Tag: developmental edit

Author Showcase, Writing Tips and Tricks

Author Q&A: AJ Frazer – THE JAGGED EDGE

Rebecca Millar

For an author, there is nothing that quite beats the thrill of publication day, no matter how many books are under your belt. And just such a momentous day is fast approaching for AJ Frazer and his timely eco-thriller, The Jagged Edge.

A madman hellbent on revenge. An ex-war correspondent – once lauded – desperate to find his old edge. And the countdown towards the end of the world as we know it begins.

A thriller with a conscience, The Jagged Edge does for climate change what John Grisham has done for the law, cutting to the heart of the biggest threat to humanity the world has ever seen. 

I worked with AJ on this gripping race-against-time novel, ensuring the novel maintained the perfect balance of a pacy and entertaining thriller and a thought-provoking ecological warning.

AJ, welcome! The Jagged Edge is your latest novel. Tell us a little more about it.

Mercurial madman, Victor Sagen, is hellbent on saving the world from escalating climate change. Sagen is convinced that the only solution is to launch a devastating cyber weapon, called Biblical, that will send humanity back to the technological dark ages. A once lauded ex-war correspondent, Dominic Elliston, is desperate to find his old edge. Through a series of heart-stopping events, he is dragged (willingly) into Sagen’s orbit and, ultimately, finds himself in a position to stop him from releasing Biblical. But the question even Dominic must ask himself is, should he? The answer will shock him. 

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Author Showcase, Writing Tips and Tricks

Publication Day: Author Q&A: Rolly Bastard – KILL IT ALL AWAY

Rebecca Millar

For an author, there is nothing that quite beats the thrill of the publication of their first book. And today is that lucky day for Rolly Bastard and his debut Kill it All Away.

I worked with Rolly throughout the editing process and it was certainly lively! A thriller with twists and turns at every chapter, this is a novel that’s hard to put down. No matter how much you try, it’s almost impossible not to be lured in by Rolly’s charistamtic – albeit not always diplomatic – narration, and the shocking and entertaining story that he has to tell.

Rolly, welcome! Thank you for joining us here today. KILL IT ALL AWAY is your debut novel, isn’t it? Tell us a little more about it. 

This book is a thriller at its core, with murder, mystery, and twists, but also an examination of one man’s attempt to put his life back together, especially the relationship with his twenty-year-old daughter. And I know that description doesn’t sound like it, but there is also a lot of humour – dark humour – but humour all the same. 

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Meet the Editor

Meet the Editor – My Reading Life

Rebecca Millar

DSC_5751_1One of the most effective ways of improving your skills as a writer is to research. And what does research involve? Reading! And lots of it. I can’t emphasise enough how important it is to read around your genre, whether it’s police procedural or epic romance. Knowing your market not only helps improve your craft but also shows publisher and agents that you know what you’re talking about. You know the market you’re writing in to – it’s not a romantic image, but it’s the truth.

So, I was tagged in a challenge the other day on Instagram (if you’re not following me, go check out my page for exclusive content including reviews, behinds the scenes sneak-peeks and tips.) As an editor, I do even more reading for both the manuscripts I’m working on but also in my own time. So check it out…

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Book Review, Uncategorized, What Does an Editor Do?

“There’s nothing in the world more powerful than a good story” – Lessons aspiring authors can learn from the finale of Game of Thrones.

Rebecca Millar

SPOILERS AHEAD. YE BE WARNED.

game-of-thrones-poster_85627-1920x1200

So, let’s face it, the only thing everyone is talking about – nay, ranting about – is the finale to Game of Thrones. If you don’t know what I’m talking about, it is very likely you have been living under a rock for the past eight or so years. (Either that you have the willpower of iron for not being dragged into the phenomenon that is the fantasy TV series inspired by George R R Martin’s book series – in which case, you need to teach me your ways for my next diet.)

Now, I will readily admit that I was a latecomer to this series, madly watching the first seven seasons in the last two years before eagerly anticipating the final season earlier this year. So I was super excited to see how it would all turn out in the final series.

The beginning of the final season was promising, with the ‘Battle of the Long Night’ being a gripping and cinematographic masterpiece (albeit a bit dark). Then it went a little downhill … However, this blog is not a television review – as much as I want to rant and rave about the final episode – but I think many budding writers can learn some lessons from the final series of this epic show.

Continue reading ““There’s nothing in the world more powerful than a good story” – Lessons aspiring authors can learn from the finale of Game of Thrones.” →

Meet the Editor, What Does an Editor Do?

What Does an Editor Do? – The Developmental Edit

Rebecca Millar
Crime and thriller books
I specialise in crime, suspense and thriller genres – it’s all about building the tension…

First, let me welcome you to the first in my new series of posts: What Does an Editor Do? This will be a number of posts that showcase and highlight the various editorial services I have on offer, looking at what stage in your writing process you might encounter them and how to best prepare for them, and then make the most of them.

The first edit I shall be introducing you to is the Developmental Edit. This is the biggest sibling of all the edits – the useful older sibling who has the car when you need to move house or the muscles to help move that wardrobe.

Basically, it does all the heavy lifting.

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Meet the Editor, Uncategorized

Love What You Do

Rebecca Millar

The job of an editor...

Did you know that yesterday was the International Day of Happiness?

I was certainly feeling very joyous, enjoying a lovely break before starting back to work today. This morning, there was, of course, a case of the post-holiday blues but it is so much easier to get back to work when you love what you do.

And I couldn’t be happier with my job. Being an editor has always been my dream, ever since I was small. Surrounded by books and words all day was my idea of heaven – even if my eyesight has suffered for it. It was amazing working in-house at a publisher, which I always thought was the end-goal, but going freelance has been just fabulous! It’s hard work and certainly not easy being your own boss – seriously need to curb the “snack” runs – but it is so invigorating. I get to work with the most talented individuals, publishers, authors, book bloggers and bookstagrammers, other small businesses, and that is such an honour.

It’s the simple things in life that make me happy: a cup of tea in the morning, walks in the fresh air with loved ones, curling up with a good book. But what they say is true, if you love what you do, you never work a day in your life.