It’s Out
 NEW |
 OLD |
Yes, it’s on the streets. “Hearts” became available April 1st—please, spare me. Above are the two covers: new and improved cover on the left, old and reliable, original cover on the right. Maybe I should have written a story about flowers.
I’ve not physically held the new books, so, not sure about the dimensions, print, or paper quality. Supposed to be Trade Paperback.
I do know the interior is different.
- All the musical quotations, and the literary quotations—save a couple from Shakespeare–have been excised, stripping away some important soul. Gone because we couldn’t/wouldn’t obtain permissions.
- Gone also are the Prologue and Epilogue as stand alone entities. They’re now chapters…but twenty years and 12,000 miles separate them from the immediately subsequent and preceding chapters with little notice that the reader has shifted time or setting.
- Publisher word and phrasing changes here and there have, apparently, made the book “better.”
Still, the above points not withstanding, the basic story is the same, just somehow less…passionate, intense—and personal. Personal in the sense that it’s something I created.
In the original, there was a line explaining the title. I believe that too, has found its way to the word graveyard. Now, browsers and shoppers can wonder, “What the heck is the title about? It’s kinda odd.”
This is from the original edition, just prior to the now dead Prologue:
Since 2333 BC, long before the Western world was new, Antiquity’s name for Korea was, Chosen, Land of the Morning Calm.
This is explained in the book, but, somehow it’s helpful to know before you begin reading, I think. Nonetheless, I believe it’s gone.
I ordered a load of books from my publisher on Friday. I’m hoping they’ll arrive within the week. I paid enough shipping to have them sent to Korea. We’ll see what that buys. Passage to New Mexico, I hope.
For the ten of you with copies coming, getting them in the mail is at the top of my agenda. You’ll forgive me if I elect book-rate postage…aka, slow. They’ll read the same no matter how inexpensively they’re shipped.
Accordingly, my next novel will be about a miserly author who lives in New Mexico. He’s captured by the ghosts of Largess, Charity, and Greed. These ghosts take him around and show him the impact of his cheapness and the value of Priority Mail. Wait, this kinda sounds familiar, maybe I better Google the plot points to ensure it’s not been previously written.
Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see you again on Wednesday when I’ll have a very funny post about a New Mexico chili contest.
Themocracy
Congratulations!!!
Forgive me for saying so, but I think the older version of the cover is much nicer than the newer one- that has an element of foreboding, which the new version lacks. But then publishers always know better than us mere readers.
The good news, Galen, is that when you are famous you can put all those little bits back in (bet you will get permission to use those lines after you win a couple of literary prizes.
Excited for you!
Congratulations on the release, Galen! I know you’ve worked so hard for this.
And…I know what you mean about losing some of the personal element to a manuscript. It seems to become more collaborative after the editors get it…
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
Galen, really sorry about all the changes that were out of your control. Hopefully those don’t suck the joy out of holding the book for the first time.
Congrats, Galen! Best wishes for awesome success!
Congrats and hope the changes don’t get you down.
Congratulations, Galen! I understand the frustration of “forced” edits, but I have no doubt it is still an excellent book. I also understand about using book rate postage. I do the same thing whenever possible.
Can’t wait to read the book!
Congratulations, Galen! I look forward to reading it! You MUST celebrate…let that head inflate just a little and enjoy the feeling of success. Woo-hoo!
Well done, Galen! Rejoice and be merry. Your book is published – those be mighty words.
That is awesome Galen. I’ve been looking forward to this alot. I do have to admit that I like the old cover much better, but then I’ve never been much a fan of pink either. In the end though, I’ll just be happy to be one of the lucky recipients of your work. Ever since I first started reading your blog, I’ve been wanting to read your book too. Good times ahead for me
Wow, stunning cover, Galen. I’m looking forward to a good read!
Birthing a book can be a bit like birthing a baby – or being a dad to a baby instead of actually giving birth to it. You’re told the little darling is going to be a girl and you have a pink nursery and lots of ruffles. When it comes along and it’s a boy . . . you love your son just the same as you would love your daughter. So it will be with version two of your book. All you have to do is let it happen.
Galen, I wish you huge congratulations! It sounds like you aren’t entirely happy with changes, and I can really understand that. Do you have a website where some of those ‘explainers’ can go? Not everyone will read them, but some will.
And offer is open, if you’d like to guest blog telling tart readers about your book and your experience getting to publishing, I am happy to host you. I have three other ‘book tour’ guests coming this month, so you wouldn’t be alone!
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