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Readers want to know:

Readers of my infrequent posts know that I didn't manage to make my summer deadlines (I moved from Indiana to Pennsylvania over the summer which proved to be too much for me to manage with finishing and editing a book). So, what's the scoop now? When can you expect Valence to arrive in the Amazon store?

As you read this, I'm finishing the story level (content edit) revision with notes from my developmental editor. That means I am working around the clock. No tv. No video games. I'm doing a little social media and drawing/watercolor with my kids for breaks. The manuscript goes to my line editor next, in 11 days. He keeps it until October 3.

When I get it back, I make corrections based on his flags in Microsoft Word track changes (typos and other errors). This can take a few days to a week depending on how many errors I've made (my manuscripts are quite clean compared to most authors, I'm told). 

Then I format the book and upload. This usually only takes a day, unless I hit a technical snafu. 
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So… all that said… it's looking like mid October for final release.

Why no hard release date, like other authors?

I'm independent. I basically run my own publishing company. So while I go through all the same steps as big traditional publishing houses, I do not do this with hundreds of books at a go, just one. Big publishing houses sit on books for a year minimum, normally, after an author submits their draft in preparation for editing. They project release dates far into the future, though a book may be ready much sooner. 

Emma, canine fluffernoodle of the Great Pyrenees variety

I see no point in doing that. I publish my books when they're ready and that can be unpredictable, at best. You never know when you'll hit a snag. It's a creative piece, organic, and sometimes things go wrong. You may realize you made a continuity error or a character reads differently to a beta reader than you planned and has to be reworked. Or you get sick. Lots of things can happen. Life happens.

​Mid October, though! Yay! I'm so excited to have you read this. My editor tells me this is my best work yet. I absolutely love this book. I sure hope you will too.

​In other news of my life, my children are settling into their new schools quite well and both boys seem much happier where they are now. My two cats are having a turf war with my partner's crotchety aging cat which leads to midnight screeching fireworks. I've gained a new fluffernoodle (canine person) in my life. You'll see a pic above left. She makes a very snuggly writing assistant. She's good people.

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Just try to escape from the cuteness of this Pekingese/Chihuahua type fluffernoodle! Try! Try, I beg you!

Link, five-pound fluffernoodle of my heart, is still trying to get everyone to play, though no one of the non-human variety will cooperate, so he compensates by leaving his toys on the stairs to see what will happen when the humans race up and down.

We're all settling into the new house quite well. I love Pittsburgh. LOVE. Though I miss my friends in Indiana dreadfully. I'm sure in time… when I have free time again… I will get out and meet lots of new people to hang out with.

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This zen library spans the 25' across our living room and dining room.

What's that behind Emma, you ask? Why, it's a 25 foot wall o' books. This is what happens when a scifi author and a literature professor (who teaches scifi) mate for life. They breed books.

(This was an inexpensive setup consisting of Hemnes bookshelves from IKEA. Lighting also from IKEA. No sponsorship given or implied.)

So, until I have more news, Read On, my friends! Get your vitamin R!

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