On the Wings of DragonCon!

8/30/2013

On my way to DragonCon, right now!

The only real panel I'm looking forward to today is Jim Butcher's steampunk thing at 5:30, but let me know if I'm missing out on something cool.

Oh, also: The Crimson Vault sold over a thousand copies yesterday.

In case you were wondering, that's a lot.

You guys are the best! Thanks for buying, thanks for reading, thanks for leaving reviews on Amazon, and thanks for telling your friends. Right now, Crimson Vault is the #1 best-selling Epic Fantasy book on Kindle, the #1 best-selling Epic Fantasy book on Amazon as a whole, the #1 best-selling Sword & Sorcery book on Kindle...

You know what? I'm not going to bore you with that. It's high. And it's all because of you guys, so thanks!

You should reward yourselves by reading a good book. I recommend Blood Song.

40 Comments

J. Moore

8/30/2013 02:19:47 am

Glad to hear sales were good first day! Looking forward to reading it this weekend myself.

Brian S

8/30/2013 04:37:09 am

I still find it hard to believe that Anthony Ryan sold his digital rights to a publisher. I can't imagine what kind of crack he was smoking to do that since at best he's cutting his profits from 70% to 25% if he got a good deal. Fortunately I bought his book before he was signed and got it at a better price.

Have fun at Dragons Con, and give Jim your autograph.

NYC Zach

10/10/2013 12:49:10 pm

Will rules , blood song is great if you want to wait yrs for the completion of the story same as rothfuss and the wiseman fears, that blows, Will keeps you hungry but at least feeds you and is always working

thomas s

8/30/2013 06:46:21 am

The book was great you have ruined 2 nights of sleep for me and work come early so thanks but other than that I loved it can't wait for the next in the series though I may wait to it on the weekend

Will Wight link

8/30/2013 11:37:10 am

I am proud to have robbed you of sleep, Thomas. Thanks for reading!

mike

8/30/2013 08:39:24 am

Hey Will. I loved the book more than I could even say. But I was a little aggravated at one thing. Simon hasn't learned knew powers other than the horn. And he didn't have to do to much other than keep Talos' s sword to use the mask. I was wondering if in the City of Light if he will earn more abilities? I know it's awhile way but I'm excited for it!

mike

8/30/2013 08:45:26 am

And congratulations on having the Crimson Vault being #174 in Kindle titles being sold!

Devin

8/30/2013 08:48:50 am

*Cough* Spoilers *Cough* lol. I talked about this before with someone. But something to keep in mind is that Simon's trainer wasn't the most helpful with the progress of Simon's learning. I'm not Will obviously, but I think we can expect significant growth from Simon by the next book with more capable people around.

Will Wight link

8/30/2013 11:36:07 am

Man, I always forget what's a spoiler and what's not. But yeah, in this case, spoiler warning!

...for real, everybody, SPOILERS AHEAD for Crimson Vault.

Like you said, he did earn two things: the mask and the horn. I do agree, though, that since there's not a room trial attached to the mask (yet), he didn't spend much time in this book working on Valinhall trials.

I can confirm (SPOILERS AGAIN) that Simon will earn more powers in City of Light. I CAN'T confirm how much time he will or won't spend in Valinhall. So he may earn some/most/all of those powers offscreen. I don't know. I haven't thoroughly outlined CoL yet, so I just haven't made that decision.

But he will certainly be earning some more powers. As you'll know, having read through Crimson Vault, there are (MORE SPOILERS) lots of useful Valinhall powers to which Simon doesn't yet have access.

He'll get there, though.

Levin

8/30/2013 12:21:09 pm

SPOILERS

SPOILERS

SPOILERS

Wow... you started off fast and never stopped. I remember asking myself "Did he really just release Valinhall already?" as I checked to see my progress from that bar at the bottom of my kindle. You've mastered that art of pissing off the reader with a new point of view after giving his/her a cliffhanger, then pissing them off again as you switch to a new cliffhanger and POV change.

Even if he 'only' earned two gifts, that mask is borderline overpowered. It reminds of all the reasoning in VS topics that argue that Flash should be able to beat everyone but doesn't. Makes me wonder what the Ragnarus Incarnation can do if the Mask is just one of relics it commands.

Enjoy Dragoncon. You deserve a break.

Will Wight link

8/30/2013 12:53:35 pm

Valinhall OP, needs nerf.

It's true, though. You're right about the Flash comparison. I'm going to make a post on the blog about the relative power scale between Territories, because there are some nuances that don't really show up in the books.

For instance, Travelers are not always used for combat. They're more useful in a lot of other ways. Really.

It just looks like they all fight because that's what I focus on in the books.

Valinhall, for instance, is totally overpowered in combat. But outside of combat it's all but useless.

Mike

8/30/2013 01:47:44 pm

I would disagree about Valinhall being useless. Imagine how much faster and easier any type of manual skilled labor would be with those powers.

Raj

8/31/2013 10:20:34 pm

Awesome book! Loved it!!
Umm...would you be annoyed if we asked about the release date for City of Lights....even a tentative date?

Will Wight link

9/10/2013 03:07:09 am

No, I'm not annoyed, Raj. I have spent many years meditating in the Green District of Elysia, and I now have the patience of a mountain and the tolerance of a saint. Besides, that's a perfectly reasonable question.

City of Light will be released...

...when the Moons of Lirial have spun into perfect alignment, their lights dancing on the mirrored sands.

...when the Things that sleep beneath the earth shift in their slumber, shaking the mountains above them with their dreams.

...when the Ancient Ones speak with one voice, declaring at once that The Time Has Come.

...when the sky is filled with omens and portents, and the people below cry out, begging and pleading for the signs to vanish.

...early in the year next year. Maybe January 1st, maybe March 31st. I commit to nothing. I fly away, delighting like a songbird in my sheer, unrestrained freedom.

Drew T

8/30/2013 12:02:38 pm

Simon had to fight Malachai to get the mask in the first place, he just didn't kill him

Will Wight link

8/30/2013 12:05:08 pm

I do want to emphasize that you should put spoiler tags on your posts, as best you can.

Honestly, if you don't want spoiled, you probably shouldn't be trawling through the author's blog comments. But still, I just don't want to ruin anything for anyone.

mike

8/30/2013 12:19:40 pm

I understand your point Drew but did Simon truly fight Malachi? I mean yeah he killed the Beast from Narka and sure he destroyed the fireball that he sent after him but for the most part I think Alin truly fought and killed him. And it's hard for me to say that, because I really never liked Alin. And even less so now because he's SPOILER ALERT an incarnation

Drew T

8/30/2013 01:05:24 pm

Ahh, challenge accepted ... ***SPOILERS***

Definitely, Simon didn't sword-duel Malachi, he traveler-dueled him with the giant lizard. Next, the opportunity exists for him to kill Malachi while he's sitting there confused about what territory Simon is using. He spares Malachi, then he injures or kills the Overlord's subordinate traveler and beats the (Valinhall equivalent) "room" by getting past Malachi to his family who he could kill, but subsequently protects therein aiding Malachi and further earning his favor. Then, Malachi dies, but Alin may not have even been able to kill the Overlord without Simon softening him up first, thus the mask wouldn't be available. Later, after bringing that mask inside Valinhall, Simon has to make yet another agreement with the Eldest to attune the mask. We now know that beating a room doesn't necessarily equate to getting the "prize". IMO that mask is well earned by Simon.

Sorry if my first post was a spoiler for the House of Blades to anyone, hopefully my Amazon review isn't considered a spoiler, I don't think it's revealing at all, just alluding to the best points of the book.

Amazing job on both books, Will! Can't wait till City of Light!

Joseph

8/30/2013 12:10:42 pm

I bought the book yesterday morning and finished it this morning. It was fantastic I really enjoyed how you escalated the conflict so quickly and introduced the wanderer so early on. Also while I was waiting for The Crimson Vault I did read Blood Song, and I definitely recommend the book to anyone who enjoys fantasy because it really is a great book. Now I am a little upset with myself for breezing through it so quick because now I have to wait for the final book... at least you don't take several years in between books (I am looking at you George R.R. Martin we had to wait 11 years to find out what became of Tyrion after a storm of swords)

Drew T

8/30/2013 12:14:42 pm

Just finished Crimson Vault and loved it - amazon review link: http://preview.tinyurl.com/mj86fp9

In case you wanted feedback for updated edition/hardback I noticed 2 typos and 1 that might be a typo (yes, lots of time on my hands):

Loc 951: **Kai's** direction (not Simon's, he's not present)
Loc 4038: But I *no* longer believe (not know)
Loc 5731: 4 days to Bel Calem from Enosh, but wasn't it longer in first book from Myria even though Myria is between them?

Will Wight link

8/30/2013 12:48:39 pm

Perfect, thanks Drew! I just killed some typos myself, including the "Kai's"/"Simon's" thing. I did not notice the "know longer" deal, and thanks for pointing it out! I'll upload a new version for people...probably tomorrow.

In terms of the X days to Enosh...it would make more sense if you had a map.

Man, somebody should give you guys a map.

Jim

8/31/2013 01:59:55 am

So this is a jumble of thoughts. Bear with me a little.

Alright so the swearing was taken care of nicely; the writing quality has progressed to the point where I didn't even notice.

Here's my review of the book (don't mean to sound pompous or anything...this is just a segue into the other part of the discussion). Solid 4.5/5 stars (keeping in mind that it IS a book 2 in a series and all of the little nuances that come with that). Everything was really good, just seemed like Alin's development was a little rushed in the midst of a whole lot of other stuff (there was other stuff too, but I can't remember what it is. Besides good stuff>>>bad stuff in the book). No biggie.

But there is no way you can fit/solve all of the unresolved conflicts into one last 400 page book. There is simply no way without me (the reader) feeling rushed and/or cheated out of a decent, good, whole exposition/explanation of everything going on.

I beg of you not to try and rush to get this out of the way in just. one. book. Even The Crimson Vault seemed rushed at points when it was a longer book.

SPOILERS!!!!SPOILERS!!!!SPOILERS!!!!SPOILERS!!!!
Here are some conflicts that I see:
The Enosh/Damasca War
Currently free Incarnations
Imprisoned Incarnations
Fanatics trying to free other Incarnations
Rebuilding of Damasca
Simon earning more powers
Zakareth
Alin
Leah
New Incarnations

I'm glad you're taking more time with the next book. I think it will be a positive influence on your writing.

I can see you maybe tying everything up in like 3 more books of equal size.

Any Nomous

8/31/2013 02:15:43 am

I agree that the crimson vault felt rushed at times, and hopefully the next book can address the problems in a manner worthy of the end to a trilogy.

Jim

8/31/2013 02:25:17 am

That's the thing. I don't think it CAN be a trilogy anymore. There's simply too much going on. Too much stuff unresolved. If Will DID somehow tie everything up...well...there's no way I could be satisfied with the way it was done. There'd be like 20 Deus Ex Machinas scattered all over the book. I'd feel disappointed. Like I'd been reading a soap opera.

I don't really see much motivation for Simon in all of this; he's gotta develop a bit more in the series. I think at least 3 more books of equal or greater size would be a good idea at this point. (and he gets more money from book sales)

Jim

8/31/2013 04:21:23 am

...and I'm not saying it's a bad thing. The world Will built is huge, and the natural process would be to have books to accommodate that vast story line. Sometimes (like with Martin) they artificially drag out a story, coat-tailing off of the successes of the earlier books to make more money. In this case (which I think is rare) Will is cutting off the series before it can naturally resolve itself.

IronToBind

8/31/2013 06:58:15 am

Personally, I fail to see how being useful to the pretty girl doesn't count as motivation. I mean sure at the beginning Simon was kinda lost but it was mentioned so its not like Will forgot to put a reason in for him.

Brian S

9/2/2013 05:15:01 am

I'm pretty sure Will can and will complete this story arc in three books. He may not tie up every loose end, but is that really a bad thing? He already said he wants to spend more time writing about this world so having a few open plot points could go a long way towards writing those books. I would really like to see a second trilogy in the future after Simon has put a few more years behind him, gotten a little more experienced and world weary. There is so much that he has to live up to after all. Will obviously won't tell us if he's going to write those books, because if he did, we'd know that Simon survives, and his inner George RR Martin won't allow that.

From what I can see, this trilogy is really about the war between Enosh and Damasca and Valinhalls impact on that war. So long as that story arc is completed, and Simon lives, I can wait for the rest. If Simon dies though, all of his promises die with him as well as a large number of plot points.

Scweeb

9/3/2013 07:37:30 am

Motivations for him is easy. Allin should be motivation enought. His friend is now an incarnation and asked him to kill him when all is settled. And we all know how powerfull he is so for Simon to live up to that promise to kill him he has to become really stron and pass a lot of rooms off.

Will Wight link

9/10/2013 02:55:01 am

Wow, lots of points being made here.

As I've said before, if I were starting the series over fresh right now, I would plan it as a 5-6 book series.

But I did not do that.

Therefore, I will finish this as a trilogy. And I promise that I will do everything in my power to give you a satisfying ending in one book.

HOWEVER, I am more than aware that there is more going on here than can be wrapped up in a single book. Believe me, I intend to return to this world in the future.

And to these characters as well...

...at least, to those of them that survive.

IronToBind

8/31/2013 07:18:09 am

So my kindle tells me i finished the book about 6 hours after i got it a couple days ago, I just couldn't put it down. Granted now i want to murder someone because cliffhangers. Also *****spoilers******

I didn't think that the book was rushed it was just fast paced, the only real problem i had was Zakareth just ever so casually becoming an Incarnation at the end but maybe Ragnarus is just weird like that since the last one did sac herself to give him the chance idk.

Anyway, I learned of House of Blades just a month or so ago and it is always a happy day when I spin The Wheel of Indy Books and come up with gold, so MANY THANKS for your awesome work. As long as writing great books is your guilty pleasure giving you my money will proabaly be mine

OH and I'd TOTALLY buy some hardcover editions of these if you made them.. probably.

Will Wight link

9/10/2013 02:59:31 am

I understand your confusion regarding that particular Incarnation, and I can promise you that your question will be answered in City of Light.

Answered at length.

I also love your Wheel of Indie Books analogy. That really is what it feels like when I go trawling through Kindle for new unknowns to read: it's like you're spinning a wheel with most of the wedges labeled "Mediocre," a big slice called "Crap," and a tiny sliver named "Blood Song."

It's like playing Russian Roulette with a gun loaded with two bullets, two empty spaces, a flag that says "BANG," and a piece of candy.

As for the hardcover, the graphic designer who worked on the paperback version of HoB has said that he'd like to do a special edition signed hardcover omnibus for the trilogy, once it's out.

I don't know how much it would be, or how many we'd have, or how any of it would even work. But he swears that it's possible, and I'd be behind that idea.

NYC Zach

10/10/2013 01:03:59 pm

I'd so be into the hc books, so please keep us posted, as for the criticism on being rushed, just ridiculous, I thought it flowed as well as the mist-born trilogy, granted some things went quick but under the demands of keeping me interested it definitely delivered. The alternative is to spend too much time and lose every bodies interest,. Even when Ryan puts out the sequel to bloodsohg and rothfuss puts out wiseman they will not be nearly as good as experience as reading you serials of valinehall and getting a new book every 3-4 months, best strategy I've seen and I run sales campaigns.
Great product at a great pace!

Brian S

8/31/2013 07:49:02 am

Well, considering the amount of spoilers that are rolling around on this thread, it brings up something that I've been thinking might be helpful. I totally understand that Will has just barely gotten started and that he felt that this forum would be more than adequate for his needs for some time, but apparently it isn't. I think if you really want to keep spoilers minimized, that a forum would be more appropriate. Will could ask some of this pre-readers to moderate and move threads as needed, and link it to his blog.

I also loved the book, even if I did find a continuity error...Devin! You're fired again. There were also at least three places where the wrong name was used in a paragraph. I'll e-mail Will with the details tonight.

***************MILD SPOILERS******************

I felt that Simon grew enough as a character in the book, and that it was funny when everyone was ripping on Kai about Simons training. Remember, all of these travelers have been part of the house for at least 25 years. Simon, less than 6 months. Progress may speed up, but unless you want a ten year time jump, don't expect him to have full access to the house.

The mask is only OP because it hasn't really been incorporated into the house. Once it is, it will be bad form to call the actual mask, if it's even possible, rather than just the power it bestows for a far shorter duration than is currently available. Plus, Simon never earns the right to wear the mask outside of the dubious right of capture.

Devin

8/31/2013 08:23:06 am

Lol keep in mind that pre-reader or not, there are still entire pages of re-edited material I don't get to see until he sends it out to you all. The book I see and the book you see are completely different in a lot of areas and in a rush, some pages or fixes don't get a second lookover and its up to Will. I purchase the book just like everyone else in order to see those other changes I didn't get a hold of before he needed to get the book out to you.

Really appreciate you guys taking the time to inform him of them though! It helps Will out for when he takes the time to re-comb the book in a less rushed manner before he tries to make it paperback.

Brian S

8/31/2013 08:36:55 am

We can't blame Will, we might hurt his feelings. Writers are very delicate, kind of like princesses. Heiresses are apparently a bit tougher than princesses, so no comparisons to Leah please.

Actually, provided Simon survives the trilogy, It would be cool to have this world revisited after Simon has spent five to ten years in the house, and set him on a new adventure.

Rhys

9/4/2013 06:06:48 am

Yes. Yes definitely. That would be absolutely amazing. I really wish that Brent weeks had done something similar for the Night Angel trilogy(maybe he still will),but one of my favourite things is just looking in on my favourite characters and seeing how they have changed.
If Will did do something like that it would have to be something cool. Too often when authors do things like that the crisis is not as big or imaginative as the original series. I don't think Will would have too much trouble there however.

Will Wight link

9/10/2013 02:51:28 am

It's not Devin's fault. Devin is a shining example of editorial integrity and wizardliness.

It's mostly because I put the book out before thoroughly proofreading it myself. The advantage of having it on Kindle is that I can still change those mistakes, so a thorough proofread before release isn't QUITE as necessary as it would be on a print book, but I still wish I'd had the time.

So I'm still proofreading Vault, and I expect City of Light will be released in a much cleaner form.

constbud1

9/2/2013 12:24:53 am

Awesome reading Will, thanx for the treats...lookin forward to more ..
AND COULD u please drop a diagram or map of the whole shebang? Pretty please.....with sugar on top...I got it in my minds eye..but wrather have the original...so think/thunk something up have u?
Thanks Again!

Will Wight link

9/10/2013 02:49:13 am

I know, I know. I'm working on it. It's just that producing the map AND a glossary/encyclopedia thing slows down the process of writing the new book.

I have to allocate City of Light time to developing a professional-quality world map and a clean reference book. I have the information, but developing it into a consumable product takes a great deal of time and effort.

Liz E

9/21/2013 11:11:54 pm

These have been by miles the best low cost Kindle buy I've made. Keep up the can't wait for the third book!

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