Editing your finished work–a real pain in the a**, right? Not always. In fact, most of the time I enjoy going back through the entire novel, chapter by chapter, and finding ways I can improve it. I naturally edit each chapter as I write, but I probably go through the book two to three times after its completion in “edit mode” before I feel it’s ready for my professional editor, who, of course, finds another gazillion things to make it better. Thank goodness for professional editors!
After six books with the same editor, Patricia Woodside, a woman who, very literally, taught me how to write good, publishable prose, I have moved on–with tears–to a new editor. Though unarguably top-notch in her field, Patricia only plied her editing excellence part-time. The turnover for one pass editing on one book was lengthier than I wanted. Nevertheless, for those who have the time, I highly recommend Patricia Woodside, Story Dazzle Editorial and Publishing Services. Her excellence is second to none, and her rates are very reasonable.
With the goals I have for this year and the years to come, I felt I had to seek out a full-time editor.
Enter and welcome Natalie G. Owens – Divas at Work Editing Services.
Book 7 in the REQTHIEF series is now with Natalie, and she’s expecting a quick turnaround (maybe a couple of weeks?). If so, Book 7 could easily be published by the end of January or early February.
That brings me to the update from my last blog.
I started editing The Price of Notoriety, but very quickly realized that editing alone would not cut it. The book needed a complete rewrite and my heart just wasn’t in it. I had all these other plotlines cooking in my head for REQTHIEF and the new series I’ve been tossing around. The new series won out. I was unable to get the concept out of my mind. Thus was born (pun intended) Born to Steal – Thief à la Femme Book 1. It didn’t take long to get my phenomenal cover design artist, Jeffrey Kosh – Jeffrey Kosh Graphics working on a cover. First… here’s Jeffrey:
All of the covers for the REQUISITION FOR: A THIEF Series were redone by Jeffrey, and they are exquisite. He’s amazing!
Here’s what he did for the new series:
Needless to say, I’m over-the-top excited about this new series (which does not connect in any way to REQTHIEF… well, except with who is the current FBI Assistant Director of the Criminal Investigative Division (CID)… I kept him!). I’ve already written three chapters, including an opening heist. I hope to have it published this summer.
Rest assured, however, REQTHIEF fans, I have no intention of abandoning the REQUISITION FOR: A THIEF Series. In fact, Book 8 – Thirteenth Rule of Theft is already percolating in my devious little brain. Maybe a Christmastime publishing date for “Thief #8?” Guess we’ll see!
Stay tuned for updates!
J.A.
