Cruise Blurbs From Above

I have had a couple of exciting days regarding my book! Cruise Confidential is at that interesting stage where it is almost published: the typeset galleys are being produced right now and they are compiling lists of who they want to send some too. This includes those who would be potentially interested in writing a blurb about it, or perhaps some sort of acclaim. They leave a few pages open at the front that are called the acclaim pages.

Acclaim from whom, you ask? Fortunately I have publishers who really wants to sink their teeth into this project. They have already obtained a promise from a colleague of theirs who is currently tramping across the South Pacific, the charming editor-angel Jennifer Leo, of "Sand in My Bra" fame. They have a promise to read by the impressive Mr. Troost, author of "Sex Lives of Cannibals". This is exciting, but I was blown away by the agreement of the creative genius Doug Lansky. Not only did he read Cruise Confidential, but he endorsed it with a fantastic acclaim that was as charming, witty, and sharp as he is. He had some great ideas for how to sell the book, and we are thrilled to have him. After all, he is a National Geographic award winning author who has hosted TV shows for the Travel Channel and the Discovery Channel.

And today, as if it couldn't get any better, my publisher Larry Habegger has actually gotten an accepted invitation to read Cruise Confidential from none other than Bill Bryson himself! This is the big daddy of all travel writers, whose first book (A Walk in the Woods) is being made into a movie by a little-known actor/director by the name of Robert Redford. Yep. Now, it's a long shot that he will have the time to write a blurb, but his agreement to read it speaks volumes to the tenacity of my publishers, the robustness of their connections, and the unique nature of the book itself.
But man oh man, this is an exciting time.