And done!
over 4 years ago
– Mon, Apr 20, 2020 at 12:16:07 AM
So much to talk about...so where to start?
- First, I'm officially out of my isolation in the teardrop camper. I've been reunited with Michael for the last three days or so. It's nice having a "real shower"(the camper has very limited hot water). And it's nice not having the ceiling just a few inches from the top of my head when standing!
- Second, my sincere thanks to the gamma readers and everyone who reported typos. While I'm sure there will still be a few here or there (I've yet to see a book that doesn't have some) you've certainly made the book better than it could have been.
- We've posted the final copy of the ebook to Backerkit and you should have received an email indicating you have a new file available. So if you've been waiting to read the "official copy - go ahead and dig in. I've already uploaded the file to Amazon, and I'll be posting files to Apple, B&N, Kobo, and the other retailers soon.
- I've sent files to two different printers (Coral Graphics for the dust jacket printing and LSC Communications for the book's interior). I've yet to receive the proofs, but I'm expecting them early next week. At this point, I'm not 100% sure when we'll have books in hand, but once I do, I'll let you know. The fact that these printers are up and running at all is miraculous, and I'm expecting it to take a bit longer than normal. For that reason, I've moved back the printed books release date to May 26th just to provide some padding.
- Bookmarks are being printed, we're expecting them sometime between Tuesday, April 21, 2020 - Friday, May 1, 2020.
- We have final outwork from Cory for the Sullfan crest and I pre-ordered 330 tote bags. The design was worked on primarily by myself and Cory and Michael wanted a few adjustments toward the end. I'll post an update with the design of it in just a second. I'm not sure about the turn around time for printing the bags, again with Coronavirus raging, printing timing is no doubt going to be longer than it otherwise would be.
That leaves only the "making of" bonus ebook, but I'll probably take a few days off before starting that.
For the most part, we are in a "waiting pattern" while the various physical items are being manufactured. It's been a busy time, and I'm glad to be on the other end of this milestone. Thanks all for making this project such a huge success!
Final Sullifan Crest Design
over 4 years ago
– Mon, Apr 20, 2020 at 12:15:30 AM
Cory, Michael, and I have been working on finalizing the Sullifan Crest and here is the final version. Michael thought it looked a bit "top heavy" so we removed the swords and brought the gilarabrywn inside the Avepartha panel. Then we added the tagline that covers all of Michael's writing "Unlikely Heroes, Classic Adventure"
Because this will be silkscreen printed the final colors may be slightly different, but we are going to try to get as close as we can to the ones below.
Age of Empyre Early ebook posted
over 4 years ago
– Tue, Apr 07, 2020 at 02:23:23 AM
Hey all. Yep, Robin again. Well, we didn't make the end ofMarch, but we weren't that far off. The Age of Empyre early read copy (known as the Gamma Read)is currently going out to all backers who have the ebook as one of their rewards. We are looking for typos and gamma reader feedback to come in by April 13, and as mentioned in my other post, Here is a link where you can check to see if the typo was already reported. And if you do want to report a typo, please report it as follows:
Some other updates. Both Michael and I have been practicing social distancing, which is fairly easy given we live in the middle of nowhere anyway. Our daughter, Sarah, came to live with us recently (but she lives in our carriage house) and she's been volunteering to do the grocery shopping.
That said, I did go out on two occasions in the last 2 weeks or so (1) to give blood (2) to go to the corner store one day when my daughter was sleeping. About 5 days ago, I became ill, and so I moved out of the house, and I'm now living in quarantine in our teardrop camper (very small, but it has all the necessities (a bathroom, sleeping area, dining area, wi-fi, and even a television.))
My symptoms are very mild. And I'm 99.9% sure it is a standard cold/virus and not Covid-19--mainly because we have so few cases in our area (only 2 infections reported in our county). But, I'm not sick enough to qualify for a test, nor do I want to put any undue burden on the health system given my "treatment" (which primarily means staying away from EVERYONE), wouldn't change if I knew I was infected. The annoying thing is trying to figure out how long after my symptoms end I can re-integrate into my family, (the data is all over the place on that score - and I'm still symptomatic at this point.
Bottom line. I'm not concerned at this point, and Michael is trying to keep his panic down (difficult for him). So, don't be overly concerned. If my situation changes, I'll certainly let you know. Now, go enjoy the book!
Ebook Update
over 4 years ago
– Sun, Mar 29, 2020 at 02:21:29 AM
So, I thought I would give everyone an update on where we are.
- I have incorporated all the copy edits from Linda and Laura
- Michael has done his final read through on the first 13 (out of 33 chapters) - which is approximately 40%. As he finishes his readthrough I go over his changes and copyedit them. I've currently done this for the first 10 chapters.
- Tim has done 2 recording sessions (first 7 chapters) and he'll start recording again on Monday.
The goals at this point are as follows:
- Michael (and I) have to "keep ahead" of Tim. While Michael's changes have not been extensive, he has tweaked things here and there (and as I said, I have to go over them again for copy editing).
- I have to review the "dailies" as they come in from Tim - I'm hoping to do those first 7 chapters tomorrow so he can record any corrections first thing on Monday.
- Tim has scheduled 10 total days for recording, so he'll be done on or before April 8 (My birthday!) But, of course, the ebook can be done before that.
- I'm hoping that Michael will be done with his readthrough and changes by March 31, but it's possible that it'll go as long as through April 5th.
- I'll need one day to make the ebook. - And then it will be distributed.
Now, I should note that the version that will be sent out will be the "gamma version" - which means that the story is done, but there may be a typo here or there and so there will be another version sent out about 10 days later which will be the same as the version that goes out to the people in the retail chain. This gamma version will be missing a few things
- Michael's Author's Note
- My afterword
- The Acknowledgements (although the Kickstarter name list will be included).
We'll be working on those front/back materials while the gamma readers are doing their final review. And as soon as all the typos and that front/back material are incorporated. The final ebook will be pushed to everyone.
As an early reader, you, too, can report typos. Full instructions (as well as a list of typos already found) can be found at this page. We'll try to think of something nice to send the person who reports the most errors.
Well, that's it. I'm off to go over the chapters Michael just emailed me. Talk to you all soon!
Ebook has been delayed
over 4 years ago
– Tue, Mar 24, 2020 at 03:23:35 AM
Hey all, Robin here. I've been working around the clock to get all the copyedits put into the book, and while I wanted to have a gamma version ready for the 23rd, I wasn't able to do so. Also, the recording has been delayed (because Tim is behind schedule on some other projects). I know people are cooped up and want some distraction, but I would hate to put out a version that's not the best it can be. So bear with while I put the final coat of polish on the work and we'll have it to you just as soon as we can.
