The Blood of the Spear – WiP Report 3

Hello fair readers! It’s been some time since I graced you with an update, and I know you are all waiting with baited breath to hear how it’s going… Well. It’s going. I am currently working on the last PoV doc, and am sitting at 87% of the 5ht draft manuscript done. It’s hard to […]

Captive Prince by C.S. Pacat

Stripped of his identity at the death of his father, the king of Akielos, Prince Damianos is consigned to slavery by his half-brother who has usurped the throne. ‘Gifted’ as a pleasure slave to Prince Laurent of Vere, deadly enemy of the kingdom of Akielos the renamed ‘Damen’ must submit to his new position while […]

The Importance of an Editor – and a Manuscript Assessment

I have been reading for years (and years), have beta-read for other authors and review books frequently, but when it comes to writing itself, I am very much still learning my craft for a reader does not a writer make – at least, not entirely.  Being asked to beta-read has taught me how read critically, […]

The Blood of the Spear – WiP Report 2

I’ve just come back from two weeks of a annual leave and the 5th draft of TBotS is now sitting at 56% complete. I had a lovely time imagining that I was a full-time writer, working for myself. I was up at 7am every morning , coffee in hand, and writing until 9am to stop […]

A Must Read

You have no idea of my excitement. I couldn’t possibly describe it to you even if I tried. I have been waiting for this book for a long time (not that Michelle has not been writing but I’ve been waiting for this particular part of the story!). It had completely dropped off my radar as well – […]

Maps

To map or not to map? That is the question. Actually it’s not a question at all – I am mapping in my book. I don’t understand fantasy books without maps; it’s never made sense to me. You (the author) have created a whole new world with mountain ranges and deserts and peninsulas and oceans… […]

The Skull Throne by Peter V. Brett

I cannot adequately express how desperately I have been waiting for this book. The Skull Throne is the fourth volume of the series, The Demon Cycle, by Peter V. Brett, one of my favourite authors. If you have not yet read the preceding three books, go and order book one, The Painted Man, now. Brett […]

The Importance of Beta-Readers

When I began dreaming of writing an epic fantasy novel, a long time ago, I imagined that I would write a first draft, polish it up in a second draft and then send it on its merry way to publication and bookshops all over the world. Time and experience can change many beliefs and ideas; […]

Remembering Sara Douglass

I can recall picking up Battleaxe on the day of its release. Having always been an avid reader I visit the local bookshop every lunch time with an eye for something new. And back then there was not nearly as much to choose from as there is today. References on the cover comparing to Robert […]

The Blood of the Spear – WiP Report 1ea

I’ve been working on this book, The Blood of the Spear, for a long time. Its genesis spark flared to back in 1992 or so but if the truth be told I’ve only been writing it since 2010. I am now on my fifth draft, having sent the 4th out to beta-readers and getting a […]