Publishing from the Top of the Mountain

     That seems like an appropriate title. The endeavor to publish companion editions to the Stage Musical seemed like a good idea. More than that, it falls under the category of essential, in terms of building an audience. But the truth of the matter is that; these editions are stand alone Illustrated Storybooks. 

An early prototype 

of one version.

   I have described this project numerous times in this blog, so I won't do that again. Suffice it to say that publishing this collection of Seven Books, combined with the goal of producing the Stage Musical, is very much like climbing the tallest mountain you can find. Of course, when one starts out on the climb, one is energetic, enthusiastic and the task does not seem to be as daunting as it clearly is in reality. The trap is that after one passes the halfway mark it becomes "six of one and a half a dozen of the other" only one choice ends with success and the other ends with failure. With one choice you have the hope of recovering your investment while the other ends up in a write off. 

   So there really is no choice. One must endure, and endure is the right word for it, because what started out as a joyful expression of creativity has turned out to be a battle of the Will to endure the challenge of reaching the finish line.

    It's sad, really, that such an effort becomes a burden. I know that I cannot allow myself to get distracted from the mission, otherwise the effort will end up sitting there, unfinished and eventually forgotten in the ravages of time.

   I'm feeling this way because, as I near the end of the collection, publishing it only as an Industry Review document, I see how much I have yet to do. The artwork that was installed into the pages of the books are clearly unfinished, although they looked just fine, having been placed there with the intent that they were finished.

   But now, after refining the layout with certain embellishments to the artwork,  returning to the previous work, to add those embellishments, it is clear that there is still much to be done to that artwork to make it acceptable. It brings about the epitome of frustration. But one must go on. I am nearing the end of this stage, which will bring about the numerous registrations that are required to place the product lines into the hands of professionals and investors, but also posture the finished products for the marketplace.

   The other day, we were watching Disney's "Tangled". What a wonderful film that is. I don't quite imagine "The Gnomes of New Hope" in that light, but it might be nice.

  So, onward and upward, to reach the summit. It's not far away now. But I think I need to set up camp, rest awhile and regain my strength for the last leg of this massive endeavor.

AG 🎭🙏