On June 6th, I shared that the beta review process had been completed for The Moreau Witches. That meant it was time for me to go through all the feedback—good and bad—and make the changes I felt would best benefit my story. It was not an easy process and it took a week or so longer than I wanted it to, but I am happy to say I had it all done by last Friday, July 13th—an auspicious sign for a witches’ tale, I think!
With my beta edits completed, the novel was then sent to Elizabeth Slaughter, who is now in the process of making delightful sense of my nonsense. After reading the original short story series and then learning that I intended to work on the novel, she offered to edit it for me. And of course, I took her up on the offer. Now, she’s suffering for her kindness. 😅
Her editing work is done in secret since she’s doing it by hand, so I have no updates on where she is or what she thinks of my revised witches’ tale, so far. But, I am looking forward to applying her expertise to sharpen my storytelling skills and ensure the story is the best it can possibly be for all of you.
There is a tentative completion date for her editing set to September 1st. Once she is finished, another editor in Britain will help me run through it quickly to ensure we didn’t accidentally Americanize any of the spelling and grammar in the book. The editor at my PR firm may then run through the book for the final time to catch any typos the first two editors and myself might have missed on the first round.
It is an ambitious goal, but I would love to slide my novel into a pile of books written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Mary Shelley, Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu and Oscar Wilde and escape the immediate suspicion that the book was written in modern times by someone who has never set foot in Europe—not yet, anyway. I have full faith in my editors to help me accomplish this. It is not about being comparable to literary giants, but helping readers escape into an era we never lived in through authentic Victorian writing.
While the editing work is taking place without me, I will not be idle. It is now time to purchase my ISBNs and bar code for the physical and electronic copies of the book. I will also be working on the back cover of the novel with my designer to enclose the words my editors will be working so hard to polish.
I’m so excited to have made it to this step in the publishing process and cannot wait to share the many changes that have taken place in the story. Some minor characters have appeared more often, like Mamie’s paramour and the assassin. Some names have also changed and new rationales were given for old actions.
In the coming months, I will be sharing more about the characters in the book, the themes it covers and historical facts I learned along the way. But first, let’s ensure the editors don’t send me back to the drawing board! If I manage to escape that Fate, then we are still in the run to get this book out on Halloween for the story’s second anniversary.
Thank you for following my journey this far. I hope you stick it out with me to the bittersweet end!
I’m celebrating this big milestone in the writing and publishing process with a trip to Alaska and can’t wait to share what adventures I have amidst mountains and glaciers when I return! Stay tuned!
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For ongoing updates, check out the #MoreauWitches hash tag on Twitter, where I often tweet in real-time, while working on the novel. If you’re interested in pre-ordering the witches’ tale, or would like to help with funding, please grab an item from my store! 😁
UPDATE: The novel is published. Get your copy on Amazon, here!
Alexis Chateau
Activist, Writer. Explorer.
I’m loving the cover.
Thank you! It’s the artwork for the cover, but the cover is much darker. Stay tuned. Can’t wait to share it with you guys. 😃
Maybe at the very north!
I’m on the south end, and no snow so far! It’s actually very green down here!
It sounds lovely. Do share some photos, please!
I’ve been sharing one on Instagram every day, but I will have the blog posts up with all of them over the next few weeks. 😃
I am not on Instagram. I just don’t have the time or inclination for so much social media; I’d rather live my life!
Agreed and agreed! But my career is online in PR and the lifestyle industry, so I have no choice. 🤣
Congratulations on this amazing achievement! 🙂
Mary Shelley, Oscar Wilde… You named two of my favourites there! Makes your novel sound even more promising, and I share your hope it will end up in the same pile as their masterpieces 🙂
Thank you, Samantha! I’m at that stage bow where I can’t wait for it to be over so I can enjoy the fruits of my labour and work on something else.
What’s your favourite story by Oscar Wilde? Did Le Fanu ring any bells?
I haven’t (yet) read everything of his, but I love The Picture Of Dorian Gray and The Importance Of Being Earnest. He was a master with words for sure.
Oh I’m sorry. Cut my answer short :’) I hadn’t heard from Le Fanu before, but a quick Google search has me intrigued.
I highly recommend his short novel, CARMILLA.
I read a lot of his works years ago, but only just read the Picture of Dorian Gray. It was beautifully written. I think that’s the best I’ve seen of his work so far.
This is such a fantastic achievement, also seriously clever to write in a way that you don’t naturally speak all of the time. Can’t wait to read all about Alaska on your blog.
Thanks, Chrissie!
My husband would tell you though that my normal speech is probably not so far away from Victorian English. He tells me one must have a dictionary to understand half of what I say. 😂
I am really looking forward to the trip. I’ve never been so far north before. 😊
Oh wow, I would love to hear you speak I bet it sounds beautiful. Has anyone?! Nah, I’m just joking.
Hahaha. I mostly do it when I write, but it does happen accidentally when I speak, too. I try not to do it too much in the US as I completely confuse everyone. 🤣
That’s fantastic news indeed, Alex. All the best with the editors and hope you can publish your novel on schedule. In the meantime, enjoy Alaska: that is a place both Peter and I would love to visit. I look forward to reading all about it and seeing the photos. 👍
Thank you, thank you! I’m really excited to have everything moving along so nicely. I hope I stay on schedule. 😌
As for the trip, I’m not even sure what to expect or imagine, having never been that far north before! I will definitely be posting about it when I get back.
Well, I hope at the very least you will go sledging with the huskies! I would truly love to do that! 👍
Haha, I hadn’t even thought of that! I’ve been so busy thinking about trails! I’m not sure they have snow now in the middle of summer, but I’ll look into it. 🤔
Well, at the very least I hope you will go sledging with the huskies. I would truly love to do that! 👍
So exciting!🤩🤩🤩🤩🤩
I know! I’m so excited. 😀
I love thinking that I am editing in secret!
That’s awesome! Congratulations on this milestone! I think a trip to Alaska is the perfect way to celebrate 🙂
Thank you! I’ve never been there before or anywhere like it, so I’m really looking forward to it! It’s going to be weird experiencing 60s in the summer though.
Alaska will be phenomenal! It’s been high up on my travel list since I was a kid. What part are you going to?
It was in the 60s during the summer when I visited Quebec many years ago. You’ll adjust! Just bring some nice hoodies and you’ll be nice and comfy. If anything, the cool weather will make moving around more pleasant.
I’m sure it will be. Certainly different from anything else I’ve ever seen. Canada was higher up on my list, but I’m not comfortable leaving the country until they remove the silly conditions from my visa.
I’m bringing a few hoodies along for sure. The weather looks like it will cover a wide range in Juneau, Alaska. I saw from early 50s to early 80s!