Sneak Peak: McNifficent Illustrations!

book love and valentine treats

Feb 14, 2023

Happy Val&Galentine’s, my friends. I’m grateful for you and you and you❣️

Interested in the timeline of getting a book out into the world? This is where we’re at…

A McNifficent Update:

We are four months out from the release of The McMifficents. Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) have been printed and shipped - with a few copies landing on my porch mere hours ago. ARCs are sent out to reviewers, both professional and not, who will proclaim their judgment 😬😃

I take deep calming breaths and try not to worry/stress/care about opinions because I am proud of this book and what can you do? I care very much.

An ARC is an “uncorrected proof” and will not be the final copy. Advance readers will no doubt find typos that are (hopefully) caught before the final printing. Page 10 and 11 are out of order; this has been noted and will surely be fixed.

This week my job is to read through the manuscript via a downloaded PDF. This is called “proofread first pass interior.” It is one of my last chances to make any minor changes and address any queries from the copy editor.

The copy editor’s questions are in red text boxes. My answers are to be typed in a text box in a different color (I chose lime green :)

I’ve read this manuscript so many times that I will need to force myself to go slow, read aloud, and take breaks when I get tired instead of skimming and getting sloppy (all those articles written for perfectionists to relax? They weren’t written for me).

Over the past two years, my editor and I have already addressed all the major stuff: the plot points, theme, character development. We’ve also gone line by line. Now the copy editors are working their magic.

Copy editors are a special breed with very special skills; they catch things that my professional editor and I haven’t, even after a gazillions read-throughs.

If the copy editor asks a question or wants to change something that I don’t want changed, then I write STET, which means “let it stand” (it always give me a bit of a thrill to write STET).

The edits are due Friday, February 27. And luckily, after a two-week debacle with Apple, my Mac computer is back in my hands (unfortunately, I lost part of a future manuscript that…I cannot think about anymore. My friends, BACK UP YOUR WORK).

Here’s a sneak peak of the illustrator’s work. Her name is Ariel Landry and I’m absolutely delighted by what’s she done with this McNiff family. (Feel special, NO ONE ELSE HAS SEEN THEM)!:

Interior illustrations for THE MCNIFFICENTS by Ariel Landry

Isn’t it great?! The McNifficents is my first book with illustrations, and I admire and adore Ariel’s work.

After I’m done with this pass-through, I will send it back, and will likely read it one more time before it goes to final printing. I will also get to hear some audiobook narrator options, which I’m looking forward to. Who can do six different children + a miniature schnauzer? Exciting developments all around.

Back to the Advance Reader Copies. I have two copies to get into the right hands. If you have a contact for someone who would like to read and review this middle grade book for the masses (you?), please let me know…I’ve also inquired about free digital copies on Net Galley - stay tuned!

Lit With Amy Makechnie

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Lit With Amy Makechnie

Sneak Peak: McNifficent Illustrations!

book love and valentine treats

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