Tag: editor

Author Showcase, Writing Tips and Tricks

Publication Day! Author Q&A: NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE by A J Wills

Rebecca Millar

One of the best parts of working with authors is seeing their work get better and better with every manuscript, and A J Wills is one such superstar. I’ve worked with Wills on two books so far, and each time he’s brought an even more thrilling concept to the table – earning himself a Selfie Award nomination in the process. With a flair for creating complex characters and hooks that you just can’t resist, you can’t go far wrong with an A J Wills thriller.

It was an utter joy to work with A J Wills on his latest novel, NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE, an electrifying psychological thriller that poses questions about how one careless action can snowball into tragedy. And revenge.

I was delighted to get the chance to ask A J Wills some questions ahead of publication day – today – discussing what inspired him to write thrillers, and why keeping things close to home makes the twists all the more unnerving.

Scroll down to read an exclusive interview with the author!

Nothing Left to Lose by A J Wills

10 January 2022

When you’ve lost everything, revenge is all that’s left.

After securing the convictions of two violent murderers for a horrific and brutal attack on a pensioner in his own home, Henry’s wife, Abi should be celebrating. As a renowned criminal lawyer, it was her biggest test. But someone’s not happy.

First, there’s the hooded stranger who follows her home in the dead of night.

Then comes the attack on her car and a death threat in the form of an anonymous hand-delivered letter.

Someone’s trying to scare them. Someone wants revenge.

And they’ll stop at nothing until they’ve brought the couple to their knees – and exacted a deadly retribution…

Nothing Left To Lose is an electrifying psychological thriller from the No. 1 bestselling author of Selfie 2021-nominated His Wife’s Sister.

Nothing Left to Lose is out today – grab your copy here.

Read on for an exclusive interview with the author, A J Wills.

Continue reading “Publication Day! Author Q&A: NOTHING LEFT TO LOSE by A J Wills” →
Coffee with Colleagues, Meet the Editor, What Does an Editor Do?

UK Crime Book Club – Ask the Expert Interview

Rebecca Millar

Last month, I was delighted to be invited by the UK Crime Book Club to speak in one of their Ask the Expert slots. So far, the series has featured publishers, police specialists as well as marketing aficionados, and now it was my turn to talk all about editing!

If was a fantastic evening, and Samantha and I chatted all about editing, writing crime fiction and, strangely enough, cheese, along with much more. If you weren’t able to watch the interview live, it’s now available to view both on the UK Crime Book Club YouTube channel (see below), so do check it out. It is a great chance to find out more about what an editor does in general, how I personally help authors with their manuscripts, as well as the nuances of working in the grisly but addictive world of crime fiction, in a fun and informal format.

If you enjoyed that, don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions, and follow me on social media (links at the bottom of the page) for more news, updates, and general chit chat.

And don’t forget to check out the UK Crime Book Club interviews with my authors Catherine Yaffe, Simon McCleave, Sally Rigby and Morgan Greene!

Author Showcase, Writing Tips and Tricks

Publication Day! Author Q&A: LET ME SLEEP by Laura J. Sillett

Rebecca Millar

I am privileged to work with some well-established authors, but one of the most exciting parts of being an editor is working with debut authors with debut authors on their first novels, helping them to launching their writing careers. There is nothing that beats the excitement around a debut, especially when they are as gifted a storyteller as Laura J Sillett.

It was a privilege to work on Laura’s debut, LET ME SLEEP, a psychological dystopian thriller that is laden with pace and twist at every turn.

I was delighted to get the chance to ask Laura some questions ahead of publication day – today – discussing what inspired her to write crime and thriller, and why the Victorians knew how to do crime right!

Scroll down to read an exclusive interview with the author!

Let Me Sleep by Laura J Sillett

23rd September 2021

He would do anything to remember. And even more to forget.

Tormented by nightmares of a screaming woman, Nico Jakes opens his eyes to an unfamiliar world.

Forced into hiding by war, a society has made its home underground. Suffering from psychological trauma, Nico learns that his lost memories hold the key to the survival of the entire community. Frustrated, confused, and under the watchful eye of his protective brother, Nico submits to an unconventional drug treatment to unearth a crucial secret, before an escaped traitor can exploit it. 

But the descent into his mind also opens the flood gates to Nico’s past, bringing back forgotten lovers, enemies, and tragedy. With dreams warped by drugs and memories tainted by lies, Nico soon realises that he cannot trust anything, not even himself.​

Let Me Sleep is out today – grab your copy here.

Read on for an exclusive interview with the author, Laura J Sillett.

Continue reading “Publication Day! Author Q&A: LET ME SLEEP by Laura J. Sillett” →
Coffee with Colleagues, Meet the Editor, What Does an Editor Do?, Writing Tips and Tricks

Editors in Conversation: Q&A with Inspired Lines Editing

Rebecca Millar

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to chat with my friend and fellow editor, Isobelle of Inspired Lines Editing. We discussed all things editing, including what to look for when finding an editor for your manuscript – and how to appeal to your ideal editor! – as well as how an editor can help push your writing to be the best it can be. 

If you couldn’t catch it live, take a listen and find out what we had to say and so much more. And if you missed the chance to submit your own question, please don’t hesitate to add to the comments below – we’d love to hear from you! 

Thanks to everyone who took part, and the lovely Isobelle for joining me over a cuppa.

Watch our chat here!

Continue reading “Editors in Conversation: Q&A with Inspired Lines Editing” →
Author Showcase, Writing Tips and Tricks

Publication Day! Author Q&A: Karen Dodd – EVERYBODY KNOWS: A Nicoló Moretti Crime Thriller

Rebecca Millar

After the past year, I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m really craving a holiday. However, with travel rules up in the air and my partner starting a new training contract, who knows when I’ll be jetting off next.

However, I’m not too worried, because I had the delight to work on Karen Dodd’s latest crime mystery, Everybody Knows, set on the beautiful island of Malta. Although there is a lot more action and dark deception in the novel than you’d want on your own holiday break, it’s the perfect summer read that will have you gripped and taken on a wild, thrilling ride, even if it’s from the comfort of your own sofa.

Karen is no newbie to the writing game and has a few mystery titles under her belt, but check out the exclusive interview below to find out what fascinating discoveries she made whilst researching for the novel, not only about the true story the narrative is based on, but also about herself as a writer.

Everybody Knows by Karen Dodd

30th June 2021

A shocking murder. Globe-spanning greed.

Can one man untangle the brutal truth before he meets a gruesome end?

Calabria, Italy, 2019. Special Prosecutor Nicoló Moretti is reeling from the news he has a five-year-old son. And when he realizes his former lover is only coming clean because her high-profile anti-corruption campaign has provoked death threats, emotions flare and he never learns where she’s hidden him. Nico is overwhelmed with guilt when she’s slain in a horrific blast, vowing to hunt down the killers… and find his little boy. 

Traveling to Malta to track down who ordered the hit, Nico battles ruthless power-mongers desperate to keep their secrets buried. And as he closes in on unscrupulous CEOs, government officials, and foreign despots laundering their dirty money, the callous assassination of a whistleblower has the determined investigator fearing he’s next on the list.

Everybody Knows is out today – grab your copy here.

Read on for an exclusive interview with the author, Karen Dodd.

Continue reading “Publication Day! Author Q&A: Karen Dodd – EVERYBODY KNOWS: A Nicoló Moretti Crime Thriller” →
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Freelance Editor Month – Overview

Rebecca Millar

If you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that over the last month, I’ve been taking part in a little prompt challenge of my own: Freelance Editor Month. This is essentially a challenge to get us editors talking more about ourselves and not just our authors (guilty!) So here’s a chance to get to know me a little better and understand what Rebecca Millar Editorial is all about:

Day 1: How did you get started as a freelance editor?

In-house to going it alone!

Well, I used to work as an editor at one of the Big Four (Can you guess which one?) But then, my partner (J) got a job in Australia, and so, more of necessity at the time (definitely by choice now), I decided to jump into the scary world of going it alone. I also moved from working on a mixture of non-fiction and fiction to specialising in my favourite genre of all – crime, suspense and thriller fiction – and haven’t looked back since.

Continue reading “Freelance Editor Month – Overview” →
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Book Review: TO TELL YOU THE TRUTH by Gilly Macmillan

Rebecca Millar

📚Suspense fans—read this now!📚

By day, I edit crime, suspense and thriller, and by night, well, I read crime, suspense and thriller. It’s a genre that I have always loved; there is something about a complex, changing narrative of intrigue and mystery and a bloody good twist that I just can’t resist.

And an author who delivers on this level with every single book is the masterful Gilly Macmillan. Her latest novel To Tell You the Truth is my favourite yet (and I actually helped edit her previous book THE NANNY, so that’s saying something). Gilly has created a complex and fascinating character in Lucy – a novelist whose talent for imagination may have gone too far. She narrates a dark and multi-layered tale of deception, death and lies – or so you think. With twists at every turn, I was compelled to read the novel late into the night, desperate to uncover the truth.

Set in Gilly’s hometown of Bristol, I was transported back to my university days in a city that I loved, but this also added an extra level of intrigue as much of the action takes place on the other side of the Suspension Bridge from the city, which I actually only visited a couple of times. This created an otherworldy sense for me in a, which was unnerving and built on Lucy Harper’s complex world that Gilly has weaved together so well. (On an aside, this book is also a delight for those who work in the world of books and publishing; I couldn’t help but smile at Lucy’s interactions with her publishers – everyone loves a treat hamper!)

To Tell You the Truth by Gilly Macmillan publishes on 25th June 2020 in ebook and hardback. But if I were you, I’d preorder it now…

Thanks to the author and publishers for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.