Writing complete. Editing complete. Formatting and layout complete. Proofreading complete. Front and back cover design complete. Release date is scheduled for February 28. The only thing left is printing. I order five hundred books to have on hand for my speaking engagements. I am told my shipment will arrive in four to six weeks.
Six weeks pass and I still have no books. I contact the publisher to inquire about my order. I am told that there have been some delays because the company was moving some overseas operations back into the United States. After week seven passed I started getting concerned. Some research on the internet revealed numerous complaints against the company in the past couple of months. The Better Business Bureau and the state's attorney general had heard from quite a number of people. According to the internet Tate Publishing closed its doors last Friday.
An interview from a local television station in Oklahoma City said that the company had served over 39,000 authors through the years. The CEO said they had just not recovered since the economic downturn. He went on to say that the closing of the publishing company primarily impacts the several hundred authors who have works currently in progress. Unfortunately, I am one of those several hundred directly impacted. I seem to have a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Once I figure out what my next step will be, I'll let you know. Part of me thinks I need to pray for patience through all of this. The other part of me is scared to do that. It would simply be nice for things to flow smoothly just for a little bit.