 What are they? We have two magical creatures combined here - the phoenix, a magical bird which bursts into flames when it dies, only to be reborn from the ashes, and elementals, beings with control over the four elements - water, fire, air and earth. Where can they be found? The phoenix is from Greek mythology and is a symbol of resurrection. Elementals are found in European myth and they are undines, salamanders, sylphs and gnomes. What powers do they have? Phoenixes are able to resurrect themselves and are usually associated with fire. Elementals can control the elements, such as creating fires, affecting the wind and more. The idea to combine the two is an interesting one. We usually think of fire when it comes to Phoenixes, but the character in the novel Ashes of Raging Water, is a water phoenix. What an interesting twist. Where can I read more about them? You can read more about Elemental Phoenixes in Ashes of Raging Water by Michael J. Allen. 
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 Every Monday I will be posting a new blog entry, focusing on writing and offering advice to new authors. This week we will be looking at submitting your book to an editor.
So you have finished your book, a book that may have taken you years to write, and now it is ready for the editor. Sounds simple, all you need to do is attach it to an email and send it to your editor to fix, warts and all. STOP. While it may sound somewhat redundant, before you send your manuscript to an editor, you need to make sure that you have edited it to the best of your ability first. Why should I do that? I hear you ask. It's an editor's job to fix all the mistakes. While this is partially true, it is good practice to check your own work, ensure the story flows well and that there are no major plot holes in your story. By doing this you can cut down on the time it takes for your editor to complete the edit and make their job a little easier. You may also be able to catch story issues that the editor may not be able to find. Here are a few tips on what you can do with your manuscript before sending it to your editor:
There are different types of editors available, who will look for different things in your manuscript.
Some editors only do one or two types of editing, some editors like myself will do them all. Always do your research. An editor can be expensive, but you don't have to break the bank paying thousands, especially if you are just starting out. I offer reasonable rates, tailored specifically for new authors or authors with no budget. My rates are lower than the going rate because I know what it is like to be an author, trying to get your first book out there and having very little money to do it with. This is my way of giving back to the fabulous author community that I am a part of. I offer sample edits on request. Click the button below to find out more.  What are they? Immortals are beings who have found a way to live forever and usually stay young too. This is usually from a spell, a curse or other nefarious means. There is usually a price to pay for this though. Where can they be found? There are stories throughout history of alleged immortals including Nicolas Flamel, the Count of St. Germain and Merlin. What powers do they have? Immortals rarely have powers other than the ability to stay alive and perhaps to recover from wounds that would kill a regular person. Where can I read about them? You can read more about Immortals in Stolen Magic by Char Webster   What are they? Jinn or Genies, or the Djinn are creatures composed of fire or smoke who resemble humans. They are spirit creatures, similar to demons. Where are they from? They are found in Islamic and Arabian mythology. Similar to demons, they have a lot of power and feature heavily in stories. They also feature in the Quran. What powers do they have? The Jinn have the power to grant wishes, but they do have limits. In some recent depictions, they cannot use their power to kill anyone, to raise the dead or to make anyone fall in love. Most Jinn however are depicted as tricksters in that they will grant your wish, but it comes at a cost. For example, you wish for a million pounds and then your favorite Uncle will die and leave the money to you. Where can I read more about them? If you want to read more about the Jinn, then be sure to check out Curse of a Jinn by Lichelle Slater. Available in the Cursed Lands boxed set.   What are they? The Nephilim are said to be the offspring of fallen angels. They were said to be giants with enormous power, but were also said to be violent tyrants. Where can they be found? They are mentioned in the Bible, but it is said that they were all wiped out in the flood. They are featured in popular fiction including most recently, the TV show Supernatural and Shadowhunters by Cassandra Clare. What powers do they have? The Nephilim are strong and can have some angelic abilities. They can be super fast, and have longevity, but they are part mortal so they cannot live forever. Where can you read more about them? If you would like to read more about the Nephilim then be sure to check out Behind Glass by Elle Scott.  |
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About the Author:S. K. Gregory is an author, editor and blogger. She currently resides in Northern Ireland. “Description begins in the writer’s imagination, but should finish in the reader’s.” 
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