New Proof of Silver Awakening – Hoping Paperback Will Launch Soon – And Special Single Mother Dedication

I received what I hope will be the final print proof of my novel, Silver Awakening. 

The interior is looking so polished and professional now without all of the orphans and widows, and with a redesign of chapter headers, page numbers, and page headers...redesigned using the custom font that matches the book cover. Thank you, Erin for that font!

Also, since CreateSpace lacks color management profiles, I basically had to digitally proof the book cover off of my monitor using an Adobe Creative Suite print proof mode that most closely resembled a copy of a physical proof I had previously received from CreateSpace. Considering the circumstance, this was the best method. Relying wholly on my visual perception, I adjusted my book cover file on-screen, boosting saturation, adding or reducing contrast, lightening or darkening according to what I judged would be the likely outcome per the physical proof in hand. I also converted all linked PSD files to the CMYK color space that my ending ID File would be using. What a pain. But I got it nearly spot on after only one revision and now it looks incredible! (This is where my bachelor's degree in photography came in handy. I'm a color correcting pro.) I really do like the matte finish more now that the colors are popping out and looking as intended. I actually like it a lot more than the glossy finish that I was debating over in my previous blog posts. (1st post, 2nd post, 3rd post.)

If you would like to see all of the photos of my way better new print proof, go to my Facebook Fan Page. I've posted some quickie snapshots there.

Once I'm finished proofing this new physical print proof––hopefully it looks perfect and there's nothing else wrong with it––then I will be able to schedule the launch date for the release of the paperback edition of Silver Awakening. So excited! Fingers crossed.

Conclusion:

The paperback edition of Silver Awakening is looking so much better. I think maybe all of the printing issues were a blessing in disguise. I've prayed long and hard for help with this book. Truly, my prayers were answered by way of kind people who offered to help me and also through preparatory learning that was long ago inspired by the Lord––I was prompted to move from Arizona to Utah back when I was a SINGLE MOTHER with a lil kindergartner. I was scared, but I felt impressed to go to USU and learn skills that I haven't been sure I even need. My higher education hasn't helped pay my bills at all...it actually created the heaviest debts I own. But what I learned in school has helped me with this book. And I know Heavenly Father inspired this book. Just like Noah Steffen (a character in my novel), I also know how to tell the difference between thoughts that are my own and thoughts that aren't.

I started writing Silver Awakening when I was experiencing all of my Sins, Hims, and Whims as a Single Mother. I finished Silver Awakening as a newly married woman who is incredibly blessed.

To all the SINGLE LADIES: I know life is so hard right now, but never stop learning or working toward your goals. You will reach them. I'm still trying to reach mine. Inch by inch I will make it. You will make it too.

I dedicate this message and this post to a longtime single mother friend. (We were single moms together years ago.) She was fortunate to remarry and add to her family. Her joy lasted for a season, but she is now preparing for a brutal divorce. She will be a single mother again, only instead of one child to raise, she now has three. Lets all pray for her and her children tonight.

Nicholle, today this is for you: My heart aches. My eyes are wet. I know it's a heavy burden, but I believe that the darkest sorrows overcome will bring the brightest joys. I love you, girl! You've got this!  ;-)

Love Always,

JNP

Unfamiliar Terms Decisions

This is sort of a disclaimer: I've received conflicting information from a total of three different editors regarding whether or not to italicize an unfamiliar term in Silver Awakening. First Editing, the company I hired to do all the spelling, grammar, and punctuation, their editor italicized objects only––not titles or names or vague English descriptions of an unnamed object or idea, etc. They missed a few, but I went back and followed that format. Since then I've had two other editors/proofreaders tell me that it's not necessary to do this in a scifi/fantasy, but whichever way I go just be consistent, which is what I thought initially and why I never bothered to italicize anything when I first wrote it. So here's the thing––I do have a record of the terms I used and how they're used––I call it my Kai Language Decoder. Basically, as the publisher/author I'm making the executive decision to leave the italics on specific made up terms that are supposed to be part of the Kai'ling language, and only the Kai words that refer to an object or device, but no italics on any ideas, names, or titles, etc. I'll also italicize a Middle English term that is supposed to be a shared word, a part of the Kai language and a real word on Earth that is no longer used (I might build on the idea of shared words if I do a sequel). So, I won't italicize when it's a word that is part of Earth's languages if it is not part of the Kai'ling canon. For example, Caelestis Meditari I'm leaving alone because it is not a part of the Kai'ling language and at some point, if I write a sequel, I want to give this a name in the Kai'ling language. Caelestis Meditari is just Latin words being used to express an idea for a Kai'ling word that is difficult to translate according to a character in the story. That's it. That's the extent of my italicizing. Honestly, I thought about going back and un-italicizing what First Editing did to my manuscript, mostly because I think it would be easier to not worry about this, plus this is a scifi/fantasy novel, but the idea of trying to go back and undo it in both the eBooks and then re-uploading yet another print file is too daunting. I've made two updates to the eBooks already, one for punctuation and another to keep consistent with design editing for the print edition––updating the eBooks is quite a hassle. And every time I make a change to the print file I have to go through the entire approval process again. Besides, the terms that are currently italicized are kind of the important ones for a reader to get familiar with since they are part of the Kai language and are things that the reader needs to know. So, I think the way I have it now is good for the paperback edition.

However, considering the many strong opinions editors and publishers in the professional world have about things like this: I apologize to anyone who might scrutinize this and call it an amateur decision. I'm an indie author...I do what I want.

To my readers: I have considered sharing my Kai Language Decoder as I believe it might be a fun and helpful tool for those who are reading Silver Awakening. The only thing stopping me is that it would be kind of a spoiler if I shared it since it contains some of my thoughts and plans for possible subsequent stories. I'm debating this...hmmm....any thoughts?



–JNP





P.S. Here's a glimpse of my Kai Language Decoder and some terms that will be part of the Kai canon that I'd like the reader to get acquainted with:

Update: Silver Awakening eBooks and Paperback Editions

FYI

eBook updates...

I've proofed the interior for the paperback. In the process I made some decisions:

1. Added and deleted words for the sake of the design (spacing issue). 
2. Changed some internal dialogue to spoken dialogue in Chapter 8. 
3. Chapter 32, most significant updates:
1. Revised a sentence about time relativity between Earth and Venus based on new sources. (I had used a source from years ago that I'm questioning now, so I revised based on another source. I figured it is best to update now before it goes to print.)
2. Revised a sentence about zirkite to address a fact I didn't know until now...it is an Earth term...it is a nickname for a process applied to zirconium...so I had to clarify that the element is different in the story than Earth's nickname for the certain type of zirconium.

These updates have been made to both the Nook and Kindle releases. Please download the update. But remember to note your place as you will lose bookmarks/notes when you get the update. Sorry for any inconvenience. Just trying to be consistent with the print release and keep fellow scifi geeks from going crazy about it.


JNP



Instructions for turning on Automatic Book Updates on your Kindle:

1) Log into Amazon and in “Your Account” drop down go to "Manage Your Content and Devices”.

2) Click the “Settings” tab.

3) Scroll down to “Automatic Book Update”. Change button to “ON”. Make sure your devices and reading Apps have “Annotation Back Up” setting turned on.

Silver Awakening Print Edition - Digitally Proofing

Update on Print Edition of Silver Awakening:

I just submitted my revised interior and cover for approval. Once approved I can digitally proof and then if that all looks good I can order a paperback proof...and if THAT all looks good I can release the print edition! Fingers crossed because I've been having a heck of a time with colors not printing well and fonts doing weird things...I'm hoping this is fixed now.

Thanks to all of YOUR feedback, I'm going with the Matte finish on the cover. The saturation will be affected as you can see in the screenshots I've uploaded...Do you see how the blacks are faded in the proof mode screenshot compared to the original full-color digital shot? But in the glossy finish proof I received the saturation had remained intact. However, that soft matte finish does feel quite nice, so I agree with you all that it is worth losing a little bit of poppy saturation in exchange for comfy handling.

Thanks, everyone! I'll continue to keep you posted on the print edition progress and my indie author journey.  ;-)


–JNP

Minor Optional Update Available on Silver Awakening eBooks

FYI: If you've purchased the Silver Awakening eBook from Nook or Kindle I have updated some wording to preferred punctuation and spelling per my paperback proofreader's notes. You can obtain the update to your Kindle by going to the "Manage Your Kindle" page. If you obtain the update it will erase any personal notes or bookmarks, though, so you decide if it's worth getting the update. (It is mostly deleting or adding hyphens based on MW or CMS, nothing significant. And on the Copyright Page a credit was changed from "Design Editing" to Design Consulting" per request.) Hope this hasn't inconvenienced anyone. Thanks for buying!

P.S. Paperback is almost finished undergoing final edits. Its release is around the corner!

–JNP

Silver Awakening eBook ON SALE now!

Don't miss out! Buy Silver Awakening now while it is marked down from it's original eBook price of $7.99 to only $3.99... Go to the Amazon Kindle Store.

Silver Awakening eBook Published and Awaiting ON SALE Status

For you EST and CST peeps...eBooks are under review now...should be on sale on Kindle in 12 hours. And I'm not sure how long it will take on Nook, but they say it can be up to 72 hours although I hear it doesn't usually take that long...I guess we shall see. So, just check the Kindle and Nook stores tomorrow. Search the title Silver Awakening, or search my author name, Jessica Prado. As soon as I see them on sale I will post the links for you. FYI: I'm launching them at a discounted price of $3.99 (MSRP $7.99).

Silver Awakening eBook Release Countdown

Hey, all!

Please join me tonight as I countdown to midnight-ish and launch my debut novel, Silver Awakening, on Kindle and Nook.

If you're not a night owl, no worries, just check out the Kindle and Nook Stores in the morning.


FYI's:

• Right now, I'm looking into the possibility of expanding distribution to iBooks and Kobo. I might be able to do iBooks pretty quickly since I have an account set up for it already, but those platforms are still to be determined. (I'm trying not to overwhelm myself with too much to manage. Every platform has its own contract and process. It's a lot!) If you have a platform you prefer, please let me know!
• The print edition is undergoing design editing at this time. And then it will go to another print proof to verify that printing issues are resolved. I'll keep you posted on its status and announce a release date as soon as I know it.

I hope you'll purchase a copy tonight and then submit reviews ASAP. If you're on Goodreads, please post a review there too.

Thanks, Friends!



Love,

JNP

Update on Silver Awakening Print Release

This ‪#‎indieauthor‬ experience is challenging. ‪#‎Design‬ ‪#‎editing‬ is underway. I need to settle once and for all the glossy vs. matte debate. So far I've had the most votes for matte because it "feels more expensive...higher quality." The photographer in me prefers glossy blacks, though...Tell me, how do you vote? Touch or sight? Soft matte or glossy black?

Also, trying to tackle all of the "widows and orphans," polishing up chapter headers with a custom font, changing fonts that aren't working, addressing spacing, and most importantly getting this weird ‪#‎CreateSpace‬ printing issue resolved. Two print proofs with the same issue owed to what they claim is a lack of font outlining. Who knew all this stuff would take so long and be so hard?!

Special thanks are owed to my designer friend Erin for volunteering her expert insight and providing editing direction. (Thanks for being a supporter of Indies, Erin!)

This sets back the timeline for releasing the paperback. But I hope you will all hang in here with me and continue looking forward to the print edition release which is TBD.

Don't forget the ‪#‎ebook‬ for ‪#‎SilverAwakening‬ is complete and will release on ‪#‎Kindle‬ and ‪#‎Nook‬ Sept. 10th.

FYI After consulting with some marketing professionals the MSRP might be going up on ebook and print, but I'll run some promos to bring it back down. (I made last minute revisions to the acknowledgments and credits last night...had to add some deserving close peeps I missed...but the ebook is ready for release.)

Thanks, friends!

-JNP

‪#‎books‬ ‪#‎debut‬ ‪#‎author‬ ‪#‎novel‬ ‪#‎paranormal‬ ‪#‎fantasy‬ ‪#‎romance‬ ‪#‎scifi‬