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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

Something like a dream...

Last Thursday, it finally hit me. It's really happening. The dream that I fought so hard and so long for is at last within my grasp. Literally. ♥˘˘♥

Because my Splintered ARCs (advanced reader copies) came in the mail. And for the rest of that evening, I was *FLOATING*. Still am.

In fact, I can't seem to climb down off of this cloud ... might have something to do with how beautiful they are. See?




One thing that really struck me was what a unique marketing tool ARCs are. They're not just some unedited paperback version of the hardback. They have all kinds of juicy info on the inside and the outside to entice buyers for the book.

So, since I can't hand out an ARC to everyone to show you, I'll share a few of the details via pictures. First, the back cover:




Hopefully, the text is big enough that you can see the different sections.

  • First there's the blurb by a respected and already published author, to let buyers/readers know that fans of said author might like this newbie author's work, as well.
  • Then comes the book synopsis with a hook that will hopefully make buyers and readers equally excited to invest time and/or money into the story.
  • After that comes the marketing information. In other words, what the publisher is doing to get exposure for the author and the book, and in turn, helping to make the buyer's job to sell books easier.
  • Book specifications follow, such as numbers of pages, price, ISBN, age recs, etc...
  • The Publisher's insignia and address, and the distributor information for anyone interested in ordering.

So basically, the outside is like a really elaborate business card. :)


The inside offers a preview of the finished layout. Chapter fonts, text fonts, designs, pictures, etc... are all on display. No holds barred, this is the time to display everything the book has to offer aesthetically, like a peacock spreading out those tail feathers to get the attention of his mate. And let me tell you, Splintered has some very pretty tail feathers (thanks to Amulet's design team for their artistic talent and foresight!). 



ARC picture collage by Gabrielle Carolina




So, there's a quick peek at the ins and outs of ARCs. Congrats to those of you who've already won a Splintered ARC in one of my contests. To those of you who haven't, I'll be having one more contest for one, so be watching!

Hope everyone has a great week! As for me? I'm going back to hugging my book. See you soon! :)


50 comments:

  1. Ahh! THEY ARE PERFECT! <3 Loves them. :) Really really really want one. <3 must email your publisher ;p hih. Anyway. Cannot wait for Splintered to come out. <3 It sounds so good :D Also, congrats :D *hugs*
    Love, Carina

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    1. LOL! Thanks Carina. It couldn't hurt to try! LOL

      I appreciate your support so much, and it's getting here REALLY fast for me. ;)

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  2. WOO HOO!!! Helloooo, GORGEOUS! :D Those look amazing. Can't wait to get my hands on one. Super congrats to you! :o) <3

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    1. Thanks Leigh! Just wait, your turn is coming with your book! Looking forward to seeing it. :)

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  3. I had no idea ARCs had so many extras! This is such exciting news, and the artists have truly outdone themselves. Congratulations x 1,000; I can't wait until January!!

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    1. I know, right? Not only was it fun just to hold the book in my hand for the first time, but then to see how much more than a book it really is? Well, that's just icing. Thanks for all of your awesome support, pal!

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  4. So gorgeous, Anita. I'm so completely enamored of your cover.

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    1. Haha! Thanks Lori. :) I can't stop looking at it myself. I think I'm addicted.

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  5. The ARC looks beautiful inside and out, Anita! Congratulations! Definitely enjoy this wonderful moment.

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    1. I appreciate it, Cat! And your turn is coming. Can't wait to celebrate with you!

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  6. Wonderful! I've been lurking ever since you got your agent. It's so exciting to see it become a reality!

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    1. Thanks Melinda! It's been an amazing experience so far. :)

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  7. It looks so beautiful! What a great feeling to get a box full of your own book! Excited that it will be distributed by Hachette, that means I can pester the Australian team about when we are getting a copy! :D If the finished copy looks as good as that, well, you are in for a great ride, I can tell! All that design inside is brilliant!

    Congrats Anita!

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    1. It's an amazing feeling! And thanks so much! Yes, here's hoping the finished copy even surpasses it. Kind of think it will. I saw the jacket copy today. Still swooning! :)

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  8. Holy Moly! These books are B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L!! I love it! Congrats!

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    1. Hee. Right? And kisses. Let's not forget the kisses. This ARC is begging for affection. :) Thanks for the amazing picture!

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  10. Great post! Again, the book is GORGEOUS! It's really cool to see how the ARCs are used to market! So, so happy for you, and I cannot wait to get my hands (hooves) on it!!!

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    1. Aw, thanks! Isn't it fun to see one up close and personal? It's amazing how much thought goes into an ARC.

      #goatwub, cutie!

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  11. ...It's so hard to type with all this drool on the keyboard...

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  12. That is one bee-u-tiful ARC. I've worked at a bookstore before, so I've seen a lot of ARCS and that one is kind of amazing! Lucky, lucky girl :O)

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    1. Wow! So good to know, Lisa! Thank you so much, and I appreciate you stopping by. (◕‿◕)

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  13. That is so gorgeous!! I am totally drooling over how pretty it it. I love the detail on the pages too!!

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    1. Thanks Amy! I've been wasting way more time than is healthy looking at them. LOL

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  14. Holy hell. Prettiest thing I've ever seen, ARC-wise.

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    1. Thanks April! I am seriously salivating just to imagine what your pub will come up with for your book. The premise is made up of so much awesome!

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  15. Oooo, those ARE gorgeous! Absolutely! No wonder you are thrilled. A lot of people will definitely be drawn in by the cover, and then want to read the book. Me included. :)

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    1. Thanks Carol! I never could've come up with a cover this amazing. Or even imagined one. Thank goodness for talented designers and artists!

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  16. Great cover and isn't it all so exciting?!

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  17. Look at all the pretty! I needs one.

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    1. Haha! Thanks Sophia. So nice to see you! I miss you around these parts. ;-(

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  18. Thrilled for you. couldn't happen to a nicer person!

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  19. Oh, they are absolutely gorgeous! One of the prettiest covers - and I mean that :)
    I'm still cross my fingers that I win a copy somewhere, because I'm DYING to read it. I can't wait :)

    Enjoy your ARC's! :D

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    1. Thank you, Mel! Keep a weathered eye to the horizon ... I WILL be having one more contest for an ARC soon! ;)

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  20. That was interesting! I didn't know any of that. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Me either, E.B. That's why I wanted to share, because it was so interesting. :) Thanks for stopping by!

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  21. Woohooo! Awesome. :-) Can't wait, can't wait!!!!!!

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    1. Thanks Jessie-Lou! :) Me, too! Kind of.... LITTLE NERVOUS. Heh

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  22. Ahhhh, they're beautimous! I cannot wait to get my hands on the finished copy! Good grief, how eye-catching. Congrats! The inside is so stinking cool! And your countdown widget is a such a tease. *pouty face*

    I remember when my editor told me I'd be getting ARCs in. I actually called UPS to see if they would give me a specific ETA so I could sprinkle rose petals on the walkway in order for my babies to be delivered in style. The UPS guy didn't seem to comprehend how important that moment was in the scheme of universal events. :)

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    1. LOL! Your ARC story's awesome! Thanks for stopping by! I've been seeing amazing reviews for Of Poseidon. HUGE congrats! I'm dying to read it, and will as soon as I get my second book of the contract written. At the moment, I'm writing almost non stop. *cough*

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  23. Oh God that looks awesome. Enjoy hugging your books. >;DD

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    1. Thanks Kaede! I will. And I'll enjoy licking them, too. *can't help myself* LOL

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  24. I am so sorry! I just drooled all over your blog post.

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    1. Haha! No need to apologize. I lick the screen at least once a day. ;) #tooprettytoresist

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  25. LOVE LOVE LOVE!!! And I also love what you've done to your blog. So fitting! I am SO SO PROUD of you, my dear!

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    1. Aw, thank you sparkle girl! So glad you like the new look of the blog/website! And your pride makes me GLOW. :) #goatwub you

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