But if you really like and enjoy writing and books in general, even if it is tiring, you will be able to see things through.

Once you have the edited manuscript (hard copy) and once you have sent the soft copy of your book manuscript, your publisher will start laying out everything. Expect several rounds (about 4 to 6, if I counted correctly) of corrections and proofreading since not all people who work on your book will be as familiar as you are with everything you wrote.

Once done with that, you will be shown the blueprint (white paper with blueprint) which is like the actual book already. In the case of Mom’s A Stewardess, I saw the blueprint on May 26, 2008 and also signed a contract with Claretian Publications as my publisher.

As author/writer, your publisher will give you author’s copies which you can give away (or sell) to family members and friends.

From the time I saw the blueprint, it took over a week for the book to be ready (it was ready on June 6, 2008) and at that time, they also quoted what the selling price would be.

We launched the book a month after on July 9, 2008.

Given his success with his book, I decided to take the chance to e-mail him and ask for his help in getting his endorsement or testimonial for my book, if he agreed to read and go through the manuscript. I sent him e-mail explaining my situation (how I was a new writer and that I would need all the help I could get given my book on stewardship) and he responded positively quite quickly — to my great surprise! I was really appreciative of the fact that a well-known, best-selling author like him would take the time to help someone whom he knew from nowhere. He didn’t ask for more details on the book or he didn’t say that he would need to read the book first — he just said “yes” that he would help me outright.

I later on found out that Alex Lacson’s son and my son were classmates in Ateneo in the previous year. It really is a small world. When I finally met Atty. Lacson, I was personally struck by his being low-key, soft-spoken, but at the same time, very passionate about the Philippines and everything good about the Filipino.

We met briefly one time in Starbucks, where he also introduced me to some of his friends from World Vision. During that brief meeting, we talked about my book, his book, and our future plans. He also gave me some pointers on what works with Filipinos when you write a book. Like how Filipinos like books with quotations. Or that handy books are less intimidating than bigger ones. How something that’s easy to read will be preferred over something that’s very complex.

He also said that there are only three things that make a book attractive to people: the color of the cover; the title; and the content.

I’ll be forever grateful to Atty. Lacson for all the help he gave me with the book. Now if I can only sell half of the number of copies he sold in six months, that would be unbelievable.

She was feeling sick the first time we met at Pancake House. She pushed through with the meeting just the same as we had already postponed it once before as mommy duty called. As soon as we met, she started asking me one question after another: “What’s your background? How did this book start? How long did it take you to write this?” She sounded genuinely curious and although she did ask several questions, I didn’t feel like I was under investigation.

All throughout the meeting, I was thinking of how this editing thing would go. Would I still recognize what I had written when she was done with it? I relaxed a bit after she pointed out that we had the same kind of planner (what is it about people who like to write and paper products?) and that’s when I asked about what her editing style was. I started to phrase my question when she ended it for me by saying: “You mean, am I brutal?”

I stopped and kept quiet after she blurted the words out and then heaved a sigh of relief when she continued: “No. I was such a closet writer so I know how it feels.”

With those words, I rested easy. She commented about some parts of my manuscript as she skimmed through it. She thought I was organized and added: “It must be the MBA in you.” She thought I was neat, the way my manuscript was presented and laid out and all. (Thanks to husband dearest.) Then she added: “For me, the computer is a typewriter.”

We swapped stories about getting a book published. I aired my concern about being a first-time book author and how I needed all the help I could get. Then I added that people don’t know me unlike writers who may already be popular and who already have a following for whatever it is that they may write. Ms. Rica thought popularity and good writing didn’t always go together and that I should aspire more for the latter.

I thought it was nice to have finally met Ms. Rica and to have the privilege of working with her. After that first meeting, I promptly went out and got a copy of her book Love, Desire, Children, etc., read it, and gulped. I became an instant fan and was intimidated again. I was in for the longest month of my life — waiting for my edited manuscript to come back from an ex-closet writer who was now one brilliant literary star.

One easy, cost-effective way is for you to send a soft copy of an excerpt to the reviewer via e-mail. This will cost you the least money and will also entail the least amount of time. The downside is that it is always easier to read a hard, printed copy. Sending an excerpt will likewise not give the reviewer the “full flavor” of your work.

The best (and most costly and time-consuming too) approach is to send the full, printed manuscript to your reviewers. Fax Parcel N’ Print at SM Megamall does a pretty good job of making copies of your manuscript. You can reach them at 633-8116 or at 634-2459. They are located at Unit 33, Lower Ground, Building A, SM Megamall in Ortigas.

For my own manuscript, I spent a total of P2,348.25. This was for a 111 page document, seven copies. The quality was okay and they already gave it to me collated, bound, with clear plastic in front, and hard paper at the back. All in all, the whole process took about two hours and a half.

Regarding getting your manuscript to the reviewer, you may send via your driver although you will need to pay your driver for the day, as well as spend on gasoline. Using a courier service makes good sense as they charge reasonable amounts.

In my case, I used JRS a lot, with me paying about P80 for documents of up to one half kilo. It takes about two working days for the document to get to its destination.

Other courier services you can consider are LBC (about P105 to P115 for a document) or DHL (P92 to P123.23). Rates vary depending on the location. Still, JRS has the lowest rates.

Having your book manuscript reviewed can entail costs and some amount of work but believe me, in the end, it will all be worth it.

I searched for Filipino artists (preferably female) and the Ilustrador ng Kabataan website was very helpful in getting in touch with them. Each artist’s page had the artist’s profile, contact info, and portfolio with some sample artwork. In this way, you could check out the style of the artist and see if it matches what you wanted for your book.

One thing I learned about my search for an artist was that artists are very busy people. They are usually booked months in advance. It’s interesting actually that while Jill Posadas (my artist for the illustration on the book cover) and I worked on the book cover for Mom’s A Stewardess, we didn’t even get to personally meet each other. All our correspondence and coordination were actually done through e-mail and payment and submission were done via the bank and couriers. The wonders of technology truly!

When choosing from several artists, you will need to communicate to them expectations, requirements, and timelines. In return, they will give you a quote for their services and the range in terms of pricing can vary greatly from artist to artist.

In the case of Jill Posadas, I thought her pricing was very reasonable, and I liked the fact that she was very responsive to e-mail and text messages. I could also tell from her e-mail that it would be pleasant and interesting to work with her, just from the way that she wrote her e-mail.

In the case of Mom’s A Stewardess, Jill came up with three thumbs (small sample drawings), from which I chose the final cover illustration. Once I had chosen from the three, I could ask Jill via e-mail to adjust the drawing here and there, to change the color, or to add or remove an element or a detail, the works! It was pretty amazing.

In terms of the medium, Jill suggested that we use watercolor (instead of acrylic, for example) as she says this would give a cleaner look. She also gave me the option of buying the final artwork so I get to keep it. In terms of payment, by the way, artists may ask you for a down payment and then you pay the balance after the final artwork has been submitted.

It is important by the way, to ask your publisher what the size of the book will be so that your artist could do the drawing to match the size of the book.

If you are looking for an artist for your book, please visit www.ink.group.ph

It is best for any writer to be true to his/her style and tone so that he or she will have a finished product that is uniquely his or hers. Thus, it may really make good sense to stay away temporarily from books covering a similar topic as you write your book so that you are more focused on your thoughts and experiences.

I hope that the Mom’s A Stewardess book will generate the right questions and ideas for those who get hold of a copy and will lead the reader to finding out his or her true vocation, according to God’s will and plan.

For those who want to get hold of a copy of Mom’s A Stewardess for Christmas, copies are still available at BestSellers Robinsons Galleria and at Powerbooks Megamall the last time I checked. But please call first to make sure that there is stock. If your favorite bookstore branch does not have the book in stock anymore, please check with another branch. Or you may ask your favorite branch to reserve copies for you already the next time they have the book.

I would have had joint copyright with them if I became a co-publisher and shouldered a certain portion of the publishing costs.

Does that mean that I need to ask them for permission every time that I quote from the book? Claretian Publications explained to me that since I am the author of the book, I may quote from it without asking them for permission.

Since they are the sole publisher though, they make all the decisions on pricing, when to re-print, and all other issues relating to the book. Had I been a co-publisher, then such things would be decided on by both Claretian and myself.

It makes good sense to work with a publisher. As a writer, it frees you from the various nitty-gritty activities that come with publishing, book distribution, and marketing. Then again, as the writer of the book, you also need to exert effort selling the book to assist the publisher in making sure that all the copies are sold. After all, your name is on the book right?

For Mom’s A Stewardess, they printed more than that (although am not saying how many — maybe 1,001 — haha) and as of my latest check, the book seems to be selling quite well. We actually did a re-print (500 copies minimum) already for orders on my end. I’m crossing my fingers that there will soon be a re-print for the bookstores but am told that there is still some stock left in circulation. The publisher, I am told, will consider re-printing when there are no more stocks left in the system.

It has been almost four months since we launched the book last July 9. Generally, a print run should sell over one to two years so I guess I should be pretty happy with the way things are going.

When publishing a book, there are actually three ways by which you could do this:

1. Print Job – the client covers all the costs. The publisher just prints. If you are an author and you decide to have someone print your book for you, then you are essentially a self-published author. This type of publishing is what Central BookStore does. Claretian Publications also accepts print jobs.

2.Commissioned – for publications which have a ready market, a writer or author may be approached by a publisher for him or her to write for that book or publication. In this particular case, the writer is paid a certain fee to complete the book.

3.Publication – this is a situation wherein the writer has to propose a book concept to a publisher and if the concept is accepted by the publisher, the book is printed and the publisher shoulders all the costs. This was the case for Mom’s A Stewardess. I didn’t pay a single thing. Claretian Publications took care of all the necessary costs and expenses. Consequently, they own the copyright to the material.

So, are you looking forward to printing or publishing your first book? Just go for it! For as long as you have a unique concept, take the plunge. Your dream to be a published author may just be a page away.

With the book distributed in National and their other book store chains, I can reach more people and sell more books! After awhile, all my friends and relatives would have gotten enough copies of the book from me already and I need to reach out to a bigger, wider market.

Since National BookStore, etc. run a business, they will, of course, need to make money out of selling your book too. Selling through the bookstore chain then will necessitate charging a higher price for your book (than if you didn’t sell through them) but think of all the costs you would need to cover if you had to do everything yourself.

That’s one good thing about working with or having a publisher like Claretian Publications. You don’t need to do everything yourself. That is stewardship in action. If you like to write, you are a writer. That is your skill. That is your passion. Now it may be so that you have been blessed doubly and you happen to be a good marketer too. Well and good. But what happens if that is not the case? You will need to work with people who are skilled in those other areas. Claretian Publications is in the publishing business. That’s what they do best. National BookStore sells and distributes books. That’s what they are in business for. Writer, publisher, book store operator. All working together.

If you, as writer, can convince a publisher and an established chain like National BookStore to support your book then your work is probably one-tenth done. Claretian Publications, or any publisher for that matter, will submit the book to National BookStore for evaluation and National BookStore may approve the book and place orders for the book depending on whether they think it will move or sell.

So for those looking for the book Mom’s A Stewardess, it is available at National BookStore, Powerbooks, and BestSeller branches. I suggest you call the particular branch that you intend to go to first to ask if there are stocks available. My friends and relatives may have wiped them out already. If there are no more stocks available at a particular branch, you can ask them to check their system or database to let you know where you can still buy the book.

I grew up going to National BookStore so I’m happy that my book is sold there. “Back to school. Back to National BookStore.” But even if you are no longer in school, please go there. You are sure to continue learning a thing or two.

Working with an editor will also make you feel more confident about your book, particularly if you are working with an established writer. An established writer will lend credibility to your book and can also give you useful writing tips that can improve your writing in the future.

The minimum budget (at 2008 prices) that you should allot for an established editor would be anywhere from P5,000-P15,000 per book. Some editors may charge by the page. The rate charged will depend on the number of years that your editor has spent in the business and how established he/she is. You can ask your editor to do copy editing (to correct grammar, punctuation, etc.) or beyond copy editing. Beyond copy editing will, of course, cost more since the editor will now look into how your book is structured, how certain portions are written, rather than just making corrections on the copy as it is here and there.

If you want the book ready by a certain month, you should have the manuscript with your editor about two to three months before to be safe. Your editor will probably be working on several projects at the same time and he/she probably has another job aside from editing certain writing projects. Your manuscript will probably stay with him or her for about a month.

In the case of Mom’s A Stewardess, we were targeting to have the book ready in June 2008 for a launch in early July 2008. I met with my editor, Ms. Rica Bolipata-Santos (more on her in a future entry) in late March (if am not mistaken) and then I got back my manuscript in late April. I needed to submit the edited manuscript to my publisher Claretian Publications by the end of April 2008.

In this day and age of the internet, I was pleasantly surprised to have been asked by my publisher to provide a printed manuscript to the editor. I guess this makes correction for the editor easier and it also makes it easier for the publisher to track changes and corrections. This allows them to also assess the extent of work done by the editor.

The publisher also decides, more or less, whether the writer’s original version or the editor’s corrected version will be used. In the case of Claretian, they mentioned to me, that as much as possible, they would like to “preserve the style of the writer.” They also mentioned that sometimes, some editors change the work of the writer so much that the writer no longer recognizes what he or she originally wrote.

How did I choose my editor for my book? I chose someone I didn’t know personally. I figured it would be easier to work with somebody whom I only knew on a professional basis. Sometimes, when you work with relatives or friends, it makes it difficult to be more upfront or demanding since you have a “relationship” with each other. Then, should something go wrong, you can’t get as mad since you need to preserve the relationship long after the business transaction has ended. (Well, Ms. Rica and I didn’t know each other before this project but luckily, all went well and no one got mad…)

I also chose someone who was responsive enough. Someone who promptly replies to e-mail inquiries and text messages. Someone who is not hard to set meetings with. Someone who is willing to meet near my home. =)

I thought Ms. Rica was perfect for the editing job since she was also a mother with kids and since my book was written from the point of view of a mom, I thought she could relate with what I had written. I also found it interesting that when I first e-mailed her to inquire about editing services, she said that she wanted to meet with me initially so that “she could hear my voice.”

Well, everything went fine so am happy with the editor that I chose. Not only did I find someone to edit my book, she also gave me very useful writing tips and very funny stories! More on my encounters with Ms. Rica Bolipata Santos is future posts.