Writing Activity: Attempting to sort out a launch event for 'Exile'
                           Checking through hard copy of latest draft of 'Ascent'

Currently reading: ​'Assault on a Queen' by Jack Finney

The official unveiling of the 'Exile' cover took place today via social media channels, and on Mirror World Publishing's website.

Not every publisher offers their authors the opportunity to choose and give feedback on their proposed book covers - and I know from conversations with authors who have had no say that this has sometimes led to anguished pleas to the publisher (invariably disregarded).
So I really appreciate that Justine Dowsett, who produces the cover designs at Mirror World, sends through several draft designs  and asks for my input.

Last year's cover for 'Unreachable Skies' went through a couple of iterations before the stunning final result was produced. This time, Justine nailed it first time: the cover on the book hasn't changed at all from the draft design that was sent to me (along with two others). 

So, why did I love this design so much?

Firstly, I like the colour palette, with its stormy feel and its suggestion of otherworldliness in those green-tinged waves. That links in with scenes in the book, as well as illustrating the crises and tribulations that my characters go through. 
In addition, that swirl of colour showing through the storm-clouds has a similar look to the spiral galaxy that lit the cover of Volume 1. A neat reminder of the first cover, without repeating it.
Lastly, it's an intriguing and striking illustration which will (hopefully) catch readers' attention.

I hope you like it too - and, of course, that you enjoy the book! 

If you've not yet caught up with 'Unreachable Skies', Zarda the Fate-seer and the Drax, volume 1 is available to buy via the publisher, on Amazon, and at many good bookshops.

​

Writing Activity: Wrote new chapter for 'Ascent', addressing several 
                             'missing' scenes that are referenced later in the book.
                           Completed latest redraft and printed hard-copy to edit.

Just Read: 'Curious Sussex' by Mary Delorme

Currently Reading: ​'Wait for Me' by Deborah Devonshire

Writing Activity: Wrote new (additional) chapter for 'Ascent'.
                           Author copies of 'Exile' received - exciting!

Just Read: 'Murder in the Museum' by Simon Brett

Currently Reading: 'The Romanovs' by Victoria Cowles

Writing Activity: Took another pass through 'Ascent' (Book III), and 
                             identified the need for another scene - or possibly
                             chapter. Also highlighted everything I need to check
                             against the previous two books.

Just Read: 'Star Trek: Enterprise Logs' Edited by Carol Greenburg

Currently Reading: 'The Sussex Downs Murder' By John Bude

Writing Activity: Delighted to have won second prize in the Bognor Regis
                            Write Club 2019 short story competition. Even more
                            delighted to have spent some time having a writerly 
                            chat with Simon Brett, who presented the prizes.
                           Continued work on Part 3 of 'Unreachable Skies', now
                            entitled 'Ascent'. Another draft done, another one started.
                           Read through proofs of 'Exile: Unreachable Skies II' from
                            the publisher. Typos and errors corrected (I hope).

Currently Reading: 'Summit' by Harry Farthing

Writing Activity: Continued hard-copy redraft of 'Unreachable Skies III'
                           Proof-read pdf version of 'Exile: Unreachable Skies II'

Just Read: 'Ask an Astronaut' by Tim Peake

Currently Reading: ​'Shadow' by James Swallow

Writing Activity: Started hard-copy redraft of Unreachable Skies III
                           Agreed cover design for 'Exile' with publisher

Just read: 'The Privilege of Peace' by Tanya Huff

Currently Reading: ​'The Shadow Queen' by Anne O'Brien

Writing Activity: Completed latest redraft of Unreachable Skies III and
                             printed off. Next draft will be hard-copy and biro.

Currently Reading: 'Alfred the Great' by David Horspool

Writing Activity: Closing in on finishing the latest redraft of
                             'Return' (Unreachable Skies III).
                           Completed line-edits of 'Exile' (Unreachable Skies II) and
                                    returned changes to publisher.

Just Read: 'The Thirteenth Apostle' by Michel Benois

Currently Reading: ​'A Fall of Moondust' by Arthur C. Clarke