November 17 is the new release date for the second book in
the Drums of Rallinwar series.
Three months later than I anticipated.
Why?
I’ll begin by stating this book was destined to be behind
schedule without any outside influences.
The editing process is far more intense than it was for Blood of Two. So much so, I would like to revisit Blood and put it through the same
strainer. I feel as though this book is
better written and you, as the reader, will see that. While some of the improvement can be attributed
to my learning of the craft, most of the improvements are a result of my
enhanced editing schedule.
To say this year has been eventful would be an
understatement. In May, three tornadoes
tore through my life. Friends and family
lost their homes, and insignificant in comparison, we lost a good portion of
our fence. Not only did those three
events take me away from the book physically, helping with the cleanup, but
mentally I just couldn’t focus. You can’t
live in Oklahoma and not know somebody who has lost something to Mother Nature,
but even then you can’t prepare for when it impacts your life. That sh*t sticks with you, and the impact it
had on me is minor in comparison.
Those three events (three days) set the book back 30-45
days. Add in a few everyday squirrels
and the August release day was not achievable if I wanted to put forth my best
effort.
So where am I now?
In one of my earlier posts I outlined the editing process I
set in place. I am in the middle of
steps 4 and 5 (of 7). The initial copy
edits for the first half of the book were completed a few weeks ago, and that
portion of the book passed off to the evil editors. One of those editors is done; the other two
are about half way through.
I completed the checklist edits (step 3) for the second half
of the book this last weekend and am now in the middle of the copy edits for
that portion. I hope to complete that
part this weekend and then forward the second half of the book on to my
editors.
Monday I expect to begin step 6 (appeasing the evil
editors), and from what I have seen to this point, I will catch up with the
editors (who are in step 5) rather soon.
When they finish up with part two of the book, and I complete my
portion, I will make one last pass with the copy edits.
I am not sure where Lucky is with the cover art, but you can
expect another beautiful cover that continues the theme begun with Blood of Two. I also need to print off a map so that he can
paint one up for me.
I’m excited to finish this project. I will take a short (very short) break, and
then drum up Book Three. At the moment,
it appears the series will be completed with the third book, which would
basically make it the cliché fantasy trilogy.
Beyond that; I have the beginnings of a story about a man
from Saimus’ home country. It will
likely be a stand-alone novel.
I am also still sitting on a short story I promised earlier
(which I have the cover-art for), but I have been so focused on the book, it
has just been gathering dust. If there’s
a chance before November 17, I will brush it up and publish it.
And of course, I still need a title for Book Two.
Anyway, that is where I’m at. I apologize for the delay. I let things interfere with my productivity and it will probably happen again. Tis the life of a writer who has a day job.