Galleys!

OK, they are technically not "galleys," which is a publishing term referring to the proofs of a book for review and proof-reading. What I received from the publisher on Friday, via overnight shipping, is something called "First Pass." I asked my agent what was the difference between "galleys" and "first pass," and she says for my purposes, nothing. What was once set by printers is now computer generated.

The point is, and I do have one, that the manuscript now really looks like a book! It is set in type, it has page numbers, a dedication, acknowledgments, a copyright, end notes, and a couple of hundred pages of text. I have to take the next few days to read it carefully, check for errors (happily, a proof-reader reviews it at the same time) and make small additions and corrections. At each stage from here on out, changes become more expensive.

I gotta say - it's pretty exciting. It's completely different than seeing the book on a computer screen or even printed out from a computer screen. It's actually happening!

Comments

[Your Roomie]

OMG, I got SO excited just reading your blog entry and seeing the photo of page one . . . and I didn't even write this book! Congratulations, Kate!! I'm so proud for you, and can't WAIT to place my order for the book!