Pre-publication syndrome

The final stages of preparing a book for publication are always a bit fraught - exciting, but requiring numerous stages of proof-reading, checking, revising, and phone calls and emails back and forth.

In the case of my new book - nearly out now - there have been some additional challenges.

First off, it's co-authored, so I'm not in sole charge of how every sentence is phrased, and there have been a few lively discussions about that, though some amusement too. Insults about each other's spelling or grasp of what the other one has written have been part of the process!

Second, my co-author is in prison, on Death Row in the States. I can't just pick up the phone at a moment's notice to check out some detail with him, so that has caused some delays.

And third, it's going to be an e-book, published directly on to the internet, to be read on Kindle or other e-book readers, on home computer screens, palmtops or even - with the appropriate app - on mobile phones.

So it's a learning curve.

One thing I've learned is that some things are better left to the experts. I'm really grateful to the gifted and generous people who offered to do work for nothing, to get the book ready to go. And it has involved more work than anyone realised at first.

Converting it to HTML challenged even the expert IT man, as the book actually has three voices, used alternately - each conveyed in different formatting.

Although there are only two authors, Romell and myself, Romell tells the story of his early life, as his  younger self - a raw, graphic and often shocking account - and then comments on it as the person he is today - a very different person, mature, reflective and having had his life transformed by God saving his life, in more than one way.

The result is a story packed with conviction. It's controversial and, I hope, will attract attention to his situation and that of others on Death Row.

But most of all, I hope that readers will take time to think about it and maybe question the views they hold already - about people referred to as 'the scum of the earth,' and about those who believe the solution to crime is to 'lock them up and throw away the key' - or worse.

Don't make up your mind until you've read the book for yourself.

Then it will be worth all the work - mine, Romell's, and all the people who have thought it worthwhile to lend their expertise to get it published.

It will be out very soon now - watch this space, or my website ..... http://clarenonhebel.com

And if you have ideas to help publicise it, please let me know. Click Contact at the top of the website home page. Thank you.