I'm pleased to announce that editorial work is commencing on Rory Hobble and the Voyage to Haligogen.
The editing takes place in two stages:
- Stage One - 'the structural edit': this is where an editor reads through the manuscript and provides feedback on whether they feel anything major needs to change - for example, a character removed, sections of the story rewritten, etc. Clearly, this is the edit where we writers tend to hope that very little comes back! However, on the flip side, an editor could come back with an amazing idea that really improves the book, so swings and roundabouts and all that...
- Stage Two - 'the copyedit': this is where an editor goes through the manuscript with a fine tooth-comb and highlights grammatical issues, spelling errors, inconsistencies, etc. It can be finicky, but it is just a question of polishing the book and getting it into a fit state for publication.
My structural editor is an award-winning writer named Hal Duncan who writes 'weird' sci-fi and fantasy, making him a perfect fit for Rory! He was Unbound's first choice and has 30 years' experience of manuscript critiquing; I look forward to working with him.
(Above: Hal Duncan / Source: https://jerichowriters.com/freelance-professional-editors/hal-duncan/)
I have also spoken to Unbound about my desire to bring the publication date forward, if possible, and though it is not immediately possible, I have been advised that if the opportunity does present itself then it can happen.
As we are a year away from publication, I've been thinking of ways to keep you engaged with the book itself and I am developing ideas for a little art project that I will be able to tell you more about in the near future.
In the meantime, if you fancy reading my first novel, Breaking The Foals, for only £3.99 then check it out on Amazon as an ebook, or get it ordered into Waterstones as a paperback.
For now though, take care of yourselves and I'll speak again soon.