The job of a developmental editor isn't something you can
improvise. It requires time, communication with the author, and
qualifications.
Driven by the good reviews, I chose one who seemed to be up
for the challenge. I told them that I needed developmental editing because I
felt that novel required something more than a simple copy- or line edit. I
also warned them that English isn't my first language, so I also sent them a
one-chapter sample to give them an idea about the work.
The contract was signed, and the novel was supposed to be
ready by December, so I set up a pre-order, a blog tour, and worked on the
cover art. On that occasion, I also engaged my Newsletter subscribers in a
competition to win a paperback of my book. Five people won and got the
communication of their winning.
The novel revolved around the stories of cursed gemstones
and was set in multiple locations, New York, Moscow, Milan, related to my
travel experiences.
One week before the release, the editor returned me a very
angry letter full of insults about my novel, my characters, and (worse than
ever) me personally. Saying that I was deeply hurt is a euphemism. Still, thanks
to other fellow authors' support, I didn't let this episode discourage me.
I did cancel the pre-order, the blog tour and explained to
my subscribers that they would receive their prize later due to 'technical
issues.'
It was a hard bite to chew, but I decided to leave the
novel on the back burner and focus on a series I had in mind for some
time.
I published two books of the series and had them translated
into Italian together with one trilogy. This year, in August, I took the novel
back into my hands. I read it once and twice, changing something here and there
and searching for a REAL editor.
I was lucky enough to find an amazing person who helped me release
the novel's full potential. Therefore, one year later, on 31.12.2021, I finally published
the story, and now it's in the hands of my translator for the Italian version.
I will be forever grateful to Barbara Gerig and Elisabetta
Emilia Mancini for their ability to see the hidden potential of that novel and
believe in me.
Now, I leave it up to you. If you're interested in reading a good international thriller, with shady characters and mysterious stones, you got to read Merchant of Pearls.
Here's what the readers say:
"An applause to the author who was able to give an even original cut than usual by giving a life to his characters where I immersed myself and I felt like I was with them. Lots of suspense and twists."
"A beautiful novel that fascinated me very much. full of suspense and twists. A very fluent reading that never gets boring I congratulate the author for the plot."
...
Find out more here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09PGP53RW
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