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The Editing Process

I'm working my way through the publication process with an editor named "Gregg" from Amazon's wonderful CreateSpace self-publish assist service. The editorial staff has been extremely friendly and helpful if a little above me in terms of familiarity with all of the 'rules' of English printing. Gregg had these kind words to say in his first return letter to me:

OverviewThis is an engaging and intriguing novel. The rich detail about the school and its curriculum provides a nice sense of depth, but I am most fascinated by the moral ambiguity of the school and the headmaster. While you explicitly establish that the “Order” is not the Illuminati of popular myth, there is certainly a sinister quality to it, most clearly articulated in the last chapter. But at the same time, the headmaster himself is so thoroughly likable and fatherly that the hints of something sinister are all the more unexpected and unsettling when they begin to appear, and I find myself eager to see where this story is heading. I also like the contrast you set up between the principle of “detachment” that the school promotes and the effortless ability to connect, to produce love and harmony even within the “illusion” of existence, that Meela represents. I suspect that this represents the broad outlines, at least, of the choice Peter will ultimately have to make. I think you have definitely succeeded in making the reader want to read the next novel in the series. 

which was very encouraging and ennervating. Now the work begins as I take many of his suggestions and make the adaptations and corrections. By the time I'm finished with this process, I'm going to know my novel really well!

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