As of 6pm, June 30th, 2022, the draft of my second book, Double Take, is now in my editor’s hands!

His edited version of all 38,000 words should arrive in my inbox tomorrow.

That will be the first time I see my artist’s memoir through someone else’s eyes.

Big gulp.

Thank goodness, I already know Wayne’s work, and I trust him to give me valuable technical feedback (copyediting), and more importantly, subjective responses (developmental editing). There is so much more to professional editing than just being a good reader, or even a good writer. It entails professional training and even certification. That part of the next three months feels rock solid.

Hiring a graphic designer is another matter though. I’ve combed the appropriate websites (they are like Angie’s List, but for publishers), and found a lot of skilled talent there. I sent my pitch to ten designers: five declined because their immediate schedule is already filled so they can’t meet my deadline. I’ve received three quotes and am awaiting two more.

These are people I have never met, will never meet, but they specialize in designing layouts for books, a complex niche market within the broad category of graphic design. When Look at That! was in production, I learned how precise all the requirements are for the final files which are delivered to the printers/ producers, like Ingram and Amazon and Kindle. One measurement off a hair, one KB too many or too few, and your file is sent back to you with minimal explanation, and a flat rejection. Self-publishing is not for the faint-hearted.

Nevertheless (I do so love that word!), I have faith that whomever I choose will be able to create a final product that will dazzle me first, and you second.

Now for the most important bit: I need your help.

I’m asking for your help in defraying some of the costs. The book is roughly 240 pages long (three times the length of Look at That!) and contains 158 illustrations. That makes the layout substantially more challenging, and expensive. I will need to hand over between $2,000 and $3,000 in production costs in the next two months to get this ready to launch on September 24th, a very special day for me.

I am asking for your patronage now, via the Tip Jar above, to make sure this book sees the light of day.

Here’s a bit more about Double Take:

“Full Disclosure: This book will not be everyone’s cup of tea…

…but if you’ve ever wanted to peer over the shoulder of someone drawing in their sketchbook, listen to them struggle with artwork, watch them cheer at an unexpected victory, and deal with progressive blindness, well, here’s your chance.

Double Take is the back story behind my first book, Look at That! where my goal was to inspire people to look, and see, and sketch, and fall in love with eyesight. Because most of you can see far better than I can.

My illustrations in this book show what a breezy, “no big deal” sketching habit looks like. The text is gathered from notes scribbled in over forty sketchbooks and from journals I kept along the way.

The success of my first book, Look at That! has exceeded my wildest dreams. The hardest part of writing it was keeping it concise. That was my mission: no “deluge of details!” (Ref: page 14 of Look at That!)

Now I get to tell you all the things I left out of that first book.

Welcome to my living room. Tea will be ready shortly.”

As of tonight, two generous patrons have stepped forward with their vote of confidence. I will be mailing out complimentary signed copies to all patrons who donate at the level of $50 or more. When you go to the Tip Jar, you will see that the amount you give is entirely up to you; every bit helps.

As always, thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you who have purchased and enjoyed reading Look at That! This second book, Double Take, was written with you in mind throughout the writing, scanning, editing, and re-editing process. You will “get it” as no other readers will. You have been my inspiration.

As always, comments are welcome! Post your public comments below; use the Contact link above for comments you would like to keep private, just between the two of us.

Finally, thanks for spending some time aloft with me.

PS a day later: Thank you to those who have already responded! If you donate at the $50+ level, and there’s a chance I don’t have your email address, please send it to me via the secure private contact link above. I’ll need it to send you your book in September! Thanks again, everyone.