sarahlin

May Update + Fiyu's Blueprints

Two parts to this post, which you'll see is a good thing.

Skyvenom Update

We are getting closer! I now feel like I can promise this book, though I don't know about the exact dates. More on that later, abstract thoughts first.

After two lengthy books, I wanted Skyvenom to be a little shorter... and it looks like it's going to be another long one instead. >_< It might end up even a bit longer than Wakespire! And to think that I had contingency pla...

Deathseed: Theo's Blueprints

For this week, we have Theo's blueprints. Updates on his overall designs throughout Deathseed, of course, but also a new diagram of his new blueprint plans for the second cube. If my description wasn't clear enough or you had trouble visualizing the "douel pyramid" pattern, this should help!

Thanks as always to Lamsey for putting these together. I believe I also have Fiyu's update not yet posted? We may not need it, though.

This is a short post, but that's because I'm putting time...

Deathseed Cover Reveal

Hello, everyone! I am buckling down to try to get through this bottleneck and do as much work as possible, so it seems like this is a good time to reveal the cover for Deathseed.

Figuring out new cover artists has been a source of ongoing delays (though not a primary one). Some artists work consistently year after year, but other times you email someone months later and they're gone, or worse they agree but are very inconsistent. But I have some new contacts, so hopefully future TWC cov...

Fanart + Community Post

First, we have a truly massive work of fanart commissioned by Argo the Ratfolk! This is one of the craziest pieces of fanart I've ever received as an author, so I hope people enjoy. It has given us Flower Girl Krikree, which is a blessed image. Non-dream Krikree would eat the flowers to determine whether or not they were food.

FYI, I am trying to plan a "free weekend" where I make all seven TWC books available free to prepare for the release of Deathseed. This has been successful for ot...

April Update on Book Nine

I know people are here primarily for the books, so whenever there's a break, I try to take time to give updates on my progress. No serious spoilers this post, but don't read if you'd prefer to avoid having any information on the ninth book.

Making too much progress on the book is being impeded because I'm stretched very thin at the moment by various things. However, I can report that the ninth book is taking shape in an abstract sense and I'm really looking forward to putting more time ...

Deathseed: Nauda's Blueprints

I am spread very thin trying to be productive, so I don't have a lot for you this week. Everyone thank Lamsey for providing this blueprint! This is Nauda as of the end of the eighth book, with her finalized remodel. Other blueprints coming in time.

Next week I should have something more substantial for everyone, with updates on the ninth book and Amazon release of Deathseed.

Worldbuilding for Fantasy Fans and Authors

Something a little different for this week, everyone. My work obviously has a strong emphasis on fantastical worlds, and I know there are a fair number of writers or writing-curious people reading along, so it's not rare for me to get questions about worldbuilding, or if I have any sort of guide on the subject. I have never tried to write something like that myself, but today I do have something for you to consider.

If you're looking to think about fantasy in a more analytical way, or t...

Bondsfungi Audiobook Live!

If you've been waiting, it's here! Check it out if you're following the story in audio:

https://www.audible.com/pd/B0CZY9L58G?qid=1712365494

Normally I try to do a round of promotion, but I am stretched pretty thin and nowhere near done with TWC9. So right now, I will focus nearly all my energy on creative work and hope that doesn't bite me too bad later. For patrons, expect more po...

Deathseed: Epilogue

It was always a bad day when Shalanaitir ai Mercury needed to go directly to the empire's throne room. On average days he remained with the intelligence service and did his work, on good days he was invited by the Mercury Court itself, and on excellent days someone came to him. Walking to the throne room of his own volition meant taking risks, and Shalanaitir hated risks.

He considered it one of the ironies of his position that his job entailed nothing but evaluating risks, and the rema...

Deathseed: Chapter 43

Just one chapter this week, because it's the last in this book. Epilogue next week, of course, which is still in the same Patreon month. More info at that time.

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Chapter 43

Nothing could scratch Nauda's sense of satisfaction, not even the Landguard. They bustled around Nlukoko, helping energetically as if to make up for doing nothing before. Others made pronouncements about the community and how everyone needed to come together. Now that others had taken al...

Deathseed: Chapters 41-42

More climactic chapters; hope everyone enjoys. ^-^

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Chapter 41

Against two or three mediocre Authorities, Theo would still have bet on himself. But he'd never fought a Landguard before and Esaire was devilishly opportunistic. It would just take one mistake, a momentary loss of focus, and he'd be punished for it. As soon as exhaustion and injuries started to turn against him, the odds would rapidly worsen.

His opponents had begun to work together, tryi...

Deathseed: Chapters 39-40

Lots of new patrons lately even though I haven't been doing anything... any of you want to speak up? Are you new to my work, or jumping in because the book is nearing its conclusion? There are lots of strange movements on Patreon that I never know how to interpret.

Anyway, more climactic chapters this week! Time for some developments I expected everyone to predict, so I played things a little differently.

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Chapter 39

Nauda had imagined losing the batt...

Deathseed: Chapters 37-38

I want to say that it's warmed my heart to see everyone's positive responses to the last two weeks of chapters. Things have been discouraging lately, so this was a much-needed bright spot. I've always wanted to write series where decisions and consequences keep weaving and layering, so it's very rewarding to reach that point and have readers along with me. If you have enjoyed the series this far, I hope you will enjoy the rest: there's a lot more in store, including some things you're all ant...

Deathseed: Chapters 35-36

More payoff this week. The big one is Theo's solution, which is the culmination of the "soulcrafting mystery" I set up this book. I know I'm going to get blasted in reviews for spending so much time on technical details, so I hope that everyone has enjoyed it - no point playing to the middle when it's more fun to be unusual. More importantly, I hope that you hardcore soulcrafters find the solution interesting/satisfying.

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Chapter 35

Every moment Theo spent ...

Deathseed: Chapters 33-34

First up, please take a look at the above cover, which is for Wakespire. I think the previous cover is great, and I'm grateful to Robot Cat for their work, but after many missed deadlines they have now ignored me for the past four months. As much as I would have liked to redo the entire series in that style, it doesn't seem like it will be possible, so it's better for the series to have a consistent brand.

The past couple weeks I've been saying these were interim chapters; well, hopeful...

Deathseed: Chapters 31-32

Hello, everyone! I'm participating in a new bundle that might interest you:

https://www.subscribepage.com/progressionfantasygwy 

Click through the link if you want to know more, but basically in exchange for your email you immediately get a bunch of ebooks free and are entered into a drawing to receive a bundle of free physical books. If you are interested in trying a variety of books ...

Deathseed: Chapters 29-30

At first I thought the formatting on the post was screwed up, but apparently Patreon changed the editor so it's even further from WYSIWYG. =/ Why do you do this, Patreon.

Anyway, the Krikree exchanges in these chapters read differently without the fully context. Krikree fans and Slest-enjoyers will hopefully enjoy where we're headed.

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Chapter 29

It ended up taking them three entire days to check with local informants, ...

Deathseed: Chapters 27-28

Some fun stuff this month, including more information on weirkey mechanics and the first steps of the next part of the plot. As I said before, this book is all about consequence and follow-up.

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Chapter 27

Despite all Fiyu's training, weirkey travel didn't come easily to her, not in the heat of the moment. She desperately wished that Friend Theo had been able to act.

But she had taken the first step, so she needed to finish the journey.

Using a w...

Deathseed: Chapters 25-26

After a longish break we have action scenes again. I was going to say with these long double chapters you don't have cliffhangers, but...

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Chapter 25

Even though she had investigated it not long ago, Fiyu examined the city of Myufuru again as thoroughly as she was able. She noted all the locations of the inhabitants, the strange new trees, and the Deuxan woman who lived atop the giant tree stump. All within expectations. The trouble was that there were seve...

Deathseed: Chapters 23-24

I have some good news combined with thanks! You remember those Indie Ink Awards I asked everyone to vote for? This week I was informed that I made finalist in both the categories I was  nominated for, which is entirely thanks to your votes. The actual winners are determined by guest blogger judges, so that's basically a crapshoot - this is the level of success I hoped to attain, so thanks for your support!

This year I only had The Brightest Shadow nominated for two weird categories...

Deathseed: Chapters 21-22

After my chipper yearly post, I have become so very tired. -_- Future Deathseed chapters are not at risk, but please be patient if I lag after that. Anyway, this chapter includes developments on multiple fronts and highlights a sublime material suggested by a patron!

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Chapter 21

Somewhere along the way, Theo realized that it had been ages since he'd been through the Tatian gate from this side. He'd run back through in order to fight Magnafor, but after that...

2023 in Review

Last year I said 2023 would be a little quieter than the previous. Well, it might have been quieter in terms of releases, but it was a whirlwind in many ways for me. I wish that I had great revelations in store, but instead it was a mix of some things that worked well and some that didn't.

TWC

Though you guys have caught up to me, I still managed to get two books out this year: Bloodcrete in January and Wakespire in August. Plus we got the third and fou...

Deathseed: Chapters 19-20

Last chapters of the year! Look forward to my year in review post tomorrow, though.

Meanwhile, these chapters cover more stuff I've been looking forward to. ^-^ From the very beginning I've wished I'd written more Navim into the earlier books. He's not in the main three, but he's as important as any of the other secondary characters. You'll see more of him as time goes on.

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Chapter 19

Years ago, when Navim had been young, Master Uvvah Ulim had warned ...

2023 Holiday MegaSale!

Just posting to let everyone know that my entire catalogue is available at a steep discount to support the current year's MegaSale!

Link here: https://old.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/comments/18r94ge/over_700_books_free_or_099_more_than_200/ 

There are a ton of books either free or on sale, so please consider checking it out! Every purchase or down...

Deathseed: Chapters 17-18

Well, the positive response to the chapters last week warms my heart. ^-^ Along with all the other elements, Deathseed is about the growth of character and subplot seeds planted much earlier. This is one of the things I hope everyone will enjoy the series develops as all the layers come together in different ways.

Also going to remind everyone about the Indie Ink Awards. If you haven't already, pl...

Deathseed: Chapters 15-16

Before the chapters, an announcement! I have been nominated for two categories in something I didn't even know about, the Indie Ink Awards. Specifically, The Brightest Shadow appears in the categories Best Morally Gray Character and Asian Representation by an Asian Author. This one is pure popularity contest, so please consider voting for me in either category (I'm easy to find in the latter, 22nd row m...

Deathseed: Chapters 13-14

More soulcrafting this week, which I'm sure will be appreciated by many here. ^-^ Also a different POV, which I hope will help make this whole novel feel like a cohesive conflict despite the varying elements.

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Chapter 13

Seeing Navim soulcraft so intensely had lit a fire under Nauda. She might not be able to rush to Authority, but there was still so much she could do.

Soulcrafting was complicated enough and she'd made things much harder on herself by ...

Deathseed: Chapters 11-12

Do I have nothing to say this time? Apparently not; I'm run a bit ragged these days. Please enjoy the chapters. ^-^

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Chapter 11

The conclusion of the battle brought everyone in the school together almost by necessity. Nauda felt horribly out of place as one of the few humanoids among all the Mundhin, but she was mostly ignored. Everyone else was too busy repairing damage to the stone, healing the wounded, or arguing.

Mostly arguing, to be honest. The ...

Deathseed: Chapters 9-10

Alright, for better or for worse, release season is over! I'm as glad about this as anyone, believe me. Back to Deathseed chapters, including some fun things in these two. ^-^ 

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Chapter 9

Even with detailed local instructions, it would take them several days to reach the School of Emerald Indulgence. Just in case, Theo had inquired within the city - named Ruby Ericho - about whether Navim or Krikree had been seen. Since all signs pointed to the two rem...

Chasmfall Audio Release

It's release time, everyone! Check out the newest audiobook here:

https://www.audible.com/pd/B0CNKVXB79

Sadly this means I must burn all my energy this weekend on promotional activities. Starting with Reddit threads on r/progressionfantasy and 2023-11-18 19:09:24 +0000 UTC View Post