BOOK REPORT
The making of "Who's Behind...?"

Prototype spread concept of "Urban Fairies Field Journal" minus MUCH text & photos.

It is amazing to see all the new developments. I think that there will need to be future editions of this book (assuming the first gets published and sells... hee hee).

There COULD be an entire book devoted to droppings and one for journal/guesbook entries.
I have not posted all my material on the web-site so that there will be some surprises in the book.

10.11.06
Well we are still plugging ahead with revisions, illustrations, page layouts. We are in talks with publishers and getting quotes on printing.
I hope to be able to assemble a more accurate prototype soon. A physical copy is very helpful in studying the pace and content.

11.09.06
The publishing world rotates a whole lot slower than the gift industry that I have been part of for the past 18 years. Seems that a gazillion books are published each year and a gazillion times that are submitted to publishers. Never the less, I believe we have something really great here, we just have to find the right match.

11.20.06
I don't know why the fairy muses didn't hand this over earlier!
I am furiously at work on a new title to be self-published:
"Who's behind the Fairy Doors?"
An illustrated collection of the urban fairies who live behind the fairy doors.
Inspired by the contributions to the journal/guestbooks left around town.

I hope to have this ready to sell, in limited quantity BEFORE (just) this Christmas.
The cover is nearly ready. The title page, the introduction and the first spread are done. the following spreads will follow and are in the works now.

Perhaps a teaser sample later.

12.04.06
Some really fun, funny and cool stuff happening!

12.11.06
Well the "new concept" won't make THIS Christmas, but will certainly be ready by May of 2007, in time for the Ann Arbor Book Festival, which Kathleen will be participating in.

... I freely acknowldge that my augmentation is neither better nor more accurate than the original. Perhaps TOGETHER, they will help us see the ever changing world of the imaginary.

Kathleen's complete manuscript!

Whooo Hooo!
Now she's working with an editor and we are meeting with publishers.
Oh... and I'd better get drawing, eh?

May 8, 2007
The first copies of "Who's Behind the Fairy Doors?"
Go on sale... at Red Shoes,
soon to be at Sweetwaters Café, Peaceable Kingdom, Selo/Shevel & Nicola's Books
(and other stores interested)

I am really pleased how "Who's Behind the Fairy Doors" is coming along. I have built a "dummy" to look at sequencing etc...

As of today (Feb 21, 2007) it looks like it will be 48 pages with approximately 20 fairies represented. 14 have been rendered and the balance are coming along.

It's rather chilly in my office so I still wear my fingerless gloves.

Okay...

So now (March 6, 2007) it is 64 pages!
I think that the extra work will be well worth it.
I am still on track for having books on hand for May 15th. < confirmed (5.07.07)

3 illustrations to complete, some text editing and perhaps page reshuffling... then to the editor. I met with the printer and confirmed paperweights, color, lamination, ISBN, page count, end sheets, file format etc... all systems go.

3.26.07 All set. Prep the files and off she goes.

3.30.07 Disc to printer today. Wheeee! It should be available at Peaceable Kingdom, Selo-Shevel Gallery, Sweetwaters Café, Red Shoes & Nicola's Books early in May.

I expect to do some book signings then. And certainly they will be for sale at the Ann Arbor Book Festival at our table #49.

Now I can spend some time getting on-line sales integrated.

I also need to devote attention to the illustrations for Kathleen's chapter book.

Oh, and BACK to the field Journal!

4.02.07
Proofs should be ready in a week...then about 3 weeks for production.

4.13.07
I approved the digital proofs at the printer on Wednesday...so these books should be available for purchase in May.

4.18.07
Kathleen is well into writing and laying out her picture book project. I have started roughing the illustrations. I am still working on black and white illustrations for her chapter book, "The Fairies Come In." In between, I am going back to my original book project, "Urban Fairies Field Journal."

We will have roughs or dummies of the books that are in progress and finished copies of "Who's Behind the Fairy doors?" at the Ann Arbor Book Festival.
Saturday, May 19, 10am-5pm, table#49

Also as part of the Ann Arbor Book Festival we will be discussing the various projects and urban fairy history:
Date/Time: Sun., May 20, 1:00 – 2:00 pm
Location: Michigan Stage, Lecture Room 1, Modern Language Building (Details)

I have a tentative "ship" date for "Who's Behind the Fairy Doors?" as May 3, 2007.
Since the printer is in the area, I will go and pick them up in a, soon to be, low-rider mini van.

5.03.07
Rats!
There was an issue with the covers. The NEW ship date is now Tuesday May 8.

I want to look at it! ~ I want to sell it!)

5.07.07
OK! I've got books! Cases of them! over 1/2 a TON. I hope to have them in the stores by next week.

5.08.07
Well that was quick! Catherine at Red Shoes couldn't wait...
so "Who's Behind the Fairy Doors?" is currently available at:
Red Shoes 332 South Ashley in Ann Arbor ph (734) 913-5554.

5.09.07
SNEEK PEEK.

Wow! Great sell through. Redshoes placed a re-order the next day. Peaceable Kingdom has placed their 3rd order in 5 days. I'm sure that will drop off now that my family has gone home, eh? ~heehee!

RETAILERS interested in carrying "Who's Behind the Fairy Doors?"
please e-mail:

books@urban-fairies.com

Patricia Polacco with Kathleen & her copy of "Who's Behind...?"

Patricia is the author/illustrator of a bazillion great books for children.

(6.1.07)

D.J. MacHale with Samuelina & his copy of "Who's Behind...?" and our copy of "Pendragon."

D.J. is the author of the Pendragon series.

(5.17.07)

Amina-age-10 & her copy of "Who's Behind...?" .

Amina is the illustrator of the fairies on page 50 of "Who's Behind the FAiry Doors?"

(5.17.07)

Kathleen with Emilie-age-19 of Page 2.

Surprisingly, Emilie was the volunteer from 826Michigan who assisted Kathleen at her writing workshop. Luckily, Emilie told us.

(7.14.07)

(6.07.07)

It turned out well. It works on the counter and hangs. Now Sweetwaters practically has a mini-mall of urban fairy merchandise!
America! Where we can exploit
"the little people"* for little profit.
(*not THOSE "little people"... fairy folk, silly!)

(6.07.07)

I needed to build a special display for Sweetwaters Café to hold the books.
They were cluttering up the counter and kinda "lost".

Several years ago we got a NEW YORKie &
she has had some good TIMES reading (with her good eye)
the urban fairies BEST SELLER...
“Who’s Behind the Fairy Doors?”

Seriously!

It's doing quite well, especially considering the limited distribution.

@BORDERS

I found it! TWICE.

Needle in a haystack?

Little Fish ~ Big Sea?

Ay yi yi!
There's a whole lotta books in Borders

"Who's Behind the Fairy Door?"

Award-Winning Finalist in the "Children's Novelty & Gift Books" category of the National Best Books 2007 Awards.

"Who's Behind the Fairy Door?"

Winner in two catagories and Finalist in two catagories of
the 2008 Next Generation Indie Book Awards.
(for independant publishers)

Sent by her mother, Liz;
Kylie, age 8 of Virginia, added her fairies to pages 56 & 57 of
"Who's Behind the Fairy Doors?"

On page 56 the ellipse contains the words:
"The crystal of all her power"