Word Count - The First Grey Colson Novel "Code of Misconduct"

Re: Word Count - The First Grey Colson Novel (title withheld)

The Publisher contacted me yesterday and said I should be receiving the eidt and suggested changes in two weeks. I look forward to seeing their recommendations 8)
 
Re: Word Count - The First Grey Colson Novel (title withheld)

February 01, 2012

I just received the first of 3 edits from the publisher. I will be busy doing a review...El Funno! :DN
 
Re: Word Count - The First Grey Colson Novel (title withheld)

Grey Colson said:
It's about 6 months away....Are my peeps going to read it?

I'm going to update Grey's Blog Saturday. I hope a few of you will visit the site and check it out. Don't make me turn to only Daytona people to check out the book :Stick
Click to expand...

Imma read it.
 
Re: Word Count - The First Grey Colson Novel (title withheld)

I'm anxiously awaiting the release!!
 
Re: Word Count - The First Grey Colson Novel (title withheld)

The adjustments were made on the first edit as suggested by the publisher and sent back today. The second edit is now underway and the actual cover concept will begin immediately. I'm very anxious to see what their artist comes up with. The publisher likes the idea of a badge (star) on the cover. I'm good with that, but I also want a beach background (theme). It will be interesting to see what they come up with.

:suntn :suntn :suntn
 
Re: Word Count - The First Grey Colson Novel (title withheld)

Here's my cover idea. A really great shot of the beach with the waves gently rolling in. On the upper left corner of the shot, you have the sheriff's badge. On the beach, you have the drawn outline of a dead body. Like a chalk outline, but it looks like someone took a stick and drew the outline.
 
Re: Word Count - The First Grey Colson Novel (title withheld)

Foxmeister said:
Here's my cover idea. A really great shot of the beach with the waves gently rolling in. On the upper left corner of the shot, you have the sheriff's badge. On the beach, you have the drawn outline of a dead body. Like a chalk outline, but it looks like someone took a stick and drew the outline.
Click to expand...

Some of those are my ideas also. although I must admit I didn't think of the outline in the sand...Really Cool! :DN

The thing is, the contract gives the publisher final say in the matter. I did request they go with a "star", not a "shield". I'm not familiar with any Sheriff's Offices that use a shield. I also suggested the beach theme. Brighton employes a graphic designer and he appears to do good work. I'm VERY anxious to see what he comes up with. :suntn
 
Re: Word Count - The First Grey Colson Novel (title withheld)

They could always put a starfish by the outline. :laugh
 
Re: Word Count - The First Grey Colson Novel (title withheld)

My sister commented on that Face Place to one of my updates. She said she didn't realize how much went into the publishing process. To be honest, I didn't know just several months ago. I felt the same way when the Pioneers were recording CD's. I thought you just showed up and sang the song a few times. Boy, was I wrong! :eek:

I wonder how many people who think they know SO much about writing really know how much work and re-work and re-writing and editing goes into a novel? I'm beginning to think there are at least a few. I wonder if they realize that even the most famous authors have editors, or do they actually believe they scribe flawless masterpieces on scratch paper that their publisher can pump out without any editing at all?

I'm beginning to understand why the publisher I'm working with cautioned against letting ANY of the manuscript out prior to publication. Of course by then it was too late. I won't make that mistake again.....if there is an "again" in my future.
 
Re: Word Count - The First Grey Colson Novel (title withheld)

Anxiously awaiting the first printing (and my autographed copy)!! I know it will be awesome!! :cheer1
 
I've actually deliberated avoided this thread so I could read the finished product all at one time. :D
 
Re: Word Count - The First Grey Colson Novel (title withheld)

Grey Colson said:
My sister commented on that Face Place to one of my updates. She said she didn't realize how much went into the publishing process. To be honest, I didn't know just several months ago. I felt the same way when the Pioneers were recording CD's. I thought you just showed up and sang the song a few times. Boy, was I wrong! :eek:

I wonder how many people who think they know SO much about writing really know how much work and re-work and re-writing and editing goes into a novel? I'm beginning to think there are at least a few. I wonder if they realize that even the most famous authors have editors, or do they actually believe they scribe flawless masterpieces on scratch paper that their publisher can pump out without any editing at all?

I'm beginning to understand why the publisher I'm working with cautioned against letting ANY of the manuscript out prior to publication. Of course by then it was too late. I won't make that mistake again.....if there is an "again" in my future.
Click to expand...
I plan on making millions off the original copy when yours hits the best seller list. :whistle
 
I put out feelers to a couple of friends to write a forword for the book. One to former Congressman Bob Barr and the other is to a fabulous instructor, former LAPD Deputy Chief Lou Reiter. If both accept, I'll probably want to include both...Bobb Barr's office has indicated they are interested, but he will be in trial for a couple more weeks...Maybe I'll just let it be a surprise ;D
 
FOREWORD​

Why do some cops turn bad? Men and women become cops for various reasons. Many are simply looking for a job that’s somewhat steady, pays well, sounds exciting and is a change from the cubicle. Others are driven by a sense of calling; to be a protector and serve their community. But then there are the few who look at the role of a cop to get laid, steal what they can, and use the badge to reinforce their personal prejudices.

Most people in police work say you weed the bad ones out at the frontend, during the hiring process. Their background and job experiences will predict those who will most likely become bad cops. The psychological screening will find the deviants. Many times this is true. In law enforcement each time we lower our entrance requirements we know that 3 to 5 years down the road we’ll face the residue and cancers from that knee jerk reaction to get more warm bodies into the police cars.

Yet, many of the really bad, nasty cops are successful candidates at the frontend. They have stellar backgrounds. They are often church going family men and women. But the nature of the job changes them. The hard drinking. The access to easy or vulnerable women. The cutting of corners and trashing the Constitution because of their belief that the “Noble Cause” serves the community and only scum, dirt bags, and criminals are affected. The access that the badge suddenly gives them entrée to money, sex and power!

Police misconduct and bad cops aren’t found only in the big, urban cities. It permeates even the smallest agencies. It can be found in farm country, idyllic communities and those that few outsiders ever get to. Most police or sheriff agencies never make the local newspaper’s front page with a scandal. Others seem to fight each other to get a more atrocious scandal. So what seems to determine why some are successful and others are not.

The departments that rarely face scandals are well-run. The Chief or Sheriff sets the tone. The Chief or Sheriff knows what’s happening in the field when his cops are out there alone, often without any supervision. The Chief of Sheriff continuously talks with their officers; asks about their personal life; knows the good deeds each one has accomplished in the past week. This kind of Chief or Sheriff puts on the same uniform the field guys wear and not just for a press conference. The Chief will be with the street cop on routine calls, not just the hot calls. This Chief or Sheriff demands the same from every other supervisor and manager in the department. They all care about their people and their community.

And what about the departments that seem to continuously have scandals and breed bad cops? The Chief or Sheriff in these departments may have an open door policy, but is never in. He’s constantly out politicking, worrying about their job, wondering whether he has a majority at the next Commission meeting. This Chief or Sheriff hogs the limelight and news media events at the expense of the cops actually doing their job. This Chief or Sheriff only comments on things that went wrong and never seems to even know the good things the field cops are doing. This Chief or Sheriff wouldn’t even know how to audit the work of his cops or special units, either because he never did the job or has forgotten.

And then there’s the Internal Affairs Unit who’s supposed to police the police. In the well-run police department this unit knows that complaints, even from the dirt bags and criminals, are valuable information. Bad cops usually abuse those who are have little or no credibility and are on the marginal side of the community; not the bankers or PTA presidents. The well-run IA Unit sees their job as being impartial fact-finders. They work as hard to protect the name of good cops as they do to uncover misconduct or mistakes. They treat complainants and cops equally and professionally. They are the guards who protect the reputation of the Chief, Sheriff and agency. The Chief or Sheriff in the well-run agency knows that IA protects his back and aren’t just yes men who pats their backs.

In the malignant police agencies the Internal Affairs Unit is either nonexistent, works only to clear officers, or is known to be simply “badge/tin collectors” or “headhunters,” getting a thrill when they uncover a cop who makes a mistake or is caught engaging in wrongdoing. IA in these agencies abuse citizen complainants. These agencies create hurdles for anyone who might be interested in filing a complaint.

In every police or sheriff department, other cops know the bad cops. They know the skirt chasers, the heavy handed brutal cops, those who make “hummer” or bad arrests, those who are on the take, the cops who sleep through the shift, and the ones who are racists, homophobic, or sexist. All anyone has to do is mingle with the cops and keep your ears and eyes open. The bad cops often believe no one is looking and no one cares. When no one looks or cares, the bad cops now control the agency.

"Lou Reiter Deputy Chief (Retired) Los Angeles Police Department."
 
You know....this thing isn't sounding too bad. You might be amazed at the transformation Code of Conduct is going through. I'd sure like to see one of Lee Child's first drafts of one of his Jack Reacher novels. Something tells me it is NOTHING like the finished product.

The book is not finished with it's second publisher's edit, but it is in eBook format, which I have been enjoying reading. I have some sheet music, written on legal paper, that Andrew Ishie (Former Kingsmen Pianist) drafted for me during a recording session. It's looks pretty rough, but it sure turned out to be a great song. The same holds true for book manuscripts. I'm really surprised how well it has polished up....even if I say so myself.
 
Thanks you guys. I let daugher Colson take a look at the early eBook format. She really likes it. That makes it all worth it. It's looking like a real book now. ;D
 
MAN! I was sent a Way Cool cover concept by Brighton this afternoon. It's in PDF, so I couldn't load it to display here....yet. As soon as it's official, I'll post a pic :DN
 
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