By the pricking of my thumbs, something wicked this way comes.
For those wonderful and supportive people who’ve been following my quest to self-publish my first book, I am pleased to report yet another milestone. With the generous help of some wonderful fellow bloggers, I was able to do a multiple proof read of the original galley proof and send the marked-up galley .pdf back to FriesenPress.com for revision. The revised galley proof made it into my inbox today.
Unless I want to pony up more money, this is the 2nd and final revision round in my “all-inclusive” package with FriesenPress. (Which implies that it is actually an almost-but-not-quite-all-inclusive package, but I suppose they’ve got a business to think about.)
My goal is to have this revised galley proof reviewed for errors and typos (I’ve already seen two minor ones), and to have it back to FriesenPress.com within one week.
Anyone who would like to help proof read please fire me an email at themirrorbooks@gmail.com. You don’t have to proof the entire book. Even one chapter would be really helpful, and we can spread these around.
Even if you don’t want to proof, if you’re interested in having a read, fire me an email anyways, and I’ll send you the galley proof. Or, if you’re an existing test reader in progress, fire me an email to wake me up, and I’ll send you the latest and best version.
Here is what University of Ottawa Professor of English Janice Fiamengo had to say about the manuscript when she read it back in the fall (2013):
I spent the past weekend with your book. It is excellent: your patient and blow-by-blow recounting of the hell you endured makes for a very gripping reading experience.
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Janice is a magnificent woman who used to be a devoted feminist for noble reasons, but who later left the movement when she saw through its false scholarship and learned of the rampant harm it was doing to men, children, and society. Janice now courageously writes and speaks against feminism.
I’m saving the rest of all my wonderful test readers’ feedback for a later post. However, if you like any of autobiographies, human interest, scandal, intrigue, gender politics, triumph over adversity, amazing new ideas, or dishing the dirt on “psycho chicks,” odds are you’ll find this book a difficult one to put down. Even more so if you are not a fan of feminism.
For all those people who’ve helped me and supported me in this, what you’ve done in this means more to me than words can say. Thank you. I don’t think it is an exaggeration to suggest that this book may be the most controversial of its generation.
You are part of bringing it to life.
The Mirror 
Cool Nav 🙂
And a mail coming your way.
Got it, with thanks! One reply email and one galley proof email coming your way.
I’m so happy for you Nav. This is just so exciting 😀
Thanks, Sue. Let me know if you’ve ever the interest and the time for a look at it.
I’ve always got the interest my friend – it’s this stupid little thing called time that gets me. 😉
Otherwise I’d say ‘yes’. I’m still only halfway through your original.
Fantastic Nav! I don’t feel qualified to do a very good job proofing however I will be praying for you to meet your goal to get it back to FriesenPress in a week!
It’s all good Micheal, coming together nicely 🙂
I vouch for the controversy bit, more action and drama than TNT. Sadly all true, but I believe our world is so ready for these realities.
Everyman may have his own truth, but no one will deny glaring truths in this book, and no one will fail to acknowledge the gross misconducts and abuse going on everyday in our court rooms, while people keep calm:All in the name of sisterhood. Will definitely resonate with many, who have fallen victim to the unfairness of the judicial system.( You know they are all similar in different countries too…must be a conspiracy).
Good luck dear, I’m so looking forward to reading the published one 🙂
So good to see your lovely presence around these parts again, Dotta. Hopefully we can BOTH read each others published books in the very near future.
I do hope the book is successful in exposing the systemic injustices that you speak of. It’s gone on far too long, and there are far too many children being hurt, especially. That is the saddest part.
Now this IS exciting. Congratulations again.
Thanks so much, Dave. Much appreciated. Yes, it is exciting, although I try to stay calm and level-headed.
Can’t wait to read it! All the best!
There should be some emails in your inbox, Shirely. };-)>
Lovely 🙂
Nav – I was reading your book on the plane both to and from Johannesburg yesterday and I am loving it – I picked up one error but this is one of the first proofs I think so maybe you can send me the more up to date one and I will help – of course. It is so compelling – I am loving it!
So glad you’re enjoying it, Mich. Coming up shortly.
I’d love to take a read Michael… can you send it through to my email you have…
Hello, Barbara. Thanks for your interest, coming up as soon as I find your email address.
Done, my dear Barbara.
Very gratifying to know that you set this ambitious goal and met it. It is like having a baby, in some ways. Congratulations.
Thank you, Beth. Yes, it certainly has proven to be one of the larger projects of my life in terms of duration and effort.
Interesting analogy. Yes, it is a bit like expecting a new child. Excitement, yet a little anxiety too as to whether or not things will go perfectly, and exactly when the “big moment” will occur.
I suppose that makes me a bit of an expectant father at the tender age of 48!
I wish I had the time to help you (I’ve been in your shoes and it is nerve-wracking to say the least0, but my world is under siege from multiple forces these days. I shall endeavor to support you soon, though, my friend, this I promise you.
No worries, Monsieur Hook. Well do I know what being busy is like. Your promise is a cheque that I can take to the bank, in my books. Thanks so much for your kind support, which is very much appreciated.
Dear Stephen,
I am housesitting this weekend; will give it a read-through for you, my friend.
Susan Irene Fox http://www.susanirenefox.com https://twitter.com/susanirenefox
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit,” says the Lord Almighty. Zechariah 4:6
On it’s way, Susan. You’re an angel!
Gallies make it real.. 🙂
Do they ever. }:-)>
I am so pleased for you and wish you every success..
I can’t wait to get my copy!!! 🙂
Thank you, Waiting. There’s a signature in there somewhere too, as I recall.
There better be a signature and personal message (I’m demanding, I know). 😉
But worth it.
🙂
😉 yep
Soon! Soon! Soon! I shall answer the haunting calls from my inbox!
Hello, Madam Aussa! I’ll send you the latest galley proof. Fewer typos, and a nice book layout.
Auuuusssssssaaaaaaa………. *nav has coughing fit of laughter, but it’s worth it*
It is I who need a kick in the pants for missing this post!
Nav Sir – well done.
I offer to read – I believe you have enough? 😉 – I believe you can still send it by the by – Let me know which chapters are likely to be troubled – so I start there?
Things should quiet Anon.
Take care Chief.
Coming up, dearest IW! No worries about any delay whatsoever. }:-))>
😀 OK Nav – Very exciting – and busy 😉
wonderful news! sorry i am not a fast reader but i can already tell you have written a great book, it grabs my emotions and gives them a damn good shake!
LWS, So nice of you to drop by. Thanks for your kind comment regarding the book. Absolutely no worries about it–take all the time in the world. Yes, the book does appear to really resonate with readers, which is a good thing. It’s wonderful that I have received feedback such as this, as it allowed me to gauge that I had written it effectively. It has the effect on readers that I had hoped for, but one is never really sure until the readers tell you that it is so.
Of course, with a true story like the one I have, it would be hard to write an account of it that wasn’t gripping.
Very happy for you!
Thank you. If you’re ever interested in reading it pre-release, please email me at themirrorbooks@gmail.com, and I can send you the .pdf galley proof ebook. The non-fiction work is said to be a gripping read by test readers, and it lays the groundwork for understanding feminism as a narcissistic subset of what the late social critic Christopher Lasch wrote about in his book “The Culture of Narcissism.”
JF’s testimony is wonderful. Go, go, go NAV! (Augh. You made me use the cliché exclamation.)
Synchronicity, Madam Wayfarer! It was but an instant ago that I left a comment on one of your posts at Harsh Reality.
Thanks so much for your enthusiastic words of encouragement, Diana. I do hope to produce a book worthy of your attention.
Nav, this is wonderful news and so very exciting. I have a habit of saying, yes, I’ll do such and such and then have to make poor excuses for not being able to do it. So, I wish I could help you, I really do but I wouldn’t be doing you any favours as I am pushed for time in so many ways at the moment. It seems that you have plenty of offers to help which is fantastic. I hope I can make it up to you by awarding you The Lighthouse Award. You can read what I said about you and why I nominated you for this personal award here:
Congratulations Nav in ever sense of the word – Sherri
Sherri,
Thanks so much for the kind honour which you have bestowed upon me, and perhaps even more so for the kind words at your blog. I accept with humility and gratitude, although it may be a bit before I can get to processing it.
Well do I know what it’s like when life decides that one should be busy! No worries about the galley proof, as some rather wonderful people have and are working behind the scenes to ensure as many of my little typos and errors are caught as possible.
I think the book will prove to be a lighthouse that illuminates some topics that certain people would rather they remain shrouded in the darkness of lies and deceit.
I’m just over halfway through the version you sent me.
Geeze what a hellish, harrowing experience. The sooner the book is out there in front of as many eyes as possible, the better. It’s a fine piece of work, very readable, accessible and informative.
Hi, M.K. Thanks for the interim feedback, which is much appreciated, as are your kind words.
Halfway? The best is yet to come.
(Off topic here). I recently read on a woman’s marriage website where some men and some women were joining in on a discussion of all the ills of feminism.
Just a question, why do we think that it is okay to discuss to the extreme, women not following Biblical commands, but we hardly ever say anything anything to Christian men who are male chauvenists ,carry many sins and undesirable behavior, and go against God’s Word? Where is that type discussion?
The flow of the discussion seem to imply that women are the only ones who sin and that women are so terrible. But wait, no person discusses chauvenism and male egos in as much length as you see against feminism. Man made doctrines that point out only women’s sins and ignore men’s sins, have run rampant every since the beginning of time. Look at the conflict and sin of Cain killing Abel.
Thanks for your comment, Zayle. When one examines contemporary feminism critically, it is a false prophetess. It’s foundations are hateful ideology and false scholarship. Sadly, it has become a dominant influence in our societies to varying degrees.
I suspect feminism may draw the attention of Christian commenters due to the fact that feminism actively treats monotheistic religion as being a form of oppression. There is no male equivalent that preaches that Christianity, for example, is a form of slavery for men. Hence, the dialogue is focussed on the social movement that seeks to undermine it.
However, you do have a valid point, in that there is equal obligation to insist that men and women adhere to biblical direction for relations between them if one subscribes to a Biblical religion.
Congratulations! Looking forward to reading it – though I expect I’ll have to do it when the cats are out. I’m anticipating some shouting at the pages may be involved… 😉
Thank you, YinaM. I’d love to read yours too, but if you’re like me, finding the time for pleasure reading will be a challenge.
I don’t think you’ll be shouting. Too much. }:-)>
Hello! I’m very glad that you are happy with your book! I am actually the Book Designer that created your cover proofs at FriesenPress … It made my day when I saw the great comment you left on one of the proofs “New York Times best seller” material. Thank you!
Hi Shay, wonderful to have you drop by. Yes, I was and still am taken with the chosen cover design of the two you did. Your translation of the suggestion of reflecting text on the cover has resulted in superb symbolism. The book delves into how narcissism manifests in women and how the narcissistic phenomenon of “mirroring” tends to manifest differently in female narcissists than in male narcissists. So, the distorted and slightly evil mirroring effect in near lipstick red really does the job. It also provides the visual metaphor to link the title–The Mirror, Book One: Welcome to the Evil Sisterhood–to the book’s text.
If you’re ever interested in the test reader feedback, fire me an email at themirrorbooks@gmail.com sometime. Oh, I haven’t done a cover reveal with the chosen design here yet. I did do a post with the 2nd place design.
Cheers.
I’ve been getting great test reader feedback, which suggests the book could achieve some degree of popular success.
Am I too late? I love to have a read through…
You, ML? Never. Fire me an email at themirrorbooks@gmail.com when you’re ready.
#YayBananas I”ll flick you through an email when I get home…
That is great news.
I have the feeling, that feminism somewhere along the line forgot to integrate itself into the the mainstream movement in favor of human rights.
They originally wanted the same. Due to the universality of said rights they are not predominantly postulated to benefit men or women but rather both.
To juxtapose in opposition genders is an insidious trick to divert attention from those who should feel the justified anger of all manifestations the human race allows itself to appear in.
One is not oppressed by all men or all women. Rather by a few. Blowback is inevitable when putting a large group of people under general suspicion.
I am with you on the judiciary front. If you are a man in this system you are pretty much fucked, if you would like to prevent a general suffering from social repercussions.
My tip? Do not marry. These days the dice have already been rolled and the man looses.
I look forward getting to know you book 😉
Jonah, I think you’re going to enjoy the thesis that I discovered and developed, as well at the narrative method in which I share this.
If you can live with some typos, you’re always welcome to read the manuscript ahead of the book coming out. themirrorbooks@gmail.com if you’re interested, no worries if you aren’t.
You inpsire me Nav – and I am blessed to be in on the accounts of this journey – I am rooting for you all the way! 😉
Bleugh – excuse all those spelling errors but I have been typing for over 7 hours and my fingers and eyes are not working together
You are a genuine sweetheart, Mich. Thanks for all the support.
Always!
}:-)>