The Book Team

 
In my presentations I always share with the audience that the image of a writer spending endless hours alone bleeding over their laptop to conjure up the great American novel is a MYTH.
Every author has their own style of writing.  Some do devote a great deal of time to living in their own imaginations and watching words pop onto the electronic page.  I admit that long works writers must spend a lot of time alone as they produce the first draft.  Although some writers will share their work prior to finishing the first rough, unspeakable, first draft.  I am not one of those writers but I have met a few – just a few.

After the first rough draft is done, to publish a book, using any method takes a team.  I have had a team work with me for each of my three books.  It has been interesting because some team members have helped with all three books and others have worked only on one.
I want to share with readers a few of my team members.  Christine D. helped me craft the final chapter of Dead Reckoning.  The third book completes the series and I wanted to make sure the final chapter would satisfy readers and successfully bring the series to a close.  Christine K. edited the entire manuscript and with her David Bowie knife cut out about 5000 unnecessary words.  Marshall C. helped me craft a perfect query letter.  Out of 8 letters sent out – 5 requested the entire manuscript.  Nick C. introduced me to Kira Henschel the owner of Henschel Haus Publishing who gave me my first traditional publishing contract.  Valerie B. is creating a marketing/publicity plan for me because about 95% of my book sales have been through direct sales – I need help.
To transform the manuscript into a book will require other team members I haven’t met yet through Henschel Haus publishing like the graphic designer for the book covers.  There will be others I’m sure.
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There is one person in a category of her own – Lynette.  She has the patience to put up with my insane desire to write and publish and travel with me to a myriad of book events.  She’s learned the pitch and how to use the ‘square’ to sell books.  She is very creative on ways to sell books and get noticed.  I have the immense good fortune to share my life with her.