Copy editors

I posted a blog a couple a days ago about 'Architect,' my first novel on amazon, concerning it being in the process of having copy edited services undertaken. Well the time scale I gave was completely inaccurate! Four to five weeks is normal for the average book to be copy edited. So 'Architect,' will not be seeing the light of day for a little while longer. I have to say that my eyes have been opened widely, over the process of my book being independently edited. Writing which I enjoy greatly, is fundamentally only a small part of the process of being published. I always perceived putting pen to digital paper, to be the bulk of the exercise. What I have come to understand is that the fine tuning, is where any potential, in any manuscript will come to light. The cost to having the work undertaken, has also come as a complete shocker! Four hundred to two thousand pounds. Depending on the length of the work and what needs to be done. From proof reading to full on copy editing, are reasonable prices quoted. Also, the reputation and quality of work done by the individual, or company, needs to be scrutinized to insure that you are not throwing away good money. All in all, the sourcing of a good copy editor, has been one of the most stressful parts on my journey, of writing and self publishing. I would like to hear from both writers and copy editors, proof readers or anyone who uses their talents to fine tune manuscripts. How has your experiences been of receiving, or supply the services I have written about in this blog, positive or negative!

Awakenings: Eight Tales of Erotic Adventure from Two Amazing Worlds by Dan Westercamp
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

More of a 4.5!

I was really pleased at this set of, intertwined compilation, of short episodes of an ongoing theme.

I don't usually read short stories, but this was cleverly done, to allow a certain level of continuity to be prevalent through the pieces.

Erotica is not my usual reading matter, and to be honest this is my first foray into this genre.

A change being as good as a rest, I decided to give it a go!

To that end, I found, to my delight, that the balance between story telling, and its subject matter, pleasantly matched. Allowing the work to have a certain level of poise!

I am not sure if I will continue to read erotica, but for me congratulations are in order to the author, for putting together a solid piece of writing, which he should be proud of.



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Copy editing

I have decided to pull my book temporarily off of Amazon kindle, as I have employed a copy edit to fine tune Architect.

A steady set of feed back has confirmed to me that writing the book was never enough. A certain level of polish is needed to do justice to the process.

It will be no more than a few days for this to take place, after which time, business will resume as normal, and Architect will be ready again, to meet its public!

Terms of Enlistment by Marko Kloos
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book a great deal. I have to say that it pays homage quite heavily to Aliens, the movie, but this in no way stops me appreciating it as its own independent piece of work.

Its neatly put together and slanted heavily towards the next installment which I am sure is being written as I write this.

Five could possibly be a tiny bit to high a score, but for me four is just to low to be completely fair.

The military descriptions and terminology are executed in a very confident manor, that gives the overall book a depth that allows you to immerse yourself within particulars set pieces.

These highlights in the book, edge it away from a four star and into the five for me.

A lot can be said for a well executed page turner, that gets you through a weekend and allows you to move onto your next book, satisfied that your time was well spent.

I am sure that I will be reading the next installment, and that in away is testament overall to my experiences of reading this book!

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Filth by Irvine Welsh




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Superman: Red Son by Mark Millar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this, very Watchman like in the tone, the Russian Batman was the dogs bol@cks. Tough and not very happy with the man of steel; It worked so well slanting the original story the way it did. It makes so much sense, he could of landed anywhere on earth, not just in the USA. Depending on the country he potentially ended up in his perspective would always have been different, taking into consideration different cultures and customs. A class graphic novel that should be in the top fifty best graphic novels easily!

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Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I had a blast reading this, the eighties was definitely my decade, it turned into one serious trip down memory lane for me!

The majority of the story takes place in cyber space, making the whole thing feel a little bit transcendental.

(Remember 1986 when Bobby Ewing came back from the dead. It was all a dream!!!!!!! Remember!!!!!)

That dose not mean that your actions have no consequence, cyber space we discover can be just as deadly as the real world.

If your up for a bit of nostalgia, or your to young, and just want get a flavor for the Eighties. Then strap on the 'Rocket Mans,' jet pack from the 1984 LA Olympics, and get ready for a rip roaring ride 'Back to the future.'

If you would rather drive then I am sure Marty Mcfly will lend you his Delorean!!!!





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Alien by Alan Dean Foster
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

'The Corpus Christi and the wrecks attached to it would berth at one of five, immigration control space stations that orbited Pluto.

Specialized security quarantine professionals, a unique, militarized, biological scientific team with broad powers, would enter the ships to make sure that nothing dangerous hid aboard the vessels that could contaminate the inner system.

The scope of their dictum, allowed for the termination of cargo and crew without hesitation, their powers so broad and unique that the average Haulier of freight, would think long and hard about smuggling contraband into the inner system.

Stories told, the level of fact highly dubious. The most prevalent concerning an Alien that had gotten aboard a standard transport, neutralized and then cocooned the crew, using them as host for its offspring.

Apparently, the creature had acid for blood, making it hard to kill within the rarefied closed looped system of a deep space haulier.

Nobody trusted the validity of the stories, but somehow everybody deep down wanted to believe, needing a space born bogie man to fuel their nightmares.'

Love this book so much that I have name checked the premise in the second installment of my own book, 'Architect Journey Back.'

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