THE PROOF IS IN THE PDF
A few days ago, I received the page proofs for The Ultra Thin Man from my publisher. These include the interior pages and how they’ll look in the finished product. This was the first time I saw the interior design concept and the extra accents, as well as headers and page numbers and copyright information. (Below is the title page from the file.)
Proofs often come to writers electronically now, and in this case, a PDF file. Not all writers receive electronic proofs, but it’s becoming more and more common. I’ll admit that I thought I was going to get printed proofs. (My FAQ section about proofs said as much.) Instead, I get to make my corrections on the PDF, using the Acrobat Reader tools to insert, overwrite, and delete text to make corrections to the interior text. These corrections have to happen pretty quickly, usually in two weeks or less.
I must do my best to only take care of typos and make small corrections when necessary. I’m to avoid any major alterations, or put in anything new that might cause the text to reflow into other pages. That will be a challenge in itself. I’ve already seen things—even at this late date—I want to add or change that I just won’t be able to. The book is what it is now! I found a typo in the 2nd paragraph of the first chapter, and yes, something like this is a must-fix. This is why the proof process is in place.
Meanwhile, Tor is taking this page proof document and creating the advance reading copies (or uncorrected proofs) to send out for reviews and blurbs.
I’ve been asked how many times I’ve read this book now, and I’m not sure I know how to answer that question. It’s true that by the time the book comes out in August, I’ll have read it for sure at least a half dozen times. But that doesn’t count the times I’ve read chapters over and over, here, there, back and forth, while writing, while editing…
I’m more than halfway through writing book two, and that’s the story that’s in my brain right now. For you, the reader, you’ll experience this book for the first time, fresh and new, and hopefully all the kinks will be worked out, and you’ll enjoy the experience.
