The Dread Machine
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Darkness Blooms: Proof Review
🕑 Added 2023-04-11 21:19:16 +0000 UTCToday, I'm finalizing proofs for Darkness Blooms. My process here is generally pretty straightforward: I pore over every single millimeter of each edition (epub, paperback, hardcover), and if I discover an error, I mark it and circle the page number in red pen. Once the errors are discovered, I open up the files and make the necessary corrections before re-uploading the files.
This should be the last pass before publication. Each story went through several rounds of edits before the drafts were finalized, and I carefully checked every word when I formatted the interior. Then, Monica, the authors, and a few trusted slushers proofed the PDF, resulting in a (relatively) squeaky clean proof.
Typically, if the virtual proof review looks clean after I upload the new files, we're good to go to print, but as you can see, we've got some pretty glaring cover issues to resolve first.
The art printed too dark, and it needs to be shifted to the right a bit. The shift is an easy fix, but the color issue wasn't (and isn't) present on the virtual proof review. Yorgos and I suspect this might be due to the way our printing company (KDP) automatically converts the art to a different colorspace (CMYK) than the one they require (RGB).
FFS. 🤦♀️
So, I spent an hour reading different forum posts and tweaking some settings before re-exporting and re-uploading. As you can see, the colors look like they should print properly. If they don't, I'll have to jump down our printer's throat, which could result in yet another publication delay, but obviously, we can't commit to ordering our first run until the cover looks the way it's supposed to.
That said, the EPUB and the print interiors are ready to go, so we can check those off our list! Even if the print editions are a bit delayed, the all buyers will get the digital versions on release day, May 1st. 🥳
