Blackflame soon! Blades on sale! Apocalypse imminent!

2/12/2017

As many of you know, I periodically drop off the map for a couple of weeks at a time. Why? Because I need to fully immerse myself in writing. I turn off my phone, I don't check my email, and I don't check the blog. I just dive right in.

It's a helpful part of the process, but it also results in friends, family, and fans thinking I'm dead. I'm not! I'm writing! ...which is a very similar state, but it smells slightly better, and sometimes a book pops out of the coffin.

Now that I've come up for air, this is a good time to update you on the Blackflame progress!

So...I could have finished Blackflame by now. That's my confession. But I haven't, and I have a good reason why!

A few weeks ago, I was about 75% done, but I wasn't happy with a big chunk of the middle. Normally I would leave that part in and polish it up as much as I could in editing, but this time I chose to rewrite it.

(That's not something I would tell a first-time writer to do, by the way. If you're working on your first novel, and you're not happy with a chunk, finish the story and then go back and fix it afterwards. But I'm working on book number ten at this point, so I'm allowing myself some more leeway.)

On the bright side, the book is now better for it. But it does mean I'm about a month behind my projected schedule. I expect to have the book ready for beta readers very soon, but it isn't there yet.

It'll be a few more weeks, but not too many more.

***

As you may know, this week includes Valentine's Day, so why not celebrate with a book? This week, for free, you can read the most romantic story on Kindle: the inspiring love story of a white-haired swordsman and his creepy fascination with a bunch of talking dolls.

That's right, House of Blades is once again up for free this week! Foist it on your unsuspecting friends! Pretend it has romance in it! Just kidding, please don't do that, they'll be disappointed.

...but pick up a copy nonetheless! From my isolated writing cave, I will feel your support, and it will fuel me.

-Will

98 Comments

Keith

2/12/2017 07:31:53 pm

Thanks for the update Will! Keep it up!

Will link

2/12/2017 07:49:09 pm

Thanks, Keith!

Jeremiah

2/12/2017 07:49:28 pm

Though I am very excited for BlackFlame, I hope you have stuck with your plan and at least planned a little bit of okak. Congrats on being a lot closer to being done!

2/12/2017 07:51:52 pm

I have something of a surprise in that regard, Jeremiah. To be revealed when I finish Blackflame.

John

2/12/2017 09:04:42 pm

Surprise? Suprise. Surprise!

2/13/2017 04:42:35 am

So long as the suprise is as follows:

Calder stared at the throne wonder how best to dismantle it. A sudden and infinate silence enveloped him, obliterating all sensation. A voice seemed to come from everywhere and nowhere at once: "CALDER MARTEN. YOU HAVE BEEN FOUND TO BE IN NEED OF REMOVAL FROM ITERATION 110: ASYLUM FOR THE CONTINUATION OF THAT REALM. YOU ARE REMOVED TO ITERATION 197: ELYESIUM."

Stunned, Calder was suddenly elsewhere. There was nothing around. There Calder Marten remain for all time.

Jordan

2/12/2017 08:08:16 pm

I literally just picked up my copy of house of blades to reread while I wait for blackflame... and after rereading cradle and soulsmith( I have a question about soulsmith) Lindon might have passed Simon as my second favorite character that you've written about!! (Shera will always be number 1)

To my soulsmith question.. I thought the hammer badge was for a forger? So why is it on the cover of soulsmith? Or am I dumb right now and not remembering correctly..

2/12/2017 08:11:44 pm

In Sacred Valley, a hammer represents a Forger. And only Forgers can be Soulsmiths.

Outside Sacred Valley, a badge with a hammer on it represents WHO KNOWS? I'M KEEPING IT A SECRET! BWAHAHA!

Thanks for reading, Jordan!

2/12/2017 08:16:48 pm

Uuuuurrrggggghhhh!!! The suspense is killing me!! Haha

Thanks for the awesome books!!

You've become my favorite author, just for the ego boost I'll tell you... with the Cradle series you've pushed J.K. Rowling out of the top spot...

(You should have badges made and sold on Amazon)

2/12/2017 08:23:30 pm

I had a call with my graphic designer about Cradle T-shirts only a couple of days ago. We can at least do an Unsouled badge design and a Soulsmith badge design.

April

2/12/2017 09:14:36 pm

Merchandising galore! Badges strung on shadesilk ribbons! T-shirts! Bumper stickers forged of pure madra! Anything is possible.

Jacob

2/12/2017 08:32:13 pm

Thanks for the update, really looking forward to the next book! I'm definitely going to be recommending to a few friends to pick up house of Blades this week. I've already converted a couple friends to your series :D

2/12/2017 08:33:34 pm

Oh that would be cool!! I'd wear a cradle t-shirt.

After reading soulsmith again I thought a box set, kind of like the one kind London found, would be pretty cool to have on a shelf.

David W

2/13/2017 07:20:33 am

I wonder if we could have robbing the cradle t shirts. Cause you know advancing in the sacred arts is expensive.

William Bottorf

2/13/2017 12:29:15 am

I had a dream last night and kami-sama told me to relay the message to you that I'm supposed to be a beta reader for you. I'm just the messenger, but I don't disagree!

PS. I'll still download it on Kindle unlimited

2/13/2017 03:14:08 pm

I don't listen to Kami-sama. I only listen to Superkami Guru.

2/14/2017 04:42:02 pm

He was just being modest, I'm sure they are one and the same.

Superkami Guru

2/16/2017 05:33:43 am

WE ARE NOT ONE AND THE SAME.

Sean K

2/13/2017 03:09:22 am

So, on April 1st, he is going to post about a tragic accident where he LOST all of blackflame. It was on his computer, see, and well, he accidently knocked the computer (it's a laptop) into the pool. Fan will be outraged, people will cry.

Then on April 2, Blackflame will be released and Will will go "April Fools!" The only reason no one will shoot him for this is because they want the next book in the series...

2/13/2017 10:52:26 am

I believe this theory

2/13/2017 03:14:40 pm

If someone actually does steal my laptop now, no one's going to believe it.

James

2/14/2017 08:54:19 pm

And that's why it's imperative that you have an external hard drive to backup your laptop. Preferably backing up after every writing session. Nothing more disheartening to see your work go down in flames and then attempting to recreate your genius knowing you'll just never get it exactly right. No I don't know what that's like I'm totally just speculating here...

Yosef

2/13/2017 05:10:47 am

the wait is nearly over. I must say the speed and quality of your writing is most impressive.

2/13/2017 03:13:13 pm

Thanks, Yosef!

Azqa

2/13/2017 06:59:18 am

Woohoo! Looking forward to seeing what monster Yerin (presumably) gets to challenge repeatedly! And, you know, the rest of Blackflame itself.

Mike

2/13/2017 07:17:06 am

Which cultivation rank will you write under 'Blackflame Progress:', when you have finsihed writing the 3rd book.

2/14/2017 09:39:34 am

When it's ready for release? Underlord, probably.

Jim

2/13/2017 07:49:08 am

How many books have you planned for this series.
Just an approx amount will suffice. I know that this number might change completely.

THE ALMIGHTY ALPHA READER

2/13/2017 08:41:57 am

You can expect a minimum of a dozen. He has thrown this number around a couple times, and it's sticking so far.

2/14/2017 09:40:38 am

This is correct, that's my plan.

Roughly 12 in the world of Cradle (maybe a couple more, maybe fewer, depending on where the story goes) and potentially more beyond. Again, depending on where the story takes us.

Liam

2/18/2017 12:01:53 pm

I don't know if I can handle waiting for another 9 books if I have to wait this long for just one, perhaps I'll ask Suriel to banish me from space and time only to reinsert me five years from now. Also I've been wondering, what happens after Lindon saves Sacred Valley (assuming that's a given)? Is there just a happily ever after (please no), does his story continue somehow, does he go on to replace Ozriel (what's with that arc anyway, it's obvious the story arcs intersect but how?), do you even know yourself?

Timothy

2/13/2017 07:55:11 am

Is Lindon going to fight against the one with the spear, forgot his name, at the end of this book or the next one?

2/13/2017 03:11:59 pm

No.

Leonis

2/15/2017 12:59:12 pm

LoL.... so.. umm at the beginning of this next book maybe? Hahha

Supenseful excitement!! Most anticipated!!

2/15/2017 01:15:08 pm

You're getting warmer!

Finbar

2/16/2017 01:03:38 am

At the end of Soulsmith?

The

2/16/2017 07:56:36 am

The middle of blackflame?

Brian S

2/17/2017 02:50:08 pm

I know! at the beginning of Cradle..or maybe House of Blades!

Josh

2/13/2017 10:24:27 am

I know there is underlord above true gold, and possibly overlord above that. What is the highest level in cradle or does it stop?

Tinny Timmy link

2/13/2017 11:23:40 am

I believe the highest is Tinny. Thats why im called Tinny Timmy. I've worked over a few Sages in my day. I just hope the book is done before mid March. I have an airplane ride to Florida to visit Will and watch some races. Could be awkward for all involved if its not done. My path is Stares Long and Hard at Others.

2/13/2017 03:22:34 pm

...that's more than a little disturbing.

2/14/2017 09:12:21 am

Haha. I have a friend named Will that lives in St. Johns close to Jacksonville. So I really am headed out to Florida next month. Just hope your book is out so I can read it on the flight. I was thinking about the books I was excited to read this year and Blackflame is on the top next to Brandon Sandersons with no clear winner and thats saying something. I've given up on G.R.R. Martin ever finishing. I also appreciate how you write back to the fans and your writing speed is amazing. Thank you for the entertainment.

2/14/2017 09:36:15 am

Man, I am so hyped to read Oathbringer.

Anyway, thanks Timmy! Tell Will I said he's my second-favorite Will living in Florida right now.

Arindam

2/13/2017 11:52:35 am

" the inspiring love story of a white-haired swordsman and his creepy fascination with a bunch of talking dolls" .... Still a better love story than Twilight (or 50 shades of gray)

Tacroy

2/13/2017 09:17:12 pm

I mean it does have an actual emotional payoff eventually

2/14/2017 05:51:09 am

That's a good point, now that I think of it; the relationship arc between Kai and his dolls actually DOES have a payoff. Crazy.

Adarsh

2/13/2017 12:21:13 pm

You see, this sale would have been nice if i hadn't already bought the book years ago(sometime after book 2 but before book 3).

BTW will you are tied for the position of my favorite author right beside Brandon Sanderson, John Conroe, and ONE.

2/13/2017 03:24:17 pm

ONE? That's high praise.

2/13/2017 03:41:21 pm

ONE is the artist/ writer of One Punch Man

2/13/2017 05:14:59 pm

I know. That's why I said it was high praise. Otherwise I would have said "ONE? Who's that?"

jim

2/13/2017 02:55:53 pm

Why do some people have black names in the comments?

2/13/2017 03:11:17 pm

Apparently it shows up that way when you list a website as you're making a comment.

2/13/2017 07:27:36 pm

So that means that anyone can masquerade as you in the comments.

2/14/2017 05:49:52 am

That's true, and I've expected to deal with that before now. But I can see the IP address of each comment in the site management panel, so if it was REALLY inappropriate or misleading, I could delete a comment claiming to be mine.

Undercoverbrother

2/13/2017 06:33:38 pm

Great work, Will! Thanks for the effort you put into each and every one of your books and take all the downtime you need, hombre.

2/14/2017 09:41:25 am

Thanks man! I am going to need a break after this one...

...but it always feels like there's no TIME for a break. GOTTA FINISH NEXT BOOK NOW!

2/15/2017 04:10:21 am

GET IN DA CHOPPA WIGHT NOW!!!

On a serious note, I can't wait for this book to come out! The other book I'm excited for is the Never Paradox. The first book in the series was "The Never Hero" which I loved as it was a super-hero like book (kinda) but with GOOD characterization and all the people were really believable. Also, "We are Legion (We are Bob)" was an AMAZING sci fi book about a computer geek getting frozen after his death to wake up as an AI that is set to expand and colonize the universe as a space probe!

Just some quick recommendation for your break after you get done with Blackflame!

Ramiro

2/17/2017 10:00:56 am

I agree "We are Legion (We are Bob)" is one of my favorite books, and the next one book in the series is almost out.

2/17/2017 08:01:27 pm

Speaking of break books, The Fate by John Ko was a nice light, silly Wuxia-ish novel with plenty of awesome moments (that legitimately incorporates calling your attacks into the narrative, which I thought was a nice touch).

Tyler

2/20/2017 12:17:40 am

Might as well throw this book in the hat too, Child of the Daystar by Bryce O'Connor. Thought it was an excelent read and the newly released sequel is even better. Figured it was worth mentioning as hes a pretty new author.

Riley

2/13/2017 09:13:48 pm

Thanks for the update! I will admit, I did say to myself, "Hmm, I wonder if Will is ok..." just a couple days ago. And then I realized that I was talking to myself, which is almost as creepy as Kai with his dolls... Anyway, I can't wait for Blackflame, so this is great news!

2/14/2017 05:48:44 am

Thanks, Riley!

The vast majority of the time, when I vanish for two weeks or more without responding to comments, it's because I've locked myself in my patented Writing Closet.

Sometimes it's because I'm on vacation beyond the reach of cell service or WiFi, but that's usually AFTER releasing a book. Also, I often spend that time writing, so it still applies.

Lightsyde link

2/14/2017 05:14:45 am

OMG!! Happy Val's day Will!!

I confess I've been checking and rechecking to see if blackflame is out, hehehehe. What? no that's not stalking!! I swear!! it's just a little inspection. All in the name of the Way!!!

Wow, I really like seeing that the book is gonna be overall better, Yaaye!! all the best with finishing the book. I have had House of Blades on Kindle since it first came out, and your collection as they've been released. I don't have kindle unlimited for now though. When I get one I'll support as I can.

On that note, there's something I've wanted to mention. All your books have very high reread value (reread unsouled at least 7 times, soulsmith like 3-5) but amongst your series in general, (And this is personal opinion, so please take it as such...) although The Elder Empire series has a better overall quality than the Traveler's gate series, The Traveler's Gate and the Cradle series have a higher reread value than Elder Empire. I'm not sure if the complexity of the Elder Empire contributes to this, but I'm sure its not the word count or dual perspective. I mention this because I noticed a comment of yours saying you believe The Elder Empire to be amongst your best writing. I hope this randomly somehow helps, If I'm more sure of what it is I'll let you know.

Go with the Way, Will!! All the best!! Wooooooo!!! Make sure you drink water while facing the east!! its contagious!!!

Lightsyde

2/14/2017 05:36:00 am

By the way Will, What on earth is Undertale?

2/14/2017 05:47:08 am

That comment I left about Undertale was half a joke. But only half.

http://undertale.com/

Lyrian Rastler

2/14/2017 06:11:40 am

I thought beta readers didn't exist right now? Will u be having a competition or something?

2/14/2017 06:45:39 am

You know, over the last couple of weeks, I've suddenly gotten a surge in emails and comments saying things like "Hey, I heard you were having a contest for beta readers!" or "I read that you need more beta readers!"

I don't. I can't remember ever saying that, but evidently I said something that gave people false hope.

Let me dash that hope against the cold, hard rocks of reality right now: most of the beta readers I have are people I know in real life. I don't need more. Honestly, I probably have too many as it is; my bottleneck is the amount of time I have to spend on editing, not the number of editors.

However, I would SOMEDAY like to open a few beta reader slots to the general public, just for fun. But that would involve a contest or some kind of screening process, because I have to know that the applicant is capable of giving me helpful feedback. Otherwise I'm giving them an Advanced Reader Copy for no reason, which is a different thing from beta reading altogether.

TL;DR - I am not looking for beta readers. And while I don't expect that to change anytime soon, I will make it ABUNDANTLY clear if it does. I'll announce it so many times you won't be able to swing an announcement without hitting an announcement.

Havoc

2/14/2017 07:11:10 am

So I heard you were having a contest for beta readers....

I can haz ARC?

2/14/2017 07:55:03 am

ಠ_ಠ

Dustin

2/15/2017 12:07:08 am

That's how the world works Will. You make a vague statement about possibly having a contest someday for beta readers if the fancy ever took you, and somehow that suddenly means you're definitely having a contest and need beta readers right now.

I'd certainly like to be a beta reader, but that's just because I want to know what's going on as soon as possible. I wouldn't ask even if it was an option though. I know I'd make a shitty one. I get too involved in a story and know I would miss too many punctuation and grammar errors to be of any real help. I also wouldn't notice any continuity errors unless they were just glaringly obvious. I'm sure 99% of the people asking about being a beta reader would be the same.

And while I enjoy seeing your responses to people, if it gets the book out faster you can shut us out for as long as you want.

Isaac Xander

2/15/2017 05:03:16 am

..... I'm sorry. Pretty sure that was my fault. I may or may not have inadvertantly caused the beta reader hype by reminding everyone about the possibility stated on your FAQ page.....

PS. We love you!!!

2/14/2017 08:48:04 am

Yerin's master had 'Sage' in his name, if i remember correctly.
Was this his cultivation rank or simply a title.
If it is the former, is this currently the highest rank on Cradle.

2/14/2017 08:55:23 am

Sage is a cultivation rank, though not the highest.

2/14/2017 09:39:09 am

It's a title indicating a cultivation rank, yeah, as well as a certain reputation.

I won't get more specific than that. Not yet.

2/15/2017 04:18:58 am

So, in one of the previous blogs that got some bazillion responses, there were a few gems. He detailed some of the cultivation ranks upcoming. He said that sage (and a bad guy we saw already) was 2 ranks above Underlord. He also was mentioning that the Underlord was a wide rank like gold, with three different levels. He then mentioned that the leader of the Blackflame empire is the rank above Underlord, who would know that he would lose to any sage.

Will also mentioned that the high princess of the Nine Cloud empire was FIVE steps above Underlord!!! We all know that Lindon is on a path to get THAT POWERFUL! I can't wait to see where that journey takes us!!

2/14/2017 08:55:53 am

I think it's pretty close to the highest on Cradle though.

Jack Jackson

2/14/2017 06:52:24 pm

Will were you planning on going to dragon con this year? Just bought my advance ticket for it and I'm hypped! I know you went befits and it'd be cool to see you there and maybe snap an autograph :)

2/15/2017 01:14:41 pm

Yeah man, I'll see you there!

Finn

2/16/2017 06:45:25 am

So you had the idea to have some sort of prize or contest for having almost 300k total sales. I have three ideas. First, have a random contest to find a few test readers for Blackflame (and *randomly* pick me). Or, have a random contest where people give an idea for the Blackflame plot (and *randomly* pick me), and if it can be tied in, use it. Also, after Blackflame, maybe make some sort of "path compendium"
Can't wait for Blackflame to come out!

2/16/2017 06:57:00 am

One other idea I had was to have a naming contest where people randomly give names (And you *randomly* pick mine. ;D) and you use that name in Blackflame.

A conflicted Canadian

2/16/2017 06:26:45 pm

I'm in a bit of a pickle here folks. I have an important decision to make and I want this community's input. I have an entertainment budget and in that budget I have enough funds for one of 2 things (both of which I want).

1) physical copies of the house of blades trilogy

2) the game For Honor

What are your thoughts people?

2/16/2017 07:54:14 pm

Depends. For honor has around 8 or 9 wish hours of campaign fun. How long does it take you to read the trilogy? plus the trilogy is cheaper(i think).

A Conflicted Canadian

2/16/2017 10:00:30 pm

The trilogy is indeed a bit cheaper but i do have to pay shipping on it. If I hadn't read it yet I would 100% get the books, but as it is I do own them on Kindle already. Their purchase would be to add them to my book collection.

2/17/2017 05:11:17 am

It all depends on if you already own digital copies of the travelers gates.

Also, while I loved what for honors story had to offer, you could definitely tell that the team was rushed near the end to finish their game. Feels like half the story is missing.
That said, what is there is amazing and definitely worth a buy. Singleplayer is still a lot of fun and the multiplayer gameplay is perfect.

Should actually be called For Cliffs though.

ALPHA Reader

2/18/2017 05:31:40 am

I would hold off on the physical copies. Will doesn't make anything extra on the physical copies, and you never know when he might be convinced to get a nicer hardcopy version of his combined 3 available.

If you already own his copies in digital form, he would definitely say use your hard earned funds for video games. Though maybe not For Honor. He'd probably recommend something along the lines of https://www.humblebundle.com/freedom

Crowking

2/18/2017 06:14:01 pm

So I have a pretty straight forward question. How is Lindon's cultivation going to differ from a standard cultivator (other than you know doing everything twice)?

Kaden

2/18/2017 07:57:21 pm

Yeah Blackflame but NOOOOOOO that means probably another two weeks until expected OKAK release

2/21/2017 12:38:16 pm

I ditto your pain

BranchesWithoutTrees

2/20/2017 12:09:53 pm

It is strange, but the less Will replies the more I get pumped for the fact that Blackflame will be released sooner.

Time till Blackflame is released = (# of responses Will replies to)÷ ( # of responses without a reply from Will)

Use weeks as unit of measurement.

2/20/2017 03:31:43 pm

"about another month" posted on 1/25/17

HYPE

2/20/2017 03:32:46 pm

Wait nevermind, saw that there was a bit more to do...

2/21/2017 03:37:39 pm

But at the same time it's so true

Tim

2/21/2017 06:07:26 am

Does anybody know a western xianxia that is similar to unsouled?

Peter

2/21/2017 05:34:54 pm

Blue Phoenix and The Divine Elements are some of the better ones

2/22/2017 08:37:36 am

Blue phoenix is like unsouled in the same way that a chihuahua is like a husky. They are both the same species, but one is clearly in an altogether different league.

2/22/2017 03:05:49 pm

Yeah they are definitely pretty different but as far as xianxia written by English speaking people those two are the best I least that I've run into other than unsouled

Passthepotatoes

3/11/2017 02:25:11 pm

I just saw a nod to House of Blades in a book called 'Sufficiently Advanced Magic'. Main character runs into Kai (not specifically named) with his giant katana and a doll on his belt while at an enchanter's shop. Just thought I would throw that tidbit out there.

3/12/2017 01:26:10 pm

You're absolutely right! Andrew Rowe was one of the beta readers for Soulsmith, so I returned the favor for Sufficiently Advanced Magic, and in return he gave me a cameo in the book!

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