Received the manuscript.
Last week, my story editor sent back my manuscript with hundreds of suggestions. I was terrified at first but after going through the notes, relieved to see that most were minor adjustments.
I think I need two more months to polish the manuscript, after which I’ll send it to the 205 beta readers. If you want to become a beta reader and read a chapter of the book, just write to arim@tableofgods.com and I’ll get back with more information. If you’ve already written to me about it, no action is needed.
Survey results
In mid-September, I sent a survey asking for feedback about ideas and features I have for the book and its packaging. I’m grateful to all 535 of you who responded. Here are the results.
1 = low value.
5 = high value.
Survey conclusions
1. I’ll add illustrated maps for every chapter/city in the book!
2. The book will be available to buy in a special gift box with The Royal Game of Ur printed on the bottom of the box (with game pieces included) and a booklet with “behind the scenes” photos and stories from the six years of making this book including research trips and omitted recipes.
3. I appreciate that so many of you want me to sign your copy of the book. But I almost wish you wouldn’t want it (haha). The books will be stored in three places: one in the US, one in the EU, and one in the UK. To sign them, I would have to travel to all three places since the printer doesn’t allow me to sign books in the factory. Maybe I'll do a small book tour instead :)
4. People still like stickers. I’ve never used stickers myself, so maybe that’s why I don’t get it. But I think this is an easy addition to the gift box edition. As with the other ideas, your wish is my command!
Design hunt part II
I’ve had eight meetings with top design studios in the last few weeks. Deciding who will design my book is, I think, the toughest decision I’ve ever made. I usually go with my intuition. As when I decided to tattoo the name of my first girlfriend in high school (she later became my wife), or quitting my job to go all in on Table of Gods (don’t know the outcome of this decision yet).
I think I’m just getting nervous that the book is finally coming together. I feel immense pressure to meet your (and my own) expectations for the book. If I start working with a designer in October, the entire book will probably be completed by the end of this year. And that’s terrifying!
Maybe I should just go with my dad’s advice: “Whoever you choose will make the book beautiful. Just choose someone!”
PS: I will feed you, even though you are an outcast. You are still my son, even if your god has turned against you.
— A Sumerian parent to their son 4,000 years ago