The manuscript is just about ready. We're 99% there. It's gone through numerous rounds of internal review and editing. We have four folks reviewing the book. Our CEO, Chris Mercer, is the author. We have one chapter to finish.
We're so close now that I am comfortable with now taking money for the book rather than just a "reservation." And, I believe that with a little luck and a LOT of push, we can have the finished product by year end.
I've thought about blogging about the process but so far it's been, write, review, revise, write, review, revise .... Makes for pretty boring stuff. The interesting stuff is each individual reviewers take on what is important and what is not. Taken as a whole, we're going to have a terrific finished product.
Here are the specs:
- Title: Buy-Sell Agreements: Ticking Time Bomb or Reasonable Resolution? (sub-title apt to change)
- Author: Z. Christopher Mercer
- Format: Soft cover 7x10
- Length: Approximately 300 pages
- Print run: Minimum 2,000 - Maximum 3,000
- Publisher: Peabody Publishing LP (i.e., self publishing)
Since it's my job to bring this book to market by the end of the year, here is my to-do list (in no order). Lest you think we don't know what we're doing as you read this list, know that numerous things are already underway or almost done but until they are checked off, they stay on the list.
- Finish Buy-Sell Audit chapter
- Check math in all the formulas/tables
- Check spelling in all imported objects/tables/charts
- Add "Acknowledgments"
- Push the fellow who is graciously providing to Forward to provide it sooner rather than later
- Download Dan Poynter's latest info so I can begin to get the printer RFPs together
- Add appendices
- Finalize permission from Appraisal Foundation for reprint of USPAP for appendix
- Assign an ISBN number
- Index the book (yes, I do that myself)
- Put the book into the Word format created by the very talented Matt Washburn
- Finalize and check all footnotes
- Prepare and send RFPs to printers
- Decide upon cover design and layout
- Choose the Printer
- Put the book in PDF and send the to printer
- Post on Amazon.com
- Create page on website accepting payment now that we have a better idea of when the book will be published
- Create and send invoices to all who have reserved their copy
- Choose a chapter as a free give-away on the web if you sign up for newsletter
- Create blog posting strategy on Chris Mercer's blog, Mercer on Value
- Determine costs for shipping
- Determine if we need boxes for shipping made or if we can buy pre-made
- Find fulfillment house
- Create fliers for e-mail newsletter and CEO blog that will go with all books shipped
- Identify magazines/journals that should review the book
- Get galleys out to reviewers
- Identify influencers in key target audiences
- Get book to those influencers
- Create list of people who will receive a complimentary book
What else? I know there is more but this gives you an idea. Much to do! I'll keep you posted.
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