Publication Update

I have been really busy and haven't had time to update you on my latest adventure. I found a printer and layout company in New York that will pull the various parts of the book together and actually make it into a book. While Flamingo Publications is the publisher, they farm the printing out to a graphic design artist and printer. I also had the cover completed by my photographer, Bruce. Flamingo Publications assigned the ISBN number to the book. Initially the book will be coming out in paperback but there are plans for it to be available in e-book, audio and large print.

The front and back cover and text will be going to New York next week. Once it is laid out, it will return to Flamingo for a proof and once the proof is approved, it will go to press.

The exact date the book will be released is still to be determined but check the blog for future updates and I look forward to seeing all of you at my author's signing in the near future. Thanks for your support.

Trying to Find the Right Pose

Bruce is moving his equipment around while the models are trying to get into a new position. Off on the right, you will see two lights, one toward the rear, and one toward the front. The front light was extremely hot and as I stated earlier, there was a problem with the air conditioning in the building where this was shot. The problem was there wasn't any. But our models and photo crew were good sports and muddled through the 3 hours spent until the right pose was found. Thanks to everyone who participated.

Our Photograher and Assistant

Here is Bruce (left) of Bruce Heinsius Photography and his assistant, Armand, getting ready to set up the photo shoot. Bruce is a professional photography for many years with experience in still photography, wedding videos, parties, motion picture and television photography. In addition to shooting the cover of the book, Bruce is also responsible of putting together the images for the back of the book. I have known Bruce 27 years and over that time found his work to be exceptional. All the behind the scenes photos were shot by Tarek Chatila, a co-worker who agreed to be our "unofficial" picture taker. Unfortunately, I do not have a picture of Tarek at the present time but I will ask him for one so I can put it up on the blog. I am grateful so many people have come together to help me as I move toward the hardest part of completing my book: publication and marketing. If I thought writing it was hard, I was grossly mistaken but I wouldn't have traded the experience for anything. Anything worth having is worth working hard for.

ISBN Number Purchased

Flamingo Publications purchased the ISBN number for Unglorious War. The ISBN number is the thirteen digit number that is found on the back of every book along with a barcode. The ISBN is like a fingerprint for a book because no two books have the same number even books with the same title, for example, if a publisher publishes a book in hard cover, paperback, large print, audio, braille, e-book, or any other medium one could think of, the ISBN would be different for each kind of book. Even revisions of books get a new number. Publishers are encouraged to buy numbers in bulk for that reason. Unglorious War's number should be available in two weeks. From there, a book designer lays the number and barcode on the back of the book.

Introduction of the Models

Here is our female model, character name - Marla - being instructed to stand on four reams of paper because on the initial run through of positioning, it looked like she was too short next to the hero. And speaking of heroes, here is our male model, character name - Thomas - smiling and waiting for instructions on where to stand. Just for reference it turned out that the paper wasn't need and last picture shot on the photo shoot had her next to him and the height differential was perfect.

Behind the Scenes Photo Pictures

If you scroll down to a couple of previous postings you will see our top five pictures from the photo session for the book cover. Of course the models were very serious trying to get the right moment. What you didn't know was the air conditioning was inoperative and under the hot lights, make-up and military uniforms, they were melting. Everybody gave 100% to make this photo shoot turn out the best it could be. Enjoy the behind the scenes antics.

Had a problem with downloading the pictures on my old dial up modem. I was only able to post these two pictures but will try again later.

Business cards are ordered!

I ordered my business cards yesterday. They should be ready in 7-10 days. I have been looking into some marketing promotions such as bookmark and crosses and contacting various vendors for prices. I have also contacted a company that helps to assemble the various parts of the book into an actual book. I hope to speak with her next week to find out what is required.

The First Picture

I am finally posting the pictures taken from the photo shoot on to the blog. They have been ready but I had problems with my dial-up and computer. Then the photos had to be resized. I am still working on posting the behind the scenes photos. Hopefully next week they will be ready. I met with my accountant last week on how to set up the accounting system for the book. This week I hope to refile my copyright with the final version of the book and I am planning to file for my ISBN number in two weeks. My fictitious business name has been filed and I can now go the bank and get my business checking account. Things are moving along slowly but steadily. Don't forget to visit my website at www.maxineflam.com to see more info about the book and if you want to drop me an email, my address is maxineflam@gmail.com.

Additional Pictures

Had some problems uploading these pictures on the last blog. These are the rest of the photos that were the finalists for the cover of the book. Which one do you think was picked?

This past week I received comments to my manuscript, "Unglorious War" back from the minister I have been consulting with. I have a few final edits to make and then I will be applying for my updated copyright. "Unglorious War's" first draft was copyrighted in 2003 but changes have been made so before it goes to the publishing company, I must apply for the updated copyright.

Flamingo Publications will be publishing the book. They will apply for the ISBN number and any other items needed.

I have the pictures from the photo shoot and am ready to put them on the blog. Tarek took candid "behind the scenes" photos and Bruce, our photographer took the actual photos in which I picked what I felt was the best photo for the cover of the book.