Research, research, research

Because naturally, I have nothing better to do with my time than check the precise date when a document which is largely fictional may or may not have been legitimately written. And although I understand the importance of validation, I do sometimes wish that once something has been fictionalised, it could stay like that.

An editor contented in his private life is a very dangerous man indeed...

I can, however, quite 'legitimately' say that my editor is making certain that one book (possibly a murder mystery) written in the not-so-distant future will certainly have a character, if not a title, which can be summed up by 'Annoyed Writer'.

What's in a name - Take two...

The name of book two is now officially changed to Defending Walls. There. Are you happy, Oh Editor Mine?

So now we have: Icy Pavements, Defending Walls, Basilisk Stare and Shivered Glass.

Yeesh.

Hello, World!

Thanks to my little counter, I can get a picture of who is visiting my blog. *waves to visitors* It's been very interesting seeing who is peeking. I've had visitors from home but also from Egypt, Australia and France.

Peter and Guyon would be thrilled (Yes, I'm one of those crazy authors who actually imbues their characters with real life personalities. *s*) to be so far read. I know I'm thrilled at the idea.

So to all of you reading this blog and, hopefully, my book as well - It's wonderful to have you visit!

What's in a name?

Apparently a lot. My Editor does not care for the name of Book Two. So I must scrounge through my Herrick (which is no hardship, really) to see what I can find that he will think is acceptable. So, I bid a fond farewell to "Song at Morning".

I wonder if he'll think "Annoyed Writer" is a more appropriate title? *L*

A good deal

Just found out that Legends has agreed to publish the remaining books in the series. I'm just as pleased and as proud as I can be.

The books (all 4) will be known as the "Herrick series" and, I believe will be released one per year in this order (subject to change): Icy Pavements, Song at Morning, Basilisk Stare, Shivered Glass.

And in between, I work on Damon and Pythias and any other ideas that crop up.

The wait is over!

My book has finally made it from the publisher to the reality of Amazon and other dealers (or will in the next several days). I have an ISBN and everything. (9781849238380)

Now... time to take a deep breath, and relax... because next week I must begin concentrating on promotional things.

And for your perusal, the back cover synopsis:

Peter Scudamore, a former captain in the Royalist Army, has unwittingly become a tool in a game much larger than it seems.

When Peter assists the English Queen in her escape to Paris , he finds himself caught up in the machinations of the infamous Corvay, a man determined to be the final word in espionage - and becomes friends with the enigmatic Guyon de Chesnay, a scholar and tutor of debate at the Sorbonne. Guyon's service, too, is eventually bought by Corvay, but at a price he is unwilling to disclose, and which is directly linked to the Archbishop de Retz of Paris .

As the two men fight to survive the intrigues of Court and Church, and those of a man who wants to gain power in his own right, they grow closer to each other in ways that neither one would ever have expected.

And more delays...

It's starting to be amusing in a way that is completely NOT. *L* Galleys are returned but still no word as to an actual release date.

On another note, I have too much to fit into Book 3 - Yipes. Looks like that may have to be split, but then how do I reconcile the conflict that I've already set up? Decisions, decisions.

Ah, well, at least I'm getting things done, which is more than I can say for the publisher. *G*

Galleys

Galleys were received, checked and sent back to the publisher. Hopefully, this is a good sign that they are actually going to stick to the June 1st release date. *crosses fingers*

Book 2 - complete. *pats it*

Book 3 - well on it's way. Now... how much do I know about Church law? Not enough.. time for more study.

Damon & Pythias - on hold for Book 3, at the moment.

And now my editor is wanting an outline, or at least prodding strongly for me to set up plotlines for a second Herrick trilogy set about 20 years after the end of Book three.

I really need to quit my day job. Really.

Note to self: Win the lottery so that day job may be quit.

Understanding comes too late

One of the marvellous things about being busy with editing spaces in your galley proof is just how time-consumed you actually are.

One of the not-so-marvellous things is realising that yes, you did in fact agree to write all those things, and yes, actually, a deadline is looming.

How sad, when a deadline feels like a declaration of undying love.....

Lots of writing

Inspite of delays on the publication of Book one, Book 2, "Song at Morning" is now complete. I've also gotten quite a bit done on Book 3, "Shivered Glass". That's it for that series, unless I decide to look back at them from sometime in the future or write something with the younger characters.

I've also got about 30,000 words done on another novel, "Damon and Pythias". The plot is the same as the legend but with a lot of their history and some humor.

So, I'm very busy. Too busy, I hope, to get too frustrated with how long the publisher is taking. *L*

Good luck with this, huh?