This has been fun! I have really enjoyed the experience of both writing a book and posting updates here about the progress. I think that splitting my time between the two activities has been really helpful. At the start of the lockdown I was a designated key worker, but later I was identified as at risk due to my long-term disability. I am still waiting to hear when I can return to work, so spending my time writing another novel has been, I think a very useful way to utilise this unexpected amount of free-time.

I am now polishing the manuscript. I have a few points I want to either add or emphasise. I am not sure how other authors feel about this process. It is part editing, part creative writing, and part just trying to make it the best written work that I can. I know that some have said that they dislike doing this but I do not mind too much. I cannot afford a professional editor at the moment so it, like so many other tasks, are down to me.

I have also looked at the cover again. I reviewed it on several different devices, smartphone, tablet, and PC, and became convinced that the red was too strong. It was leading to colour bleed and making the image of Artemisia look too much like a cartoon. Below you can see the original and the toned down version. I have also changed the font and used white instead. I think it looks a lot more dramatic as a result. Let me know what you think!