By The Numbers: Blurbs, Formatting, and More!

“Your lucky number for this week is the number three.”

Actually, this post is brought to you by the number 9. Countdown has begun for my cozy mystery, SENIORS SLEUTH, to be released on May 9th. My head’s been swimming with numbers while sorting through all the kinks of making this book happen:

Cover Design

10 sample covers my designer made me

It’s been intense trying to find an image that sets the right mood. I need something that projects light-hearted and funny. It’s also got to hint at the macabre (it is a murder mystery after all). Plus, I’m trying to incorporate the seniors theme.

Blurbs

8 authors I approached to blurb my book

Currently, I have four testimonials in my hot little hands. Two decided to pass, and two more are potentials.

Formatting

1, 3, 5, 7, 9 Odd-numbered pages that must appear on the right side (recto) of the book
0, 2, 4, 6, 8 Even-numbered pages that must appear on the left side (verso) of the book

Certain things like the title page must occur on the right side. Things like chapter beginnings are also traditionally placed recto, but novels have a slight fudge factor because people don’t mind reading straight through the pages, irregardless of where the words fall.

Reviewers

29 contacts that I need to send advanced copies out to

This is, of course, an ongoing list. And this does not include NetGalley, where I’ll also post my work.

p.s. 5 adjectives that have been used to describe my book: “delightful,” “charming,” “clever,” “humorous,” and “intriguing”