Kia ora,
At the start of January, I wrote about how I came off my bike in rather spectacular fashion. I also said that I was on the hunt for a new ebike. The two weren’t connected, but the crash confirmed my decision that I needed a better fitting bike. Well, my TradeMe watch list came through. I got one! It’s a Rev Coaster. Fat tyres, curved handlebars, pannier rack. It’s beautiful and a lot of fun to ride.
Now I just have to hit the bike trails! I’ve got the Clutha Gold trail on my list, and it’s close to home.
I also have a new blog post: How long should your book be? Here’s an excerpt:
Why word count matters
When you’re self-publishing, you have complete control over the whole publishing process. However, there are a few things to keep in mind before you send out your 200,000 word adventure memoir to your beta readers or editor.
- The longer the manuscript, the longer it takes to edit, and the higher it costs to edit.
- The longer the manuscript, the higher the printing costs.
- Publishers, agents, and readers have expectations on how long (or short) certain books should be.
High word counts can indicate a problem with the structure. Could the story be tightened up? Are all the scenes and anecdotes relevant to the main story and its theme? Is there too much repetition?
That’s all for this week. Catch you soon!
Deborah
📚 What I’m reading
Around the World in 80 Years, by Ranulph Fiennes
The Impossible Climb: Alex Honnold, El Capitan and the Climbing Life, by Mark Synnott
📅 Availability
I’m booking manuscripts from mid-April. If you’re thinking of getting your manuscript edited, now is a good time to get in touch.
✍️ Ways to work with me
Get your manuscript evaluation
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Deborah Shaw Adventure Editing 