Tuesday, September 1, 2009

Bastard Husband is off to the printer!

Yesterday morning, I finally, finally sent my book off to one of the printers. I'm using two; Lightning Source because they're best for handling the Amazon fulfillment, and Print Media for my own stash to sell at book fairs, etc. God willing, I’ll have books in hand within a few weeks.

Want to read the first page?

BASTARD HUSBAND: A LOVE STORY

Today I put my bastard husband on a plane to the other side of the world. He wasn’t always a bastard. He was perfect and I loved everything about him. Well, almost everything. I may never see him again.

There were no last hugs, not even a half-hearted effort to put a few words together. I could have easily come to a rolling stop at the airport and pushed his ass into the passenger drop-off lane; instead, I parked in the short-term lot and stayed with him throughout the check-in process, hoping, I suppose, to see some flicker of caring on his part. But we plodded through the terminal in silence, and when we reached the security checkpoint where I could go no further, he looked in my direction and said, “See ya.”

See ya?

As he walked away and found his place in line, I gave him the finger, right there in the crowded airport. I do that a lot in public places, usually while trying to coax him off a barstool and away from a new-found friend with tavern wisdom far more compelling than anything I have to offer. Hell, I gave him the finger two nights ago in the Green Valley Ranch casino when I couldn’t pry him from the poker table before he marched off on his own because “the dealer gypped him.” He is never aware of my gesture, and although it’s not my most mature practice, I do enjoy an adolescent satisfaction in my passive-aggressive retaliation. It’s just that it wouldn’t have killed him to give me a proper good-bye.

See ya?
Preparing the manuscript file has been a nightmare; designing the cover, less so. I’ve made a lot of mistakes in the process and have run into unexpected obstacles (I posted some details for a few hours on Saturday, which I deleted when I was feeling less bitchy). I was beginning to wonder whether this whole project would even be worth all the aggravation.

I've been thinking of Bastard Husband, my Kiwi ex, a lot lately and I’ve often considered how the book might affect his life. (Though realistically, self-published books rarely garner much attention.) BH has read it and he doesn’t deny a word, even though he’s often portrayed unfavorably. Of course, he's not always cast in a bad light; it really is a love story. Sunday night before I went to sleep, I said out loud, “I need a sign. Please give me a sign before I send those files to the printer.” What I really wanted was his blessing.

Sure enough, Monday morning I got an email from New Zealand. I wrote back and told him the book was ready to go to the printer, and sent him the link to the cover (front and back) so he could check it out.

He responded reiterating a comment he made a few weeks ago here on this blog.

Why didn't you put the arrow going through two hearts? It was my only request.
And then,

You know Indiana Jones in the fourth movie said to the chick from the first movie, "I had lots of wives, they all suffered from one problem. They weren't you."
With that, the files were off to the printer.

27 comments:

Hoopswife said...

I'm very much looking forward to obtaining my copy. Actually I think I need two of them so I can read one and then donate it to my library then the other I will give to a friend of mine who I think would thoroughly enjoy it. I don't think I have to tell you to let us know when we can order our copy!!!

raydenzel1 said...

I guess this would be called a cleansing moment. Best of luck with the book!

Vegas Linda Lou said...

@ Hoopswife: Thanks! You have no idea how much I appreciate your support.

@R Jacob: Yes--means a lot to me. And thanks to you, too.

Tana said...

So glad your dream is upon you!

classicrockforthesoul said...

YAY! I bet you're so excited!

I can't wait to read it :)

P.S. That quote is pretty cute - I don't think I ever made it to the 4th Indiana Jones haha.

Julie D said...

I can't wait to get my copy. Of course I've already read it...and proofread it...LOL But my gosh, even if I weren't your friend, I would still tell you that this book is fabulous. It made me laugh and cry, and as a fellow hot divorcee I could identify with way too much of it.

If library donations are allowed here, I will absolutely do the same as Hoopswife...

Julie D said...

Aw, and the Indiana Jones quote was very touching. Thankfully the booze hasn't completely waterlogged BH's heart.

Lisa Gioia-Acres said...

Can't wait! Just think about that moment when you walk into a bookstore and see books with your name on the spine - gives me goosebumps just to think about it.

Tara said...

Oh Linda Lou, how exciting!!!! You've got to be on cloud nine that all the really difficult stuff is behind you and you can look forward to getting that first copy in your hands :) I'm really looking forward to reading it! I'm sure you'll let us all know when it's ready and how to get our copy right??

dle1004 said...

I also cannot wait for it to come out in print...and yes I too will be getting 2 copies, one to share and one to keep, becuase when I loan a book out it never comes back ...

Mandy said...

Congrats Linda !! Put me down for 2 as well. My little sister is going thru a BH divorce and she's gonna need a copy!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!!!
Nancy

Unknown said...

When I saw your blog title, I about shouted and cried! I'm so excited for you and know that this is only the beginning for you. Can't wait to get my hands on a copy!

Sous-chef said...

Well done, it is a remarkable achievement. Try not to suffer empty nest syndrome…as sending your book to the printer is like sending a child off to college. It still needs your nurturing it just takes on a whole new persona as will you. Enjoy the ride :-)

Sous-chef

Gail said...

You have my attention!

My Moon said...

Congratulations Linda Lou! You must feel so good! What an accomplishment! I'm definitely going to want one, can't wait.

Tom Bradley said...

Congrats! May I live vicariously through you?

Hurricane Mikey said...

Very nice, Linda--congrats on finally seeing it through.

I guess we won't be taking that trip to the pet store after all, huh?

drewzepmeister said...

Looking forward to your new book!

One thing, There is no way I could say just "a see ya!" to my girlfriend at the airport. I'd be bawling my eyes out and missing her like crazy.

Anonymous said...

I will be standing in line to get my copy as well and most likely a copy for my BFF.

Congrats!! SO EXCITING!

Bar L. said...

AHHHHHHHHH! It went to print! That's equivalent to going into labor! I am so excited.

I didn't realize BH was a Kiwi! They, along with their Aussie cousins, are too damn sexy and easy to fall in love with. They should be banned from the U.S. if you ask me.

I will be buying one copy and sharing it with Drew, we can't wait to read it!

Vegas Linda Lou said...

Yeah, he's a Kiwi. No one in the northern hemisphere would have me. And you're right, Barbara--the accent is irresistible!

Stephanie said...

I don't know how I missed this post! This is so so eciting. Can't wait to get my hands on a copy:)

John Hawkins said...

Congratulations on finishing the book! I know some of the troubles you went through getting this finished were not your own and that part is really sucky. But, hopefully it will make for an even sweeter victory when the book makes it to market.

Congrats again!

linda said...

He must have loved you very much - even if he was a bastard.

Congratulations.

Lilly said...

CONGRATULATIONS! I want to put something on my blog so people can purchase your book too. Think about how you can launch it online and get all your readers to help spread the word. And the sign you got what a BIG one hey? You deserve much success with this, really. You done good girl!!

Nonnienon said...

I can't believe I know someone famous, lol. I bought Chicken Soup Divorce and Recovery and CANNOT wait until My Bastard Husband is released is there any way you could autograph it for an old friend? If not not problem, it would be nice tho.

Take care girlfriend.