Monday, November 21, 2022

Huzzah for our very own Melanie Sue Bowles!

Imagine my delight when this showed up at the Shark Mail Room Saturday morning!

 


 As are we all, I am a devoted fan of MSB.

We've read her flash fiction entries, and her comments; we know she can wrangle words along with the horses at her sanctuary.


But even better was that the book itself was lovely. Well laid out, easy to read, correctly sized.

And the paper wasn't that cheap newsprint stuff you sometimes see in paperbacks (well, ok, hard covers too.)

I'm sorry you can't reach through the screen to feel this page!



But of course what you can do is get a copy for yourself, or for your nearest horse-mad young reader!

 


28 comments:

nightsmusic said...

Wonderful!! Congrats, Melanie! Well deserved. And I love that cover!

Sharyn Ekbergh said...

bought and donated to our local library!

Kregger said...

Way cool!

Yay for one of our Reiders!

Cecilia Ortiz Luna said...


Wonderful book from a wonderful human being.

You might want to visit her website Proud Spirit Horse Sanctuary and check out how Mama Mel and husband Jim shelter and rehabilitate rescued horses.


Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

Congratulations, Melanie!

And that cover is lovely.

LynnRodz said...

Congrats, Mel, so well deserved! Can't wait to receive mine (it takes longer to get here in France) and sending one to my niece in the States.

John Davis Frain said...

Yowza!!! Way to go, Melanie. Time to visit my favorite local indie bookstore, The Novel Neighbor.

Congratulations. A perfect first step into the holidays.

S.D.King said...

WOW! WOW! WOW! Congrats!

Barbara Etlin said...

Congrats!

Melanie Sue Bowles said...

Well, WOW...! Hearing from you all is incredibly special, and very moving. Thank you. This story about Kip and Liberty Biscuit is truly from my heart. What a tremendous joy to see it out in the world. Janet, Thank you...

E.M. Goldsmith said...

Love this so much. So excited for Melanie

Theresa said...

This is so fabulous, Melanie, congratulations!

Donnaeve said...

We love you, Melanie! And Liberty Biscuit, too!

Congratulations to you many times over! We know in your capable hands this story rises from the page with the magic of your writing! xoxo

AJ Blythe said...

Mama Mel, so thrilled your book is now holdable.

MaggieJ said...

Melanie, I'm so happy for you!

Kitty said...

Congratulations, Melanie!

Question: Did you have any input into the design of the pages? I love the graphics in your book. When I write a story, I find that adding pictures, which I usually find online, help me with the story. So I was drawn to the design of your book.

I'm buying your book and saving it for my granddaughter. She's 6 and wants to be a veterinarian.

Congrats again.

Melanie Sue Bowles said...

Kitty - Thanks so much for your kind words. (Thank you to everyone!).

Regarding your question: It is very rare for an author to have any input on the title, cover design or inside lay-out. The stories we write belong to us - but how the book is presented to the world - the quality and design - belongs to the publisher.

I'm sure there are instances when a publisher may ask their author for input or encourage them to weigh in, but it's not typical. In my case, Trafalgar Square (who has been exceptional to work with) sent me a mock-up of the cover shortly before going to print. They simply said, "We hope you like it." I had absolutely no idea what title they'd come up with or how the cover would look. I was thrilled, needless to say, when I saw it all. Regarding the inside artwork, I knew nothing about that until my ARCs arrived. They never mentioned it or showed me anything. I opened the box, which is a difficult to describe feeling - a crazy combination of humble pride and a million other emotions, and as I paged through the book I was blown away by the crows and the peaches and those leaves.

Thanks again everyone. Sorry this is long...

Kate Larkindale said...

Congratulations, Melanie! It looks amazing.

Kitty said...

Thank you, Melanie, for that info. The book and pages look incredible. I hope it does well.

Jennifer R. Donohue said...

Congratulations, Melanie! This is so very exciting.

Lisa Bodenheim said...

This is so exciting, Melanie, and such a beautiful book. Congrats!

Beth Carpenter said...

It's gorgeous! Congratulations, Melanie!

Colleen said...

Beautiful! Congratulations, Melanie!

Lennon Faris said...

Just finished it. Beautiful story. I feel like I just met my (tiny, young, more daring) sister in a story. Congrats, Melanie!!

Karen McCoy said...

Mucho congrats, Melanie! What a beautiful book!

Just Jan said...

Congratulations, Melanie! I just ordered 2 copies--1 for me, 1 to give away. Can't wait to see the finished product.

NLiu said...

Yay! Congratulations, Melanie!! What a lovely book. I think my daughter will love it (maybe me too - shhhhh).

Katja said...

Sorry for being late to the book party, Melanie.

Congratulations to you 👏 🙌 ❤. Great achievement!!! 🥳