Here's a little information about the process of getting my book Togo to press. I'll begin at the point where I have completed the story and art, handed them in to my publisher and all has been approved. Because the art for this book was done on large canvases with oil paints, special care was required to get an image that would print correctly. To insure this my publisher had "chromes", or large slides, made. An image of each painting was later reduced to the same size as each page in the book.
Soon after I received the first "proofs", or sample pages. Proofs are, in a sense, a practice run for the book. The publisher printed samples of the whole book and then the designer and I went over them to make sure everything would print correctly.

     
When the proofs arrived, the designer and I looked at them carefully. We put notes on them where we want things changed. A note might say, "More yellow here," or ""Less contrast here." Next will come second proofs which will allow us to see how well the changes will work. Then the book will be sent all the way to South China for printing.

     
A month later the second proofs have arrived. They looked pretty good, an unwanted spot here and there and the color a little too cool on some pages, but basically ready. We put our notes on them and we my designer agreed to have one more set of proofs made just to make sure all is right for the presses.

     
The third proofs looked fine. Clean, good contrast and strong color. TOGO was ready to go to press!

     
Waiting....waiting....waiting. TOGO had been printed, but I wondered, "When will I receive the "F & G"s?"
Oh, "F & G's"- sounds fancy, but it just means "Folded and Gathered", a first press copy of the book that is not hard bound yet.

     
The "F & G's" arrived. Wow- great printing job- thanks printers! Thanks to my designer, Semadar! Thanks to Cecilia, who took it to press!
*****NEWS FLASH*********
The Junior Library Guild has decided to publish their special version of the book. TOGO has friends already!
I sent some copies of the F & G's to my friends in Alaska. Oh, and also to Barbara from a museum who helped me get the feel of my story.
Next was the hard part- waiting for the first printed hard bound copy.

     
Finally my first hard bound copy of TOGO arrived. I began working on this story January 7, 2000- It has taken two years and three months to reach this day, the day I finally have a printed and bound copy in my hands. But it has been worth it. TOGO was a very special dog and I hope that I have created a book worthy of him.
My dog, Spree, sure likes it.
Good luck, TOGO.

June 2002 Here it is- the official TOGO poster. Now, if only all dogs could be as courageous as Togo was.       2005- 2006 GOOD NEWS!!! Togo has won the following awards: *The Texas Bluebonnet Award *The Washington State Children's Choice Award *2004 Great Lakes Great Books Award, Michigan *Nebraska's Golden Sower Award *North Carolina Children's Book Award Togo has been nominated for: The Volunteer State Award, Tennessee The Land of Enchantment Award, New Mexico Georgia Children's Literature Award Delaware Diamonds Award Louisiana Young Reader's Choice Award 2005 Colorado Children's Book Award Also: 2003 American Library Association Notable Book Silver Medal from Parent's Choice IRA Teacher's Choices 2003 Bank Street College's Best Children's Books Smithsonian Magazine Notable Book 2003 Thanks everybody! And I must say, you folks in Texas sure are friendly. Thanks for all your hospitality during Bluebonnet Awards Week and at every one of the many schools I visited!