Editorial Feedback Received

I have received my editorial feedback.

Apparently, before my submission, no one had thought to add a simple "You suck! Just go away." summary-judgment tickbox, and they had to write it all out longhand. Doubtless they'll fix that now.

When I first read it, I could have sworn there was a note to the check-in coordinator, that went something like this:

Please assess the delusions of the author to determine whether or not he is a potential spree-shooter. I can't believe anyone who can spell the word manuscript would admit producing such drivel, much less submit it to other hominids for scrutiny. I would have quit reading after the 5th page if he hadn't forked over all that money for the full review. It's basically a waste of his time to think about authoring anything more complicated than a coffee order on a napkin, and a waste of our time to evaluate this offal-art. See if you can constructively suggest that he change genres to finger painting and/or limericks.

But apparently that's was auto-deleted while I reread the original, more hurtful bits.

I feel like kicking their pets until I feel better.

Waiting is death... I shall market!

I dropped off the last of the materials with my check-in coordinator at iUniverse, and then there's nothing to do but wait for a couple of weeks.

Waiting blows, particularly where money is involved, so I started chasing down some possible routes to get marketing quotes, materials, or exposure. This was a blue-sky idea fest, and I just called various organizations that I knew about.

• California Governor's Office of Economic Development
  [Got a director and his contact info, called, he gave me his email, sent a query]

• Harold and Pauline Price Center for Entrepeneurial Studies,
  UCLA Anderson School of Management
  [Called and they said they'd check and call me back by tomorrow]
   
• Chico State (my Alma Mater)
     Alumni Association
       [Called. They have a newsletter in which I can promote my book when it's ready ]
  
     Business Department, Dean's Office
       [Called. Got Dean's office. They're between semesters right now, but she scheduled an email to the staff there for a day or two before classes restart. Should happen in about 3 weeks.]
  
     Communications Department, Dean's Office
       [Called, no answer. Leaving a message seemed pointless. I'll call back when classes restart.]
  
  
• Google, where I worked a few years ago, has an "alumni" group, so I checked it out. Looking at the stuff there, it's more for finished work (announcements) than requests for comment.
  
  
• Just occurred to me to check with my local Barnes & Noble (looks like they occasionally have local author book signings)
  [Called, this store doesn't do local-author sales, but I got the email for the community relations person, so I zapped out an email to find out if there's anything they do do]
  
  
• The above experience reminded me to check for other brick & mortar bookstores, and shockingly, there are basically none in the immediate area. The Borders closed, there's a new-age place, and (oddly) a mysteries-only place, but that's it for the bricks-and-mortar crowd. Ouch. Growing up, I remember having half a dozen to choose from. What is the world coming to?!?
  
  
• Next thought: local library. Maybe they have a "local author shelf" or book signings or something.
  [Called, got the number of the person to talk to, not there. Will call back]
  
  
• The chamber of commerce might have something as well. They have a networking night coming up in a couple weeks. I'll check it out.
  
  
• There's also a local writer's club meeting on the 11th, which I will attend. Not sure what to expect there... it may be "professionals only", or it may be a chat-club. Only one way to find out.

Hrm, what to do now? I knew marketing was going to be the hardest part of this...

iUniverse leaps into action

Wow, a same-day turnaround from iUniverse.

My check-in coordinator reviewed my submissions, and had a couple questions. She also had some news: my package includes a hardback version (ooh, sexy!) so I need to do dust jacket design at some point. I asked if I could put that off until I could talk to some marketing genius about it.

The next phase begins! More waiting!

Ow, ow, ow. Champing at the bit when you don't actually have a bit in your mouth is painful.

2011 started right: draft manuscript submitted

The funny part: their uploader didn't work.

But they have a backup submission email address, and I sent it there, as well as to my "check in coordinator", along with a couple rough cuts at a cover and some title possibilities.

Now the hard part: waiting. Argh! It burns!