The period, in 2011/12, that began with signing a publishing contract for my debut novel, Burning Embers, and ended with holding the said novel in my hands was one of the most exciting and memorable of my life. And in the past months, I’ve been fortunate enough to experience the process all over again, as my next novel, The Echoes of Love, nears its publication date of November 2013.

Today, I thought I’d share with you the highlights for me of taking a body of work which represents countless hours of effort and tender crafting (but is, effectively, a simple word document) and transforming it into a ‘proper’ book.

1.  Signing the contract

Usually, signing paperwork is a simple and somewhat tedious administrative task. Not when it’s for book publication, I find! Then, signing my name leaves me with a little, secret smile on my face for the day.

2. Finalising the text

By the time my book is in the editorial process, it’s been a while since I finished writing it. So I can return to it with fresh eyes, and work with the editor to polish it until it shines. It’s at this point the words shift from representing something I wrote mostly for me, because I loved the story, to that which others will read and – I hope – enjoy.

3. Creating the cover

I’m passionate about art in all its forms, and to me book cover design is very much an art form. For The Echoes of Love, I loved discussing with the publishing team the key themes of my book and the feel I’d love the cover to convey. Subsequently, I received several covers to comment on, and I was delighted with them all – but most especially with the one that was chosen. And then, of course, followed the cover reveal day. Such fun!

4. Laying the path for marketing

Back when Burning Embers was in the publishing pipeline, marketing was a whole new, unexplored world for me – and, I confess, a little daunting in its magnitude. But for my new book, I’m positively enjoying the process of drawing up a marketing plan and sharing news. The Echoes of Love is set in a most romantic country,Italy, and there is so much to share about the setting and characters and background in the coming months. I’m looking forward to it.

5. Planning the publication party

At the end of the process, which really began the day I conceived the idea for the book, a celebration is in order! My biggest champions are my husband, my son and my daughter, and they are all as excited as I am when a courier arrives with the box of first editions.

The moment I’ve awaiting most  eagerly…

So after the whirlwind of the writing and then the publishing processes, what next? The best moment of all for me: readers reading the book. Nothing gives me greater pleasure than reading a review of my novel. With Burning Embers, I have been quite swept away by the reviews, and I so hope that my readers will similarly get lost in the world of Paulo and Venetia in The Echoes of Love.

And then?

Well, I write another book, of course! My next is set in another eminently romantic country: Spain. And of course, I will share news of its publication on this blog as soon as I am able.