KAREY SHANE

The Secret Speakers Cover

If you know someone who is publishing a book the self publishing route, here's a tip: make sure they know the printers guidelines before they create the files for the book cover and the manuscript. In my case that means knowing in advance what they use for .dpi image size, CMYK vs. RGB color, and text "blackness." I've spent hours and hours ( the key word is trying) to get things right for the Secret Speakers cover in order to meet guidelines for the book printer. Offset printing is definitely a different animal than digital printing. Long, long days working until I can't see straight. Lots of Pepsi. This is the final product.

I've come to the conclusion that independent publishing is like running a marathon with dozens of finish lines. You think you're done, then WOOPS, you realize there's something else. Someplace warm with no computer and no cell phone sound really good right now.

We Are the World: New version / Original version

After spending a 12+ hour day getting the Secret Speakers files ready to submit to the printer on Monday, it was, sigh, wonderful to turn on the TV and catch the entire We Are the World 25 video playing on CNN, thanks to Don Lemon. It's been a lonnng day, and this left me with such a good feeling. Of course, the message goes far beyond just making us feel good...we can all be someone's hero and make a difference. I've spent the last hour watching the old version, looking up why Taylor Swift wasn't in the new one, (which might have to do with cupcakes in Fundon?) and I'm about to post the old and new versions and the lyrics below (from the original version).

There comes a time when we heed a certain call

When the world must come together as one.
There are people dying and it's time to lend a hand
To life - the greatest gift of all.

We can't go on pretending day by day
That someone somewhere will soon make a change.
We are all a part of God's great big family

And the truth
You know
Love is all we need.

We are the world
We are the children

We are the ones who make a brighter day

So let's start giving.
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives.
It's true
We'll make a better day
Just you and me.

Well
Send them your heart

So they'll know that someone cares

And their lives will be stronger and free.
As God has shown us by turning stone to bread

And so we all must lend a helping hand.
We are the world

We are the children
We are the ones who make a brighter day
So lets start giving
There's a choice we're making
We're saving our own lives
It's true we make a better day
Just you and me...

Books of Wonder

I stopped in Books of Wonder to drop by some pre-publication copies of Secret Speakers when I was in New York with my husband last week. In a spirit of 'hope for the best, but prepare for the worst,' I walked in with visions of having a delightful chat with Peter Glassman, whom I had emailed. Of course he would set aside a cozy spot of time to visit, just for me. I was sure of it, at least on the hope for the best end of it.