Books and a grandchild

Yesterday I received two copies of 34 Days in the post. I opened the package, having absolutely no idea what the hell I had ordered from Amazon this time, only to find it wasn't from Amamzon, it was proof copies of my own book. I cried.

It's quite a strange feeling to hold your own book in your hands. I felt overwhelmed, a little bit crazy, extremely worried (what if nobody enjoys it?) and unsure what to do with them.

I started to read it and chapter one was a disaster - 25 formatting errors. I took up my trusty highlighter and began to do the unthinkable, make marks in a book. And then something wonderful happened, because after chapter one the rest was pretty normal - only 17 other corrections required in the other 51 chapters.

I highlighted every one in orange, marked what number line it was in biro (see, once you make a mark in a book, it gets easier...) and then wondered how to get this information to my publisher.

Excel.

Ten or so years ago, while I was working at putting adult education courses on, specialising in IT courses, I actually took every one of the courses my lovely IT tutor taught.

I passed them all, including Excel.

Could I remember any of it? Not a prayer.

I sort of tentatively created a grid for the information I needed to send to Bloodhound Books and then Isaac, with his wonderfully cherubic smile (do not let that fool you) came to 'help'. My first chapter was number 0.012.

I sent him back to his Grandy, telling him he was sacked. I carried on inputting the data as best I could.

It's all done now and 99% of the corrections are formatting issues. But - now I've sent it to Bloodhound, with a request that they don't laugh at my attempt at being a big girl and sending information like the experts do.

It's not easy, being an author you know...