In my most recent work-in-progress update, I advised that Part 1 of the manuscript revision process is now complete and that I’m now into Part 2. If you haven’t already read it, the link will take you there. 🙂

Yep, there was an update recently.

Subsequently, a few readers have come back to me regarding a publication date, so I’ve realized that it’s time for a reprise on the whys-and-wherefores of publication dates in traditional publishing. Chiefly that it’s the publisher, rather than the author, that sets the publication date.

The ‘catch’, of course, is that the publisher can’t set a publication date until the manuscript has been delivered and the editor has accepted it. (This is called “Delivery and Acceptance” or “D&A” in the traditional process.)

Revision time…

So until I have revised the whole manuscript and the publisher has accepted it, there won’t be a publication date for The Wall Of Night #4. In other words, the ball is definitely in my court!

Given this, you may be assured that I am striving for “full speed ahead” (“and damn the torpedoes”) on Part 2 of the manuscript, and will do my best to keep you apprised of progress as regularly as I can.

Knocking off those sections, one by one…

I am always very conscious of how long readers have been waiting for this book. I also very much appreciate—and certainly never take for granted—readers’ commitment to the series. So I can promise you that my corresponding commitment is always to complete the series and the story and get it to the publisher immediately the revision is complete.

You may also rest assured that I will let you know here immediately any and all of these milestones are checked off. At which point…

Flowers, wine, chocolate — all the celebrations will ensue