There was a final look through the most recent round of pages last week, and she turned in the acknowledgements on Friday. I read them myself (and cried in public)
So with that, Mary Beth has completed her book. What a journey. This means the September release is solid. Seen the write up on Amazon.com? A handy link here.
Our friends from Revelle/Baker are in town for meetings with Mary Beth tomorrow.
Oh, and have you seen this yet? Here's the final cover.
And before anyone asks... yes there was photoshopping done... on Steven.
Steven's head is actually from a different photo.
Mary Beth has minimal retouching... actually it's focused on fixes having to do with how cold it was on the day we shot (outside) And on the neckless, to insure we could honor Maria.
If you think she looks fake... Could it be jealousy? :-) Have you ever seen her in real life? That's her.
Posted by: Jim | June 01, 2010 at 02:52 PM
I'm really looking forward to Reading this. I'm still struggling to cope with the lost of my daughter in 2008. Drawing strength and faith wherever I can xx
Posted by: Sara | June 01, 2010 at 02:56 PM
She is loved, and she shows it:)
What a loving woman of God.
Looking forward to seeing MBC and SCC at WOF in Philly in September. Hope to get the book there and get it autographed!
Mary Beth, thank you for your transparency.
With love and prayers,
Cathy in Philly, Pa
Posted by: Christ4mect | June 01, 2010 at 04:09 PM
Wonder why Jim felt he had to add that "jealously" comment. Was that suppose to be funny?
Posted by: Linda | June 01, 2010 at 04:11 PM
Looks pretty dang perfect to me. Eagerly look forward to Sept. release. Keep up the great work, Jim!
Posted by: Di Ryan | June 01, 2010 at 04:39 PM
Linda, "Jealousy" sentence is here because there's been much commentary... some rather critical, internally and externally on how there was too much photoshop, and also how there was too little photoshop.
Also, see :-) that follows the word "Jealousy." Yes, a fun approach what we attempt here.
Posted by: Jim | June 01, 2010 at 05:03 PM
Can't wait to read it!!!!
Posted by: Vanessa (from Nebraska) | June 01, 2010 at 05:39 PM
Beautiful cover! I remember reading all the controversy surrounding your first sneak peek at the cover back whenever that was, so I understand the explanation. I can't wait to read the book, yet I'm almost afraid to read it....such an emotional journey and so badly wishing they could have a do-over on that day Maria went to heaven. Praying God will use this tragedy and this book to show hope to the many people who need it!
Posted by: Patty | June 01, 2010 at 08:02 PM
I LOVE IT!!! Mary Beth Is Beautiful inside and out! Everyone who is a part of anything Chapman will truly understand how much love there is and how amazing it is to be a part of this special family of about 2 zillion people... so happy that the book will be out because of all the wonderful blessing that will come in response to it... after the flood...the rainbow... somewhere over the rainbow a little someone will be smiling =)
Posted by: Rosemary Roman | June 01, 2010 at 08:32 PM
The cover is beautiful, but this is not the first look at the cover that you posted before. In that photo, MB did look fake and not herself. In this one, she looks herself and amazingly so! I don't think it was jealously before being expressed by most of the people when they said she looked fake. I think we all wanted to see the real Mary Beth, which is what you have done with this cover.
Posted by: T | June 03, 2010 at 07:34 PM