Guild Guidance & Progress Report

4/14/2015

First, a progress report on Of Dawn and Darkness!

I'd estimate I'm about 30% done with the whole process. It's planned out and I'm happy with it, I've figured out most of the tie-ins with Book(s) 3, and I've written much of the flashback storylines.

But I have an idea this time, and I thought I'd run it past you. There were some issues at launch last time, releasing two books at once. Those of you who follow the blog and the Facebook page figured it out, but there were a lot of random people coming in from Amazon browsing or Reddit that were confused. They couldn't figure out which one to read first, they didn't understand when I gave them two titles instead of one, and as a result I spent as much time dealing with complications as I did actually launching the book.

Which, of course, was half the fun in doing this in the first place. But this parallel trilogy thing is an experiment, and I'd like to adjust the parameters for this go-round.

So this time, I'm considering launching Of Dawn and Darkness and Of Darkness and Dawn separately. Not too far apart--maybe four to six weeks apart, I'm thinking, probably with a pre-order option--but releasing them one at a time. They still take place at the same time, two halves of the same story, same drill, but I can focus on promoting one and then the other. Also, anyone buying them at launch will naturally read them in a certain order.

This has the added benefit of allowing me to finish one book, launch it, and then focus on polishing up and putting the finishing touches the second time. With the result that the first book gets launched sooner than would otherwise be possible.

But as I said, I'm not committed to this yet. What do you think? The artistic part of me is somewhat disappointed about ruining the whole double-release aesthetic, but it will effectively be the same after the first couple of weeks. Only the people who are buying it at launch will be affected...which means YOU, most likely, if you're reading this.

So let me know your thoughts and opinions in the comments!

As a side note, these books focus primarily on the Luminian Order and the Blackwatch, who take lead roles in Of Dawn and Darkness and Of Darkness and Dawn, respectively. However, I'd also like to bring a few other Guilds to the forefront, especially since the Blackwatch got a little time in the spotlight in OSAS.

Therefore, a second question: what Guilds would you like to see in action? If it catches my imagination enough, I can probably still make it happen.

And, as always, thanks for reading!

78 Comments

Tren

4/14/2015 05:20:45 am

Will (pun not intended) you be polishing the first one after you're done publishing/marketing the second one? If that's so, I don't have any objections to releasing them at different times.

Are the previous characters returning to the sequels? I got attached and they won't let go, so I'd appreciate it if those guilds got some time in the spotlight.

Will Wight link

4/14/2015 05:36:52 am

I meant I would polish them one at a time, this time. When the first one is done, I release it, then I work on the second one. Last time I was kind of trying to get them both finished at the same time.

About a year ago, when I started working on this series, my initial plan was to do a pair of books for each pair of guilds. Consultants/Navigators, Greenwardens/Alchemists, Luminians/Blackwatch, etc.

However, as it evolved, I realized that it would be too difficult to get people invested in a different set of protagonists each time. So this is going to be Shera and Calder again, and it will be in Book(s) 3 as well.

Matt

4/14/2015 05:49:12 am

I can only read one book at a time...

4/6 weeks might be a bit much, I will have to buy another book/series in the meantime

Looking forward to the next installment's

4/23/2015 10:34:15 am

I'll do it in less than 4-6 weeks if I can, that's just a ballpark approximation.

Caryn

4/14/2015 06:32:08 am

I agree with Matt, 4/6 weeks feels like too long. I loved that I had a companion book to read as soon as I was done with the first one.

4/23/2015 10:35:17 am

Yeah, I'm still sold on the various advantages of the dual-book format. And again, after the first few weeks, they would be available together.

But I do see what you're saying. Maybe there's a way I could improve the launch without separating release dates...

I'll put some thought into it.

jayceblk

4/14/2015 06:33:55 am

I think its ok if you release them separately but maybe a week apart instead? I don't think anyone is going to read them chapter by chapter alternating between books (although I am now tempted to try it) so separate release is in line with how they will read it anyway.

4/23/2015 10:36:18 am

I might try a week apart for Round 3, but at the moment I'm concerned that one week doesn't offer enough difference from simply releasing them simultaneously.

Aaron

4/14/2015 07:50:22 am

No! Never! Release them all at once!

....Or whatever works best for you. I acknowledge that not everyone reads as fast as I do, so a short break between them would be enough time to reread the first part to refresh everyone on the story so far. I'm just not very good at waiting.

As for the guilds, I'd rather like to see more of the Luminian Order and the Greenwardens.

4/23/2015 10:39:29 am

The main issue is that, while sales were/are strong for these books, the actual launch was a little muddled. It felt like the books were competing with each other in terms of ranking, and people asked me a LOT of questions about the reading order and the nature of parallel stories.

I'd like to try a separated release in order to see if the rankings support one another (as sequels tend to do) or if they still compete.

My personal preference? I'd rather release them together. I think that's more fun. But the more data I have, the better I can do what's best for the readers.

Luminian Order = Resounding yes!
Greenwardens = Yes!

Dimitri

5/19/2015 08:26:49 pm

I think u don't need to release them separately, for the simple reason that people who'll buy them have already read the first two, so they most probably have wrapped their heads around the concept of parallel books, don't u think so? ;)
I know u must have mentioned it somewhere else, but I ask again: when do u plan to release the book(s), roughly? Thanks Will!!!!!!!!

5/20/2015 12:38:29 am

That's true, but the confusion issue is really just a side benefit. The real problem I'm trying to address is the two books competing against one another, to the detriment of both. If I release a few weeks apart, based on the way Amazon works, it seems plausible that they might actually BOOST one another, instead of diluting two launches as seemed to have happened this time.

It's more of an experiment than anything else.

And, though I'm not promising anything, I expect to have one of the books out next month and one the following month.

Again, don't hold me to that, but it's looking like June-July.

Jonathan W

4/14/2015 08:00:32 am

Personally, I would love to see other guilds fleshed out a bit more. If I have to choose I would say Luminians, the Champions, the blackwatch, and maybe the witnesses.
Intrigued by the Majisters as well

4/14/2015 08:09:37 am

As to the book release dates, it may be easier on those who don't know what's going on if you release them a few weeks apart. I'll be happy either way :)

4/23/2015 10:40:07 am

It MIGHT be easier on new readers. I'm not sure. My main motivation is to see if it does or not.

Jessica

4/14/2015 08:11:42 am

Since this is "book 2" everyone should have it figured out by now. I say release them at the same time. I enjoyed reading both at the same time .

4/15/2015 05:44:51 am

I agree; I honestly don't expect anything like the same degree of confusion.

This is more of an experiment. I want to see if the launch goes better releasing them separately. If it doesn't, I'll release them together next time, no harm done.

That said, you are right to point out that this is a sequel. I might want to do the same thing I did last time, see if people get it the second time. Worth a thought.

Zach

5/17/2015 05:00:49 am

Seconding this! Its doubtful many people would buy the 2nd (3rd and 4th?) book in a series without starting at the beginning. The benefits to you as an artist and to us as readers who were delighted at the concept and the amount of content to plow through all at once FAR out way the buggards who can't grasp it. Ask them--were they also confused when G'n'R's Use Your Illusion 1 and 2 came out at the same time? You're doing something nobody else has in books (I think?)--let the world remember this series for how it started please! :-)

Vlad

4/14/2015 09:41:39 am

The first pair I started to read separately. Then (about one third of the first book) I decided to go with second book to the same event.
Since then I read books simultaneously switching them when Shera and Calder meet.
I am for simultaneous release, otherwise I will just wait for second book to start the first one.

4/23/2015 10:40:47 am

I understand that. Out of curiosity, did you pre-order either book the first time around?

April

4/14/2015 12:54:40 pm

I'll take what I can get, but I like the simultaneous release. While yes, I did read one and then the other other, they were separated by a day or two, not weeks. Plus, added bonus of my husband reading Sea while I read Shadow. No worrying about various devices auto-syncing progress if we are reading different books.

As far as the guilds I want to see, I will consider and get back with you.

4/23/2015 10:42:11 am

On an artistic level, I like the simultaneous release as well. It's just cooler and more unique.

That said, I'm trying to figure out what actually works best on Amazon and with the most readers. This would be another data point for me as I try to figure out the ever-shifting landscape that is the online fantasy readership.

Aaron J.E.

4/14/2015 01:09:59 pm

Greenwardens. They seem to be one of the most overlooked with the weakest power/lamest job. But I have a feeling that is not the case - they look more to me like badass Druid forest ranger/game wardens who must be both resourceful when alone and a force of nature when in numbers. Also completed disinterested in 'imperial politics bullshit' and 'elder dramas'. Please give me a badass Druid.

As for the books - I read both of the most recent in two days... So I would love to get these at the same time as well, but I am open to whatever allows you to finish best.

4/15/2015 05:53:36 am

I'm with you on the Greenwardens. I assure you, they're a lot cooler than Calder thinks they are.

As for releasing them one at a time, that's more of an experiment than anything else. I'm not certain if it would be better or worse for my writing process, and I'm not sure if it would help or hurt the launch, and I'm not sure if people would like it better or not.

But I'm a "Let's try it and see" kind of guy. That's one of the reasons I made a blog post about it; I'd like to get a sense for the water's depth before I jump off the cliff.

Mike

4/15/2015 03:07:07 am

Will,
I really don't have an opinion on their release dates as long as you don't stop writing midway through the series. That would suck. Also, if you think if two releases would make a better product then I am all in! You write faster then any of my other go to authors anyway, so a few weeks isn't a big deal!

4/15/2015 05:49:40 am

I rarely make long-term promises, but here's one: I'm NEVER going to abandon a series midway through.

Unless, I guess, 100% of people hate it and it has a 0.5 star rating on Amazon. At that point, I'd probably scrap it and start over.

But short of that, I will always finish a series I start. Always.

This is one of the most common concerns people have, which is somewhat surprising to me. At least once a week, I get someone asking me something along the lines of, "You're going to finish this series, right? You won't abandon it halfway?"

Is it THAT common that writers abandon their work unfinished? Barring the death of myself or someone in my family, I would never end a story without some kind of resolution. It would tear my soul in half.

I might alternate releases (Book 1 of Series A, then Book 1 of Series B, then Book 2 of Series A, etc.), but I'd certainly never drop a project entirely. That would violate me to the core.

4/16/2015 02:07:17 am

I haven't experienced it yet, but you never know. Thats the realist in me. Sometimes life might get in the way of fun things. You write faster then most, so if you need to walk away for a little bit I can deal with my first world problems.

I do think there is a small fear that a series will stop midway through for whatever reason or that the author gets consumed by other projects that they don't have time to finish the series.

Alternating the series would be great! As long as you keep writing I will keep buying.

4/16/2015 09:20:31 am

I believe what's more common is a block for a particular storyline/series. Yes, some authors die in the middle (Jordan, probably GRRM). More frequently, they get distracted or blocked completely (Rothfuss, Lynch.) Then again, there are some superstars that seem immune to this and still produce high quality work (Abercrombie, Sanderson, Weeks, You so far.)

Okay, that's enough name-dropping. Keep up the great work. I can't wait for your books to hit paper again; digital ownership doesn't hold a candle to holding a book.

4/16/2015 09:13:46 am

{Unpopular opinion alert!}
I think the OSAS books DO have a preferred reading order. I started with Shadows and the found it very difficult to navigate initially (pun extraordinarily intended). I can't put it to one particular reason, but after reading both, Sea had a much better opening to the world you're developing. Did anyone else experience this or am I sailing alone here?

All that being said, some of the above are correct; there is a much lower likelihood that a new reader will start with ODAD instead of OSAS, so it might be a moot point. However, if releasing them separately may give better products in the end and make promotion (and hopefully sales) easier for you, then go for it.

caryn

4/17/2015 06:09:03 am

bw-I felt the same as you. I read shadow first and thought it was just "ok" where as sea was amazing. I recently re-read both books (in the same order) and enjoyed shadow much more the second time around.

4/18/2015 09:03:12 am

In hindsight, I actually agree.

Sea does a better job of illustrating how the world works, and the action of Shadow often takes place behind the scenes of what's going on in Sea. So it makes sense to read the one that takes place "center stage," so to speak, and then the one backstage.

I'm trying to balance ODAD out a little more, but it could just be that I'll start unilaterally recommending Sea first.

4/22/2015 10:31:03 pm

I read Shadow first and thought it was awesome, then while reading Sea i hated Calder the whole time haha. So, I'm looking forward to reading more about Shera first.. Maybe I'm just that weird fan that does things backwards??

Nikk

4/29/2015 02:49:52 am

I read Shadow first and thought it was awesome too, and I think that diminished my liking of Sea. I still loved Sea, so it is hard to tell if it was the fact I read Shadow first and that affected my view of Calder, or if I just like Shera better than Calder (I am leaning more towards this)

I vote for releasing them both at the same time. I enjoyed both books, and I think the confusion is worth it and a good experiment to try again

Jessiah

5/7/2015 02:16:05 pm

I read Shadow first absolutely loved it I was spassing when Calder took the job xD I think reading shadow first really fleshed out everything in Sea because after shadow a lot of interesting things started making sense hmm I think Ima reread it again after reading the entire malazan series the past few months back to back I need something... not so dark, happier? Anyways your books are always superb so bring them out in what ever order you feel will allow you to keep up the good work =]

Brian

4/17/2015 05:00:34 am

I think releasing them at the same time would give return readers the flexibility to continue whichever side of the story from OSAS they wanted.

Sally

4/18/2015 06:36:56 am

I read Shadows first and loved it, loved it so much that I didn't really plan to read Sea. However, I remembered that old adage, know your enemy. Plus, you had written it, so how could I not read it? Shera is still my favorite, but I enjoyed reading about Calder and the other side of things too. Whatever you decide about the next releases, I will buy and read them when they are available.

4/18/2015 09:04:16 am

Interestingly enough, there are apparently many people out there who read Shadow, enjoyed it, and then didn't read Sea.

In my personal opinion, I think Shera's a more compelling character, whereas Calder has a better setting around him (the ship, the crew, etc.).

4/26/2015 06:29:57 am

I agree with you to some extent. The ship/crew banter definitely gave Calder a leg up. However, Lucan was by far my favorite character in the first set, giving a narrow win to Shera.

4/30/2015 12:17:34 am

You liked Lucan the most? I've never heard anyone say that before.

If you don't mind me asking, what did you like about him so much?

4/18/2015 01:57:34 pm

I love your writing style and I'd love to hear more about the greenwardens because I feel like that would be a great way to talk about more of the world outside of the gray island and the giant floating dead body

4/23/2015 10:44:50 am

There's a little bit on the Gray Island, but the giant floating dead body makes no appearance, don't worry. I'm mixing the settings up a little more.

Jim

4/19/2015 01:48:50 am

As a Valinhall fan to my very core, I would love to see more of the battle hardened Champions. On the matter of the release date, I truthfully laud you for taking on such a challenge. However, just as your revision of House of Blades made a significant difference in my reading experience, whatever results in a more polished product is ideal for me.

4/23/2015 10:33:45 am

As you may have noticed, I tend to value quick releases over polish. That said, I THINK that separating them will make it easier to edit them one at a time. I'll be interested in seeing whether that actually holds up in reality.

And you'll definitely be seeing some more Champions.

5/17/2015 05:11:36 am

Flashback cameo of Valin and Urzaia meeting during Valin's travels plz!

Daniel

4/19/2015 12:38:07 pm

I think you should release them at the same time again. It was nice reading them one after another. I would like to learn more about the greenwardens and of course more about the blackwatch because I really liked bliss she is one of my favorite characters I did prefer Calders' story more by the way, but it was awesome getting the whole picture form both books. I really would like to know more about the unknown wanderer, the observations of the unknown wander peek my interest.

4/23/2015 10:44:18 am

Well, you're definitely getting some more Blackwatch. And that includes more Bliss, because I love Bliss. She's one of those characters that came right off the top of my head; from concept to execution, she's been one of the easiest characters for me to write. I could write her all day.

I'd like to release them at the same time, but it's a question of what works best on Amazon, and what works best for the readers. I'm kind of fumbling blindly trying to figure that out, as no one has done parallel novel releases before, so this would just be an experiment to see if sequential releases worked better.

4/25/2015 12:39:52 pm

hey whatever works, but I'm glad to hear we get more Bliss!

Scott

4/21/2015 03:46:12 am

I really love the idea of the paired books, and I'd prefer to see the rest of the trilogy released in that same manner, but I'll enjoy reading them however they come out.

No specific requests on Guilds.

4/23/2015 10:46:06 am

Yeah, I like the paired books as well. I definitely LIKE it better if they come out together, it's just a question of what's more efficient. The way Amazon links and ranks books, it's possible that they'll get more exposure if I launch separately.

But honestly, I'm not sure. I'd like to try it just for the sake of trying it, and maybe learning something new.

Kevin

4/22/2015 05:03:15 am

If you release them separately, I will just wait to start reading until they are both out. I enjoyed having them parallel so much, I am committed to the process ha ha.

I would love soem Champion time. I initially thought you might shy away from that guild as a "center stage act" becasue might be too easy to write, but then you gave such love and depth to Calder's relationship with his champion, it feels like you could do a lot with it.

That's my two cents. Thanks for writing and for being available.

4/23/2015 10:32:13 am

I enjoy the parallel dynamic as well, and I'm committed to it. But in terms of how they launched, I think the two books competed with each other too much.

I was just considering trying this in order to figure out what the best launch strategy is. It's all about what works for you, the readers.

And we do get to see more Champions in this book. That's almost mandatory. But the major Champion storyline comes in Book(s) 3.

Henrik

4/22/2015 10:25:43 pm

I started with shadow just because I'm such a sucker for assassins/spies/thieves. I blame David Eddings and Silk, they messed me up some 20 years ago.
After reading both I do not regret my choice and given a chance I'd continue reading Sheras story first.

But then I started thinking, will focusing on one book at a time mean that the first book will be out in store 4-6 weeks earlier than if you work at both at the same time?
Then I'd say go for it!
I'm stuck reading YA books and the childrens stories that my favorite authors is releasing nowadays and my brain needs exercise.

4/23/2015 10:29:50 am

Henrik, you've hit one of the major reasons why I want to try this. Instead of waiting until both books are finished, I can release one and then the other.

So yeah, you'd be getting the first one a few weeks earlier.

Emily

4/25/2015 11:51:31 am

I would prefer to have them come out at the same time otherwise I feel like you are putting a sequence to them.

I actually did read the first two at the same time and I enjoyed the experience of doing so. As you said it was difficult to decide which book to read first, and whichever you chose gave a different experience. I basically read one until the two plots intersected then read the other until it got to the next intersection.

The entire parallax trilogy concept (I don't recall what word you decide on for this.) is awesome and it feels less like one if they come out sequenced. On the other hand for all the reasons listed above it's perfectly understandable to release in sequence. Either way I'm looking forward to reading them.

4/29/2015 01:32:17 am

Yeah, I'd rather release them together. I'm only considering not doing so for practical concerns, which suck.

That said, for everyone who buys the books after the first few weeks, they'll be out together. The order in which I released them doesn't matter once they're both released.

John

4/27/2015 07:33:40 pm

I would like to see them come out at the same time. It's...distinctive I think for this series, and fun to read. As far as the guilds go, I would like to see more of the majister, the blackwatch of course, and the champions. I would also like to learn more about the workings of the alchemists, especially regarding their internal divisions. As far as favorite characters go I liked both Caldor and Shera. They are both distinctive, Shera in that she is basically a savant for her guilds strengths even as she considers leaving it, Calder on the other hand feels more like a character who is similar to a jack of all trades, but actually takes the time to master a particular skill in each guild he has been in. I kinda wonder if we won't see him enter another guild, adding their abilities to his particular skill set. Whatever you decide with the release I am looking forward to the next set of books. On a separate note would be interested to know if you intent to write more books in the travelers gate series, or for that matter if you intend perhaps to introduce the two worlds together at some point...the comments about the possible origins of the Elder's and of some of the Territories, in particular Valinhall, and the Winter Tower (especially the Cold One I believe it was called) make it seem somewhat...plausible?

5/19/2015 09:40:49 am

Honestly, I'm still trying to decide how much I'm going to emphasize the multiverse thing. For now, it's just a convenient way to include Easter eggs: technically, Valin could have gone anywhere.

I have a whole multi-worlds system planned out, and it's pretty cool, but at the same time...I don't know, I kind of enjoy it when new books are entirely their own thing. I don't want people to feel like they have to have read everything to read one thing.

5/19/2015 09:55:14 am

Oh, I completely agree--no massive intertwining! You've already shown that this world is very diverse from the TG world, and it'd be a shame to make one seem dependent upon another.

However, for a character to once in a while show up from another series wouldn't harm those who didn't read the other series. You wouldn't even necessarily have to call out details of the other world. You would, however, provide a wider world for some of the characters you flesh out well, and provide just a small thread of connection to your multiverse and delight your fans in the same way Star Wars or LOTR fans geek out over the world itself. Like someone else here mentioned somewhere, the big blue dude in the tower of winter got there somehow...

wysoki

5/7/2015 03:48:23 am

Hey Will, just a quick (and a little late) note from yet, another fan: I don't mind the order, as long Shera will be the first one :)

5/19/2015 09:46:46 am

You're in luck! Shera's first this time!

She's Dawn, and Calder is Darkness.

5/19/2015 05:39:22 pm

okeay! ^_^

David Deschuiteneer

5/8/2015 08:01:41 am

I thoroughly enjoyed the dual release, I read shadows first and then sea right after. I'm glad I did because I liked to see Shera from a more complete perspective rather than simply getting glimpses of her in Sea.

In my opinion the only reason to not do the dual release is as an experiment to see if it works better for you as the writer. In the long run we as fans will enjoy the work as a whole if you the writer can feel the product is more polished.

So, try it this time and then if it doesn't work revert back for the next set.

In any case just keep writing, I loved both books for different reasons and am determined to devour as much of this world as possible.

5/19/2015 09:48:11 am

That was my thinking, David. I wanted to try a different method with this set, and then whichever one worked better, I'd go with that for the third pair.

And thanks for giving me a shot!

5/9/2015 11:33:31 am

I really enjoyed the dual release and switched back and forth between books frequently. It interesting and something new to experience and I feel that the series would be less interesting with staggered releases.

But I'll still buy them both even if they release a different times.

5/19/2015 09:49:46 am

I agree, I'd like to release them together. It's more fun and unique. But I feel like I have to try this in order to know the answer: DO the simultaneously released books compete with one another?

If they do, then I'll plan the third set of books accordingly. If they don't, then I'll release the third set of books together.

5/12/2015 01:06:03 pm

I absolutely loved the uniqueness of the dual publishing, but I hadn't considered how they would compete with each other, which of course drops the books on the rankings.

I suppose an alternate would be to release them as the same book (for double the price) - its too bad that ebooks can't do the two sided book thing where when you turn the book over to its back its actually the front of another book. With an e-book you'd still have to order the books first and second.

5/19/2015 09:46:07 am

I considered releasing them together, which would have worked perfectly well for this series (though I would have shortened most of the redundant scenes, had I gone that route). However, I wanted to try out the parallel thing. The more I learn about it, the better I can use it in the future.

The way Kindle sells and markets ebooks is still my biggest obstacle, though. It's not really built for trying new things.

Shantanu

5/14/2015 06:39:22 am

As long as you agree to publish the Calder novel first =) Just kidding... In all seriousness, that seems like a good plan on the face of it. I wouldn't even mind if you stagger the novels more if that means we could get to see one every 6 months instead of waiting a year (for instance... don't read that as a suggestion to rush).

I loved the snippet with Esytr Six and the Emperor. That doesn't necessarily answer your question about the guilds, but I'd love little snapshots of the guilds and the inner workings of how the guilds interact with one another and the key role players in the world (either historically or in Calder's time).

I'm actually not familiar enough with the world to say which guilds I'd love to see more of. The Navigators are my favorite so far.

I'm also hoping for more House of Blades novels especially set after City of Light. =)

5/14/2015 07:15:31 am

Well...now that I think about it a bit more. I wouldn't mind hearing more about the Blackwatch... especially in regards to their interactions with the Elders who are pretty intriguing with their individual goals and peculiarities. Any excuse to feature Bliss would be great =) Unraveling the knot with the Imperial Guild and Jarelys with Calder would be interesting too.

5/19/2015 09:43:11 am

If I did it that way, it would be one book every 3 months, instead of a pair every 6 months.

Currently, I'm prioritizing speedy, regular releases over polish. You may have noticed.

There actually are a couple of cool historical flashbacks! I enjoyed writing them quite a bit, though I'm still working on some of the technical details.

And we do get to see more of the Blackwatch, and how they deal with different Elders, as well as what the general public thinks about the Elders. It's usually wrong.

Brian S

5/19/2015 09:14:37 am

I'd say release them in whatever way would be most convenient for you.
That being said, most people aren't going to buy both of them at once so if you are interested in publication ratings, it would actually be beneficial for you to stagger the release slightly. This way you should get better sales the week the book is released because everyone should be buying the book that was released first the week of its release, and buying the next book the week it is released.
It may not work that way because the reality is that one book is a spoiler for the other book, so your readers may hold off on buying the book released first so they can read the other book first because they like Calder better (Because Calder is better!).

5/19/2015 09:36:35 am

Yeah, my thoughts are along the same lines. Artistically, I'd rather release them both together, just to emphasize the parallel release thing as much as possible. But it looks like the books competed with each other last time due to the way Amazon's ranking system works, so I want to see if releasing them a little apart solves that problem.

Also, you know, then at least one of the books comes out a few weeks early.

Paden R

5/19/2015 03:31:54 pm

Personally I'd buy both at the same time, but you are also one of a handful of authors that I unambiguously buy whatever you put out. You have yet to disappoint.
However, it generally only takes me a day or two to read a book that is less than 500 pages.

So realistically, putting a spacing between the books is a much better idea. It'll make it easier to keep them from cannibalizing your own sales. Simulataneous release is a fun idea, and it was a fun experience, but from a practical view it is a bad choice.

From a consumer perspective, even though I know I'd find a way to buy both at the same time, having them spaced would reduce their overall cost by spacing it out a bit.

As a side note, do you have any newsletter sign up system for notifying people when your books come out? I track you via amazon, but honestly 90% of the time I don't get notifications of new releases by the authors I track until weeks after it is released.

5/20/2015 12:36:00 am

Thanks for your faith in me, Paden! I'll try not to let you down in the future.

I still like releasing simultaneously, but I'm not sure it's practical on Kindle because of the way sales and promotions work. I'd like to do this experiment to find out how close I can release two books without having them (as you accurately put it) cannibalizing each other's sales.

And I don't have a newsletter, but I do have a Twitter (@WilliamWight) and a Facebook page (Will Wight) on which I post leading up to each book's release. That's the quickest form of information delivery I have. As much as I like the Amazon "Follow this author!" thing, you're right--sometimes it takes as much as two to three weeks before they send out the email. I don't know why.

JayK

6/29/2015 10:52:47 am

Not so much about a Guild as a talent, for me. Readers are fascinating - that's what makes Lucan, Calder and even the Emperor so compelling. I do wonder if a Reader could give Intent to people like you can to objects, then Awaken the person. What would that make him or her? What if a wife gave Intent to her husband for 10 years? Almost seems like that's what the Elders' leave-behinds are doing to Bliss and some of the other Guild Heads. I mean, just imagine how powerful Shera could be if Syphren passed intent into her, then Lucan (or Syphren) Awakened Shera.

If a Guild, the Alchemists. Wonder why they're consumed with hurting, torturing and altering people both mentally & physically. What drives them to do that?

6/29/2015 10:55:32 am

Forgot to mention - simultaneous release is cool. Not a big deal if 4-6 weeks apart. I read slowly. And I read Shadow first which made Sea that much better.

Kate

7/24/2015 04:15:11 pm

I just finished the first set and I wish other authors attempted this. I can think of a few other series of books that would have benefited from this type of launch rather than slowing the pace of the story in order to capture multiple perspectives in one book.

If it is the second book the I would assume anyone purchasing it is now familiar with the series and the dual launch? I don't want to wait anytime between the next pair but that is because I'll probably spend an entire day devoted to reading them and then another month or two thinking about all the " a ha" moments.

And by the way, thank you for getting me hooked on two more stories. However my husband and children aren't as appreciative.

7/29/2015 02:49:23 am

Thanks, Kate! There are some cool potential advantages to this structure, many of which I haven't had the chance to explore with this series. I might try it again later, depending on how this experiment works out.

Speaking of which, that's the main reason why I'm releasing them separately. I have to know how simultaneous releases affect Amazon ranking, so I need data.

Tell your husband and children I apologize to them, but they're welcome to read my books and become my thralls...I mean, uh, nothing.

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