676

(12 replies, posted in Alpha to Omega - Review Group)

Hi Jube. Will do!

677

(12 replies, posted in Alpha to Omega - Review Group)

Many thanks, NJC.  Good idea to mention the dialog tag point in a larger forum. Will do that once we're finished editing in case they make any other reference. Semicolons--not something I would fall on my sword for. I'll save that if they want to cut something I think really belongs.

678

(12 replies, posted in Alpha to Omega - Review Group)

Hey everyone,

Just wanted to let you know my participation in Alpha to Omega will be a bit sporadic over the next 3-4 weeks.

Yesterday, I received a critique and Edit01 from my publisher regarding The Kurdish Connection.  The first paragraph of the critique began with: "This critique is considerably shorter than our usual because the manuscript is in unusually good shape, as you will see when you compare our Edit 01 version to your original. There are not a lot of changes. We will specifically mention only three areas, then end with some questions and specific comments."

So what were the three areas? Too many frivolous dialogue tags. They said keep it simple, using said and asked with anything else in moderation. I had too many of the 'anything else'. The second area was semi-colons. Great for non-fiction/expository work but not used much in fiction. Since I came from writing expository stuff, not a surprise they crept in. The final area was two characters (both from Canada) using 'eh'. They want me to keep this with the first character using this and change the other one.

They made most of the changes for the first two but now I'm checking for typos, misspellings, incorrect words, repetitions, grammar slips, inconsistencies in the story or formatting or any other changes that need to be made that they might have missed. Once I send this back (due by the 18th of January), an Initial Proof (in PDF) will be prepared, which will include dedication, acknowledgements, blurbs, etc. We'll go through the same process as above. If needed, an Interim Proof might be done (or several if we keep making changes).  Once we agree, the Final Proof is initiated, which also involves the printer. Once everyone is onboard, we're good to go.

I was asked to provide the first chapter of my next novel, Dangerous Alliance, which will be included at the end of the book. To my surprise, the page leading to this chapter begins with:

COMING FROM MOONSHINE COVE IN 2018

THE NEXT MIDDLE EAST THRILLER FROM  RANDALL KRZAK

DANGEROUS ALLIANCE

So it appears they're interested in publishing the next one.  Assuming everything goes according to their plan, The Kurdish Connection will be released around February 7th. Once it's released, I'll be back full steam on reading/reviewing everyone's work in the group.  Thanks for your patience.:)
Regards, Randy

679

(1,634 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Snow, wind, rain, 33 degrees--another day in Michigan!

Completed an inline review of Jube's 'The World Of Phyries" chapter 21.

681

(60 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

If you haven't voted yet, get connected and do so. You can only vote once per category (any additional voting in the same category overrides your earlier votes). Mine are in, are yours?

Suin wrote:

actually, the time stamps were necessary at the beginning for a part of the plot which i removed, so i can actually delete all of the time stamps.

for info, that's how we write time in Ireland/UK. It's not military, just how we do it. i hadn't realised how different US English & UK English are before joining this site, so interesting!

Yes, countries divided by a common language.:)  I've run into the same issue when I wrote The Kurdish Connection as the 24-hour clock is used there as well.

683

(18 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Right now I'm paying the $35 per year (in my second year) and use it regularly. It works out to about $.067 a week. Of course, I probably should be using it more than I am. I agree with Jack's assessment--dealer's choice.

684

(8 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Many congrats, Ann!  Well done!!

685

(281 replies, posted in Alpha to Omega - Review Group)

Thanks, Mattew. Not sure if I'm one of them but will use the A to O version.

Many congrats!!

687

(17 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Look forward to reading the revised story, Tom!

688

(5 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Norm d'Plume wrote:

Is that Gungan? You missed a "M'sa".

Hey Norm, Happy New Year!  My greeting was in Turkish. Regards, Randy

689

(5 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Tesekkur ederim Tom bey. Yeni Yildiz kutlu olsun! Happy New Year to all!

690

(60 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

jack the knife wrote:

When the Reaper Comes currently tied for 1st! Need more votes to keep me there! http://critters.org/predpoll/novelthrill.shtml

If I had another email address, I'd vote again.:)

691

(60 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Janet Taylor-Perry wrote:

Hey, gang! Go to this site
http://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2 … =aAQGFd-Go
and vote for 1. John Debeor, When the Reaper comes in thrillers. You can write in Wilted Magnolias in mystery by Janet Taylor-Perry, published by Createspace and the url is
https://goo.gl/2oJOjc
And King Satin's Realm in All other Novels, by Janet Taylor-Perry. published by Createspace, and its url is http://goo.gl/wf7UbM

And then vote for TheNextBigWriter as workshop page. You can vote once of every email you have. I got 3 votes

Just cast my votes for Janet's two novels. Good luck!

Completed a review of CJ's "Raven's Curse" Chapter 21.

693

(60 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Just cast my vote for TNBW and for one of my favorite thriller authors, Jack the Knife!

694

(60 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Will check them out and vote!  Many thanks for letting us know, Jack. Good luck in the Thriller category!

Just voted!

Completed an inline review of Matthew's Humanity's Abyss:The Girl Who Lost the Earth, Book 2, chapter one.

Completed an inline review of NJC's The Sorcerer's Progress, Book Two, Earth By Fire, chapter two.

697

(5 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

I hope everyone's wishes are fulfilled and you have a good weekend. Regards to all, Randy

698

(28 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

jack the knife wrote:

Way to go, Randy!

Thanks, Jack!

As I go through things, if there is something not already covered here, I'll put it out for the group.

699

(28 replies, posted in TheNextBigWriter Premium)

Many thanks, Janet, Jack, et al, for your comments above. With my first novel to be released in a few months, I'm already working on a promotion plan (in conjunction with my publisher, who provides pages of advice).

Left an inline review of NJC's The Sorcerer's Progress, Book Two, Earth By Fire, chapter one.