Monthly Archives: May 2014

Acknowledging

Did you know that it is proper to spell “acknowledgments” with an “e”? “Acknowledgments” or “acknowledgements”: either one works.

I spent an afternoon reading acknowledgment pages in different books and saw that not a single one used an “e”. I guess I won’t either.

By reading all those pages, I learned what not to say.

“I wish to thank” – really? How about just thanking, rather than wishing to do so.
“My most sincere gratitude goes to. . .” Really? Who does your least sincere gratitude go to?
“So-and-so must be thanked. . .” This is an obligation to you?
“I must mention. . .” Is someone forcing you?

The worst thing I heard about an acknowledgment page was from The Book Designer. He told me that some people list all sorts of big names that didn’t actually participate so that those people will want to buy their books!

Now that I know what not to do, maybe I’d better get on with what needs to be done. Who knew that this would be a difficult part of building a book? And, I’d better stop asking people for help, or I’ll never finish that page.

Book Report on Small Stuff

Getting closer every week. . . closer to what? Getting the book, The Cabins of Wilsonia, to the printer, that’s what!

Shooting stars are small, but in great numbers they make an impact, just like all the tasks left to do before the book goes to the printer.

What’s left?

1. Figure out how to align the page numbers perfectly so when you flip through the book, they don’t jump.

2. Redo the page numbers, which are off because I added 4 more pages in order to have multiples of 16.

3. Make sure the page numbers match the table of contents.

4. Write the acknowledgements page (and stop asking people to help because the page will need to be revised every time someone new helps!)

5. Decide if I want a Library of Congress Card Catalog Number.

6. Figure out how to convert the whole thing to the format required by the printer.

7. Count my pennies to see if I have enough to start the printing process.

8. Oh yeah – choose the paper for the pages. They don’t have my first choice, so I will have to be sure that I don’t get careless and accidentally choose my third choice instead of my second.

Small stuff, except for that page number repair business.

See how all those small shooting stars make an impact when assembled in a meadow. Very soon all my small drawings will be assembled in a cover!

Original Pencil Cabin Drawings Available

As I began selling the original drawings for the upcoming book The Cabins of Wilsonia, I knew that the cabin owners should have first dibs on the drawings of their own cabins.

Since I am the one who chose which views and which cabins, there was a risk that some folks would not like my choices.

This means LUCKY YOU! These drawings are now available to anyone who wants to buy them. The link to my website with a shopping cart and Paypal is this.

The drawings vary in size from 6×7″ up to 7×10″ and range in price from $100-$150.

I feel pretty sure that there will be more. . . stay tuned!

Goodbye, Mitch

Wilsonia lost a friend. I didn’t know Mitch Rice for very long nor did I know him well. My husband was friends with him in high school, so Mitch was particularly warm, kind, welcoming, helpful, gracious and hospitable to me, a stranger with a camera and lots of questions. He was probably that way with everyone. I’ll miss him in Wilsonia.