Last Thursday, I attended my writers critique group, Northwest Arkansas Writers Workshop, with the final five pages of That English Lady. This being the ending to the book, I hoped everyone would appreciate it and even like it. That it would hit the mark as a GOOD ending. That it would do justice to the rest of the story. I felt in my heart that it covered all the bases very well, but the general consensus from group served to reinforce this. They liked it, and even had a few suggestions to make it even stronger, which I took to heart and acted upon the next day.
So now, That English Lady is complete and ready for submissions or self-publishing.
Either way, a professional editor shall get to see it, (and if anyone has suggestions on good freelance editors they have had positive experiences with – in case I go with self-publishing – please feel free to comment below), but I am not entirely sure which way to go with it yet.
I self-published The Blue Door Trilogy – which I am going to get to work on re-editing for a second, improved edition AFTER a reasonable sabbatical – and may well end up doing the same with this one. Although, having a traditional publisher take it on, along with the formatting, professional editing, cover design, etc. does have a certain appeal! I suppose we shall see if indeed any submissions bear fruit or not first.
Regardless of eventual outcome, I at least intend to try the traditional, small press, route with this book before deciding what is best for it.
Wish me luck! 🙂