The High Priestess: Persephone’s Return is the third book in Val Tobin’s Tales from the Unmasqued World Series, and in it she deepens and expands the stories from the previous two book. The book has two central story arcs based around characters we’ve met before. One arc follows Kelsey (a human) who is with Josh and Phillip (both vampires), following on from their story as told in book one, and the other follows directly on from book two with the mages Jaycie and Chase. Through this story we become more invested in the established characters, learn more about the world Tobin has created and get to know previously secondary characters. Unsurprisingly, given the title, this is primarily a book about the female protagonists and their growing strength and acceptance of their power, both developed of necessity. Persephone’s identity is a surprising revelation, and we follow her into the underworld, a place of dark magic and jealous gods. Persephone, it seems, has plans for … [Read more...]
Book Genres – What you Need to Know.
When I wrote my first book, I didn't know much about book genres. I knew I was writing young-adult fantasy, but that was all. Later I discovered the book was also metaphysical fiction and magical realism, and knowing that made it easier for me to find my readers. That's why it's good to know a bit about genres before you start writing. When I wrote Worlds Within Worlds, many years later and with much more knowledge, I knew I was writing magical realism, but when I examined my writing at one point, I knew the plot needed to be stronger, and it was my understanding of genre that helped me know how to pull it together. I realised that it had the makings of a thrilller/suspense style plot, so I strengthened that plot thread in accordance with what thriller readers expect, and the book came together. My knowledge of genres was pivotal in making that book work. Now I realise that the book is also transrealism. And that's an interesting genre. Rose and I have done a video on it, which … [Read more...]
How to See Edits in Word Documents
When you work with an editor on your book, you'll need to know how to see edits in Word documents. You'll want to be able to read the comments they left for you, find the parts you need to look at quickly, and accept or reject edits. For that you need to be able to use the comments, bookmarks and track changes functions in Word. If you trust your editor such that you're happy to hand your manuscript over to them and accept whatever they do, then you can dispense with learning about track changes, but you will need to know how to use bookmarks and read comments. This article refers to Word 365. For older versions of Word, see this post on track changes and this one on comments and bookmarks. Comments Editors leave comments in a manuscript so they can relate their points to a specific part of the book. I leave comments for my authors for two reasons: To educate them by explaining why I've done something; To indicate where there is an issue we need to resolve or … [Read more...]
Finding an Editor You Can Trust
Finding an editor you can trust is vital for a smooth relationship, particularly when you come to check your edits. But trusting your editor is also an important part of the relationship for both of you. Editors don't want clients who don't trust their judgement - it's a recipe for frustration. Your editor needs to be someone you can relate to well, someone who seems to be on the same wavelength as you. They need to be someone who always remembers that it's your book, who can work to your aims for the book, rather than what they think it should be, but they also need to be able to make the changes necessary to fix issues with your book and make it shine. Finding an editor Finding an editor is easy, but finding the right editor for you, once you can trust, can take time. Some authors write and have edited several books before they find an editor they feel they can trust implicitly, so be prepared to shop around. Here are my suggestions for finding an editor you can … [Read more...]
Review of ‘The Guild Codex Spellbound Series’ by Annette Marie
The Guild Codex Spellbound Series by Annette Marie was the first series of her books that I read. I immediately gobbled up the rest of her series in that world, and then those in other worlds. Now I have read all her books. For the reasons why, watch the video. https://youtu.be/eDOwPWgOhMk Buy now on Amazon The Guild Codex: Spellbound (8 book series) by Annette Marie (Author) From Book 1: Broke, almost homeless, and recently fired. Those are my official reasons for answering a wanted ad for a skeevy-looking bartender gig.It went downhill the moment they asked for a trial shift instead of an interview—to see if I'd mesh with their "special" clientele. I think that part went great. Their customers were complete jerks, and I was an asshole right back. That's the definition of fitting in, right?I expected to get thrown out on my ass. Instead, they ... offered me the job?It turns out this place isn't a bar. It's a guild. And the three cocky guys I drenched with a … [Read more...]
Writing Historical Fiction: An Author Interview
If you're writing historical ficiton, don't miss this interview with Amanda Skenandore who wrote The Second Life of Mirelle West, which I reviewed recently. She gives some good insight into the writing process, especially in relationship to researching. Find out more about Amanda and her awesome books on her website: https://www.amandaskenandore.com/ https://youtu.be/h2x7R6TxB6c … [Read more...]
Women’s Fiction Review: Red Rain by Lara Bernhardt
Red Rain by Lara Bernhardt is an exceptional book. Not only is it extremely well-written, but it also deals with important themes - dealing with grief following the lost of a baby, the crushing effect relationships with a controlling partner have on women, and most of all, the issue of women in rural India (and other third world countries) not having access to affordable menstruation pads. After a divorce Olivia leaves her home in the US to travel to India to volunteer at an English language school in rural India. Travelling to escape her grief and hopefully to find some direction for her presently empty life. She falls in love with the children in her classes and is shocked to discover the girls leaving and never returning once they get their periods. Though she can't change the cultural attitudes to women, she can do something about the practical issue that means women can't risk leaving home at 'their time of the month' - a lack of quality and affordable personal hygene … [Read more...]
Why Self-Publish?
A question every author will probably ask themselves one day is Why self-publish? Today, Stacy-Deanne, author of romantic suspense, contemporary romance, thrillers and women's fiction, answers this question for you. Note that although self-publishing is only one kind of indie publishing, in this article the term 'indie' refers to self-publishing. Thanks Stacy. I think you put it really well. Why self-publish? As someone who was once published by a (at the time) Big Six Publisher in the US, spent years in trade and have been indie since 2015, I don't think trade pubs have any advantages these days unless you write stuff that only works for trade. If you write things that can sell well being indie, I suggest you do it. Trade publishing's disadvantages FAR outweigh any advantages. The problem with taking the mainstream publishing route. 1) You'll need an agent if you want a big publisher and it can take years to find one IF you are lucky enough to do so. 2) If you are … [Read more...]
Historical Fiction Book Review: The Second Life of Mirielle West
This book review of The Second Life of Mirielle West, by Amanda SkenandoreI will take 6 minutes of your time, and you may find you've discovered another good read. I shot it ages ago and only just got around to posting it. Find out more about the book here: https://geni.us/SdAn https://youtu.be/bykvch68__8 … [Read more...]
What Makes a Good Editor
An editor hard at work! What makes a good editor? Is it their knowlege of grammar, punctuation and spelling? That's an important part of it, for sure, but correcting grammar, punctuation and spelling is only one part of editing. That's what a copy editor does. But the developmental editing and line editing are just as important in the production of quality writing, and different skills are required for the different areas. A good editor in one area is not necessarily a good editor in all areas, and it takes more than a fancy piece of paper from a top university to make a good editor because in all but the copy editing and proofing, good editing relies on artistry and intuitive understanding of the author’s intentions as much as knowledge. So what makes a good editor? What makes a good structural/developmental editor? This is the person that does your manuscript appraisal and tells you how to improve the big story elements - the plot, characterisation, pacing, structure, … [Read more...]
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