Good news! I received first edits from my editor, Charlie Knight, this past Monday, April 1st. Tuesday I knocked out a quarter of the changes and today, another quarter. Charlie was right. There was no need to be worried.
Here's an excerpt from her transmittal email:
The first round of edits is attached. First, let me say that I am genuinely impressed; your writing is very strong, both technically and from a storytelling standpoint. I loved reading this story, truly enjoyed it...
Overall, you should be really proud of the work you've done so far and I'm very excited to see your changes moving forward.
Comments like THIS I can get used to! Thank you, Charlie!
My plan is to have the updated manuscript back in her hands by this Thursday the 11th. Sooner, if possible. Then there will be more back-and-forth until Awen Rising sings!
I've upped my release date to August 1st, and may even be able to release sooner if "all" goes well. "All" includes raising the money to buy a block of ISBNs. And getting the innards formatted for both ebook and paperback release. And the back cover design completed.
There's also the bio, acknowledgment page, glossary, etc, to be written. A marketing plan to be designed. And money raised for that.
Phew. Sounds exhausting, doesn't it? But dear rebels, the end is near.
Meanwhile, Bugsy is hanging in there. As of a few days ago, he'd lost another 2 1/2 pounds. A LOT for a cat. And it's only been three months since his diagnosis.
His appetite is still decent. He's given up dry food because it makes him barf. The healthier, more expensive wet food worked for a while. But he quit that in favor of his regular Fancy Feast with Gravy. He goes through several halves of those a day (on good days). The one brand of treat that doesn't make him sick is losing its appeal. And the bouts of diarrhea and vomiting are more frequent. He gets weaker by the day.
So the end is near for my Bugsy, too. How near, Lord knows.
In the meantime, we keep following our basic routine. I work. He sleeps. If I'm home working, he sleeps nearby. He's so fragile, he's not laying on my lap much now. Nor sleeping on me at night, as was always his habit. He did start sleeping on the bed again, so at least I can feel him with my feet.
Like Bugsy, most days I am okay. I wish there was a pill I could give him when the time comes. When he looks in my eyes and begs me to let him go. I fear I won't know until he's in the kind of pain that makes him meow and meow. Because there's no relief.
He fears the car. And the vet's office. So, I want my Bugsy to die at home. In my arms. With words of love whispered in his ears and sweet kisses peppered on his adorable head.
That Rebel, Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barré
O.J. Barré is the author of the upcoming Awen trilogy, a druid sci-fi fantasy set in 2042 in Atlanta, Georgia. Steeped in current, ancient, and future history twists, Book One, Awen Rising, is scheduled to debut August 1, 2019, in both ebook and paperback. Book Two, Awen Storm, is slated for 2020. And Book Three, Awen Tide, arrives in 2021.
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| Cover Teaser |
Here's an excerpt from her transmittal email:
The first round of edits is attached. First, let me say that I am genuinely impressed; your writing is very strong, both technically and from a storytelling standpoint. I loved reading this story, truly enjoyed it...
Overall, you should be really proud of the work you've done so far and I'm very excited to see your changes moving forward.
Comments like THIS I can get used to! Thank you, Charlie!
My plan is to have the updated manuscript back in her hands by this Thursday the 11th. Sooner, if possible. Then there will be more back-and-forth until Awen Rising sings!
I've upped my release date to August 1st, and may even be able to release sooner if "all" goes well. "All" includes raising the money to buy a block of ISBNs. And getting the innards formatted for both ebook and paperback release. And the back cover design completed.
There's also the bio, acknowledgment page, glossary, etc, to be written. A marketing plan to be designed. And money raised for that.
Phew. Sounds exhausting, doesn't it? But dear rebels, the end is near.
Meanwhile, Bugsy is hanging in there. As of a few days ago, he'd lost another 2 1/2 pounds. A LOT for a cat. And it's only been three months since his diagnosis.
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| Bugsy, April 7, 2019 |
So the end is near for my Bugsy, too. How near, Lord knows.
In the meantime, we keep following our basic routine. I work. He sleeps. If I'm home working, he sleeps nearby. He's so fragile, he's not laying on my lap much now. Nor sleeping on me at night, as was always his habit. He did start sleeping on the bed again, so at least I can feel him with my feet.
 |
| On Condo Beside My Writing Chair, April 2019 |
Like Bugsy, most days I am okay. I wish there was a pill I could give him when the time comes. When he looks in my eyes and begs me to let him go. I fear I won't know until he's in the kind of pain that makes him meow and meow. Because there's no relief.
He fears the car. And the vet's office. So, I want my Bugsy to die at home. In my arms. With words of love whispered in his ears and sweet kisses peppered on his adorable head.
That Rebel, Olivia J. Herrell, writing as O.J. Barré
O.J. Barré is the author of the upcoming Awen trilogy, a druid sci-fi fantasy set in 2042 in Atlanta, Georgia. Steeped in current, ancient, and future history twists, Book One, Awen Rising, is scheduled to debut August 1, 2019, in both ebook and paperback. Book Two, Awen Storm, is slated for 2020. And Book Three, Awen Tide, arrives in 2021.
1 comment:
It's fantastic that Charlie is so upbeat abouit "Awen Rising!" August release date and all-- you rock! I'm so sorry that Bugsy's end is approaching. I'm praying for both of you.
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