When Sh!t happens to hurt your pride

I thought I was superwoman. Over the Christmas holidays, I finished revisions on A Lion's Pride and managed to wrap up and close out everything needed for my publication release date (as advertised) on January 6th, 2026.

I waited a few weeks before uploading my core files to Ingram Spark. I was waiting until I received a proof copy from Amazon for one. For two, I wanted the hardcover to arrive at my US ARC reader's destination so that I could get another's opinion before proceeding.

At some point, I created PDF files for the cover of A Lion's Pride for use with Ingram. But I received news from my ARC reader, that the 1 and 2 did not line up in the print copies. Wishing to fix this for my locally printed copies, I edited the master files.

This is where I will inject context: I write and publish my books as if I'm having an affair from my handsome husband and a second family from my wonderful three kids. I steal every moment that's available and have the guilty pleasure of knowing I've done something for myself, just for myself, for me alone. I often ask them their opinions but they're not always supportive of the competition. So on occasion, I miss those checks and balances.

So, copying the original A Lion's Head master onto the A Lion's Pride Master... and then being called away without finalizing... thinking I had finalized, and sending the files out...

... not catching the error when I was checking the proofs the print company and Ingram Spark send me...

and this is what happens—queue unboxing video...