When it comes to being particular, no one holds a candle to an author. We are a special breed of nitpickers, especially when it comes to our work. No matter how many times we rewrite our material, we’re rarely satisfied with the end product. It can always be edited a little better, tweaked a bit here, polished some there. But it can never be perfect. Why, you ask? If our book was perfect, then why write another? Perfection is a myth, though it is all right to strive for the best. Hence, our fastidious nature has led Stef and me to our most recent decision.
The Raven’s Heart duology (note: duology is not a real word.) will soon be a standalone novel. Yes, we are republishing, and it was no easy decision. In fact, it was sort of a happy expensive accident. We decided to republish some time ago, but it wasn’t until one of my manic, hypercritical escapes that I realized our newly-edited books could join together…as we originally intended. The story is now simply Raven’s Heart.
The first question we receive from people when we tell them of our republishing endeavor is: why? Why republish when people have already bought both novels? Why spend money you don’t have? (Okay, so I asked that one.) Why not publish something new? These are all valid questions to which we have one answer: because it’s the right thing to do.
When we first starting writing the Raven’s Heart tale in 2004, we never had any intention of releasing a two-part epic. Our lack of professional editing, lack of outside input, and iUniverse’s page-count restriction were mostly to blame. Oh, and we were completely naïve. I almost forgot about that one. So, instead of producing one completed fantasy novel, we gave the world half in 2006, the other half a year later. This is not to say that our original editions are terrible books—far from it. They are merely lacking the necessary touches the story deserves.
Fast forward a couple years, and we now have what we hope—because we’re never going to republish them again!—is the final edition. As I said before, it’s one stream-lined volume, much better edited, easier to read, embellished with Stef’s amazing artwork, redesigned inside and out, and just plain better. The price will be a much gentler pill to swallow as well. We’re excited, can’t you tell?
Getting to this point—and we’re still getting there—was not easy. Countless hours of work, arguments, money crises, family, friends, jobs, and life in general constantly attempt to derail us from our dream. There are some days we can combat it, others—thanks to the winter blues—where we just want to give up. Thankfully we have each other, and we persevere. Without our strong bond, we would…well, I don’t want to think about where we’d be.
In closing, let me just say that Stef and I can’t wait to unveil our new edition of Raven’s Heart to the world this Spring. When it comes out, we’ll finally be able to do what we love doing most: writing. We understand that some people might be turned off to purchasing another edition of a story they already have, and that’s fine. However, if you don’t buy it—here comes the guilt trip—you’ll be missing out on something special.
-Matt
The Raven’s Heart duology (note: duology is not a real word.) will soon be a standalone novel. Yes, we are republishing, and it was no easy decision. In fact, it was sort of a happy expensive accident. We decided to republish some time ago, but it wasn’t until one of my manic, hypercritical escapes that I realized our newly-edited books could join together…as we originally intended. The story is now simply Raven’s Heart.
The first question we receive from people when we tell them of our republishing endeavor is: why? Why republish when people have already bought both novels? Why spend money you don’t have? (Okay, so I asked that one.) Why not publish something new? These are all valid questions to which we have one answer: because it’s the right thing to do.
When we first starting writing the Raven’s Heart tale in 2004, we never had any intention of releasing a two-part epic. Our lack of professional editing, lack of outside input, and iUniverse’s page-count restriction were mostly to blame. Oh, and we were completely naïve. I almost forgot about that one. So, instead of producing one completed fantasy novel, we gave the world half in 2006, the other half a year later. This is not to say that our original editions are terrible books—far from it. They are merely lacking the necessary touches the story deserves.
Fast forward a couple years, and we now have what we hope—because we’re never going to republish them again!—is the final edition. As I said before, it’s one stream-lined volume, much better edited, easier to read, embellished with Stef’s amazing artwork, redesigned inside and out, and just plain better. The price will be a much gentler pill to swallow as well. We’re excited, can’t you tell?
Getting to this point—and we’re still getting there—was not easy. Countless hours of work, arguments, money crises, family, friends, jobs, and life in general constantly attempt to derail us from our dream. There are some days we can combat it, others—thanks to the winter blues—where we just want to give up. Thankfully we have each other, and we persevere. Without our strong bond, we would…well, I don’t want to think about where we’d be.
In closing, let me just say that Stef and I can’t wait to unveil our new edition of Raven’s Heart to the world this Spring. When it comes out, we’ll finally be able to do what we love doing most: writing. We understand that some people might be turned off to purchasing another edition of a story they already have, and that’s fine. However, if you don’t buy it—here comes the guilt trip—you’ll be missing out on something special.
-Matt
