--- title: "September round-up: 1,363 edit notes, and the art of effortlessness" description: New job, not enough time for reading or writing - A secret Santa Mystery is going to be delayed --- [Skip to content](https://sophiemaddon.com/past-newsletters/september-round-up-1363-edit-notes-and-the-art-of-effortlessness#main-content) [![](https://sophiemaddon.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Sophie%20Maddon%20logo%20for%20website%2029042025.jpg?width=1024&height=256&name=Sophie%20Maddon%20logo%20for%20website%2029042025.jpg)Homepage](https://sophiemaddon.com/) - [Home](https://sophiemaddon.com) - [Young Adult](https://sophiemaddon.com/young-adult) - [Your Knowledge Or Your Life?](https://sophiemaddon.com/your-knowledge-or-your-life) - [Beyond The Threshold](https://sophiemaddon.com/beyond-the-threshold) - [Adult](https://sophiemaddon.com/adult) - [A Slice Of Mystery](https://sophiemaddon.com/a-slice-of-mystery) - [Read for Free](https://sophiemaddon.com/read-for-free) - [Large Print](https://sophiemaddon.com/largeprint) - [About](https://sophiemaddon.com/about) - [Contact](https://sophiemaddon.com/contact) - [Past Newsletters](https://sophiemaddon.com/past-newsletters) - [Home](https://sophiemaddon.com) - [Young Adult](https://sophiemaddon.com/young-adult) - [Your Knowledge Or Your Life?](https://sophiemaddon.com/your-knowledge-or-your-life) - [Beyond The Threshold](https://sophiemaddon.com/beyond-the-threshold) - [Adult](https://sophiemaddon.com/adult) - [A Slice Of Mystery](https://sophiemaddon.com/a-slice-of-mystery) - [Read for Free](https://sophiemaddon.com/read-for-free) - [Large Print](https://sophiemaddon.com/largeprint) - [About](https://sophiemaddon.com/about) - [Contact](https://sophiemaddon.com/contact) - [Past Newsletters](https://sophiemaddon.com/past-newsletters) # September round-up: 1,363 edit notes, and the art of effortlessness ![Sophie Maddon](https://7528315.fs1.hubspotusercontent-na1.net/hub/7528315/hubfs/raw_assets/public/mV0_d-cms-elevate-theme_hubspot/elevate/images/avatar-placeholder.jpg?width=48&height=48&name=avatar-placeholder.jpg) Sophie Maddon September 25, 2026   Hi All, Hope you're having a good day / week / month? I'm not one for chit-chat, so let's dive in! ​ # Book news: Before I start rambling, I just wanted to say a big **thank you** to all of you who took the time to rate and review [*A Slice Of Mystery*](https://bc48e57b.click.kit-mail3.com/wvue5od064ughkdp98mf7hnewq8d3i8h4rrrx/vqh3hrhoqn3odkswul/aHR0cHM6Ly9iZi5zb3BoaWVtYWRkb24uY29tLzc5amh3cGNpaDE=), not only does it make my day every time I see the digits go up next to the little stars, but they really give more confidence for readers who've never heard of me (so, really, everybody except you!). If you have read my other books, I would also be grateful for a rating and/or review ([*Your Knowledge Or Your Life?*](https://bc48e57b.click.kit-mail3.com/wvue5od064ughkdp98mf7hnewq8d3i8h4rrrx/m2h7h5h3lo0378iluq/aHR0cHM6Ly9iZi5zb3BoaWVtYWRkb24uY29tL2x4N2ZsaWxsZGo=) especially needs some love, but [*Beyond The Threshold*](https://bc48e57b.click.kit-mail3.com/wvue5od064ughkdp98mf7hnewq8d3i8h4rrrx/dpheh0he2qwemealu4/aHR0cHM6Ly9ib29rczJyZWFkLmNvbS9CZXlvbmRUaGVUaHJlc2hvbGQ=) will also be happy with some extra love!). Now, onto a proper update! In case you were wondering, my first full read of the *Secret Santa Mystery* novella yielded 1,363 items to be changed... yes my first drafts are very messy! Now, it's probably not as bad as it sounds, as I had "only" 57 items that I call "big picture" or "continuity", e.g. when someone is acting out of character and it needs to me amended throughout the book, or when I have weeks that last 10 days(!), when I haven't added enough clues or red herrings, when I need to swap the order of some scenes or chapters etc. Basically, anything that requires a chainsaw! The rest is wording issues, e.g. when it just doesn't "sound" right, where the structure of a sentence is awkward or unclear, or when I repeat words or structures way too much ("just" is one of those words, "at least", "not to mention", all variations of "sigh" and "seem" etc, etc). The last step is typos and punctuation issues. Why follow this sequence? Simple: why make a sentence absolutely perfect, if it might be deleted or reworded as part of the "big picture" and "continuity" editing steps? (PS: guess how I learned *that* lesson...!) I'm hoping to release it late October, but this will depend on my energy levels, brain space, and ability to complete the edits, as well as my beta readers' availability. I know myself, and there is no way I can release something I consider less than good, even if it's free, so I'd rather release a Christmas-themed story in February than rush something out that I can't be proud of (or might even feel slightly ashamed of). I'm human, I'm imperfect! In the meantime, have you read [*A Slice Of Mystery*](https://bc48e57b.click.kit-mail3.com/wvue5od064ughkdp98mf7hnewq8d3i8h4rrrx/vqh3hrhoqn3odkswul/aHR0cHM6Ly9iZi5zb3BoaWVtYWRkb24uY29tLzc5amh3cGNpaDE=), the first book in the series? Did you enjoy it? Who did you tell about it? I want to hear from you (really)! ​ # Free Stuff (or close): I've been so tired, I almost forgot to add this section! Starting with the store-specific ones: click [here](https://bc48e57b.click.kit-mail3.com/wvue5od064ughkdp98mf7hnewq8d3i8h4rrrx/e0hph7h7dkw72qi7u2/aHR0cHM6Ly9iZi5zb3BoaWVtYWRkb24uY29tL3NlcHQtb2N0LWtvYm9wbHVzaGlnaGxpZ2h0cy84NWx4aWcyaTYy)for a page highlighting books on **Kobo Plus**, and [here](https://bc48e57b.click.kit-mail3.com/wvue5od064ughkdp98mf7hnewq8d3i8h4rrrx/owhkhqhw04lw75aqur/aHR0cHM6Ly9iZi5zb3BoaWVtYWRkb24uY29tL3NlcHQyMDI1c2NpZmlibi92d3RteHF0aXg1)for Sci-Fi books on **B&N Nook**. And before I forget, **Kobo Mystery & Thriller** readers, don't miss out, the [**Buy One, Get One Free**](https://bc48e57b.click.kit-mail3.com/wvue5od064ughkdp98mf7hnewq8d3i8h4rrrx/z2hghnhemore85izu0/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cua29iby5jb20vZW4vZWJvb2svYS1zbGljZS1vZi1teXN0ZXJ5) promo ends September 30th! *A Slice Of Mystery* is in the mix, make my day and grab it! Offer available in Canada, United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. If you're looking for Sapphic mysteries or romance, this is [your event](https://bc48e57b.click.kit-mail3.com/wvue5od064ughkdp98mf7hnewq8d3i8h4rrrx/6qheh8hl3p6ldeu9uk/aHR0cHM6Ly9iZi5zb3BoaWVtYWRkb24uY29tL2VkYWxlbGFuZV9zYXBwaGljZnJlZWJpZXMvaWk1cXliaGk0cg==) (free). Cozy crimes with a Fall/Autumn vibe? Check [this one](https://bc48e57b.click.kit-mail3.com/wvue5od064ughkdp98mf7hnewq8d3i8h4rrrx/58hvh7hg45ogzdf7u4/aHR0cHM6Ly9iZi5zb3BoaWVtYWRkb24uY29tL2F1dHVtbi1zbGV1dGhzLWFuZC1jb3p5LWNyaW1lcy8xdnF3NW81MG4x) (free). Mysteries ranging from cozy to harboiled noir? [This is for you](https://bc48e57b.click.kit-mail3.com/wvue5od064ughkdp98mf7hnewq8d3i8h4rrrx/qvh8h7hdl82d0kaguk/aHR0cHM6Ly9iZi5zb3BoaWVtYWRkb24uY29tL215c3Rlcnlib29rZmFpcjIvdTIzOTdmaWN3Ng==) (discounted). Romantasy and Paranormal Romance, ranging from Sweet to Spicy? Check out [this one](https://bc48e57b.click.kit-mail3.com/wvue5od064ughkdp98mf7hnewq8d3i8h4rrrx/9qhzhnhdeg3dl8hzu3/aHR0cHM6Ly9iZi5zb3BoaWVtYWRkb24uY29tL2ZyZWVyb21hbnRhc3lhbmRwbnIvNW0xZmxrZjdjMA==) (free). ​[Sweet Romance](https://bc48e57b.click.kit-mail3.com/wvue5od064ughkdp98mf7hnewq8d3i8h4rrrx/n2hohvhvln5vowt0ug/aHR0cHM6Ly9iZi5zb3BoaWVtYWRkb24uY29tL2Jvb2tzcHJ5LWZyZWUtc3dlZXQvbHpseGJmbGMxZw==) (free)? [Contemporary YA](https://bc48e57b.click.kit-mail3.com/wvue5od064ughkdp98mf7hnewq8d3i8h4rrrx/wnh2hghqlrvqokhlux/aHR0cHM6Ly9iZi5zb3BoaWVtYWRkb24uY29tL3lhY29udGVtcG9yYXJ5ZmljdGlvbi81bnRwdzNvamQ2) (free)? [Adventures in Sci-fi & Fantasy](https://bc48e57b.click.kit-mail3.com/wvue5od064ughkdp98mf7hnewq8d3i8h4rrrx/08hwh9h2pmw27wspu5/aHR0cHM6Ly9iZi5zb3BoaWVtYWRkb24uY29tL2ZyZWVhZHZlbnR1cmVzL3BhZjllcmw5M2Y=) (free)? ​ # Tackling the (out of control) TBR pile: I've been reading *The French Art of Not Trying Too Hard*, by Ollivier Pourriol, it's a very slim volume, but packed full of insight. I've always thought I had the "positive laziness" trait, by which I mean that I always try to find the easiest way to do something, even if it's never been done that way before. I often fail, and have to go back to the "usual" way, but I also often succeed, so it's been interesting to read about it (also, the author is a philosopher, so I've enjoyed the perspective, different from other books on the same topic). Not another book, but an essay I really enjoyed, in the August issue of *The Atlantic*: ["The Age of Reading is Over", by Rose Horowitch](https://bc48e57b.click.kit-mail3.com/wvue5od064ughkdp98mf7hnewq8d3i8h4rrrx/vqh3hrhoqn3okkfwul/aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cudGhlYXRsYW50aWMuY29tL21hZ2F6aW5lLzIwMjYvMDgvcmVhZGluZy1jcmlzaXMtcG9zdGxpdGVyYXRlLWFnZS82ODc2MTgv). A controversial title (of course, that's always the point), but an interesting read nonetheless (the statistic on how many Americans picked up a book in the last year is worrying, and I'm guessing it might be similar around the world). Between the new day job, and the work on the book, as well as all the publishing and marketing side tasks, I've not had much time to read, or the energy... a few pages at bedtime, and I'm ready to sleep! I haven't stopped buying books, so my TBR pile is getting taller. ​ # Life news: I mentioned last month I'd (finally) found a new day job, and I was right, it's been really busy, with a lot of information to absorb in a very short time, and my brain has been slightly overloaded (understatement alert!). The thing I hadn't anticipated - well, I knew about it, but I'd also forgotten about it? - was having to wake up earlier and go to bed later, to fit in *all. the. things*. Working on *Secret Santa Mystery*, promoting the books, cooking, studying, cleaning the house, exploring things I read or heard about (I'm curious!), as well as needing more downtime after work. I don't want to give up any of those, but I've had to scale back, because there are still only 24 hours in a day, and 8 of those are now taken by (paid) work. Not having a regular income had been stressing me out, but not having enough time for everything else is stressing me out... Off to buy another lottery ticket! ​Love, Sophie   [Read for free (or close) with libraries and subscription services!](https://bc48e57b.click.kit-mail3.com/wvue5od064ughkdp98mf7hnewq8d3i8h4rrrx/m2h7h5h3lo03n8bluq/aHR0cHM6Ly9zb3BoaWVtYWRkb24uY29tL3Bhc3QtbmV3c2xldHRlcnMvcmVhZC1teS1ib29rcy1mb3ItZnJlZS1vci1jbG9zZS10by1pdA==) ## Share this post [mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fsophiemaddon.com%2Fpast-newsletters%2Fseptember-round-up-1363-edit-notes-and-the-art-of-effortlessness](mailto:https%3A%2F%2Fsophiemaddon.com%2Fpast-newsletters%2Fseptember-round-up-1363-edit-notes-and-the-art-of-effortlessness) ## Keep reading ### [![](https://ecp.yusercontent.com/mail?url=https%3A%2F%2Fembed.filekitcdn.com%2Fe%2FoZtHraW5eTqV44CkQGCcnn%2F39R2kvFqkrZVP6FnB1Z7Bo%2Femail&t=1789570615&ymreqid=18db2881-8618-0531-1cd2-e1000201f400&sig=SujzjYvQZwiKAEMaeBiNug--~D) August round-up: Secret Santa cover, Kobo sale, and delicious figs](https://sophiemaddon.com/past-newsletters/august-round-up-secret-santa-cover-kobo-sale-and-delicious-figs) ### [July round-up: Title wanted, free books, and lots of reading!](https://sophiemaddon.com/past-newsletters/july-round-up-title-wanted-free-books-and-lots-of-reading) - [Home](https://sophiemaddon.com) - [Young Adult](https://sophiemaddon.com/young-adult) - [Adult](https://sophiemaddon.com/adult) - [Read for Free](https://sophiemaddon.com/read-for-free) - [Large Print](https://sophiemaddon.com/largeprint) - [About](https://sophiemaddon.com/about) - [Contact](https://sophiemaddon.com/contact) - [Past Newsletters](https://sophiemaddon.com/past-newsletters) --- Privacy Policy · Legal · © 2025 Sophie Maddon. All rights reserved. Pursuant to Article 4(3) of the Digital Copyright Directive ((EU) 2019/790), this website and associated landing pages may not be used for text or data mining (TDM), or web scraping for AI training purposes. ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Sophie Maddon", "url" : "https://sophiemaddon.com/past-newsletters/author/sophie-maddon" }, "dateModified" : "2026-10-12T08:52:16.070Z", "datePublished" : "2026-09-25T13:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "September round-up: 1,363 edit notes, and the art of effortlessness", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://sophiemaddon.com/past-newsletters/september-round-up-1363-edit-notes-and-the-art-of-effortlessness", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://sophiemaddon.com/hubfs/Sophie%20Maddon%20logo%20for%20website%2029042025.jpg" }, "name" : "Sophie Maddon" } } ```