Wednesday, November 16, 2011

MAXDOG HERE WE COME!

GREETINGS FROM SOUTH AFRICA!
MAXMOM here...

The pressure guage in our household is tipping towards boiling point. 
Exam tension, book launch nerves, 'year-end' financials, publicity arrangements, painters, dogs, Christmas holiday arrangements, children moving out of home and the daunting, forthcoming public engagements for MAXDOG!

All these worries and concerns are been stirred into a melting pot of emotions. 
Life feels pretty tense at the moment. And I am extremely, extremely tired. 

I spent most of last weekend with my team - reviewing the entire layout of MAXDOG, once again - each word, sentence, line break, indentation, page number,fleuron, pictures... has been thoroughly scrutinized. Who would have thought that the final days of publishing a book would be so stressful? 
My dreams, when I finally fall asleep, are tormented with publicity arrangements and silly worries:

 "Will anyone attend my book launch?",
 "Will the books be ready in time?",
"Have I remembered to acknowledge everyone who has been so helpful?",
 "Will I ever be able to sleep well again?",
"Will I cope on a public platform?",
 "What will the reviews be like?",
 "Indeed, will I indeed get ANY reviews at all?"

Oh dear!...the joy of an active mind!

Well, the good news is that MAXDOG is finally off to print!
 By tomorrow morning, I should be holding the first proof copy in my hands...
YIPPPPEEEEE!
(Let the Champagne corks pop!!!)
I can hardly believe it! 

Then I have 24 hours to give my publishers the final 'go-ahead'. 
Once that is done, it's totally out of my hands and... I wait...

Next Friday evening, I have my first public engagement:

A 'pre-launch' book signing and sales stall at our local shopping mall's Carols-by-Candlelight evening.  RANDRIDGE MALL have graciously invited me to join them, together with our COMMUNITY POLICE FORUM, to present my books to our immediate community.  MAXDOG will be 'hot-off-the-press' that night - not even officially launched yet -  and there is an open invitation for anyone to join us, and get one of the first copies of the book in South Africa.
If you are not doing anything that evening...PLEASE join me.  It would be lovely to see some familiar faces to settle my nerves.

I am daunted (to say the least) but also somewhat sad. The shaping of MAXDOG will no longer be part of my life. It's time to move on.  It's like saying 'good bye' to my baby. Let it fly...give it to the world.  There's nothing more I can do. I have done my absolute best! 

Another piece of good news:  We have an OFFICIAL launch date and an official invitation:
in the quaint suburb of Melville, Johannesburg, has agreed to host the official launch of MAXDOG

If you would like to come and celebrate with me on the evening of the
7th December 2011,
please don't forget to RSVP according to the above invitation.
I'd LOVE to see you there!!!

---xXx---

Now for something completely different...

Yesterday, I wanted to do something totally different, so I joined up with Lorraine to go and get some much-needed 'fuzz-therapy'. As you know, Lorraine will soon be getting another new guide-dog puppy (to walk and nurture). Her previous pup - ASTA - is now in official training at the
SA GUIDE DOGS CENTRE. 
Lorraine has committed herself to raising yet another puppy for the centre and we went to visit the pups.  

'Angie's' pups are nearly 4 weeks old now...the cutest bundles of fur!  The pictures speak for themselves...this can be the 'wordless' part of today's post:








 






My own dogs - TOBY, TAMMY and KING TOFFEE are all doing well too.  It's been extremely hot lately, so they spend large parts of the day - simply dozing in a cool spot in the house and avoiding the prevailing tension.

That's all for now.  Many thanks to all my readers for your encouragement and support during these stressful past months.  Thank you too, to my family, for putting up with the turmoil of my life.  I love you. It's time to look forward to the imminent excitement;


Sending lotsaluv

 

A NOTE TO ALL MY MAXDOG READERS

To all my readers who have reserved their copies of MAXDOG...
PLEASE NOTE that I will be in contact with you once the books are in my possession -
 after the 25th November 2011
  and will then make arrangements for payment and postage. 
Please be patient.  I have not forgotten you :)
If you would like to reserve a copy of the book, please contact me at:
or contact my publishers at

"Wherever MAXDOG goes, let it do good!"

14 comments:

WFT Nobby said...

Congratulations and getting the book to the printers! And best of luck for all the launch activities. We know you'll be fabulous.
Gail and Bertie,

Angus said...

It'll be a wonderful day !

MySpecialDoggies said...

Congratulations on the book launching Caryl.

Sweet pictures of the puppies - do you know which one Lorraine will be raising?

Woofs
Nadine & golden Neeli

Rocky Creek Scotties and Rocky Creek Ramblings said...

I am so proud of you!! It just bring tears to my eyes. You'll do great!!

xo
Lynn

How Sam Sees It said...

Oh those puppies are cute! I really wish we could be there for your book launch. We know it will be a success!

Sam

Mrs. JP said...

My friend, listen, you have coped so well up to now. Why doubt yourself and God who has helped you thus far? I wish I could be there for your book launch. I have put it on my facebook and intend to blog it next week. Know that we are praying for you and your family.
Wait,,,did you say painting? Now? Really? Why not add one more thing?

STELLA and RORY from Down Under said...

Oh Caryl this is so exciting. If we were closer we would be at the book launch in a flash. Good luck with that. All your worries will disappear once the book launch is over. You have done your absolute best and that is all anyone can do.

Love the photos of the pups. Your friend Lorraine is wonderful. Take care all.

No worries (especially for you) and love, Carol (Stella and Rory)

The Life of Riley said...

I'm sure you will be grining from ear to ear when you hold your book for the first time. It is so exciting, and I'm so pleased for you that you have travelled the journey of writing your first book, and are about to share Max's story with the world.

We're thinking of you and wish we could be at the launch - imagine a line up of all Max's doggie and human friends beside you,as we will be there in spirit.

Sending you, your dogs and your family lots of love at this crazy time,
Riley's mum (and of course Riley and Enzo)

Beth said...

Congratulations, Caryl! What an achievement this is. I am so proud and happy for you. The puppies are absolutely adorable. Thanks for sharing.
Blessings, Beth

24 Paws of Love said...

Wow! Hope you are finally able to release that pressure cooker of tension real soon and hopeful get some wind down time.

Congratulations on your book and your book signing.

Just remember to enjoy!! :)

Maggie Mae and Max said...

MaxMom!!

We is so happy fur you! Can't wait fur our copy of your book. :)

Woofs and Licks,
Maggie Mae

PeeS I has a new brudder named Max, please stop by and meet him!

Keith Andrea said...

I'm so happy for you., by the way those puppies are so cute.,

Dog Fence
It's all about Bichon Frise

The Thuglets said...

Congratulations on your book going to the printers you must be so excited and proud.
The puppies are so cute.
Big nose pokes
The ThUgletsx

My Dog Sam - Ruptured Disk said...

Best wishes on your launch. Love the puppies - they look like Owen and me when we were tiny pups.