Monthly Updates
Almost in printWell it's been a long journey for book two of the Ellfaerran Diaries, but it's almost ready to go into print. The most recent journey for the book was the one that started in October with the initial submission of the book to the publisher. It's been through a few editorial rounds from initial acceptance with just the final print mock-up layout left to be okayed. As for the book itself, initial writing of the book was completed in 2002, but my own editorial process (a minimum of five edits after a year locked away in a drawer) combined with re-writes and a repeat of the editorial process prior to this past October's submission. In case anyone is wondering, book three is locked up in a drawer after the last re-write. I'll probably submit that one in a few years. Maybe, if I think it's ready. It has been written, as has a bit of extra-galactic history touched on in book two, but that is also locked away in a drawer. My filing cabinet is a bit stuffed right now with unpublished novels in varying stages of author's editorial work going on. I'm also writing the second piece of extra-galactic history touched on in the book along with a combination science-fiction/fantasy that follows after the Moon Child series. Apart from my usual writing process, I've also had to deal with the COVID-19 situation, which means very little has changed for me. There are benefits to being a borderline hermit. I've been getting through the various lockdown stages with not only my writing but I've also had a full set of crochet hooks, several balls of wool and crochet cotton on hand along with several meters of fabric, some thin quilt batting and a sewing machine. The result is a partially completed afghan, three doilies, four wrap skirts, six sets of placemats, one fully edited manuscript, and two in the writing process. I have also had some old television friends to keep me company while I crochet and sew, specifically Newkirk and Le Beau from Hogan's Heroes; Harris and Chano from Barney Miller; Capt. Alan Carter and Commander Koenig from Space 1999; and especially Truly and Norman Clegg from Last Of The Summer Wine lighting up my T.V. screen. Mention of these shows may help highlight some of the influences in characters I've created for my books, always remembering that my characters are amalgams of sources, although Capt. Alan Carter is a fairly large influence for the creation of a sandy-haired Celt who shows up in book three of the Ellfaerran Diaries and is mentioned in the Moon Child Memoirs. He's the Celt who just won't go away, and Morrigan is helping him stick around. I've also been highly amused by the antics of a New Zealand Dog named...Dog. I hope everyone has been doing well throughout this nerve-wracking time. Hopefully the vaccines will drive the pandemic away and life will return to a form of normal again by the New Year. Stay safe everyone. I have just been informed that the new book has been added to the Friesen Press Coming Soon list complete with address, which is https://books.friesenpress.com/store/title/119734000175132179 in case anyone is interested in looking it up.
FriesenPress has just informed me that Ellfs' Enchantments is now officially published and should be released to stores' online catalogs very soon.
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Almost thereAlready one layout design proof has arrived for proofreading with the next one due any day for the second book of the Ellfaerran Diaries Fantasy series. If you saw the mockup for the book cover sent to me by the publisher and posted a couple of weeks ago on the January post you will have seen the title of the new book: "Ellfs Enchantments." It's due to come out some time this month. I have not been given a specific date yet by the publisher, as soon as I know I will post it as an update to this post. I have to say that I am very pleased with both the interior design for the layout of the text and with the design of the book's cover. The interior of the book is itself a work of art with the cover image used on the title pages of the section breaks and a lovely "stained glass" style line-art crescent moon above each chapter heading. Personally I think it is beautiful, but I'm just the author what do I know. As for the text itself, that is staying consistent with the previous books in print style. One change is the inclusion of an author's photo (black and white) on one of the last pages of the book. Apparently that helps sales (I'm not sure how) and as I posted a few facebook readings from the first three books during the initial COVID 19 period on my Author's Page I decided there was no point in avoiding the author's photo anymore. I'm looking forward to the release of Ellf's Enchantments into print and I hope some of you are as well. When it comes out I can finally relax, no more intensive edits and telephone meetings, until the next book. There are still two more Moon Child novels and the third of the Ellfaerran trilogy to come. I'm not done yet, especially as I'm currently in the process of scribbling out Sapphire's story. I'll get around to typing it out on the computer...eventually. I have to finish editing and polishing the remaining books of my two current series first. I hope my neighbours aren't sick of the sound of Nana Mouskouri. My collection of her CDs has been a favoured companion during this editorial process. Last time it was Strauss (the Younger) they had to put up with and before that I really hoped they liked hearing Freddie Mercury's voice as I relaxed to the music of Queen as for the first novel I tended more toward Beethoven. You could say my music choices are a bit eclectic. I think I can relax a bit more now, so I think I'll spend some time visiting Moon Base Alpha in Space: 1999.
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AuthorHello, I am a writer of High Fantasy utilizing ancient myths mixed with modern anthropological discoveries to create the worlds in which my characters live. Please join me in my journey to uncover those mystical worlds of myth and pre-history. Archives
February 2021
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