If you order my second novel, To the Left of Death, you’ll now receive the new-and-improved second edition. This is part of my plan to switch to a wider distribution model instead of selling exclusively through Amazon (though my books are still available on Amazon as well!). My first book, The Insistence of Memory, also has a second edition now, which you can read about here.
Currently, you can buy the 2nd edition on Amazon (both paperback and Kindle). The ebook edition is also now available through Barnes and Nobel (Nook), Apple Books, Kobo, and more to come. Paperback versions will also be available from additional sellers soon. You can keep up with all the available sellers here: To the Left of Death.
What’s New in the Second Edition?
While the main reason for this second edition is to correct some early publishing missteps, I also used the opportunity to rather ruthlessly re-edit the text. There are no changes to the storyline, but the writing has been tightened up throughout the book.
Some if it was correcting punctuation and typos, most of it was a second-pass at the overall style. In trying to give the first-person narration a rambling, stream-of-consciousness style that showed her scattered state-of-mind, I may have been more rambling than necessary. So I cleared some of that up this time around.
As an example, here’s the third paragraph of the first chapter as it was originally published:
Murder had never crossed my mind that morning. Not once. Or at least, not that I remember. And why would it? To be perfectly honest, I don’t actually remember what I was thinking that morning. Not really. But I’m confident that I wasn’t thinking about murder. Looking back–recreating–I was probably thinking about clouds.
And how it reads in the second edition:
Murder hadn’t crossed my mind that morning. Not once. Or not that I remember. To be honest, I don’t know what I was thinking that morning. But I wasn’t thinking about murder. Looking back–recreating–I was probably thinking about clouds.
The updated writing doesn’t change the meaning, but it is a shade snappier. I was a little hesitant to make those changes, as if I should stay locked to my first version, but I ultimately decided it was my prerogative as a writer. Besides, there are enough downsides to self-publishing, I might as well take advantage of the one big upside of having full creative control!
Cover and Interior Layout
The second edition cover hasn’t changed much, but I’m very happy with its updates. The biggest change is the title font, which is also used for chapter titles in this edition. Other additions include decorative detailing and the Bitter Lily Books, LLC logo on the spine, and some minor realignment of the back cover text.
If you already own To the Left of Death, you won’t be missing any major changes in the new edition. If you haven’t bought it yet, the new edition is now available in both paperback and Kindle editions on Amazon. The ebook version is also available through several retailers (Barnes & Noble, Apple Books, etc.) and the paperback will be available through more retailers in the coming weeks.
Thank you for your support as I make my way as an indie author and publisher. There is a lot to learn. While I’m figuring it out step by step, I’m grateful for your support and encouragement along the way!