Beta readers are returning their feedback and I am doing an edit to look at their suggested changes. So far there are no major problems, so it shouldn't be long. The hold-up is the cover, as we may be making some changes. While the cover drawing is nice enough, the beta readers felt Kyla on the cover didn't look enough like Kyla on the cover of the first book. So, I got in touch with the original artist and she will draw Kyla and use the second artist's background. (Well, we will compare the two Kylas at that point and decide which to use).

Will I be able to release by the end of the month? Possibly, but it will be tight, so it is possible I may not be able to release until early June. Things never go as smoothly as planned.

Now doing an edit based on beta reading feedback. Fortunately no sweeping changes need to be made, so shouldn't take too long! So far on track to release by the end of the month.

​Bryant

I have finished editing the second proof of the book, and am now awaiting beta reader feedback. Now, the first and most important of beta readers (my mom) has mailed me the copy of the proof I sent her to read. Now, I know what you're thinking: your mom can't beta read for you! Of course she'll only say nice things! But that's where you're wrong. I mean, she will say nice things, but she will also tell me the cold hard truth. In fact, on my first book, I found my mom to be the most informative and critical of my beta readers. I think that's because she feels more invested in my work, and so reads it more thoroughly. And she wants it to be the best I can make it, which means she will be honest about what she thinks doesn't work. Yes, she has proven to be my best beta reader so far. And she's quite understanding of the fact that I may or may not implement her suggestions, depending on my overall vision of the story and input from other beta readers. As most people's parents seem to be either over-indulgent or overly critical, I am grateful to my mom for her ability to be balanced!

Anyway depending on feedback hope it won't be too much longer to release...
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Bryant

My second proofs arrived today, which are also doubling as copies for beta readers. One's for my mom, as she's a good honest beta reader who I can count on to 1) give an honest opinion and 2) read and respond in a timely fashion. She also enjoys the fantasy genre.
With any luck, this proof will go smoothly, but I will admit to some concern that a couple of the story arcs might come across too convoluted and have to be reworked. Elf Doubt required a fair bit more interweaving of plot points than Elf Mastery did.
At any rate, I just need the cover work finished and a good beta read and I can launch. So here's hoping for May.
And in other news, I have been working on the third book, Elf Righteous.

Bryant

I'm finally ready to hand everything over to my beta readers! I shall order a few proofs for them to read. Time to release will depend partly on feedback  - hopefully there aren't major issues!
For those of you unfamiliar with beta reading, it is getting feedback from the general public (ideally members of the target audience). Not all feedback will be used, but if I see trends or if there are parts that seem unclear or uninteresting to readers, then I will take a serious look at how these parts can be  improved.
A worst case scenario. would be consistent feedback that entire characters or story arcs are terrible. So fingers crossed!
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Just to clarify, release isn't today (May 1) but planning for sometime in May. And probably the latter part of May. However, I have gotten through the more beastly portion of my current edit. I do still need to get through a couple beta reads and at least one more edit, however.