I got my free CreateSpace proof copy (voucher from last year's NaNo, but for the year before's novel) in the mail today! So exciting. This is the first time I've used my code. I guess I was just never ready the other years. And here are some photos. Copies of my manuscript in its varying states (name is blanked out on the cover pic, it looks prettier without that Paintbrush job :D):
I went to visit mum at her workplace and showed the proof copy to her. She was really excited and wanted to show everybody. Hehe. I think she liked the dedications page too. ;) I had fun formatting the whole book, with a makeshift copyright page, title page, etc. I even put a little glossary in, with character/band info, just because I could.
I look forward to this year's NaNo, and using my code for some other book of mine (assuming CS will still be offering that this year!).
Woo! It looks great!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I think so too. I squealed a little bit (on the inside anyway :D) when I opened the box.
ReplyDeleteHappy New Year to you, wishing you much great writing!
ReplyDeleteWoohoo, it looks great! I'm still waiting to finish up some revisions before I use my code.
ReplyDeleteProofs are so cool. Congrats for yours. It's great!
ReplyDeleteThat must be exciting. I'm going to do a paperback copy of my next ebook, and I'm looking into CreateSpace too.
ReplyDelete@Cheyanne, yeah I didn't use this year's novel, but the year before's which I had been editing for quite a while before submitting for this. :D
ReplyDelete@Lindsay - cool, yeah they have pretty strict formatting guidelines but after a bit of gnashing my teeth I figured it out. MS Word, mirror margins. and lots of section breaks, and wacky page numbering... oh, and A5 layout. hehe
Thanks everyone for the comments!
It looks amazing - congratulations!
ReplyDeleteI didn't realize you could use a different year's NaNo project. I may have to do that. I love my '09 novel but feel really blah about my '10 novel.
Sheery, yeah there was no way I wanted to use this year's (well, last year's now :D) novel. It's a rough draft and needs a lot of work. But since the year before's had already been gone through twice, I figured it was a better one to choose. :)
ReplyDeleteThey can't really tell which novel you're uploading or when you wrote it, so yeah...you can use an older novel! or one that you didn't even do during NaNo I guess :)
It looks fantastic! The sepia tones make it look so pretty!
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping CreateSpace continues the offer for this year! It's such a wonderful reward for completing a novel, to hold it bound in your hand. Better than really any other prize they could have given us (except maybe automatic editing and a deal with a publishing house).
Wow. That looks awesome!
ReplyDeleteI hope CreateSpace do the same this year, that kept me motivated, 'though I haven't used mine just yet. May use it for a different story...
Dee^^
Yeah, here's hoping they keep doing it *fingers crossed* It kind of makes me worry I never used my other codes ;)
ReplyDeleteAgent Sparkle - yeah I used 2009's story for this, not 2010's :D
Congrats on getting your NaNo Proof.
ReplyDeleteDid you do the cover and the inside design on your own? (Not that I think you can't). I'm just wondering if its worth paying for their professional service.
Hi, thanks for stopping by :)
ReplyDeleteThe artwork is mine, as in the picture of the girl, but the overall design was a free one you can get from CreateSpace. I definitely wasn't gonna pay for a professional copy when it's just a proof and paying would have cost me like $300!
Totally understand. Thanks for the advice. :)
ReplyDeleteOk, wait, wait. I haven't done NaNo before. So... did you get a voucher to have a free proof printed? Is that how it worked? And a proof (getting my terminology right here!) is a version of the book that you still need to check for final adjustments? How much was the voucher worth? And was formatting your manuscript difficult?
ReplyDelete(Sorry for all the q's, I'm just very curious!)
Hi Rachel - yeah, if you win NaNo (even if you just got to over 50k) you got a free proof copy from CreateSpace. You didn't have to use it for that particular book, you could choose another book you've written, or a collection of short stories, or whatever you want. I don't think it costs that much to get a proof copy anyway, if you use the free/limited cover design options. But it was really cool for me in Aus getting the free copy, because usually anything sent to Aus is expensive!
ReplyDeleteAs for what a proof is, yeah - your story's basically meant to be done, but you get the proof to make sure formatting looks good, etc. But I wasn't checking for things like that. I was just doing this so I could have a copy of my book. Since I got this proof, the novel has undergone some serious changes. But it's still nice to have that book on my shelf. :)
It looks really good! I recommend giving it a try.
Also, there's never any guarantee we will get this offer with NaNo, but for quite a few years they've done it. Sadly this was the first time I took advantage of it! I hope they keep giving us the opportunity though. :)
Thanks for answering :-)
ReplyDeleteThe cover looks fabulous! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteYour book looks fantastic! I might have to ask you some questions regarding createspace because I think I will be using it soon with my upcoming books. :)
ReplyDeleteJennifer - feel free to ask me questions about it - I did give some info up above in the other comments FYI.
ReplyDeleteLooks good! I have just done the same and officially launching May 2nd. Good luck for the future. I have a bit of a wait for my proof to arrive in Cyprus, and am chomping at the bit! :)
ReplyDelete