Manuscript Finally Finished

The manuscript I have been working on for more than a year is now in the capable hands of my editor. For the next few weeks, I will take a break from the editing and rewriting that has dominated my life.

The manuscript, the fourth book in the John Ross Boomer Lit Series, is 95k words. Over the course of a year, and 10 rewrites, it doubled in size. By the way, this is my 10th novel and 14th book. I may have to go out and celebrate when it's published and the pandemic is over. 

My goal was to finish by July 31. I did submit the manuscript on that date, but I must confess, that after sleeping on it, I resubmitted it this morning with a couple additions that tied together loose ends. I promised my editor she wouldn't be hearing from me with any changes, edits, and whatevers. The next move will be hers, when she returns it with edits, suggested edits, and whatnots. 

I was hoping this novel would see the light of day by the end of this year, but that's doubtful. It's my fault for dragging my butt for a few months. I'll keep you posted when I hear something from the publisher. 

Be sure and check out the August releases from Wings ePress including a new novel, Divine Rebel, from friend Tom Wallace as well as Thomas Fenske's Penumbra, and Peggy P. Parsons's Apitcote. 

The title of my new novel? I'll let you know once I sign a contract. 

Until the next time . . .

Manuscript is out of my hands (for a little while)

The manuscript for my next novel is out of my hands, thank goodness, even if only for a little while.

My Wings ePress editor had a few questions about my final edit, which I addressed, and returned to her yesterday. The manuscript now goes to a copy editor who will give the 71,500 words a deep read to find any typos, grammatical errors, and storyline inconsistencies. 

And when that's completed, I'll receive the galley proof for one last read for any minor mistakes (I sure don't want any major ones at this point). The manuscript will also be formatted for publication. 

In the meantime, I'll hear from a graphic artist about the book cover. I have already provided information to her about the book. I'm anxious to see her artistic interpretation of the novel. 

The novel is set to be released on May 1. Over the next few months, I'll be working, along with the publisher, on promotion and marketing. 

Steve Flairty

As an aside, my books were mentioned in an article about Kentucky books by Steve Flairty, a reviewer for the Northern Kentucky Tribune and Kentucky Monthly magazine.  You can read it here.  (Disclosure: I have edited  Steve's "Kentucky's Everyday Heroes" books.) 

Until the next time . . .

Manuscript Update: Time Off Before Edits

Since my last post, I traveled to New England to take in the fall colors and visit some scenic areas such as Acadia National Park in Maine and the White Mountains in New Hampshire.

Mark Twain House

I even made a stop at the Mark Twain house in Hartford, Ct., and Stephen King's home in Bangor, Me. 

Before I left on my short getaway, I sent my manuscript to my editor at Wings ePress. When I returned eight days later, I signed a contract for the third book in the John Ross Boomer Lit series. 

Stephen King's home

For those interested, the novel is tentatively scheduled for release in May 2019. The title? New Horizons. More about the book later.

She also had first edits for the novel and some recommendations to consider in my inbox.

Believe it or not, I haven't opened either document on my computer. She said there was no hurry, and I took her at her word. I needed to put some more distance being me and the manuscript, especially since I was preoccupied with other things at the time (I'm not the multi-tasker I used to be). 

I need a clear head when I delve into edits. I want to be as objective as possible when seeing edits and reading comments.  I want to view the manuscript as an editor, instead of as the author. I want to be in the mindset of editing the copy as if it were written by someone else. 

I've also got to provide the publisher with information to give the graphic artist an idea on how to approach the book cover. And I also have to write promotional blurbs, book dedication, and excerpts for marketing on websites. 

So there's a lot of work to be done in the coming months. I'll probably tackle the edits the first of next week since (with credit to Johnny Nash) "I can see clearly now" to move forward.

Until the next time . . . 

Progress Report: Back to the Manuscript (Galley Proof)

Another step has been completed on my soon-to-be-released novel—proofing the galley.

Since my last post, I've perused the galley for any typos, misspellings, grammatical goofs, and other corrections that need to be made before publication on Nov. 1 by Wings ePress.

As I've mentioned in other posts,  I have mixed feelings about reading the galley. The main aspect I dread is having to reread the novel—again! I've probably gone through it 15 times including rewrites and editors' suggested edits. For a work that's 93k words, you do the math.

But, on the positive side, seeing the manuscript in book form provides a fresh view about the story. I gain a stronger insight on how the novel flows. And in a new light, I might find a discrepancy, or two, that needs to be fixed. I found a couple that slipped by me on previous reads, and now they've been fixed.

While the ultimate goal is to clean up a manuscript to where it's 100 percent free of mistakes, that's probably an impossibility. I believe any author would tell you that, even those who are contract with the big publishing houses. Those little gremlins manage to pop up somewhere along the way, no matter how hard you try to find them. 

Now it's on to the cover art. I hope to share it with you in my next post.

Until the next time. . . . 

Progress Report-—Back to the Manuscript (Editing-Submitted)

I completed the edits, revisions, and rewrites to my upcoming novel. My editor will receive 190 pages this morning, and then forward it to the publisher, who will have someone proofread the 94k words.

And then it will come back to me in the galley proof for one last read. It will be the last time I can make any changes to the manuscript. 

But there's still more to do in the interim before the novel is released on Nov. 1. I'll have to work with the design artist on the cover, write a synopsis for marketing and promotion, and take care of dedication and acknowledgements.

In the meantime, I'm going to take a short break and then begin work on the third book in the Old Ways and New Days series. 

Until the next time. . . .

Progress Report -- Back to the Manuscript

About two months ago I emailed my completed manuscript to my publisher.  Yesterday, it came back with notes and edits. 

So it's back to work. 

7th annual Authors Fair in La Grange, Ky.

I must admit that I was kinda enjoying the break from the manuscript. I attended three book-signing events in April, selling a few books, expanding my network with other authors, engaging new readers, and making a few friends. 

I haven't opened the documents. I told my editor that it will probably be a few days before I delve into the contents that contain edits, suggestions, and grammatical and typo fixes that should tighten and strengthen the story. 

So why haven't I started the editing process? 

I need to be in the right frame of mind. It's not something that I can do for a few days, take a few days off, and go back to it. Once I get started, I go from beginning to end. I have to stay focused. I find it mentally exhausting, even though I know there will be a degree of exhilaration when it's over.

The novel, a sequel to "Old Ways and New Days," is scheduled to be released on Nov. 1. I don't plan to sit on the edits very long (maybe a day or two) because I have other things to do between now and then, such as work with the publisher on a cover, marketing and promotion. 

And once I finish the formal editing phase, which includes reviewing the galley proof,  I plan to start on the next book in the series. So I have lots to do. Now to get focused.

Until the next time. . . .

 

Manuscript Release Date

I received great news today that my next novel will be published Nov. 1.

I'm glad for several reasons:

• It will give me time to do promotional work several months ahead of the release date. In the past, I've felt somewhat rushed in getting the word out about my books, especially when working full-time.
• The novel will be available for the holiday season, a prime time for books since we all know that they make great gifts.
• The novel is a sequel to "Old Ways and New Days," and I hope to start on the third book in the series. Between now and the release date, I can give some thought about what to call the series (if you have any suggestions, feel free to send my way).
• I've already ordered rack cards, listing all my books as well as contact information. They'll be distributed at book events. Once I get cover art, I'll start working on bookmarks, flyers, news releases, and other marketing items.

I haven't written much, in terms of creative writing, since sending the manuscript to my editor at Wings ePress. I've cranked out a few blog posts, book reviews, and some other things, but  haven't delved back into fiction.

In addition to working on the third book, I intend get back to short stories, and finish a second volume of "Laments."

I'm eager to get back to serious writing, but must confess I needed the break because of other things going on in my life. Writers need breathers once in a while, don't you think?

Now to get back to work.

Until the next time. . . .

Author Observations

One thing I've observed about many authors is that there are those who write about what they're doing and those who simply get it done with little or no fanfare. 

And it's generally the successful authors who concentrate on the work at hand and get it finished. No excuses. No rationalizations. No self-pity. You hardly know they're around until you see that they've had another book published. They make time work for them instead of never having enough time to write.

And they do it over and over. I'm sure they privately discuss how their writing is coming along with their publisher, agent, close friends, and a few other confidantes. Maybe even spouses or significant others. 

You realize that they are focused and designate a block of time each day for their work in progress. No doubt there are some under contract to deliver the goods by a certain date -- and that's sometimes negotiable. But they still get it done.

I think more writers would be more productive -- especially those who are self-published -- if they would have self-imposed deadlines. And that would also apply to traditionally published writers who aren't under contract and want to complete a manuscript by a certain date.

That's something I try to do when working on a novel. I suppose it's also a carryover from my newspaper and wire-service days when I was always under deadline covering events. 

I tend to find myself more tuned in on what I want to accomplish when I set a date to put a wrap on it.

Do deadlines work for you?

Until the next time.... 

Back to the Manuscript: Part 13

I'm proud and relieved to say that my manuscript has been sent to the publisher. 

The word count is nearly 87k, an increase of about 7k after the ninth rewrite. It started at about 65k with the first draft. A big reason is that I changed hats from telling to showing the story. 

Another chapter was added, making it 38. At one time it was 40 chapters, then dropped to 37. It could go back up to 40 or so since several chapters are rather long. 

While I've let go of the manuscript, that's only the end of one phase. Now it goes to an editor, who will make suggestions on various parts -- dialogue, scenes, characters, grammar, etc. -- and comes back to me.  

In the meantime, I'm taking a short break.

Until the next time....