Writing can be a labor of love. Some days, the words come more easily than others. Working through the structure to ensure everything flows well can be tough. However, for me, the hardest part about writing is reviewing the novel after the final edits have been made, right before we publish. Since I am an indie author, I take full ownership of the book’s quality that we send out to the world.
For both The Recruiter and Deeply Rooted Dreams, it was important to me that I read the book before we publish it and still felt like it captured and kept my attention. I wouldn’t want to put something out into the world that I don’t appreciate myself. I probably sat on the books longer than I should have because I was nervous about picking up the novels to actually reread them. After spending countless hours creating these stories, I didn’t know what I would do if I read them and didn’t like them. All the doubts and fears start to creep in, and I start questioning things, which just makes me feel uncomfortable. Once a book is out there, it’s there for the world to read and judge.
There are a couple of things that help me get over that. First, I have a few close people read the manuscript. These trusted people are incredibly honest but not hurtful. When I provide them with the novels, I have specific feedback that I want from them, which I ask them to consider as they are reading. I rely on that small circle to get me over the hump. The second thing I’ve done is create work after the work. I know that no matter how hard I work, there will undoubtedly be areas for improvement. So, channeling my corporate days, after I finish publishing a book, I write down my lessons learned. I start with things that helped the process, and then I focus on what I should consider doing differently for the next book. It’s a way to help me reflect on all the hard work that went into writing the book while channeling my thoughts into creating future works. I want each book to be better than the last.
THE REWIRED SERIES
This is a fantastic, genre-bending series that weaves together the best mystery, visionary, and speculative fiction elements. With characters that span across books and time, The Rewired Series explores what plagues humanity and the impact each person can have while leaving you with the promise of a better tomorrow. Alexander Mukte wraps all of these themes inside edge-of-your-seat, engaging mysteries with larger-than-life characters you’ll want to revisit again and again.
The Rewired Series: Book 1
Publication Date: February 3, 2020
A fast-paced and thought-provoking mystery that will keep you on your toes until the very end. The Recruiter is an entertaining and thoroughly enjoyable start to the series, full of intriguing twists and turns.
Leslie may be an idealist, but she’s no fool. She trusts her boss, Ori, implicitly. He has vision, principles, and a way with people. When a bomb is detonated at work, she finds herself caught up in a whirlwind of events. All of a sudden, their lives are on the line, and every choice matters.
Is Ori who she thinks he is? Why would anyone want to hurt him? And how do they get out of this mess? Leslie doesn’t have it all figured out, but what becomes clear is that there’s a lot the world doesn’t know about Ori Clayborn.
Jessica is driven to make a difference by uncovering the truth. Investigative reporting is her life. One day she gets a unique assignment that leads her back to her hometown and into Ori’s orbit. What will she find, and what’s her role in this?
The Recruiter is a captivating, imaginative story that draws you in deeper and deeper, page-by-page. Alexander Mukte creates a universe that pulls you in and doesn’t let you go.
The Recruiter just won a 2021 American Fiction Award in the African-American Fiction category. It was also a finalist in the Cross-Genre and Mystery/Suspense: Multicultural & Diverse categories.
The Rewired Series: Book 2
Publication Date: February 3, 2020
This bold and compelling sequel is an evocative page-turner on the journey to a better future.
Since her encounter with Ori years ago, Jessica, an investigative journalist, has continued her mission to print the truth that the world needs to hear. Her pursuit has led her to meet with a source, Zach Carver, a leading mind at Singularity Group. The meeting goes awry, and Jessica awakens to find that she has a gap in time and memory and that Zach is now missing.
What happened? Who is responsible? And how can she help Zach? It is imperative that Jessica find out, and to her surprise, Ori has reappeared to help her do just that.
Malik, an intelligent and inventive young man, is determined to find a way to overcome the virus that has impacted the world. When he crosses paths with powerful people at Confidence Biotech, the leading treatment and contact tracing company, they take an unusual interest in him. Then, all of a sudden, they paint Malik as public enemy number one, forcing him to go on the run.
What do they want from him, and does this mean that he is close to discovering something they couldn’t?
Deeply Rooted Dreams is the second installment of The Rewired Series, unveiling more of the universal trial that Ori alluded to in The Recruiter. Alexander Mukte’s second novel creates an even more intricate world, striking an engaging balance of mystery and wonder
One randomly chosen winner via Rafflecopter will win a $50 Amazon or Barnes & Noble.com gift card.
Alexander had an active imagination his whole life, but it wasn’t until the birth of his son that he began putting the stories in his mind on paper. He wanted to be an example of someone pursuing his passion, dreaming big, and taking chances.
Alexander loves people, their stories, and their backgrounds as well as what shapes them, how they think, and what they dream about. He has a passion for learning and is known by most as an intensely curious person who eagerly soaks up anything and everything he can. He dreamt of a career that allowed him to learn new things every day. In writing, he has found a life that allows him to do just that.
After graduating with a degree in business, Alexander volunteered in the U.S. Peace Corps where he aided in creating sustainable small business ventures in Central America. Before taking this leap of faith, Alexander did Business Development and Consulting for large domestic and international companies. These experiences weave themselves into the characters, places and stories he creates.
An avid traveler, Alexander enjoys exploring new places with his family. He was raised in Southeastern Arizona, and now calls Georgia home, along with his wife and two sons.
August 30: The Avid Reader
August 30: Long and Short Reviews
August 31: Gold Dust Editing & Book Reviews
September 1: Rogue’s Angels
September 1: Straight From the Library
September 2: Literary Gold
September 3: Harlie’s Books
September 6: Novels Alive
September 7: Bibliomanaic Aza
September 8: Fabulous and Brunette
September 9: Beyond Romance
September 9: Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read
September 10: Harlie Williams, Writer
September 10: Kit ‘N Kabookle
September 13: Wake Up Your Wild Side
September 14: The Mystery Section
September 14: Linda Nightingale, Author
September 15: Hope. Dreams. Life… Love
September 15: Author Deborah A Bailey blog
September 15: Iron Canuck Reviews & More
September 16: Westveil Publishing
September 17: All the Ups and Downs
September 17: Ellwyn’s Blog
September 17: Ascroft, eh?
September 20: Lisa Haselton’s Reviews and Interviews
September 20: Locks, Hooks and Books
September 21: Our Town Book Reviews
September 21: The Faerie Review
September 22: The Obsessed Reader
September 23: Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin’
September 24: Girl with Pen
Thanks for hosting!
You’re welcome!
Thank you for hosting me and The Rewired Series, Dayna! I’m sure you’ve heard all kinds of different answers to this question from all of the authors you’ve helped. I appreciate you sharing mine.
Hi Alexander! Yes, I have heard many different answers to your question from several authors—from NYT and USA Today bestsellers to the first-time author. Every author approaches this differently. I think the biggest key to success is to take feedback positively. I know it can be challenging because your book is your baby, but most people want to help make your book the best. They aren’t out to hurt you. I also tell every one of my clients to spend the extra money for an editor—not your neighbor, your best friend, your siblings (unless they are editors)—because a good editor can turn a good book into a great book! Finding an editor who will work well with you and even coach you on areas of your writing that need improvement, so your next book will be even better. A good editor isn’t cheap, but they are well worth every dime. Typical pricing is 1¢ a word, or if you want to combine your edits (developmental/content and line and copy edit), 2¢ a word.
I advise my clients that they will get sick of reading and editing their book, but the key is to persevere. Being an author isn’t for the weak. It is a very laborious process, but it is worth it if you can take feedback well and are coachable! If you can’t take editorial criticism well, you’re in the wrong business. I have had so many clients come to me with their manuscript and tell me it’s been edited, but they had a lousy editor if it was. Several grammatical or developmental errors will turn off readers. You may have only one chance to win that reader, and if your book is loaded with mistakes, they just won’t read you again. It’s really that simple.
I love how you said you keep reading through your book to find any errors even after publication. I advise my authors to do the same. Even NY publishers can miss grammatical mistakes. I’m sure all of us have read books from a NY publisher and find minor errors. It’s part of the publishing process.
Oh, and we’re happy to host you!
Sounds like a good series.
Sounds like a great series.
The plot is intriguing! I would be interested in finding out how this story unfolds.
I love listening to your process! I’ve not written any novels, or similar. I do know when I’ve taken the time to send a communication via email that is weighty of any sort, I like to re-read it, especially if I think it expressed well what I wanted. A few times I cringe a long time later at a few, and the distance of time can give a different perspective. These both sound delightful!
Sounds like an interesting series!