2016 Editing Commissions and Client New Releases

It's been a hectic start to 2016. Already in the bag:

Literary (content and copy) edit of The Far Side of Creation (Vanx Malic 7) by M.R. Mathias, and The House by P.M. Prior.

Currently working on a content and copy edit of The Engine Woman's Light by Laurel Anne Hill.


Here's the cover and blurb for The House, which was released today:

AMAZON

It was meant to be a place of safety. Their home. Her sanctuary. 

When Prue Bridgewater first glimpses the abandoned old house, it's love at first sight. Her husband Ray is not so sure. 

The property has been neglected for decades, and Ray can’t help wondering why. But with Prue on the brink of a nervous breakdown, he’ll do whatever it takes to keep her sane, even if it means he has to live there. 

Once ensconced in their new home, Prue begins fixing up the place while Ray is away at work. And then a series of disturbing discoveries makes her fear she's losing her mind. 

She hears things and sees people who couldn’t possibly be there, and she can’t shake the feeling she’s being watched. 

As Prue’s hold on reality begins to disintegrate, along with her marriage, she struggles to tell truth from delusion. But things go from bad to worse, and soon not just her sanity, but her survival hinges upon the long-buried secrets of THE HOUSE. 

A Crucible of Souls by Mitchell Hogan

I'm pleased to announce the start of a very promising new fantasy trilogy, A Crucible of Souls, by Mitchell Hogan. For a debut novel this is more than a little impressive. Mitchell has redrafted multiple times and the effort really shows. Characters are vividly drawn, multi-layered, and in one or two cases, compelling.

Crucible is recognizably epic fantasy, with an orphaned protagonist who is apprenticed and discovers exceptional skills whilst also uncovering an intriguing family history that may have serious implications for his future. But in additional to the standard epic tropes, Hogan joins with the new wave of fantasy authors in his use of morally ambivalent characters, distinct and tight points of view, believable world building, an intelligible magic system, and some edgy, gritty content.

Mitchell engaged fantasy legend John Jarrold for the first round of story editing and after that passed the book to me for copy editing, plus some additional content notes. After some judicious cutting and sharpening of the prose, he let me have it back for proofreading.

It's been a great project to work on for me, particularly given the author's work ethic and willingness to do whatever it takes to make the book as good as possible.

A Crucible of Souls should be available as an ebook within the next few weeks, and will be released as a paperback shortly afterwards.

If any of you reviewers out there would like an ARC, please send me an email and I'll forward it to the author.

The Man Who Watched the World End

Please check out this exciting new book by Chris Dietzel. I copy edited the book some time ago. It recounts a very plausible end to humanity. Some great ideas from a really interesting author.

The Man Who Watched the World End

Uneasy Lies the Crown

I've just finished copy editing Uneasy Lies the Crown by N. Gemini Sasson. This is a skilfully written historical-fiction based on the Welsh uprising against the English which was led by Owain Glyndur. The book has a sweeping scope and the author selectively zooms in on incidents and characters in a way that is reminiscent of a Shakespearean history.

The characterisation is top notch, and the action is eminently human, spanning glorious eights and despairing lows. There are terrific portraits of Richard II, Henry IV, Henry V, Harry Hotspur, Rhys Ddu, and particularly Owain himself and his wife, Margaret.

One of the best books I've edited to date.

Next up is a short from K. Gorman and then something out of the ordinary from Sibel Hodge.

Editing News

I've just finished edits for Sibel Hodge (It's a Catastrophe!) and Rex Jameson (Hallow's Ween).

I'm currently working on a non-fiction book by Victorine Lieske.

Paula is working on a copy edit for Curtis Hox.

Next week I start on a historical fiction by N. Gemini-Sasson.

As usual, please send all queries (even if you just have a question about writing or editing) to derekprior@yahoo.co.uk

Best Fantasy and Best Novel

Congratulations to Moses Siregar for his novel The Black Gods War which has just won Best Novel and Best Fantasy in the eFestival of Words. I provided both content and copy editing for the novel fairly early on in the process. Moses is an extremely diligent and hardworking author, and he's utterly deserving of the recognition.

Check the book out here

Recent Edits -- David Dalglish; M.R. Mathias

I've just completed a copy edit for David Dalglish's The Broken Pieces, the final book in the Paladins series. I've also just finished a literary edit of M.R. Mathias's Through the Wildwood (The Legend of Vanx Malic).

As always, it's been a pleasure working with these two prolific authors, both of whom are always utterly professional.

Editing Schedule

I'm currently working on a literary edit of The Legend of Vanx Malic (Book 1 -- Through the Wildwood) by M.R. Mathias.

Next up is a copy edit of the fourth Paladins book by David Dalglish, and then I have commissions from Sibel Hodge and Rex Jameson.

Please email me with all your editing, proofing, beta reading queries and I'll do my best to slot you into a date that suits your schedule.

Angel's Breath by Valmore Daniels

Here's a new release from Valmore Daniels. I did a copy edit for this book, second in the series, earlier in the month.

My name is Richard Riley. All I ever wanted was to lead a normal life.

When I was younger, I made some bad choices that ended with me in prison. I served my time, and now I am trying to put my life back together.

But someone has framed me for a crime I didn't commit. They want me dead, and they're willing to kill my friends and family to get to me.

Even as I try to save the people I love, a dark and ancient power grows inside me. I can feel its anger rising.

If it gets away from me, it will rip everything in my life apart.




Amazon link