Well, my proof came today. Unfortunately, I immediately found several typos — some text where I missed converting underline to italics, and a weird font error in one of my chapter headings. So I needed to upload a new interior file. I will have to wait until it is approved and then order a new proof copy (at my own expense, this time) before approving the novel for distribution.

But still, it’s exciting to hold the thing. Holding the book in my hands, flipping through the pages, I started to get excited. I had my co-worker Sadie take my photo holding the thing. Several of my co-workers want to read it now. I had planned to do a sort of “soft opening” — marketing the book through the web site to see what the reaction is before making much of a splash with it among my in-person friends and family. I should just get over this and celebrate the book.