June: eighteen months into the project, and … to summarise:
Book One: The Spinner’s Child
Front matter and back cover blurb are still outstanding. Lauren has one more illustration to deliver.
Otherwise, it’s ready to go.
Book Two: Lake of Dreams
Apart from front matter and back cover blurb, here’s another of the quint ready to go.
Book Three: The Pole That Threads
The third book too is merely in want of front matter and back blurb.
Book Four: Lady of First Making (working title Asaric Sons)
And I am pleased to report that all beta readers have now returned their completed questionnaires, with additional comments. Although there are no major changes required, attention is needed in the final chapter and in a few places prior to that. It’s now on hold until Book Five goes out to the beta readers.
Book Five: (working title Asaric Sins)
Last month I said I’d been looking at ways to improve this last book of the quint. I had made notes, replotted, cut, pasted and deleted—and left huge gaps. I am now midway through the rewrite. With seven weeks to go to my self-imposed deadline at the end of July, and the bulk of the new material written, I might just make it. So watch this space for my next call for beta readers.
The next e-book update will be … Sunday 7th July.
As ever, my thanks to my faithful beta readers, and to Lauren for providing such inspired artwork. One more to go; I’ve seen the first sketches. My spine tingles.
crispina kemp 
Beautiful artwork!
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I thank you, I shall relay your remark. Or you can tell Lauren herself on https://laurenwillmore.com/
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Beautiful and unique artwork Crispina! What does the word Asaric mean? It does not exist on Google. 😀 ❤
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The praise is due to my critique partner and designer, Lauren Willmore. She blogs under that name.
Asaric is an invented word, rooted in PIE east, dawn, to glow, to burn, and refers to the Asars’ very bright auras
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Thank you for sharing that it’s quite beautiful! Are you the inventor of this word? 😀
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Indeed, I am. I like words. Interested in linguistics, especially relating to Proto Indo-European.
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Well done! You go girl! 😀 ❤
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I bow my head, and smile.
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This project is a huge undertaking, not only in the writing but in the overseeing as well.. Can’t wait till it is finished- bet you can’t either….
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Just past half way on Book Five, and I’m beginning to feel a little bit anxious. I don’t want to go from the writing to all the other stuff. Not that I doubt my abilities (I’ve a marketing, promotion background and only once froze on a live radio interview), but I don’t want to say goodbye to my Asars. Although, truth is, I have several sequels lined up. Not part of the quint, but in the series.
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Just on the ones you’ve already written, you could keep going for years, Crispina. Just don’t go all George R.R. Martin on us and make us wait years for sequels! 😉
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You know there are sequels waiting, but, then that’s it. Though I am still thinking of doing the Roots of Rookeri. Just cos I like the title. I’ll probably publish that the same year as the Queen sends me her laughable telegram. 🙂
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The Queen is going to live for decades more????
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Shush. It’s supposed to be a secret.
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Oh, you mean Queen Kate?
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Heck, has it got out already. They’ve had her dressed up, sfx makeup etc, warble to her voice. Good act, don’t you think
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Anything to avoid more constitutional crisis as the Tories can’t make up their minds how hard a Brexit they want, and Labour can’t make up their minds about whether they want one at all.
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In such a political situation, we all enjoy a piece of pantomime.
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I could help with beta reading.
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Hey, that’s brilliant, Joanne. Though you do realise this will be the fifth book in the quint (which isn’t the same as a series of stand-alones) though I shall provide brief blurbs of the story to date.
On the other hand, I really do welcome a newcomer at this point.
Let me know your thoughts when I put out the call. Also, I have to advise, there could be triggers. But that’s something to be discussed nearer the time.
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I am a survivor of sexual abuse and I do have difficulty reading about it.
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I don’t do anything graphic, but it might be wise for you not to go there. Shame. But thanks for the offer
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Wonderful Artwork! You must be very proud. 🙂
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I’m very proud of the work Lauren has done for me. There’s one more Part Art for *The Spinner’s Child*, and two more book covers. Said covers are sitting snugly on my hard drive, and on cloud, awaiting the completion of the next two books.
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Good luck! 😊
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Smiles, and thanks you
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Ooh, I love the illustration for the back cover! That is a beautiful artwork!
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Apart from it was worked from my brief, I’m not responsible. All the artwork is the creation of Lauren Willmore. She began as my critique partner, and since has become designer, and advisor.
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I must say, she is very talented! 😁
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She is that. A rare find, who’s become a good friend.
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