for those of you who do read these updates - first of all, thank you - and secondly, here's where we are with Blackwatertown. I'm playing with cover ideas to send to the professional cover designer. It'll have my name, the book title, a celeb writer endorsement (all offers welcome) and perhaps a one-liner to draw in potential readers. And it'll have a picture.
The lone silhouetted male figure seems like a good idea. But how to make it look a bit 1950s, without getting too fussy? Maybe an old car? And should there be something that says it's set in Ireland - without the idea of Northern Ireland putting people off. (NB: It's not set in The Troubles.) Would the spirit of John Hinde postcards help me - third pic along, top row. The Will Dean/Dark Pines cover is clever and effective - something like that with a river perhaps?
I'm just thinking out loud. Once I've submitted my thoughts and received some imagery back, I'll share with those of you who have offered to look over the options - and perhaps in a future update.
In other news, the copy edit is complete, I hope - or if not, nearly complete. Sure who'd have thought that "leant" and "leapt" could be such controversial words? And whether there should be a comma after the "Sure" in the previous sentence. Not if it's someone like me speaking. And that's even before we get into alien concepts like travelling north into the South, and south into the North. Don't blame us, we didn't draw the border.
All being well, I can imagine Blackwatertown being ready by the end of March, or not long thereafter. Of course, that does not mean it will be published then. The publishers, in their wisdom, will decide the best date in 2020. But whenever it is - and I'm gagging to know too - you'll get your copies before everyone else.
Feel free to share this. Or encourage other people to support Blackwatertown. There's still time for other people to get their name inside every copy of the book, before that stage of the production window closes.
Thanks everyone. Paul.