23 chapters now subjected to the in-depth part of the edit that includes running the text through ProWritingAid. And Chapter 24 ready for that process, but it’ll have to wait until tomorrow.

The MSS now stands at 71,169 words, 198 fewer than last week’s total. The work is going well, with only 16 more chapters to edit. I’d hoped to finish the whole book by this time next week, but, as so often happens, life has got in the way.

It’s my birthday next Wednesday (70, if you’re interested), but we won’t be able to celebrate properly on the day, as I’m due in hospital the following Thursday and have to avoid alcohol for 24 hours before the surgery. So we’re having our meal on the Monday (Tuesday’s our Italian class and I have to drive for that).

This all means I’ll have to bring forward some manual jobs to complete in the coming week. I was hoping to leave these until after the book was off to the publisher, but I’m told I’ll need to rest physically for 3 – 4 weeks after the op. So, who knows how much I’ll get done before the next report? Tune in to find out.