, just because it’s one-stop-shopping, so to speak. But it means a lot to me that you’re out there; I can’t thank you enough.
I did finally manage to reply to every comment made on my original post about the cancer. So, if you commented, and you don’t know if I’ve replied — check back on the post.
Predictably, the last chemo hit me a bit harder than the previous; and my Saturday “steroid crash” was a lot crashier. (They give you steroids to pep you up for a few days after chemo. You feel feisty, and ready to duke it out with all comers! And then it wears off. And you sleep.)
So, I’ve missed more of the Day-job work days. But I did manage to do the all-important sending out of 1099’s to subcontractors. A task which only I seem to know how to do. It’s not a big company.
I’m trying to prepare them for the fact that at some point, possibly soon, I’ll need to be out for extended periods. Fortunately, we have short-term and long-disability insurance. I’ll be having Conversations with HR in the coming weeks.
In other news: ebooks update! Three things I need to do before I can release these guys into the wilds of ebook-land:
1. The map. Each book has a different map. Fortunately, they are all based on the Secret Master Chart which contains much more of Rowan’s World than anyone has seen. The idea is that each book’s map shows Rowan’s world as she knows it at the beginning of the book; taken in sequence, you can watch her explorations and knowledge grow. This was less evident in the omnibus print version of The Steerswoman’s Road, since I had to combine maps from Book 1 and Book 2; but for the ebooks, the progression should be clearer. So: maps.
2. The cover. Fortunately, each book’s cover is based on the portion of the map pertaining to that particular book, with additional objects from the story. So, when the map’s done, the cover is half-done! Unfortunately, half is not whole, and I was seduced by the first book’s cover. It was so easy, and came together so swiftly! Piece of cake, thought I. I can do this. Alas, subsequent covers are coming together more slowly. With my time and energy limited, I’ve bowed to necessity, and I’m scaling back. I have to let go of the perfect accuracy I wanted and just go for the general impression, a more symbolic representation, along with as much good design as I can manage. I want these book to be available, as soon as possible. I might replace the covers with better ones down the line, if I can get some time. And as it happens, updating the cover is simple for ebooks.
3. Extra final proofing, which is currently underway. So we don’t have stupidities like “fWith” happening again. None of us want that.
It’s hard for me to pin this down to an exact date. I frankly thought I’d have the second book out by now, at least.  A bit of a learning curve as to what can and can’t be accomplished at this time, as I said.
I’m trying to get it done before the chemo side-effects catch up with me. They’re closing in… but with the cover comprises, I feel like it’s doable.
not the real thing, but similar in weirdness
February 5th, 2014 at 11:19 pm
Sending best wishes & virtual hugs from Ohio’s North Coast!
February 6th, 2014 at 3:04 am
Rosemary, if you need any kind of help with ebooks or graphics I’ll be glad to help out. I’ve designed several SF book covers in the past, and have been dabbling with ebook production lately. I’d love to help getting those ebooks out!
February 6th, 2014 at 4:17 am
Just remember to put yourself and body first and let people look after you as much as you can. And sleep.
Each treatment seems so different in specifics so listen to what your body says: if it is sleep, then sleep.
Pretty amazing that you can concentrate on going in and doing the day job but sounds like a good idea for them to get used to managing when you are zonked out.
Looking forward to the second ebook.
February 7th, 2014 at 1:24 pm
I’m re-reading The Steerswoman now, and what a pleasure it is. I’ve read them all, in pBook form, and am delighted to be able to read them again on my Kindle. As for covers? Do what makes sense for you. Good covers do sell books, but it’s not about *accuracy*, it’s about impact. Do what you can now, and you can change the cover later if you want.
February 8th, 2014 at 5:00 pm
I am very much looking forward to having your ebooks on my Kindle.
Graphics never come across very well on e-readers. It is the nature of the beast. I just looked at the maps in the latest editions of your books. They are relatively simple line drawings so they should be okay. But the map will have to be somewhat compressed to fit the screen size on the Kindle or Nook.
It seems to me that Kindle allows updates to their books. I have been notified to download an improved version of a book after I initially bought it. So whatever you do may not be final.
Good luck with your treatments.
Bill
February 10th, 2014 at 8:24 pm
Rosemary, I’m so sorry to hear about health problems. Many thoughts and prayers for you.
I’m really happy to hear that I’ll finally be able to read Steerswoman again on my Nook eventually. I’m bookmarking your site, and I’ll just peek in every once in a while to see if you have had the time and energy to get it on Smashwords or B&N.
Take care of yourself and don’t stress about the ebooks too much. We’ve waited a long time for them. We can wait a bit more. 🙂
February 11th, 2014 at 2:10 pm
Linda — You can buy the Amazon version and convert it to ePub. It’s _really easy_ if you have Calibre and if you have an eReader, you really want Calibre. It’s free-ware and will manage all your eBooks, plus allow you easy conversions. (http://www.calibre-ebook.com/) The Kindle version of The Steerswoman has no DRM and can be easily converted and then sideloaded onto your Nook.
February 11th, 2014 at 3:05 pm
Ah, thanks Charlie! I was wondering if there was DRM. I’ve done this before with other books that I couldn’t get in EPUB, so this is definitely one way to go!
February 11th, 2014 at 6:10 pm
No DRM, I can tell by the listing which says “Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited”. But even if it has DRM, take a quick google of Apprentice Alf and that little problem will go away.
February 12th, 2014 at 1:55 pm
Wish that worked for me – alas, you forgot to mention one little thing that is needed: a windows or mac machine. Amazon will not let me download their ebooks without their program, which they do not offer for my OS.
(But I have the books on paper, in German and English, I shouldn’t complain.)
February 13th, 2014 at 1:56 am
Dear Rosemary,
I am a new reader of your works, Amazon hit me over the head with Steerswoman in its “Recommended reading” based on my other purchases.
The short version is, I adored it. I eagerly await the digitalisation of your other work, as my small abode does not permit me to store every book that catches my eye.
Regarding final editing, I am (unfortunately) FAR from unfamiliar with the concept. The two worst categories seem to be self-published books (ie, without proper editing), and conversions from print, due to the unfortunate vagaries of image-to-text conversions. It did at one point get to the stage where I was de-DRM-ing my purchases just so I could edit them myself, and make private, corrected, versions to read on my own machines. Best of luck! And… Should you ever need a proof-reader… *wide grin*