Editing.

How we love it.

That’s where I’m at right now in writing. I’m currently editing my novel, “The Long Black Veil.” The deadline has been set for July 15. At that point, I will be handing it over to a select few readers for them to look over and give suggestions. Then edit some more.

In the meantime, I am also writing my dark fantasy novel with the tentative name of “Cage of the Wolves.”

So, what’s the process here you may ask? When can you get a book in your hands?

I hate to say this, but it’s going to be awhile. I’m not rushing the book and it takes time. I’ll give you the step by step of my process, or the tentative deadlines I have.

The July 15 first draft edits approaches. I’ll hand it to my beta readers. I hope to get their feedback back by mid-August. I’ll start more editing. I will also be crafting a cover letter and synopsis during this stage, carefully reading over them again and again. Sometime in September, I will start querying literary agents in an attempt to find someone to represent me and find a publishing house that will publish the book.

Unfortunately, that is a long process. It could take a year to find an agent, if ever.

If I am able to find an agent, it could take months or another year to find a publisher. Then it’s more editing, designing… Then publication.

What I’m saying is if I go the traditional route, it could be in your hands within three to four years.

That sucks, doesn’t it? But it’s the business. Until then, I write the next one and the next one.

If the traditional route does not work, I’ll be using the self-publishing route and you’ll possibly have the book in your hands in about a year and a half to two years. I’m going to try traditional publishing first.

I’ll keep you posted.

In just a little more than a month, I’ll celebrate the ten-year anniversary of my first published novel, “Canaan Mountain.”

Still trying to figure out how to celebrate that milestone.