In mid-July, I sent the second draft of The Moreau Witches off to Elizabeth Slaughter to be edited. Though the book had been read and beta-reviewed by many helpful friends, followers and strangers, it would be the first time that a professional editor picked the words apart to see where I had gone wrong with grammar, spelling, plot and gods know what else.
Naturally, I was a little nervous to see how Elizabeth would wield her red ink across the pages of my work and waited with bated breath for news of her progress. A week or so into editing, she informed me that she loved the story and was making good progress. She then continued to give me positive feedback and updates throughout her work.
On Monday, August 27th, I received her printed edits of The Moreau Witches and have been working on applying those edits throughout the text. I cannot thank her enough for the work she put into my novel and how she has helped me to polish the words to make them shine a little brighter.
I have said it a thousand times before, and I will say it again: a writer is only as good as their editor. In my case, it will be editors, as after I have finished applying Elizabeth’s edits, a UK-based editor will help me double-check for any new typos I may have created. She will also help me ensure we haven’t accidentally Americanised any of the text as the book is written in Victorian English.
I had not expected to have this back in my hands until the first or second week of September, so needless to say, we’ve been making great progress. For everyone who has asked: yes, that means we’re still on track for the release date of October 31st!
With the release date creeping ever closer, a lot of you have also been asking about pre-ordering the book. Unfortunately, since the book is still being edited, I have no idea what the final page count and therefore the cost of the printed edition will be. I do, however, know that the eBook will sell for $2.99.
Aside from special purchases from my online store, there is no way to pre-order the eBook just yet, but with all the requests coming in, I think it’s time to find a way to make it happen.
What do you guys think? All thoughts and suggestions are welcome from readers and writers, alike!
UPDATE: The novel is published. Get your copy on Amazon!
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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! 😁
Alexis Chateau
Activist, Writer. Explorer.
Sounds to me like you are doing wonderfully well! My only thought would be the buzz on social media.
Thank you! I’ve been doing pretty good with social media buzz and word-of-mouth at work and amongst friends online and off. I own a PR company, so you could say I have a headstart on that one! 😅
I am so pleased for you and I will definitely get an e-copy for my Kindle. Best of luck with the final hurdles! 👍
By the way, I tried to comment on your post about things to know when holidaying in Jamaica and the page couldn’t be found. I just wanted to say that basic personal hygiene should be a must for everyone and it is expected in civilised society. And with regards to respecting personal space, I am guilty of trying to kiss British people when I first arrived from Spain. I quickly learned not to do it as most people recoiled and I soon stopped doing it. 😂
Hahaha, I know that post caused so much confusion. It wasn’t supposed to be published yet. I was still working on it. 😂
I don’t think any of my Spanish friends tried to kiss me. Maybe because they were all guys and that could have easily been misconstrued as something else. Jamaicans would not take kindly to that at all though, especially men kissing other men!
And thank you! I’m looking forward to hearing your feedback on the novel. I know we’ve spent a lot of time discussing women’s rights and how husbands and wives are accorded different values by society. I hope you enjoy the way that’s illustrated in the novel and understand why it’s such a struggle for the characters involved. 🙂
Squeeeee! Cannot wait for the release!
Just 2 months to go! 😀
Ooh! So happy for you 🙂
And the release is set on my birthday! A lot of good things always happen on my birthday, so I’m sure your book will do great 🙂
Your birthday is Halloween? I envy you! 😅 And thank you. I hope you enjoy it when it comes out!
Yea, it’s wicked. But I like it >:)
I am looking forward to your book!
My husband has switched to audio books, so I’m appropriating his kindle. Can’t wait to read your book!
Hahahaha, I love the term “appropriating” 😅 And thank you! I can’t wait for you guys to get your hands on it. Just 2 months to go!
I believe a pre-order can be done. I know for my book – kindle is doing it. Congrats!!! on getting the edits back, that’s awesome and yes – it’s pretty daunting when an editor gets your work/story. But that she loved it and that it didn’t take as long as you’d expected. October 31st is a great release date for such a book and title. Wishing you nothing but the best and success. xoxo
Thank you! October 31st is the 2nd year anniversary of the original short story series which became the novel, so it was chosen for so many reasons.. 😃
I will definitely look into the preorder. Thank you so much for your input!