Martyn Stanley's Blog - Posts Tagged "editing"
Ratings!
I just received a 3 Star rating on Goodreads. I always feel a little bit disappointed when I get 3 Stars. However when looked through the person's list, they also gave 'The Hobbit' 3 stars, so maybe I'm in good company?
I also have to admit, going through a very arduous edit, to improve books 1,2 and 3 before my big re-release with new covers and a combined trilogy edition... There are flaws in my writing, somethings I over use, my grammar is NOT perfect. I'm hoping to resolve most of these problems and make the next release definitive and unchanging and to not edit and re-upload future books.
I suppose I should take heart that so many people enjoy my story and my characters enough to ignore the flaws in the writing, the flaws which hopefully my next edit will eliminate.
So to everyone who saw through the minor issues, enjoyed the story and was prepared to stand up and say so - thank you!
I also have to admit, going through a very arduous edit, to improve books 1,2 and 3 before my big re-release with new covers and a combined trilogy edition... There are flaws in my writing, somethings I over use, my grammar is NOT perfect. I'm hoping to resolve most of these problems and make the next release definitive and unchanging and to not edit and re-upload future books.
I suppose I should take heart that so many people enjoy my story and my characters enough to ignore the flaws in the writing, the flaws which hopefully my next edit will eliminate.
So to everyone who saw through the minor issues, enjoyed the story and was prepared to stand up and say so - thank you!
Deathsworn Arc : The Last Dragon Slayer - Re-released!
I have a great new cover, a freshly edited and revised version and I am really pleased with it! I think Isis Sousa has done an incredible job with the cover and the text is much, much tighter.
Going through and trying to improve the book has really taught me two lessons.
1:Don't rush to publish.
2:Get at least 3 people to read, edit and correct before release.
I'm still not certain it's 100% perfect, but I'm 100% certain it's a lot closer. Without going to a professional editor and losing out financially I don't know what more I can do!
Going through and trying to improve the book has really taught me two lessons.
1:Don't rush to publish.
2:Get at least 3 people to read, edit and correct before release.
I'm still not certain it's 100% perfect, but I'm 100% certain it's a lot closer. Without going to a professional editor and losing out financially I don't know what more I can do!
Progress Report!
I've been busy lately, but I finally got my human genetics assignment out of the way this weekend! So what have I got in the pipeline?
1. I'm about halfway through a second edit of 'Deathsworn Arc 3: The Blood Queen'.
2. I am waiting for my cover artist Isis Sousafor the new book 2 'The Verkreath Horror' Cover. I'm also waiting for my wife to proof-read book 2. I am working on a definitive improved 'blurb' for the back cover too!
3. I have a manuscript out with a publisher! Just book 1, but they sounded genuinely interested.
4. Another publishing contact has asked me for a series synopsis, manuscripts and proposal packages for books 1 and 2 ! I have a series synopsis, but it isn't exact or concise - I need something punchier.
So I have an incredible amount of work up in the air at the moment. I'm hoping the definitive book 2 will be uploaded and available within a fortnight, I expect Book will be May at this point. I can only apologise for the long wait, but I don't want to repeat my early mistake of releasing books before they're truly finished. So bear with me, it'll be worth it!
1. I'm about halfway through a second edit of 'Deathsworn Arc 3: The Blood Queen'.
2. I am waiting for my cover artist Isis Sousafor the new book 2 'The Verkreath Horror' Cover. I'm also waiting for my wife to proof-read book 2. I am working on a definitive improved 'blurb' for the back cover too!
3. I have a manuscript out with a publisher! Just book 1, but they sounded genuinely interested.
4. Another publishing contact has asked me for a series synopsis, manuscripts and proposal packages for books 1 and 2 ! I have a series synopsis, but it isn't exact or concise - I need something punchier.
So I have an incredible amount of work up in the air at the moment. I'm hoping the definitive book 2 will be uploaded and available within a fortnight, I expect Book will be May at this point. I can only apologise for the long wait, but I don't want to repeat my early mistake of releasing books before they're truly finished. So bear with me, it'll be worth it!
The Killer Mile and the Blood Queen
Well, I didn't get around to reading any more of Clarkson's rants last night.
Instead I was at an event - the Mow Cop Killer Mile assisting with the timing.
It's an interesting event. It's a very, very brutal road running race. It's only 1 mile, so not very long. However every single step is uphill. One section is 1 in 4 that's a 25% incline.
You can read a bit about the event and it's history here:-
http://www.mowcop.info/killermile/kil...
I was timing for 1st, 2nd and 3rd - all went well until they decided to run the last two races at the same time. Meaning taking 12 times and segrating place, race and male and female. No disrespect but sometimes it's tricky to establish whether a runner is male or female!
I have run the grueling event myself. You can see me, number 879 in the red T-shirt here:-
https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/h...
It was 2009 and I came in 116th/192 with a time of 12 minutes, 22 seconds.
The fastest in my race was 8 minutes 22 seconds, and the slowest was 21 minutes and 1 second. So I thought my time and place was pretty respectable for an unfit guy who 'doesn't do sport', that started training for his first running event the night before the event!
The fastest man on the night was club runner Steve Vernon at 6 minutes 22 seconds. You can see the event for that year here:-
http://www.mowcop.info/killermile/kil...
You can see a video of the steep part her: - I can't spot me though, that was my year!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDrNN...
I ought to run it again some time. If I do I should prepare a bit more and get fit first!
When I got home last night I managed to actually go through ten pages of edits on the Blood Queen so finally some progress!
If you like running and you can get to Staffordshire in May one year, you should do the Killer Mile, it's a real experience!
Instead I was at an event - the Mow Cop Killer Mile assisting with the timing.
It's an interesting event. It's a very, very brutal road running race. It's only 1 mile, so not very long. However every single step is uphill. One section is 1 in 4 that's a 25% incline.
You can read a bit about the event and it's history here:-
http://www.mowcop.info/killermile/kil...
I was timing for 1st, 2nd and 3rd - all went well until they decided to run the last two races at the same time. Meaning taking 12 times and segrating place, race and male and female. No disrespect but sometimes it's tricky to establish whether a runner is male or female!
I have run the grueling event myself. You can see me, number 879 in the red T-shirt here:-
https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/h...
It was 2009 and I came in 116th/192 with a time of 12 minutes, 22 seconds.
The fastest in my race was 8 minutes 22 seconds, and the slowest was 21 minutes and 1 second. So I thought my time and place was pretty respectable for an unfit guy who 'doesn't do sport', that started training for his first running event the night before the event!
The fastest man on the night was club runner Steve Vernon at 6 minutes 22 seconds. You can see the event for that year here:-
http://www.mowcop.info/killermile/kil...
You can see a video of the steep part her: - I can't spot me though, that was my year!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDrNN...
I ought to run it again some time. If I do I should prepare a bit more and get fit first!
When I got home last night I managed to actually go through ten pages of edits on the Blood Queen so finally some progress!
If you like running and you can get to Staffordshire in May one year, you should do the Killer Mile, it's a real experience!
