100 Reviews in a Month Gets You a Sequel﻿

100 Reviews in a Month Gets You a Sequel

7/15/2016

...apparently!

As you may have figured out last time, when I shared the cover for Soulsmith (Cradle, Volume Two), that's the book I'm currently working on. I was going to write the final installment for Elder Empire next--in fact, I only wrote Unsouled to have something to release in the 6-8 month drought that it takes to a pair of books simultaneously--but the reaction to Cradle, Volume One has been so positive and enthusiastic that I jumped on to the sequel immediately.

Case in point, it gathered 100 Amazon reviews in exactly one month. 88 of them are five-star, 97 are positive, and 99 are at least pretty good. The only really negative review just said "boring."

Therefore, since installments of Cradle take half the time to write as installments of Elder Empire AND seem to create twice the goodwill, I decided it would be foolish to delay Soulsmith.

Keeping in mind that this is a release estimate, that I'm not committing to anything until I finish the book and announce a specific date, here's the deal: Soulsmith in September, OKAK early next year, Traveler's Blade after that, Cradle Volume 3 squeezed in the cracks here somewhere, and short stories to the mailing list every month.

This is looking uncomfortably like a full-time job. Curse you, adulthood!

Thanks to everyone who read Unsouled, thanks for leaving reviews and recommending it to your friends, and thanks everyone reading this for giving me a full-time job that lets me make up stories about swords and monsters for a living!

-Will

P.S. I'm not sure if I mentioned this or not, but Of Dawn and Darkness has been available in paperback for quite a while now. Just in case you were waiting on that while I forgot to announce it. I would have made a post about it like two months ago, but Amazon crossed its wires after the book was released and deleted the Darkness paperback and replaced it with this. That took forever to resolve, but everything's correct now!

81 Comments

Jeremiah

7/15/2016 10:28:38 am

Ok but I demand a okok teaser of some substance. That is my demand!

Will link

7/15/2016 07:05:10 pm

Eventually that will happen!

Mike

8/8/2016 12:56:35 am

I'm glad that Unsouled is gaining popularity. It's a really good novel. I'm spreading the words to other xianxia readers on mobileread and wuxiaworld.

For readers who are interested:

Unsouled is a xianxia novel and this genre is very popular in China. Thanks to fan translations, it is gaining popularity in the West too (Wuxiaworld has 2 million unique monthly visitors while Gravitytales has 1 million unique monthly visitors according to alexa.com traffic ranking).

For those who are interested in other xianxia novels (free to read on the web thanks to fan translations), try these really good ones

True Martial World (Gravitytales.com)
I Shall Seal the Heavens (Wuxiaworld.com)
Tales of Demons and Gods (Wuxiaworld)
Against the Gods (Wuxiaworld)
Martial World (Gravitytales)
Desolate Era (Wuxiaworld)
Emperor's Domination
Demon's Diary (Gravitytales)
Transcending the Nine Heavens
Douluo Dalu (the author of this novel Tang Jia San Shao makes $16.7 million a year in royalties according to a recent Wall Street Journal article)

I'm Really a Superstar (not a xianxia but very enjoyable to read).

Joshua

7/15/2016 10:35:59 am

I'll buy them as fast as you put them out!

7/15/2016 07:05:29 pm

Thanks, Joshua! I'm writing as fast as I can!

Dimitri

7/15/2016 11:14:03 am

Thanks for the update!!! Biting my nails waiting for the sequel...keep up the great job!!!!

7/15/2016 07:06:08 pm

Don't bite them TOO much; you can chew a lot of nail in 1-2 months.

Tren

7/15/2016 11:32:41 am

Woo! I've been excited for this sequel ever since I read Unsouled. No offense to you or anyone who prefers it, but Elder Empire just isn't my thing. Now I just need more Traveler's Gate/Blade and my Wight quota will be fulfilled. May the gates to creativity lieth open, &c.

James Johnson

7/15/2016 05:35:05 pm

I thought I was the only one. Will is pretty much a writing God made flesh but Elder Empire just didn't pull me in. I bought them to support the author, but can't get past the first chapter. Maybe it's the whole premise of the book.

7/15/2016 07:04:52 pm

I've heard that before, and I have to say it surprises me a little. Sea and Shadow start out WAY faster and with more action than HoB or Unsouled do.

Madeline

7/16/2016 07:27:54 am

I read them, but I am not entirely pleased with the whole concept because wither it's going to end with one group of characters losing, or with someone compromising their principles somewhere. I can see things which are wrong with both characters' approaches (how is having multiple leaders a good thing when power hungry leader can point at rival and say "THEY ARE CORRUPTED!!!"? how is having the person the elders WANT as emperor be emperor a good idea?) and while the hints towards the end of one of the books that there might be something keeping the elders there, I don't see either of the two groups of people putting their convictions aside to deal with that, because they aren't capable of the level of trust it would require.
I don't like the current trend in fantasy books of "every character has to be unlikable, and also everyone's going to die horribly at the end" and the way the characters do not seem capable of coming to some agreement reminds me too much of the latter.

7/16/2016 08:18:44 am

I understand that reaction, Madeline, I really do. What surprises me is when people say "I couldn't get past the first chapter." I would have thought the first chapters for both Unsouled and House of Blades are FAR harder to get through. HoB, he's powerless until he hits Valinhall. Unsouled, he's powerless effectively until the tournament in the middle (and even after, arguably).

Whereas in both cases, Sea and Shadow start on an action scene with the main character acting with purpose. If you got past the first chapter and floundered out in the middle, I understand completely. That happens. But when people tell me they couldn't get past the opening scene, THAT surprises me.

7/15/2016 07:08:19 pm

None taken, Tren! I like to write different things, and not everyone is going to enjoy everything.

For instance, and this may surprise the people reading this, but most of my close friends and family like Elder Empire the best. Virtually all of my beta readers, with the exception of Devin (to whom this book is dedicated), liked Unsouled the least and EE the most.

But from many readers, I hear the opposite. Crazy world. Maybe I need to expand my beta reader pool.

Elfishpirat

7/16/2016 11:57:20 am

I loved the Elder Empire series! (Slightly biased towards Shera's side of the story, but hey, both are compelling). Really curious how you're going to conclude it without leaving half of your readers in a murderous rage.

Actually, I have loved everything you've written so far. Slightly disappointed that we'll have to wait for the last two books in E.E, but having the first book in Traveler's Blade and the Unsouled sequel are a fairly even trade, in my humble opinion.

Happy writing!

7/16/2016 07:18:11 pm

It's going to be a balancing act, I won't lie. I know how I'm ending it, obviously, but how I tell the story is going to be the difference between "everybody's happy!" and "everybody's happy to lynch Will!"

I'm a little sad to delay it too, but it seems like the obvious decision. And I'm having fun writing Soulsmith, so that's a plus!

Andrew

7/16/2016 09:42:00 pm

I formally petition to be part of this expanded pool of beta reading goodness.

7/17/2016 01:08:50 pm

I also petition to be part of the expanded beta pool.
I read fast. Very fast.

7/17/2016 07:31:29 pm

I said maybe!

7/17/2016 08:05:16 pm

I volunteer as tribute!!!!

Jordan

8/11/2016 12:58:27 am

Feel free to throw me in there, just in case you felt the need tp add more mazong people to the pool.

Scott

7/21/2016 01:25:36 pm

Yeah same for me, am really looking forward to cradle now it really impressed me

7/21/2016 01:27:45 pm

Just for the record I've all of caldera POV, couldn't get into the POV for some reason .

7/28/2016 11:08:15 am

Glad you enjoyed Cradle, Scott!

I assume you meant to say that you couldn't get into Shera's POV, which I understand completely. Some people are really irritated by Calder's poor decision-making, and others can't get along with Shera because she's emotionless and generally unsympathetic. That's why there's two!

Easily Amused Eldrazi link

7/15/2016 11:46:23 am

While I'm disappointed that I'll have to wait on Of Kings and Killers, I'm happy that your new series, which seems quite good, is garnering such goodwill. Good luck writing!

Also, Emrakul says hello, and wants to speak with Tharlos and Nakothi about how her abilities seem to be a combined version of theirs.

Now THAT's a fight I'd want to be a few universes away from!

7/15/2016 01:10:39 pm

You know, I've always thought Emrakul was a lot more genuine Lovecraftian in that she's more of a force than a personality. I made my Elders a tad more like people.

Plus, they would definitely not be colorless. Nakothi B/G, Tharlos...maybe U/R.

7/18/2016 05:41:04 pm

That's a good point, and one that I had not considered. I do like that about your books- the deific forces are the perfect combination of impersonal force and driven personality.

I can see Nakothi as B/G, and Tharlos as U/R. For some reason, I see Kelarac as slightly more personally involved than the others, which leads me to think he'd more fit in Esper colors. He seems to have more long-term planning capacity than anyone but Ach'Magut for U, the weighted bargaining of B, and a restriction upon himself to actually give something of value to bargainers- excluding him from Grixis colors and giving him W.

Also, we actually got to hear Emrakul "talk" to Jace in one of the recent stories, which is kind of cool.

Also, it's pretty cool that you're familiar with the MTG characters and color schemes.

7/28/2016 11:04:18 am

Ironically, I stopped playing Magic a few months before I published House of Blades, because my teaching contract was almost up and I felt I would run out of money and time.

Then HoB sold so well that I had plenty of money and time, but I was already out.

7/28/2016 11:05:49 am

P.S. Which story? I'd love to read an Emrakul/Jace interaction.

One of my favorite MTG stories was that Tezzeret one by Matthew Stover, both because Stover is possibly my favorite action writer of all time and because it made planeswalking feel so cool. I'm always up to read others, if you have recommendations.

Lewis

7/15/2016 01:33:49 pm

So when can we expect elder empire 3? I'm dying.

7/15/2016 06:54:43 pm

Please don't die. I'd have to stitch you together and it'd be awkward because the next lightning storm isn't due to hit for another three or four days.

OKAK coming early next year! It was going to be late this year, but I pushed it back for Soulsmith.

Jason

7/15/2016 04:52:02 pm

Do you prefer Amazon over goodreads because its more popular? I rated Unsouled on goodreads (I was the first rating on there, smileyface) but don't really rate anything on Amazon.

7/15/2016 07:00:22 pm

Amazon reviews are more helpful to me, but I appreciate you reviewing the book anywhere! Most new readers find me by browsing for Kindle, so Amazon reviews have a direct effect on my sales. Goodreads don't directly, though they do help me look good online.

On a personal note, to be completely honest with you, I hate Goodreads. I only have an account out of professional necessity, and I've never read a Goodreads review of my books unless it's been copy-pasted and sent to me by a friend.

There's something that irritates me about taking a passion for reading and turning it into a social network, though that's probably my inherent social issues talking. For years, I watched every anime series released in Japan for fear that I would miss anything good, but I never joined any fan forums or went to any conventions. I didn't want the fan crowd experience, just the stories.

...so you know, take that with a grain of salt. That's as biased of an opinion as it gets. I thrive on every BIT of word-of-mouth goodwill that floats around the interwebs, so thanks for your review! And for leaving a comment!

Matt

7/15/2016 09:45:25 pm

Next year for Elder Empire?! I just died a little inside. I see quite a few people on here saying they can't get into them, but don't let that dishearten you. They're my favorite series of yours. No more delays!

... Please.

7/16/2016 07:08:33 pm

It hurts my heart too, Matt. I want to get the ending out there so that everyone can curse me with their black-scorched voodoo dolls.

Sean M.

7/16/2016 09:17:56 am

Hey Will! Congrats on the success of unsouled. I'm the guy who wrote the top review of unsouled on amazon (my first review!). Im super psyched you are getting great feedback for the book but I'm now upset about the okak delay. I wrote that review hoping people would read it and buy all your stuff but it had now backfired by delaying my favorite series (elder empire). Curses :(
I would do the same thing in your place though haha. Also have you considered slightly raising your prices or at least polling the message board on that? I still think your stuff is crazy cheap in comparison to other indies. Looking forward to the next one.

7/16/2016 07:13:22 pm

Thanks for the review, Sean! It's not your fault that everyone ignored your advice and clamored for a Cradle sequel immediately. You tried.

Elder Empire is my favorite of my stories too, if I'm being honest, though Cradle has the potential to get there eventually. Hopefully the author doesn't screw it up (though I'm not sure I trust him).

As for the raising prices thing, I'm not sure. I actually did raise the prices of TGT and EE to $3.99 instead of $2.99, which seems to have been the right call. And I'm not willing to go higher than $4.99, which would be my limit.

If I wrote a longer or more substantial novel, I'd consider pricing it as high as five bucks. But for what I'm writing now, I feel like I'd lose more readers than I'd gain by going up in price.

That said, I have heard from a few people who were skeptical of my books because they were priced so low. So who knows?

Micah

7/17/2016 05:52:54 am

I bought the travelers gate trilogy twice over (2 kindles) and i think it was still cheaper then buying one paperback book in Australia (approx $20-$30). I think that's a good thing though. I don't want to devalue your books or anything, art shouldn't be judged by monetary value! Whether you end up raising the prices or not I still think it's cool that you kept them this low to begin with.

Also have you heard of thunderbolt fantasy? Puppet wuxia television, so odd.

7/17/2016 07:43:51 pm

You know, I just saw Thunderbolt Fantasy on Crunchyroll, and I'm sure I'll get into it at some point. Urobuchi Gen is one of my favorite writers of all time, and this is his pet project. But it just seems so weird. I have no context for a puppet martial arts show.

Interestingly enough, I both agree and disagree with the phrase "art shouldn't be judged by monetary value."

On the one hand, it's true that it's difficult to put a dollar value on the impact of art. If you saw a painting for free that changed your outlook on life, it's priceless. If you paid ten thousand dollars for a fake, thinking it was the work of a master, is it worth ten thousand dollars? Art is a difficult thing to value.

On the other hand, art like mine has a stated intention: to entertain. And you CAN put a monetary value on entertainment. Do you feel that you were entertained sufficiently for the amount you paid? There's also an expectation of quality. If I pay $0.99 for a book and it's amateurish but the story is kind of interesting, I don't regret spending that dollar. But if I'm going to spend $12 on an ebook (or $20 on a paperback in Australia), I want to be reasonably sure that the product is worth it.

I use the food analogy a lot, but that's because it works: if you pay $5 for a steak dinner and it's pretty good, you're delighted. If you pay $40 for a steak dinner and it's pretty good, you want your money back.

7/18/2016 12:59:08 am

If someone wasn't entertained by your book they should get their money back, and if they enjoyed it so much it changed their life it should be priceless? I don't know about that. I think in business these days the price is charged at how much people are willing to pay. Therefore the customer decides the products worth in their decision to pay. I hate that mentality, yet I can't disagree with it. There's a 60 minutes clip about how ray-bans went from being $30 to $150 and became widely popular. The reason people thought they had worth was because they had more monetary value, not higher quality. I simply think art should be separated from such thought.

Thanks for replying to a random guy anyway Will. I hope you continue to enjoy your job. Price your works however you want to, I would still buy them at Australian benchmarks but please don't!

7/18/2016 04:52:29 am

"If someone wasn't entertained by your book they should get their money back, and if they enjoyed it so much it changed their life it should be priceless?" - I'm not saying that at all. Almost the opposite. My books are entertainment, where they can be priced and measured next to other, similar products. A movie is art, but a DVD has an MSRP.

I'm saying that sure, in THEORY art is priceless and unregulated by supply and demand. Because who can put a price tag on an artistic experience?

But in reality, the product and (now that I'm thinking about it) even the experience itself is determined by the price. People are pleasantly surprised by quality at low prices, while they demand it at higher ones.

Nothing wrong with that, that's just how it is.

I want my books to be as cheap as possible, while still allowing me to write full-time. That means I keep getting to write, and the stories are accessible to everyone. Everybody wins!

7/18/2016 05:51:57 pm

I suspect that some people's skepticism of low book prices comes in part from the whole spam-$0.9-romances-to-get-the-edge-on-amazon's-pricing-and-promotion-programs-thing a few years ago, and in part from the mainstream publishers slowly pushing prices upwards. I don't have an issue with the last one, except that at the same time the authors with those publishers seem to be writing shorter and shorter books, that seem to be of a lower quality as well. Perhaps my standards have simply changed from a few years ago.

In any case Will, your work continues to excel! You could probably go to $5.00 easily on most of your works and still get buyers, but it's great that they're priced as low as they are.

Crazy

7/18/2016 06:16:48 pm

I love EE and I felt like I died inside when you said next year and I am beginning to feel like you do this just to spite me

7/20/2016 03:18:13 am

He does it just to spite us. Of this I am sure. Forget the badgers, Will your getting the sofa next!!1!!!11one

I've finally gotten around to unsouled (I was reading TGT again and didn't want to be inturrupted) I'm 1/4 through and really enjoying it! But still, the sofa...

7/28/2016 11:03:06 am

I do. I'm trying to get back at you, personally, for everything you've done to me. You drive me CRAZY.

8/11/2016 01:08:03 am

Phew, I thought he was trying to make me sad at first. But if he's trying to male you angry, then he's not trying to make me sad, and I'm ok with that.

Austin

7/18/2016 08:41:28 pm

I read a lot of translated online wuxia novels, so Unsouled was super cool to read. It had all the components that make a wuxia story, but with a cool will wight twist to the whole thing. I particularly enjoyed the quick description of the flying sword (I shall seal the heavens reference?). So I am incredibly excited to read the next installment, there won't be a REMNANT left unread after I'm done with it.

Elder Empire is also one of the best series I've read. But uh...I haven't read the second installment. I got super invested in both characters and now I'm too scared to read further because it's probably going to hurt my heart. To be honest I'm not sure what I'm trying to say...maybe like "wow you're a great author, even the books that I can't finish are terrific, keep up the good work" or something like that. But yah, good job!

p.s. did you ever think about naming the remnants, or any monster in your stories for that matter, "wights"? I totally would've.

7/19/2016 11:02:51 am

Omg someone else who thinks Will Wight should write a book about wights.

You are the best!

7/19/2016 09:08:26 pm

omgosh, we should start a fan club, we can call ourselves "Will Wight's Wights" or "Wight Empire" or maybe "The Will Wight Fanclub". I'm fine with any.

And thanks! Suck it Will, it seems like I'm the best now!!

7/19/2016 10:12:50 pm

Will Wight's Wights looks better because yay apostrophe changes things.

7/29/2016 03:54:49 pm

It should be Will Wight Writes Wights

8/4/2016 09:54:37 pm

Austin adores alliterations

John

8/5/2016 05:43:20 pm

Tongue twister (say 3 times fast):

Will Wight will write 'white wight', right?

7/28/2016 11:01:09 am

It wasn't necessarily an ISSTH reference, because flying swords are pretty common staples in wuxia and xianxia, and also I can't stand ISSTH.

However, you know what's funny about the "wight" thing? I used to make jokes about that all the time, but when it came to actually writing the books, I couldn't do it. I go through a phase in planning each book where I consider adding wights, because A.) it's hilarious, and B.) they're actually cool enemies, but I can never bring myself to do it. It's just too on-the-nose.

I do kind of want to write a dedicated comedy novel at some point, though, and maybe that will feature wights prominently. A Wight can dream.

7/28/2016 05:17:37 pm

Yes. Your readers need wights badly.

8/4/2016 09:54:05 pm

I feel you, I guess I just can't remember another story that flying swords were featured quite as prominently, the main character was a pretty big fan of those...I liked ISSTH until someone turned out to be a giant talking turtle, and then in hindsight I realized it wasn't that great. Sort of like how I was pretty into National Treasure until National Treasure 2 came out.

8/11/2016 01:13:17 am

ISSTH? Random names not wight related earlier?!?!? So many things I do not understand, too many things. All of y'all need to stop.

No I'm not southern, nor is anyone I know, I simply felt Y'all was the appropriate word there.

^^If that seemed passive agressive, it is because I have been commonly questioned as to if I am from the south because of my use of Y'all in Wisconsin.

Anand

7/20/2016 12:07:04 am

The travellers gate trilogy was excellent. Best series I have read so far this year. I really hope you explore more of the world in a future release (which was definitely hinted at).

Cradle was amazing, I was sad when I found out the second book wasn't out yet.

Definitely will get it as soon as it comes out so please hurry.... Please. The wait is killing me.

7/28/2016 10:58:34 am

I'm wondering if I should start writing Cradle two books at a time, so I can stockpile them and then release them even more regularly. It's worth considering.

I'm glad you enjoyed the trilogy, Anand! I absolutely do plan on exploring the rest of the world, but I've got to get back to writing Soulsmith first!

Emily

7/21/2016 11:34:43 pm

So how many reviews of elder empire do I need to write to get it bumped back up?

I mean I'll totally eat up whatever you write but I prefer elder empire + those are a two for one and longer

7/28/2016 10:57:14 am

Yeah, there's a lot more meat on those bones, but they are very challenging to write. There's this interesting balancing act where I want to release books that are long and satisfying, but I have to release books quickly enough or people will forget about me and I will wither away and die.

With Cradle, the idea is that it will EVENTUALLY be a very broad and expansive series...one little bite at a time.

8/11/2016 01:15:34 am

Will you wither like a Wight, so we no longer fear a bite, on these cold, dark nights?

Jk, if bites equal books I want more books. A lot of them.

8/11/2016 06:48:05 pm

Bites do equal books, and I want to bite you.

Wait, that came out wrong.

8/13/2016 02:27:57 pm

It's all good, there wasn't really a good way to respond to that, looking back its kinda a weird post.

Aaron

7/22/2016 05:09:02 am

"Btw i read all those short stories you told me about now. Is there any other books with nearly as much badassery in it because now my life feels incomplete."

This is the text message that I got from my brother at 5 o'clock this morning. I hadn't read House of blades and he just took off from there.

7/22/2016 05:58:07 am

Thats supposed to say I had him read house of blades, and he just took off from there

7/28/2016 10:55:26 am

That's awesome, Aaron! And the answer is no, there is nothing else out there with as much badassery because I have a monopoly on it.

Real talk, though, I need to come up with a series where I REALLY crank it up to eleven. It's going to be hard to beat the guy with the giant sword slashing apart Incarnations, but I think I can do it: a vampire feeding on Kaiju blood with the goal of becoming powerful enough to destroy civilization. BAM, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER!

(Thanks for the recommendation, Aaron! I'm glad your brother liked it!)

Stewart

7/25/2016 03:57:27 am

Ok so damn you Will Wight. I just finished Unsouled and I really enjoyed it. If it wasn't bad enough that I had to sit patiently (not so patiently really) for the next instalments of Elder Empire I now have to sit and wait for new Cradle. (this isn't a hurry up kind of thing btw). You are like the fantasy self-pub crack dealer - "oh you liked that did you, why not try some of this? Its new stuff I just knocked up, just try this little bit, you'll be fine."

Damn you, damn you to hell and back! Once you finished both the series and new Travellers Gate obviously.

7/28/2016 10:52:29 am

Oh no...I'VE BEEN DAMNED!

NOW I CAN'T FINISH MY BOOKS BECAUSE THESE UNCLEAN SPIRITS ARE DRAGGING ME DOWN TO HEEELLLLL...

8/2/2016 08:16:17 pm

If you see a young man down there with a mouth like a puckered anus, tell him Preacher says hi.

8/3/2016 08:41:50 am

Does he go to Hell? I thought it was his dad.

Anyway, it's been a long time since I read the comic, and I didn't watch the show any further than the pilot. Seemed like they nailed Cassidy, though.

8/3/2016 10:26:10 am

I haven't read the comics, but I'm told that the first season of the show all happens before the comic story even begins. But it is not a prequel because the showrunners have changed many things from the comics.

Crow316

8/4/2016 11:30:09 pm

So this is my first comment on here! Yeah me get down with your bad self (proceeds to trip over air) first I must say great writing finished unsouled working on book one of traveler's gate. Second after reading all of these comments I have this these are my people feeling inside so just saying you all are awesome looking forward to the rest of your work Mr. Wight thank you for what you do.

Ps. Have you read Brent Weeks Night Angel trilogy? If you haven't it's definitely on the required reading list.

8/8/2016 02:14:57 pm

Absolutely I have! Brent Weeks is a big inspiration, and I was fortunate enough to have dinner with him once.

And these are your people, Crow.

8/11/2016 01:22:00 am

I have realised, at 3:17 a.m. that these are my people. The wights of Will Wight's comment section, are where I belong. It is possible I sound mildly disturbed, that's probably becaise I am awake and reading the comment section at what is now 3:19, so forgive me for that. Also, the colors from above me some distance remind me of a different book series some of you may enjoy, the first book being called The Darkest Minds. I haven't read the rest, so don't judge if they're bad, but try them.
I go to the Sleep now
--Peace out

8/11/2016 06:49:47 pm

We welcome you to the Long Sleep, gravebrother. May the blood of the Fathers restore you as you rest.

8/13/2016 10:16:50 pm

I approve of the mildly disturbing post because it calls the people who are posting here the wights. That makes up for a great deal of disturbingness.

8/17/2016 08:14:57 pm

That only proves that there isn't nearly enough disturbingness around here.

Fernando

8/15/2016 05:39:03 pm

Hi Will! This is my first comment on here, first off gotta say I'm a big fan of all your books, I love the cool magic systems in all of your worlds, they're unique and intricate and make your stories exciting. Keep em coming! I can't wait to read OKAK, the elder empire is my favorite series of yours so far.

Second, I may have missed this one, but was there an August short story? Every new month I get excited to see whats brewing in the Will Wight world.

Thanks!
-Fernando

8/17/2016 08:14:17 pm

Thanks for commenting, Fernando! No short story yet; I'm trying to get Soulsmith finished first.

Glad you enjoyed the Elder Empire! I'm excited to go back to working on OKAK, but I'm enjoying working on Cradle too. It's a dilemma.

8/17/2016 07:27:10 pm

Did I miss something this month because I never got the short story on the 1st.

Please dear God, please don't let anything have happened to will wight.

I have questions about cradle, but I'll only ask one. Why didnt lindon go through a transformation when he became an iron like his sister did? When he battled the Jade at the school he was told that he had to have been at least an iron to survive the attack.

8/17/2016 08:12:56 pm

Nope, Whitehall was wrong. He was assuming only an Iron could survive the attack based on limited, incorrect information and his own assumptions. Lindon isn't even Copper, as will be made absolutely clear in his first scene of Soulsmith.

As for the short story, I haven't sent it out. I don't promise it on the 1st, just during that month, though I do usually try and deliver it on the 1st for the sake of consistency.

In June and again now, I'm late because I'm finishing up a book. So close! Once I finish Soulsmith, I'll send out this month's story. Thanks for waiting!

In which we ramble on.
And by we, I mean me.