Posts Tagged ‘novel’

  1. Erfyl fantasy novel submitted to publisher

    21 October, 2011 by Alexa Chipman

    An ancient race of beings has conquered Earth, and can influence our minds by mere thought—the only problem is—we don’t know it. When Erfyl discovers their secret she is marked for death, unless she can reclaim a mysterious island that bears her name.

    Yes, after several months of going through alpha and beta reader stages (special thanks to all who participated) I have sent the manuscript off to start the proofing process. Usually that takes a few weeks—and I have a final group of readers who will be looking at actual physical proofs of the book before it is released to the public.

    Release date goal: December 1, 2011

    I finished the final edit to the manuscript this afternoon at a cafeteria in Berkeley’s Graduate Theological Union in an atmosphere of some lively discussions. To one side, there was a packed table loudly arguing about the legitimacy or heresy of Arianism, at another area were a few with laptops out having a group meeting about theological language and its impact on child development. There were amusing drive-by style discussions, such as this gem I heard at the soda machine:

    “Chronicles? Are you crazy? Leviticus is so much better.”

    “What? Who in their right mind would willingly read Leviticus. Chronicles is awesome!”

    “Seriously? Who wants to read about a bunch of dead kings ‘who did evil in the sight of the Lord’ I mean seriously, man.”

    I did not hear the conclusion. I hope it did not come to blows.


  2. Maudelayne Novel in Beta Reads

    29 December, 2010 by Alexa Chipman

    1st draft completed
    Nov 30, 2010
    2nd draft completed
    Dec 29, 2010

    I have just sent it out to the Beta Readers that signed up. There is still time. If you would like to read the novel and make comments on it before the final rewrite, drop me a line, comment here, DM on facebook or twitter, or skype me.

    Deadline for beta read is Jan 10, 2011

    My deadline for the final round of edits is January 30, 2011, then usually I have another round after the proof is sent, so rough estimate of publishing date is February 20, 2011ish. I am going over to Wales for St. David’s day which could throw that off.

    After this book is completed, I’ll probably try to rewrite and get the Kelmah novels in paperback. If you have any suggestions / requests for those let me know now. Thanks!


  3. New Maudelayne Novel Prep

    30 September, 2010 by Alexa Chipman

    Due to popular demand, I’ve started prepping to create a Maudelayne novel. Due to my arrangement with the college bursar, I am only allowed to use Maudelayne’s name for free audio drama.

    Therefore, in order to sell the novel, I did a bit of a name tweek, which those of you on Twitter saw the result of.

    Maudelayne = Mawbray now, which is both a location and family that was significant during the Wars of the Roses.

    The location is not the only thing to have a facelift: due to the fact it is a novel for profit, I have to remove any references to actual people. Thus:

    Lord David Cecil -> Professor Esmond Cecil

    C.L. Wrenn & J.R.R. Tolkien & C.S. Lewis -> Professor Aedon (I combined them)

    President George Gordon -> President Barton

    Other changes include:
    - Sophie Roberts never leaves
    - Jane Worsley is now Nigel’s older sister
    - Certain events in the series that are mentioned I have reordered

    The subtitle of the novel is “Secret of the Rift” quite frankly because so many people have asked me about it, and it isn’t the sort of thing that can be clearly explained in the current Maudelayne format. I also like to keep the radio plays up to the user’s imagination, rather than dictating to them.

    The novel will have two main plots:
    - Atherton & the River Nymph
    - So what is this rift thing, anyway? aka we finally find out!

    If you would like to see anything in the novel, please drop me a comment or tweet. Already I’ve had requests for some bits written from Worsley’s perspective (why is he so easily upset?) some from Atherton’s (is he really that noble or does he have inner conflict?) and more Sophie Roberts. Feel free to add your requests!