Alkira Publishing, Editing & Book Design

04/09/2025

Here’s your first glimpse.
A novel that dares to ask how far one woman will go to feel at home in her own life—at home in her own skin.
A Billion Blue Wildebeest is a stunning debut from Catherine MacLaine.

Order now at your favourite online bookstore or click the link to get more information and purchase links. https://alkirapublishing.com/product/a-billion-blue-wildebeest-catherine-maclaine/

02/09/2025

Timelines can make or break a story. Even the strongest plot can lose readers if the sequence of events doesn’t add up.

Does a character leave at dawn and arrive after sunset — but the journey only takes an hour? Does a subplot skip weeks without explanation? These little slips can pull your reader out of the world you’ve created.

Step one in self-editing: trace your timeline. Make sure every event, day, and season flows in order. A consistent timeline builds trust and keeps your story believable.

Watch our video for practical ways to spot and fix timeline gaps in your draft.

Need professional eyes on your manuscript? Contact us today.

01/09/2025

Adverbs often sneak into our drafts — words like quickly, softly, really, suddenly. They’re not wrong, but they can make your prose feel cluttered.

Instead of writing “She whispered softly,” let the verb carry the weight: “She whispered.”

Stronger verbs give your writing clarity and impact. Adverbs become the seasoning, not the main dish.

Watch our video to learn how trimming adverbs can tighten your prose and keep your readers engaged.

Need help editing your manuscript? Contact us today.

31/08/2025

One of the simplest ways to strengthen your writing is to cut down on “was” and “to be” verbs. They often slow your sentences and weaken your storytelling.

Swap “She was running” for “She ran.”
Swap “He was thinking” for “He thought.”

The result? Clearer, more powerful prose that keeps readers turning the page.

Watch our video to see how small edits like this can make a big difference in your manuscript.

Need help polishing your book? Contact us today. https://alkirapublishing.com/contact/

28/08/2025

What happens when an unassuming professor finds his quiet life turned upside down?

The Remaking of Professor Bobbins by Cedric Saldanha is a witty, thought-provoking novel about second chances, unexpected friendships, and the twists that make life worth living.

Out now.
Order now at your favourite online bookstore or click the link to get more information and purchase links. https://alkirapublishing.com/product/the-remaking-of-professor-bobbins-cedric-saldanha/

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26/08/2025

“Maybe this is just me…”
“I sort of think…”
“Just a little suggestion…”

Writers often use these mitigating phrases to soften their point. The trouble? They weaken your sentences and make your ideas sound less confident than they really are.

Strong writing is about clarity and conviction. Cutting unnecessary qualifiers can make your words sharper and your message stronger — while still keeping your unique voice intact.

✨ Editing tip: Read a page of your work aloud and circle every ‘just,’ ‘sort of,’ or ‘maybe.’ Ask yourself — do I really need this here? You’ll be surprised how much tighter your writing feels.

Writers, have you noticed these phrases creeping into your drafts? Let us know in the comments below.

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25/08/2025

Authors please note.

AI's share OPINONS NOT FACTS.
And for authors, after playing around with what's available, here's my advice:
1. Do not use an AI for editing - I tried and it got 6 out of 10 things it flagged incorrect. That's a very high margin of error. You still need a human editor.
2. Do not use it for writing your fiction or memoir. It cannot experience what you experience or see the world through your eyes.
3. Using it to help structure a novel can seem helpful until you apply your own intelligence and see the faults - it can give you boring beginnings, flagging middles and unsatisfactory endings.

By the way, I have editing slots available now!

25/08/2025

Finished your draft? Congratulations—that’s a huge milestone. But now comes the real work.

Revising reshapes your story. Self-editing polishes your words. Knowing the difference can save you time, frustration, and help you bring out the best in your book.

Not sure where to start, or simply want expert eyes on your manuscript? At Alkira Publishing, we guide authors through every stage of the process with care and respect for your voice.

Need help with your book? Contact us today. https://alkirapublishing.com/contact/

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24/08/2025

“Her legs carried her down the street.”
“His eyes followed her every move.”

These autonomous body part phrases creep into drafts more often than we realize. They weaken your prose by making body parts act like independent characters.

In this video, we unpack why they’re a problem—and how to rewrite them for cleaner, stronger storytelling.

At Alkira Publishing, we help authors refine their manuscripts while keeping their unique voice intact.

Need help polishing your book? Contact us today.

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21/08/2025

What happens when a man defined by his past dares to imagine a different future?
In The Remaking of Professor Bobbins, Cedric Saldanha weaves a quiet, compelling portrait of change, set against the rhythms of everyday life.
This is a story about reflection, humility, and the surprising grace of starting again.

Order now at your favourite online bookstore or click the link to get more information and purchase links. https://alkirapublishing.com/product/the-remaking-of-professor-bobbins-cedric-saldanha/

19/08/2025

Every word in your manuscript should earn its place.
When sentences feel heavy or cluttered, readers lose momentum—and so does your story.

Cutting extraneous words sharpens your prose, speeds the pace, and keeps readers engaged. In our latest video, we’ll walk you through simple techniques to identify and remove what’s weighing your writing down—without losing your voice.

Need help with your book? Contac

Full video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-6C43zJ1zgU

18/08/2025

A great plot can draw readers in—but it’s your characters that make them stay.
Believable, compelling characters feel real. They have strengths and flaws, desires and fears, moments of triumph and struggle.

The secret? Depth. Characters need more than a name and a backstory—they need motivation, conflict, and growth. In our latest video, we’ll share practical ways to breathe life into your characters, so readers connect with them long after the last page.

Need help with your book? Contact us today.

Full video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Txnu1i6ejWs