Publication - Manuscript in depth editing

8 November 2011, Publication - Manuscript in depth editing

Introduction: I realized that I need to introduce this blog a little.  I wrote the novel Aksinya: Enchantment and the Daemon.  The working title was Daemon, and this was my 21st novel.  Over the last year, I gave you the entire novel in installments that included commentary on the writing.  In the commentary, in addition to other general information on writing, I explained, how the novel was constructed, the metaphors and symbols in it, the writing techniques and tricks I used, and the way I built the scenes.  You can look back through this blog and read the entire novel.

I'm using this novel as an example of how I produce, market, and eventually (we hope) get a novel published.  I'll keep you informed along the way.  At this moment, I'm showing you the marketing material I put together for a novel.

Today's Blog:  To see the steps in the publication process, go to my writing website http://www.ldalford.com/ and select "production schedule," you will be sent to http://www.sisteroflight.com/. 

I'll just make a slight sideline today because I think this is important.  When I read about new novels especially new indie novels, I like to take a look at them--just to see, professional courtesy, if you like.  I'm no longer an indie author, but I want to encourage the indie marketplace--such is the place authors grow.

The author described their book as a bargain at 360,000 words.  I was intrigued because 360,000 words is enough words for 3 normal novels.  My first thought was, they would have to be a great writer to keep a novel going for that many words.  So, I jumped to the Amazon site to see if there was an example of the writing.  I'll be as kind as possible--such a novel would not hold anyone's interest for 100,000 words much less 360,000 words.  It is 310,000 words too long. 

There is a strong reason this novel is not going to ever attract a regular publisher.  The novel begins with a long pedantic prologue.  It tells you everything that went on in history from the 20th century until the beginning of the novel--boring.  Dump the prologue.  If you are going to have any prologue--short sweet, to the point, witty, and breezy.  Otherwise, no prologue.

Second, the beginning had no action.  It was a long description of a place and a person with some conversation thrown in.  For goodness sakes, if I'm going to invest hours to read a 360,000 word novel, it better move quickly and be full of action and excitement.  Whose going to put in the effort, even if the novel is free, to read 360,000 unexciting words.

I didn't read any further--I checked my check and now made my point.  The good thing is that this kind of writing will not attract any publisher.  The bad thing is that this author, by producing this work has no idea why their novel is unsellable.  You won't be at this stage when editing your about to be published novel.  I just wanted to point out, while it was fresh on my mind, why some novels are unsellable.  It all goes back to what I wrote before.
 
Tomorrow, more editing in depth.

I'll repeat my published novel websites so you can see more examples:   http://www.ldalford.com/, and the individual novel websites:  http://www.aegyptnovel.com/, http://www.centurionnovel.com/, http://www.thesecondmission.com/, http://www.theendofhonor.com/, http://www.thefoxshonor.com/, and http://www.aseasonofhonor.com/.