Scripting the NL7 Print Proof

In my last update, I mentioned that I had to redo a lot of my formatting work because I switched from Windows to Linux and could no longer use Adobe products. Well, I’m happy to report that I think I may have finished the interior layout for my print proof of Nine Lies Book 7 using LaTeX!

I normally wouldn’t use a print proof this early on in my editing, but I am really missing Scrivener and its convenient color coding, labels, and at-a-glance organizers when I’m editing. Trying to edit on the computer using anything else has so far been incredibly subpar, so finally I decided I should just make a print proof and edit the book that way.

I think Book 7 still has quite a ways to go before it’s ready to be published, but I’m happy I decided to create a print proof because it gave me an excuse to work on my automation script.

I wrote a Python script that takes my manuscript files, organizes them into chapters and scenes, and converts them into LaTeX, leaving me with relatively minimal formatting to deal with. This will make it much, much easier to make the print proofs of Nine Lies Books 8 and 9 when the time comes.

In the meantime, I still need to make a cover for Book 7 before I can order the print proof, so I guess it’s time for me to learn GIMP.