Blog Post Title One
Good day, everyone. I hope this message finds you all in good health and spirits. Welcome to my newsletter, where we will delve into the captivating world of all things books. Join me on a journey as we explore various topics, ranging from writing, editing, formatting, cover art, marketing, and more.
Before we embark on this literary adventure, allow me a brief moment to introduce myself. I'm far from an academic; in fact, I'd describe myself as quite the opposite. My experience within the education system was a challenging one. I often found myself at odds with my teachers due to my wandering concentration, as my mind would escape out the window to uncharted territories. Filled with a love for movies and toys, my playful nature often resulted in punishment, isolating me in the corridor away from my peers.
Compounded by a debilitating case of dyslexia, reading was nearly impossible for me. Any attempts to pick up a book were quickly overshadowed by the allure of 80s and 90s movies. Icons like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis, and Sigourney Weaver carried me through my primary school years. The notion of reading for pleasure was alien to me. The way my brain processed words on the page made a love for books seem like an unattainable dream. Naturally, my grades suffered, causing me to fall behind my classmates. Secondary school witnessed my complete immersion into the realm of computers, marking the end of whatever effort remained. I harboured a deep hatred for school and eagerly awaited its conclusion.
As life carried on, so did technology. The year was 2014, and one ordinary day as I awaited my train, I opened YouTube and stumbled upon an upload of the first Halo novel in audio format. From the moment I started listening, I was hooked, finding myself immediately addicted. It wasn't long before I was hunting down the second and third novels. Eventually, I had devoured every available Halo book and yet hungered for more. This quest led me to discover the Horus Heresy series—a love at first sight. However, the series was limited in scope, prompting my introduction to Audible and the Black Library.
Through the power of technology, I had fostered an unexpected passion that once seemed out of reach. At that point, all I knew was that I craved more. To this day, I've completed all 54 Horus Heresy books, along with the follow-up Siege of Terra series, up until the present date, with only two more awaiting release. I've also delved into the worlds of authors like David Gemmell, Raymond E. Feist, Patrick Rothfuss, H.P. Lovecraft, Jeff Wheeler, Guy Haley, and J.R.R. Tolkien. Their works have enriched my life. As of today, my reading journey boasts more than 200 books and continues to grow.
Around the time COVID swept the globe, my country closed its doors, bringing life to a grinding halt. Having just concluded a work contract, I transitioned to another sector. While I had initially planned to create a comic, I realized my artistic skills were lacking. It was during this period, armed with a new phone, that I stumbled upon Microsoft Word. With ample downtime between tasks, I decided to explore writing. Microsoft Word's 'Read Aloud' feature ignited the spark of my writing journey.
I rewrote the beginning several times, discarding drafts in dissatisfaction. Eventually, I crafted something of substance and pressed on. Over time, my first chapter took shape. My writing process consisted of writing, pausing, using 'Read Aloud' to correct spelling mistakes and poor grammar, and repeating the process until the narrative flowed coherently. This pattern continued with each subsequent section.
After a considerable period of back-and-forth, I finally completed a manuscript. However, my word count fell short at 60,000 words, far from the desired 120,000. I was visibly disappointed, kicking myself for the shortfall. But I resolved not to give up. I revisited my work, using what I had as a foundation for what would come next.
A year of dedicated effort passed, and to my astonishment, the manuscript was complete once again. The only difference now was that the word count exceeded 170,000 words. I assembled a team for editing, cover art, and beta reading. While I learned to format, I enlisted a professional for the eBook version due to time constraints. It's surreal to think that the journey has reached its conclusion, and the work now awaits its debut on Amazon.
I want to express my gratitude for accompanying me through this narrative. I hope my story brings you as much joy as it brought me to write it. I eagerly anticipate sharing the next chapter with you: 'The Undying: Alpha Omega 5,' the second instalment of 'The Undying Saga' series.
Once again, thank you for joining me on this adventure. I'm eager to receive your feedback, as it will aid in my growth as an author, enabling me to craft stories worthy of your time and passion. Kindly consider leaving a review, as it would mean the world to me.
Sincerely, Karl Lewis Astirbadi.
The Undying: Apotheosis: Amazon.co.uk: Astirbadi, Karl Lewis: 9798851426735: Books
https://the-undying-saga.creator-spring.com
