Ann Benjamin's Blog, page 303

Notes back!

So, I was waiting in fear/trepidation/sense of needing to finish Room 702 and also hoping the notes arrived sooner rather than later.  With Hubs away from Wednesday – Tuesday, even though they weren’t due, I knew the days would be a great opportunity to get a jump on the final edit.  Imagine my elation when the manuscript showed up edited in my inbox this afternoon.  With a deep breath I opened the file and was happy to read the following comment:

“Overall, an engaging narrative, one that I feel needs only a small amount of work to make for a sharper read. You offer an excellent narrative, one that is original and skilful.”

Maybe it’s a ploy, although additional comments like, “I have THOROUGHLY enjoyed reading this submission” lead me to believe otherwise.  Anyway, as I work through the final draft, I’m in a positive mood.  Who knows?  I might even be able to publish this thing next month!  When all is said and done, I’ll give a more thorough commentary about if I feel paying for an editor truly enhanced the final product.

A source of pride.

Being a self-published author sometimes has big perks.  While I know many traditionally published authors are awesome and regularly interact with their fanbase, from those I’ve contacted I’ve never had a response.  Cut to, little old me.  A year ago In late 2011, a young woman contacted me to see if I could give her any advice about publishing a book about marching band.  Delighted, I instantly responded.  We corresponded throughout 2012 and she would give me updates to the process.  Imagine my elation when she e-mailed me today to announce the book was finished and available for purchase on Lulu!

While I was only a very small part of her journey as an author, I have some pride in knowing I still had something to do with it.

So, today, I celebrate Kaitlyn Auer and her first book, The Year of Champions.  All the best, Katy!

For someone who fell in love with reading at an early age…

Art by Quentin Blake.

I think reading is imperative to writing.  I feel quite fortunate to have fallen in love with the activity so young.  When I saw these images as a photoset, the photos triggered happy memories in me.  Put some glasses on the girl above and you’d be looking at me.  (No, my parents were awesome and no, I could not move things with my mind).  Still, the thought of being whisked away to some place new always (and still does) appealed to me.

Going somewhere ‘new’ was a great place of escape for me this weekend.  I needed somewhere I hadn’t been before and short of getting on a plane and away from Doha the thought crossed my mind a new book ended up being the perfect balm.

In short, yay books!

Words by Roald Dahl.  I still have no idea what Bovril is.