November update… and some news to report. I’m two steps nearer to publishing The Spinner’s Game, the date now set for the Vernal Equinox. 21st March 2020.
Editing… that deep-down word-by-word polish
I can report with great relief that Books One, Two and Three – The Spinner’s Child, Lake of Dreams, and The Pole That Threads – are done. Yay!
I am now working on Book Four, Lady of First Making. Since this received a thorough polish during the revision and rewrite process, this basically amounts to a read through to catch anything that’s still not sitting right. I’m zooming through, though I am catching the occasional blip. Also, because of some changes required to Book Five (see below), there’s a slight tweak needed, a change in dialogue in just one scene.
The good news is, I’m ahead of schedule on this. I had thought it would take me through to the end of November. Now I’ll say I should be done by next weekend. All being well.
Book Five
The other walloping piece of good news. I can now report that all the betas and critiques are back for Book Five (working title, Asaric Sins). The rewrites and revisions can begin… just as soon as I’m done with Lady of First Making. So, mid-November at the latest. And whilst doing that, the final edit.
So I guess now is a good time to reveal the chosen title. And to show off the cover, another of Lauren Willmore’s fantastic designs.
copyright Lauren Willmore
Twiddly Bits
These remain to be done. As I said last month, I hope to write the legal bits for the Front Matter and the acknowledgements for the End Matter in those micro-minutes between one thing and another. With regards the acknowledgements I shall be in touch with you, my hardworking and loyal betas to ask what form you’d like your mention: simple first name, full name, name with website, occupation etc. This will probably be around the Christmas period.
Layouts and Graphics
As soon as The Spinner’s Sins (Book Five) is polished to my satisfaction, the next task is to work on the layouts for all five books. Lauren is waiting on this, to be able to complete the book covers for print-on-demand. She’s shown me the mock-ups, they’re brilliant. Oh, excited!
At this point, I shall need the graphics. The two graphic inserts for Book Two, Lake of Dreams, are done but I still have the maps to do for Books One and Three – The Spinner’s Child and The Pole That Threads.
The Spinner’s Sin (Book Five) will also need a map.
Yay! I love maps. I. Love. Maps!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
But it does require me to get to grips with a map-making app. Which is why I’m holding off until I can give it my full attention.
a fantastic line-up by book cover designer Lauren Willmore
The Supplement Giveaway
To be offered with Pre-Orders, last month I reported that I was still mulling on the format for this.
Well, the mull has produced an answer. It’s to be a guide – think Lonely Planet Guides. I’ve yet to work on the title, but something to the effect of
The Spinner’s Mythic World
A Traveller’s Guide
The material for this is firmly lodged in my head.
And so, as you can see, there’s still much work awaiting me. Let’s see how much I can accomplish in the coming month. Next e-book update will be… Sunday 8th December
crispina kemp 
WoW!! You have been busy. I love the new title for book five, and anxiously await the cover art. So glad to know you are ahead of schedule and all systems are GO!
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Seems I didn’t word things clearly. The front cover (i.e. the cover art) is done and here shown. It’s the the complete job, back, front and spine that Lauren is held back on until I’ve done the layout…. she needs to know how many pages to know how thick the spine.
So you may feast your eyes on the newest cover, and tell Lauren how good she is.
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As always she is amazing!
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Isn’t she just. And a fantastic critique partner.
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Wowza! You have been busy! The covers are gorgeous.
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Ah, now there we have to thank my critique partner… who just happens to be a designer!
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Wow! They all look amazing!
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I’m really pleased with them. Can’t wait to press that Publish button. It’s been a long haul. But then, it is five long books.
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These are amazing, truly. I can’t wait to get my hands on them 😉
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Now you need to direct that comment to Lauren. I think she’s busy doing NaNo at the moment
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Then you, have to let her know…
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Okay I’ll email her… 🙂
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Well done for all you’ve achieved and good luck for the next steps!
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I thank you. I will get there. I spent this afternoon getting to grips with mapmaking apps. I step closer
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Excellent! Keep loving the titles and covers!
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And that’s another one edited. I’m onto the revisions of the last book. And I’m exploring mapmaking. Oh, keep me away from that app, I’ll never return to the writing!
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I don’t often look forward to buying stuff as mostly its necessity, but I really do look forward to buying your series; just to hold the finished product in hand will be amazing. You’ve done a marvelous job, created a fascinating mythical world, and the great personal odyssey of Kerrid. Oh yeah and the Traveller’s Guide is a great idea!!
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Thanks Judy. It’s been a long haul, and there’s still much work to do. But I’m beginning to see light. And everyone is being so supportive. It gives me a really warm feeling. 🙂
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I sure look forward to seeing your work on Amazon or Goodreads and officially for sale!!
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Less than six months. I shall have no nails left by then!
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Funny when I read that I was thinking nails and ‘you’ve got it nailed’. Now I realize you probably mean finger nails. I can be slow on the uptake at times.
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No, Judy, I meant nibbling my nails. Although, truth is, it’s not a habit of mine. Far from that, my nails tend to grow so long, and I ignore them, and then they snap off.
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Well biting nails was a big problem I had. I dreamt of having long nails all through my youth. In college I put clear nail polish on or the coral color I liked and that kept me from biting them. I grew out of it I guess. Then one time my dentist told me I’d lost anterior guidance on the bite. It was purely academic to me until I was driving home one day in my mid 40s I guess and tired to nibble my nail and couldn’t…my bit had opened up enough so I couldn’t do it. That is how I understood what the dentist was saying. Nail biting did not cause it though. So now my get long too if I don’t keep up the filing.
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Interesting story, Judy. Myself, despite I use the expression, I’ve never been a nail-biter. Hence, my nails grow long if left unattended.
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