A Thank You!
In a previous entry, I addressed the ‘Method to my Madness’ and the inspiration and thought process behind “Tommy.” So, now I wish to say a public thank you to the people behind the book. To let you know who was involved and the role they played in getting this project off the ground. Pun intended.
In the past, I have put forth my written ramblings to many. Some have read them, some even responded with constructive criticism, while others simply ignored them. I continued to write, nonetheless, always with the dream of seeing my work in print.
After writing “Tommy,” I shared it with my family. Three members to be exact. One, my cousin Marcia, or CUZ, was the first to respond with a most positive assessment. She has encouraged me from the beginning and is a large part why I continued my quest to get “Tommy the Texan” published. Thanks’ CUZ!
Thanks, also, to the three ladies whom I chose to review the manuscript sans illustrations. I hold each of them in very high regard. I knew I would get an honest assessment from each of them, while getting different perspective on it because of their varied expertise and backgrounds. Had they come back with anything less than enthusiasm, I would still be looking. I am proud to have had them review it, and for graciously allowing me to put their names in my first book. Many thanks to Erika, Gretchen and Carol.
Thank you to William Curry and Gwen Ash of Archway Publishing. I am grateful for William’s patience with my situation, allowing me to proceed at my own pace. Gwen, as my concierge, was handed a somewhat different challenge, to say the least. While the original contract called for them to handle everything, editing, layout, cover and illustrations, it changed drastically and they were thrown a curveball, putting it mildly. When I started in January, all I had was an unedited manuscript. No illustrations and no cover. That all changed.
Enter the other two who profoundly changed the direction and production of the book. My daughter Laura and my son David. I asked Laura if she would take a look at the manuscript. She agreed. I asked David if he would be interested in doing the illustrations. He was honest and, although he wanted to, he was very busy and did not want to commit to something he may not be able to fulfill. After a phone call to Archway, a time table was established for a late summer delivery, and David was able to work with the new schedule.
The next five months were the best time of my life. Working hand in hand with my two kids; Coffee meetings with Laura every Tuesday, affectionately known as “Tuesdays with Laura,” and a couple of phone calls per week with David, some with all three of us, we set out on our journey.
Laura knows me and how I write. She edited without tampering with my writing style. I wanted those who knew me to hear me as they read the book. David was handed a list of proposed illustration when we worked the NHRA race together in Las Vegas. I trusted his knowing his Dad, and his artistic vision to create what I saw. I gave him an idea for the cover. He created it, exactly how I envisioned, and then some.
What you see in “Tommy the Texan” is a compilation of the three of us. It is our creation. When it came time to submit all the pieces, we created a mock-up and just said, “Here, print this.” To the credit of Laura’s editing and David’s illustrations and cover, there were no problems and no adjustments. It went from mock-up to print. Almost 8 weeks early.
In closing, I believe that this book has, if possible, brought the three of us even closer than we were. We continue to work together on the marketing and media. We are truly Blessed. Thanks, you Two, we are a TEAM!
Finally, thanks to all who have purchased our book. You, and your children, are the reason I set out to publish “Tommy the Texan.”
Blue Skys and Tailwinds,
Captain Billy