revised cover |
“As a travel book, Carolina Cruising is packed with interesting
facts about wildly beautiful places, first-hand insights about many encounters,
and innovative how-to guides. Unlike similar works, however, it is not only a
retirement story but also a daringly different love story. Written by a
jet-setting corporate executive from the Philippines, at 55 Carolina became an
American immigrant and at 59 new bride to a 63 year-old Caucasian American.
Cruising for more than a hundred thousand miles in four and a half years, they
traveled to forty-nine American states (no highway to Hawaii), nine Canadian
provinces and six Mexican states. On their charming third tries, they were not
looking for love but to stay in love.
Thrust into a largely white community, Carolina immersed
herself into the beauty of American geography, its liberating culture, her
groundbreaking history, and loved the journey. Within the cozy confines of an
RV, lessons came as fast as scenes changed. She not only learned to become a
wife without losing her identity but also to be an American, without losing her
roots. This book is about her ultimate adventure, cruising in America to feed a
fascination, find a friend, and fulfill a fantasy.”
These will also be submitted: 50-word author bio, 25-word
elevator pitch, 8,000 character (including spaces) free preview, the above idea
for a Cover design with the suggested Title and subtitle and my complete
penname as copyright holder, audience level targeted, key search words to be
used, book format desired, list of contributors, and royalties desired.
What this means is that, depending on my speed of reporting
back to them when they have questions or suggestions, the book may come out in
three months. Since there will be an editorial evaluation which means a third
round of edits through me and my editor, I would have to add two to three
months to that. And, since Bill and I are leaving on a three-month European
trip in less than three weeks, I should add another month or two. In other
words, the earliest the book can come out will most probably be in six to seven
months from now, i.e. October or November. Given this, I will target launching
the book on my sixty-sixth birthday on November 25, 2014.
At this point, I
would like to thank all those who helped make this book possible. This will be
the Acknowledgment Page, unless I have forgotten some people:
“There are many people without whom this book could not have
been written nor seen publication. My husband’s idea of RVing in North America
gave me the opportunity to write about something many dream of but have little chance
of doing. He was not only my gallant travel companion; he edited my first
drafts ad infinitum. I could not have started my blog nor transformed it into a
book without him.
From the Philippines, my editor Chit Aldave-Tribiana, a former colleague at the Institute of Advanced Computer Technology, gave me useful insights and cleaned my manuscript in three rounds. Author friends from America, Linda Hermann of
Parents to the End, Roberta Dolan of Saying It Out Loud, Linda Kennedy of
Brooke’s Miracle and Merry Binkley of Travelblog.org, from thePhilippines Raju Mandhyan of The HeART of Public Speaking,
and from Australia Tel Asiado of Inspired Pen all gave me wonderful advice.
Thanks to Silly Willy and Fluffy for teaching me blogging
basics that started it all. Liz Kranz, Conchita Derkits, and Suzanne Harper,
thanks for your comments, too! Blog readers wrote in tips and Facebook friends
enthusiastically participated in polls about the title, the cover, and photos.
Author photo is by my accomplished friend, Tony Nievera, and cover design is by
my talented son-in-law Deejay Aberion.
I am also grateful to those who visited with us, making our
travels more interesting. What would a writer do if not for all those who
inspire, encourage, and support? Writing a book would also have been quite an
arduous task if not for all those in the technology field who gave us all the
tools. Lastly, I salute all the travel writers who wrote classics, giving birth
to this genre that I now so happily belong to!”
Looks like quite a story! I may just have to buy a copy! Like the cover, btw.
ReplyDeleteNice touch --- thanking so many people.
Yes, please!!!
DeleteLove it Carol. You know how I feel, from my blended "ruthless yet gentle" private comments you asked. Go for it Carolina! *I pronounce "Carol-lie-na." Am looking forward for my signed copy. Will launch it in some of my webs, for you. ;)
ReplyDeleteLove it Carol. You know how I feel, from my blended "ruthless yet gentle" private comments. Now, go for it Carolina! (I pronounce "Carol-lie-na.") Will launch "C, Cruising..." in some of my Inspired Pen webs. ;) Looking forward for my signed copy. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Tel!
Deletefrom Auckland New Zealand, Congratulations Carol !!
ReplyDeleteThanks lots!
Delete