As many of you may know, this has been a pretty busy summer for me.
On Monday (August 13) What Happens on Sunday goes live on Amazon!
(Cue crippling self-doubt)
No, but seriously, this has been a pretty intensive project, not that I’m complaining at all, I’m just saying that it’s been a lot so I definitely owe my family a week or two when I don’t spend the entire evening behind my laptop editing or formatting. Probably only a week though, because once this all gets out the door I can finally start working on my next project.
Fortunately, I’ve learned a LOT this time around though so hopefully that one won’t take six years to see the light of day.
However, this post isn’t about all of that. I told you previously that one of the things that appealed to me early on about putting out this book by myself was that I could get the final say on everything that happens and because I knew a lot of great local people who could help me out. This is a book inspired by the people of the Pittsburgh, people who I believe to be some of the best people anywhere. So I’m really happy that I got to work with a lot of those people along the way.
Early on in the process, my professors at University of Pittsburgh helped me to create structure for this book and gave me valuable insight into characters and themes. So, a big hearty thanks to Cathy Day, Chuck Kinder and Marah Gubar.
My editors Missy Raterman and Susan Gottfried were also extremely helpful. Okay, Missy was technically in Cincinnati at the time of the editing but we’ll give her a pass because she spent many years in the Burgh. Susan was especially helpful in teaching me the ropes of ebook conversion and typesetting. Plus, she was the first person who asked me to appear on her blog to promote the book. I cannot say thanks enough! Writer Derek Sherwood also provided invaluable help throughout this process by answering even the smallest of my self-publishing questions.
When it came time for writerly head shots I can’t believe how lucky I was to spend a morning on the North Shore with Michelle Hammons Photography. The lady can work her camera like nobody’s business plus she’s really fun to hang out with!
And I’m extremely lucky to have my own “graphics guy” Steve Barton who is the behind the scenes creator and guru of Yinz R Readin. It was a no-brainer for me to have him help with my cover and just like he did with this web site, Steve totally nailed the Pittsburgh flavor of this book.
To the nameless butt who appears on the front cover, all I can is that I am indebted to your very fine looking ass and your identity is safe with me. Unless there are tequila shots involved, they could potentially open the vault. Sorry about that, but I do believe you would have expected that going into this.
Also, the many friends who supported and encouraged me at various points along the way: Lauren Hughes, Heath Maksin, Heather Bell, Steven Welch, Kara Pryke, Bob Scott, Melissa Cooper, Christina DuBrock, Erin Metnick (Taylor), Nicole Lesovitch, Kim Revay, Natty Soltesz and Leah Herman to name a few.
Just as exciting, when I first went public that I was releasing a book, a lot of new friends I’ve made via this blog stepped up and were immediately supportive or offered to help with promotion: Shannon of A Librarian’s Lists & Letters, Sean of Sean’s Ramblings, Alex of Everybody Loves You & John over at Ya Jagoff.
And of course much love to the husband and the girls for putting up with my nightly retreat behind the computer!!!
All of this is an adventure to me and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens along the way. My next step is to get a print copy out, hopefully later this month.
Keeping with my Pittsburgh theme and trying to keep the work local to the extent that I can, I’m planning to do this with the help of a fancy new machine at Pitt (It makes books while you wait, yinz!). I’m not sure how all of that will pan out but one thing I am sure of is that I’ll probably get to meet, and hopefully work with, even more awesome Pittsburghers.
Laurie Koozer: Writer. Reader. Lover of all things Pittsburgh.
Blogging Pittsburgh, readers, writers, pop culture and my book, What Happens on Sunday
Oh Laurie! I’m so excited for you. I’m totally in awe of you writing a WHOLE book. You’re so much inspiration for me and I’m so proud of you! I can’t wait to read the entire thing, the excerpts have been such a treat.
And I’m totally holding you to that guest blog post…so get writing.
<3
Aww, woman, thanks for the shout-out! I appreciate that.
I’m thinking, if I start to get an influx of business from Pittsburghers, of offering a Yinz Rate. What do you think? Maybe Pens tix, since my own have been lost?
I am so incredibly proud of you! You show us all that if you believe in something enough, anything is possible! You inspire me more than you will ever know! I love you!!