Dani Burke, Author

Yahoo! I just heard back from the publisher. They uploaded the interior and cover files to all distributors and are waiting to hear of their acceptance. This will happen in the next 48-72 hours — Amazon being the fastest. They could hear from Amazon as early as tomorrow, but they don’t have any control over that. It will post on Amazon first, and then the other distributors will post in 2-6 weeks. Amazon post will have an initial posting, and then it will build (over a two-week period). It will have the “Look Inside” feature, but it takes time to build. What you may see is title information and the price information go up initially, then the cover image to follow — again, it just depends. If the files are accepted by Amazon as early as tomorrow, we could be ready for sale by Thursday. I’ll keep you posted!

Hurray! I just finished reading Highway to Love. Again. Just a couple of tweaks. I’m so grateful for these extra two holiday days to complete this. I’m sending it off today with my approval to get uploaded once they make these small changes. I’m getting so excited that we are getting so close. If it gets uploaded early next week it could be ready as soon as Friday (maybe). I’ll keep you posted!

Woo hoo, the proofreader has finished. She came in 13 days early. The publishing company will now make the changes in the next few days. It comes back to me for a quick once-over and then it goes for uploading to the distributor. I’ll be ordering a bunch of copies and then it will initially be available on Amazon.com and several weeks later on BarnesandNoble.com. Price is $12.99. I can’t wait for all of you to be able to read it. I would say it will be ready in just about two weeks! Thank you for all your support.

Last week I picked up the proof, which is the actual first print of the manuscript, cover and all. They did a great job with the cover, and I was extremely pleased with it. In my opinion it has good visual appeal. So I have to admit when I took it out of the envelope and saw it in the form of an actual book, it made me cry. It may not be Pulitzer material, but it’s my creation. It is still in the final proof edit stage with the professional. I have been asked to review it again, make a list of corrections and submit it back to the publisher. Should be ready very soon. I’m keeping my fingers crossed for a couple of weeks and doing my rain dance too. Let’s hope the three digit heat they are talking about for this week does not become a reality and we get some much needed rain.  Have a lovely week.

Dani

Just wanted to share with all of you my most recent news. The cover has been finalized. We now have the front, back and spine. The text setup for the interior pages has also been completed. All of this took place this past week. This is getting exciting! The edit version is in the hands of the editor for this final phase. She is hoping to expedite it so I can get it out for a summer read. So many reviews need to take place! This week I should be able to pick up a first “proof” before the final edit. Although I am not 100% sure, I believe this would be a printed version. This will also go to the editor. Right now she only has the PDF version because she wanted to get started. My other great news is that the owners of the small salon here in Lake Zurich where I get my hair done is excited to have a book signing set up for me as a new, local author. In my thinking, this may be advantageous not only to me, but also may drum up more business for them for those just walking in. Hope you like the cover!
 Dani

This weekend is the annual Chicago Lit Fest. I was hoping to be in print by this weekend, but I guess not. If the cover had been finalized, my plan was to be present at Windy City’s tent (my publishing company) and hand out sell sheets. No cover, no sell sheet. Maybe I should be happy I’m not there? It is too hot! As they say, things happen for a reason. One of my chapters takes place at this event! I was also hoping to see Dr. Dale Coy. He is part of our writers’ forum at WC. When I saw his name, I didn’t realize that it was the Dale Coy from Barrington. Yes, the colonoscopy doctor that I am familiar with. Seems kind of funny. This coming week the cover should be finalized and then it goes to what they call “galley” which then goes for the final proofread. I’m trying to push this along…

This week I’ve been promised final mockups for my cover. Writing is the easiest part. It is all the “stuff” that comes after like editing, editing, editing and figuring out what cover coveys the story as well as what will grab the most readership interest. Just so you are not disappointed, I chose not to go the “Fabio” route with a naked man but something more interesting that leaves your imagination to do it’s own thing. Of course, once we’ve got it I’ll post it so you all can see it.

What a most gorgeous weekend we are having. Enjoy this beautiful weather.

Dani

Family and Friends,

 Highway to Love by Dani Burke will be available soon for your reading pleasure. As most of you know, this manuscript has been a few years in the making, and I hope you will enjoy reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it. When published, it will be available thru me or at Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com. My hope it that you will enjoy the characters I have created and their story to find love.

 Below is a synopsis of this contemporary romantic comedy –

 Soon-to-be-married Alexis Parker and her flirty friend, Stephanie Bradford, find more than they dreamed of when Alexis’ Lexus sputters and dies on a Chicago expressway. The hilarious and disconcerting events that follow introduce both of them to construction workers Joe Baker and Mike Murphy. Readers bounce up and down on their bumpy road to love.

 Stephanie Bradford’s attraction to Joe Baker initially blinds her recognition of Mike Murphy’s charms. When Joe and Alexis arrange a “by chance” meeting, their romance is kindled.

 Alexis Parker’s engagement to Richard Churchfield causes her to ignore his selfishness and personality flaws and repeatedly question her attraction to very generous and noble Joe Baker. Highway to Love takes the reader on a pothole-filled journey as Alex repeatedly denies Joe’s love and her own feelings. Joe possesses the extraordinary patience of a man in love. His kind and charismatic friend, Carolyn, often shares her feminine perspective with him along the way. As Alex’s emotional and moral beliefs are tested, she is forced to create a new and more appropriate definition of true love as she sprints to the finish line.

 Please check back often. The blog will keep you updated on my publishing progress, targeted for this summer. I’ll also let you all know when it is in print! Please pass the word to all of your family and friends.

 Sincerely,

Danielle (aka Dani Burke)