August Update

Yes, I am aware we are now into September and this is my August update. If it talks about things I did (or didn’t do) in August though, I think it still counts. I will try to be less slack in September.

Personal Update - Too Much Party Time & Paddling

SUP Yoga  

So I’ve done paddle boarding and I’ve done Yoga but yoga on a paddle board? That was a first for me. Throw in a hangover from a very messy birthday party the evening before and you’ve got a very wobbly downward facing dog. If I hadn’t booked it weeks in advance, pre- party invite, I may have cancelled and stayed in bed like all sensible people, but I felt it was my punishment for my self inflicted grittiness. Luckily it was all caught on film - if you want to see me suffering check out this YouTube clip. That's me on the turquoise board, second from the front.

I never learn. Earlier in the month, I participated in a hen weekend with 8 other girls who are 20 years my junior. Flattered to be invited and determined to prove there was life in the old dog yet, I held my own for a while but must admit I am getting way too old for nightclubs and high heels. Hence I bowed out early and let the bright young things party the night away on my behalf.

Bank Holiday - More Partying and Paddling

The Bank Holiday saw us down at the town music festival which was a lot of fun. Live bands, sunshine and noodles in a box, what’s not to love? And it was free! Well not the beer and food of course, but it was free entry, and no-one minds filling the coffers of the beer tent when it’s run by one of the local independent pubs. Just doing our bit for the local economy.

Then true to form, the weather on the August Bank Holiday Monday faded to grey just in time for the Grand SUP-In paddle boarding event. Despite the breeze and the distinctive peri-autumnal chill in the air, there was still a good turn out and the myriad of Hawaiian shirts on show brightened the day no end.

Editing

So with all this gallivanting and paddling, or gallipaddling if you will, I must admit my book, and all the stuff I should have been doing, fell a little bit by the wayside, surprise surprise. A bit naughty, I know, but sometimes you’ve just got to make that hay while the old sun is shining, and it’s been shining very little of late.

However, and this is a big HOWEVER, I did get my book back from my lovely new editor (yes I actually have an editor now!) and I must say she had gone above and beyond the ‘picking up on typos’ level I was expecting. In fact, there were very few actual typos but there were several bits I needed to add in to help the story flow, plus several areas to be updated based on the time of its setting par example, descriptions that were fine in 2000 but that today may seem slightly offensive, oops! The perils of waiting 20 years to publish - times change! One of the main issues was my use of Euros - an integral part of my story - which did not come into popular use in Italy and Spain until 2002. Not great for a novel that is set in 1999! Hence I would like to confirm that my novel is now set in 2002!!

If anybody is looking for a great publisher, her name is Lusana Taylor and I found her through Reedsy. They do take a small finder's fee (I think it was £40) but all the professionals on their site are vetted and everything is handled through their site. Just put in your request for what you're looking for, tick the boxes that apply and you will be sent appropriate recommendations. You can then peruse their details, read the reviews and select whoever is your best fit, easy peasy! (Sadly I am not affiliated with Reedsy - but I am still happy to recommend them.

In order to concentrate on my edits, I treated myself to a day off work (approved, not skiving) and managed to work my way through the bulk of it. Some parts will need a little more thought and creative jus (fancy juice) which I intend to complete tomorrow. And you know what that means? Once the edit is complete I will have run out of excuses not to publish!

Get Ready for the Launch

Next stop - Launch! My cover designer is poised on the edge of her seat waiting for my final page count and instructions. I just need to work out how to get my edited manuscript from Word/Pages back into Scrivener and from there, how to format the internal pages. I’m hoping this is quite straightforward, I will let you know how I get on. Fingers crossed that in my next blog post I can confirm an actual launch date - so watch this space!

Ta ta for now, A xx

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