I copied a map out of a book and made some marks on it last night, then scanned it and sent it to the house artist. From those lowly elements he plans to construct a handsome original chart, for the benefit of those who remain unsure which hemisphere Greenland is located in. So that’s done, from my end.

I also got a chance to look at some prospective covers, a part of the project also still “in process.” I think I’m going to get a picture of a Viking ship on the cover, which is the main thing for me. In my opinion there is nothing on earth cooler than a Viking ship. Ninjas? Ha! We laugh at ninjas.

It looks as if this is going to be the most expensive book I’ve ever written. It appears that it will be what’s called a “trade paperback.” That’s one of those big paperbacks they sell you (the small, old-fashioned kind are called “mass market paperbacks”). The price looks to be about $25.00. I have a hard time imagining anyone paying twenty-five bucks for anything written by me, but Nordskog thinks that’s the way to go, and I assume they know their business. Sometimes people want a thing more when you ask more for it, so I’ll wait and see. Also, I know there are reasons, having to do with the bookselling business, why trade paperbacks are more cost effective for publishers.

Someday, hardcover!