The Advanced Reader Copy for Something Missing arrived today! An ARC is (in the words of Wikipedia) a copy of a book released by its publisher before the book has gone to the press. ARCs do not have the final dust jacket, formatting, or binding of the finished product. The text of an ARC may also differ from that of the published book if the book is edited after the ARC is produced (I’m not sure if mine was or not). ARCs are normally distributed to reviewers, bookstores, and magazines between three and six months before the book is officially released.
It’s very exciting. Though it is not a true copy of the book, it’s a close facsimile, and it represents another step closer to the actual publication. July of 2009 once seemed so far away, but it’s starting to become a much more tangible reality. I also feel fortunate that my publisher has decided to produce an ARC for reviewers and the like since this is often not the case.
A couple of months ago, Melissa, my editor, sent me a hard copy of the cover of my book, wrapped around another book for appearance’s sake. She wanted to give me an idea of what the book would actually look like with the cover. While the inside of the book did not contain my words, just seeing the cover of any book was thrilling.
The book that she wrapped the cover around was Quick, Before the Music Stops: How Ballroom Dancing Saved My Life.
While I’m sure that this is a fine book, it’s certainly not something that you would find me reading on a rainy Sunday afternoon, and as a result, some of my friends have taken great pleasure in ribbing me about Melissa’s choice.
I can’t help but wonder if she chose the book on purpose, just to be amusing.
