I got my cover art for The Princess of Las Pulgas and I really love it. The hall of lockers, the girl with her face turned away is perfect.
I’m excited about seeing this work go from manuscript pages to galleys to ARC to book. It’s always such a rush when you look back over the years from the time when you first had the idea, then you thrashed through the first, second, third drafts wondering if you really did have a book after all.
Then came those critiques from writers you respect that sent you back to scenes to do them again and again. Those edits from your editor that cut right to the point and finally made the characters and the story come to life.
While it’s always the same process, it never really is the same. No two books come to the page in the same manner. No two books give you the same sleepless nights or the same hair pulling moments. But in the end there is a sense of having done what you set out to do. You’ve pulled together the puzzle pieces of plot, character, dialog, setting, description, narrative, tone, style and made it whole.
In the end, you found someone who liked what you did enough to invest time and money in seeing it through the publishing process. Whew!
What’s it like for other writers out there? Have I described what you experience? What can you add to the process that I’ve left out? I’d love to hear from you.
Ello says
Congratulations!!!! It is really an excellent cover! I love it!
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks Lisa and Joanne. Nothing worthwhile is easily come by, but when it is it's wonderful.
Appreciate your stopping by to leave a comment.
Joanne says
Love the cover, Lee. The writing process isn't unlike raising kids. Just when you get one thing figured out another unexpected issue pops up from out of nowhere. I've got four kids and I have experience but I'll never be an expert. I've got four books (unpublished, of course) and same deal applies there! You remind me it's possible.
Lisa Gail Green says
Congratulations!! It looks beautiful and it MUST feel good to get to this point. I hope to join you someday – at least on book 1.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Alexis. When you get to the end of your process, check back in . . . well check back before that, but we'd love to hear more about what your process.
Alexis says
I have only just started writing my very first so I'm waiting to find out about all this and am very much looking forward to it!
This is so amazing! You've done it and the cover looks awesome. This is wonderful news, Congrats!
I am looking forward to reading your book.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Hi Marcia and Nan.
Glad you like the cover too. I didn't consider how this one would look, but was pleased when I saw it. My girl is there in that picture and how did that happen? Someone I imagined actually exists? Hmmm. Pause here to think a bit about all of these connections.
nanmarino says
What an amazing cover! I love it! Congratulations, Lee! I can't wait to read the book.
Marcia says
Congrats! Isn't it fun to get your cover art? It looks great. I agree that the process is the same but different each time.
C. Lee McKenzie says
Thanks, Tracy for comment about Sliding. It was my first baby, so it's close to my heart. Glad you like the cover, Jemi. I really do too. Hi to you, Clara. Guess we agree on that process. Difficult, but rewarding in the end.
Clara Gillow Clark says
I love the synopsis of your book. I'll be watching for it. Yup, you got the process just right.
Jemi Fraser says
Love the cover!! 🙂
I haven't got to the point where my book is finished never mind queried & published, but I agree with with you've described up to that point!
Tracy says
That's a great cover, and goes perfectly with your little blurb on here. Also, I just finished Sliding on the Edge a few days ago, and I thought it was excellent!