I had a lovely day yesterday, albeit a busy one. And the reason is that I can finally see the results of the hard work I've put in in the latter part of 2011, reviewing manuscripts, preparing artwork briefs etc.
I spent most of the morning and afternoon reviewing Book 1 typeset pages, and it looks lovely, even if I do say so myself. It's this stage of the process that makes the long, demanding publishing process just worth it. Author also seems very happy with the results so far and I hope client will also be happy.
Today I'm going through Book 3 typeset pages. It still has a ways to go to reach the beauty that is Book 1, but it will get there.
I also finalised my company (Damaria Senne Media) brochure and I'll print it and send out to potential clients soon. Hopefully it will generate plenty of business for me in 2012.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Sleep haunted by deadlines
My sleep was haunted by deadlines. The managing editor from a client was supposed to pick up hard copy files from me this morning and last night when I went to bed, I hadn't finished my assignment ( as I only received the files yesterday afternoon).
I planned to get up very early today so I could finish the work in time for her 6.30 am pick-up. The deadline must have bugged me subconsciously because while I was sleeping, I dreamt that I had 4 assignments overdue at the same time. My dream self had been procrastinating on the work and the editors needed the work immediately and she was not ready.
The dream editors were upset and I was panicking. It. Was. A. Mess!
Thankfully, I woke up to find that it was close to 4am and I had no irate editors to deal with. Still, I dragged the arch lever files to bed with me and spent the morning finishing the work and was ready when managing editor came to collect the work.
Next on my schedule today is to review the second pages of Book 1. It's lovely to see the book take shape: the text reads well, the artwork is wonderful and the typesetting pulls it all together nicely. I can't wait to see my baby printed:-)
I planned to get up very early today so I could finish the work in time for her 6.30 am pick-up. The deadline must have bugged me subconsciously because while I was sleeping, I dreamt that I had 4 assignments overdue at the same time. My dream self had been procrastinating on the work and the editors needed the work immediately and she was not ready.
The dream editors were upset and I was panicking. It. Was. A. Mess!
Thankfully, I woke up to find that it was close to 4am and I had no irate editors to deal with. Still, I dragged the arch lever files to bed with me and spent the morning finishing the work and was ready when managing editor came to collect the work.
Next on my schedule today is to review the second pages of Book 1. It's lovely to see the book take shape: the text reads well, the artwork is wonderful and the typesetting pulls it all together nicely. I can't wait to see my baby printed:-)
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
The show must go on
I am finding my feet incorporating Mma's care into my daily routine and have been fairly productive the past couple of days. This week I:
1. Submitted a novel and it was rejected. Yes, that fast, LOL! I take heart in that the commissioning editor gave me that kind of attention. Of course I adjusted a few things and sent it out the door again.
2. Reviewed the first design of my company brochure and sent input to the designer to improve.
3. Bought groceries in bulk. I need to make sure that I only need to go shopping if I need perishables like fresh vegetables. Also registered for Pick 'n Pay's online shopping service. Not sure they will deliver during the times when i'm in Phokeng though (as it's a rural area), so I emailed them to ask. i really hope they do, because if they don't deliver, I will have to buy from another supermarket which i don't like as much.
4. Fielded editorial queries for client publishing project. These are ongoing and keep the wolf from the door.
5. Communicated with a potential client for a materials development and publishing project. Thank you Pam for the referral.
Lesson learnt: Being self-employed is wonderful and being able to work from any location is even better. So the long hours, the sometimes frantic schedules I've had to maintain in the past to grow my business are absolutely worth it. That said, it's very critical when you have a life-change to make sure that the work schedule is not adversely affected. Yes, people understand that you have to take some time out when you have a sick mother, but understanding only goes so far when they have deadlines to meet and businesses to run. So I'm working very hard to make sure that my life and time is managed in such a way that I can put in a full day's work regardless of what else is going on in my life.
1. Submitted a novel and it was rejected. Yes, that fast, LOL! I take heart in that the commissioning editor gave me that kind of attention. Of course I adjusted a few things and sent it out the door again.
2. Reviewed the first design of my company brochure and sent input to the designer to improve.
3. Bought groceries in bulk. I need to make sure that I only need to go shopping if I need perishables like fresh vegetables. Also registered for Pick 'n Pay's online shopping service. Not sure they will deliver during the times when i'm in Phokeng though (as it's a rural area), so I emailed them to ask. i really hope they do, because if they don't deliver, I will have to buy from another supermarket which i don't like as much.
4. Fielded editorial queries for client publishing project. These are ongoing and keep the wolf from the door.
5. Communicated with a potential client for a materials development and publishing project. Thank you Pam for the referral.
Lesson learnt: Being self-employed is wonderful and being able to work from any location is even better. So the long hours, the sometimes frantic schedules I've had to maintain in the past to grow my business are absolutely worth it. That said, it's very critical when you have a life-change to make sure that the work schedule is not adversely affected. Yes, people understand that you have to take some time out when you have a sick mother, but understanding only goes so far when they have deadlines to meet and businesses to run. So I'm working very hard to make sure that my life and time is managed in such a way that I can put in a full day's work regardless of what else is going on in my life.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Hectic but very little writing getting done
It's been a hectic morning: hired a domestic to help Mma and a part time gardener to mow the lawn and keep yard clean. Making preparations to cook and pre-package meals for her. Spending the rest of the day reviewing manuscripts and artwork.
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