Peeping at the Reaping

7/30/2021

It's been a while, so I thought I'd give you an update on my Reaper progress! There's only so much I can say without spoilers, so I'll be giving you as much information as I can without saying anything that will get me in trouble.

First off, I've finished the first draft and am working on storyline changes/improvements for the next one. The book right now is about 120,000 words, which I don't expect to change too much over the rest of the process. I'll be adding some things, but I'll be cutting others, so it normally evens out at this point.

That makes it a comfortable runner-up in length to Wintersteel, since WS is 144k words and the current silver medalist, Blackflame, is about 110k.

MOST MINOR OF SPOILERS, PROBABLY NOT EVEN A SPOILER, I JUST DON'T WANT YOU TO COMPLAIN:

Structurally, I'd say it's more similar to Blackflame, as the main reason Wintersteel was so long is that I had a full plot for both Lindon and Yerin. This time--while I of course do have some sub-plots--the majority of the book follows one storyline.

END "SPOILERS" THAT ARE ACTUALLY JUST ABOUT GENERAL STORY STRUCTURE

As for the release date, I can't comment. Learned my lesson on that years ago. I know when I think it will be done, but if I make that guess and then don't meet it, I will be whipped endlessly by gangs of stalkers wielding cat-o-nine-tails.

Cats-o-nine-tails? I'm not sure what the plural for that would be.

Here's the most I can commit to: we certainly plan to release Reaper in 2021.*

Finally, I really wanted to call this blog post "A Peeper for the Reaper." This is a Peeper. Play Subnautica.

-Will

*What? No, not the year 2021. We're releasing it in Dimension 2021, home of the Sentient Octopus ruling class. All hail Chancellor Skwirgle.

86 Comments

Ryan

7/30/2021 05:22:43 am

Nice! Thanks for the update

Kolai

7/30/2021 05:23:10 am

Always nice to have long book. Looking forward to it !

Will Dungface

8/11/2021 08:58:41 pm

Give us a date Will

Fianix

7/30/2021 05:28:50 am

You realize this is a commitment to a book about Chancellor Skwirgle and Dimension 2021... Looking forward to seeing if the Squirgle game is, in fact, some sort of inter-dimensional communication device sent by the Chancellor to confound us.

Skwirgle

7/30/2021 05:34:06 am

As it should be.

Will link

7/30/2021 05:36:35 am

The Chancellor himself! It's an honor, sir! May your flesh remain moist and supple.

7/30/2021 06:38:38 am

I would trade a tentacle for early access to your book. Our people will rejoice if you accept the offer. However, if you decline we will invade your oceans....

CosmereCradleChris

7/30/2021 05:50:48 am

Here I was skimming what you read and thinking that Nine Tails was a fox, not a cat, and imagining Will getting beat up by a gang of Nine-Tails... Maybe Elder Whisper would join is as the inferior little brother because he has fewer tails LOL.

Thanks for the update Will and as with everyone else, we're so excited to consume another of your books... On that thought, Lindon is probably Cradle's second biggest consumer after Northstrider, which is funny because they never pay for most of it.

Sam G

8/17/2021 09:44:11 pm

A cat o' nine tails is a medieval torture implement. It is a modified form of the whips used to flog people.

Geoff

7/30/2021 06:00:55 am

Thanks for the update and as always; quality content over speedy release wins the day. I’m sure that applies to books as well as sacred artists.

Randall

7/30/2021 06:09:25 am

Chancellor Skwirgle is now my favorite name ever

Chancellor Skwirgle

7/31/2021 05:46:43 am

I agree

Llohr

7/30/2021 06:19:05 am

It's definitely cats-o'-nine-tails, but I can see an argument for cats-o'-nine-tails-apiece.

Wallaby Vonwise

7/30/2021 06:21:53 am

Dope, glad to hear it's all coming together! Thx Will!

Marshall

7/30/2021 06:22:44 am

Thanks for the update! I was just wondering about this. I am fairly certain that the plural is just cat-o'-nine tails... But now I'm all uncertain and wondering...

Jon

7/30/2021 06:23:46 am

At least it's not a vizier. Then I might worry for the good sapients of Dimension 2021. Wait, the chancellor doesn't have a vizier, does zhe?

Anywho, thanks for the update! My son is about to finish the series, so I had just been wondering about this yesterday.

ripshin

7/30/2021 06:31:36 am

Fun fact: The Skwirgle family only rose to political prominence because of the fortune they amassed in tricking unwary authors into releasing books into their dimension. Which...due to a fluke of interdimensional laws, gives them sole commercial rights to the IP. What makes this truly ironic is the fact that dimension 2021 is populated by a race of intelligent fungus, who, lacking eyes, are completely incapable of actually reading...

7/30/2021 06:45:14 am

We are changing our ways. My kin want the book. Thus I have bargained a tentacle for early access. If we are denied we will invade.
I will came your oceans. And during Will's next cruise we will take him to our realm. HE WILL STAND TRIAL IF WE DO NOT GET THE BOOK!!!

7/30/2021 06:47:15 am

Claim*
Sorry our tentacles find phones unwieldy.

Raphael Hendrix

8/4/2021 07:08:34 am

Thus they turned to Audible.

Squall

7/30/2021 06:37:31 am

How do you feel about your new book title predicting the new melee job to be released in critically acclaimed MMORPG Final Fantasy XIV that has a free trial, and includes the entirety of A Realm Reborn AND the award-winning Heavensward expansion up to level 60 with no restrictions on playtime?

celestens

7/30/2021 06:44:24 am

Updates make me happy! Keep doing your thing, you know the entire Cradle fandom has got your back!

P.S. Did you know you can feed a Peeper to a Reaper?

peeper

8/30/2021 10:44:35 am

please don't

Reaper

8/30/2021 11:47:25 am

Oh come on! It’ll be over before you know it.

astroturf01

7/30/2021 09:13:40 am

Well great, just spoil the whole thing why don't ya?

Literally unreadable. Let us know when Cradle 11 is due.

Punisher

7/30/2021 10:12:03 am

"CATS-o-nine-tails" would be the appropriate terminology.

Joseph

8/2/2021 05:33:13 pm

I also like “flagelli”, the plural form of the flagellum used by the Romans to torture confessions out of accused criminals, and to punish slaves. Precursor to the cat on nine tails!

Max

8/10/2021 09:59:05 pm

Cat-o-nine-tailli?

Michael Kelley

7/30/2021 10:46:28 am

I am more of a fan of the Louisiana prison snake than a cat o' nine tails.

7/30/2021 11:41:27 am

I believe somewhere and at some time you asked for things we would like to see by the last book in the series. (Unless I imagined that) Please give us a Black Flame Empire reevaluated position moment. Right now Lindon and Yerin are above the power scale and we know that rationally, but after so long of being ranked and evaluated; it would be nice to see them finally smash it to pieces and get the overwhelming acknowledgement that Sacred Valley was too ignorant to dish out. Maybe even with his family finally gaining some perspective.

7/30/2021 11:48:13 am

Hmmm. ...does this make sense. I was half asleep when I wrote it. To clarify I am referring to the ranking system the Empire uses when saying reevaluated position. With that being clear I am referring to the fact that they are more powerful than the Emperor as smashing the scale to pieces and I hope this makes me sound less like a rambling loon.

Jagang

7/30/2021 11:43:43 am

Why not go with ‘tails of nine cats’ - it has a nice wing to it…🤔 or Tail of nine Cats… which will leave it with more claws at the end of its pouse…

Adrienne

7/30/2021 01:22:30 pm

Will. Please. Blink twice if Dross is still alive.

Travis H

7/30/2021 04:17:12 pm

According to what was written, Dross wasn't dead so much as faded to a pale impression of himself. Lindon also has Ekeri's remnant that he could use to rebuild dross as well from what I interpreted. But, I'm just a reader so what do I know.

7/30/2021 04:19:05 pm

Oh, and elder whisper seems to be at least an Underlord or better if he is able to manipulate spatial tears. So that's some pretty awesome dream madra availability right there.

7/31/2021 05:53:35 am

It would be great if Lindon drained Archlord Whisper right outside the boundary field, and cycled the white fox madra to dross’s remains until he was reconstituted, and he popped out with fox ears.

Taylor

8/7/2021 09:04:42 am

i Agree Chancellor

Damien Hughes

8/15/2021 04:32:08 am

Ohhhhhh dang! Your comment about Whisper being at least an underlord had me like "Yeah, makes sense, when sages were properly described for the first time, I kinda got the impression Whisper was a sage" but that got me thinking about how strong Whisper actually was. Considering the valley would drag him down to gold eventually, it means he could be anything up to a monarch and that's when it hit me.
What if not all of the monarchs actually died the last time the dread gods woke? What if one of them just hid the one place they couldn't get to him???

8/18/2021 02:46:18 pm

Damien, Whisper said he is not capable of Sage abilities.

Trista

8/12/2021 10:43:23 am

I’m guessing Dross is the other half of his “we”…
He just don’t want to give Dross the credit. Poor guy always getting shafted.

Leren

7/30/2021 05:13:41 pm

Thanks a ton for the update. Your books are some of the greatest I've ever read, and it's awesome to hear that the next one is getting ready!

Barney

7/30/2021 07:40:45 pm

I had delicious tater-tots for lunch.

the dinosaur

8/30/2021 10:47:43 am

mmmmmmmm

Dungeonologist

7/30/2021 08:49:26 pm

Your consistency inspires me to NEW HEIGHTS!
Now I will finish my Witcher 3 save file

Octopian

7/31/2021 05:31:58 pm

Hail!!!

Brad

7/31/2021 06:53:00 pm

Hey Will, I love your Cradle series. I've been pushing them within my company. We do a thing called wish Wednesday where you can wish for something moderately small, a book, a lunch, etc. I've been wishing people to get book one that I think would enjoy it. I've hooked one so far. Second one hasn't started reading yet but he promised he would since the first loved it. Keep up the great work. Would like to shake your hand one day.

7/31/2021 06:56:44 pm

Also, side note. I had a funny idea about a blooper. Let me know if interested and I'll share.

Andrew Coburn, Future Author

8/13/2021 06:16:03 am

I, for one, am very interested. Sadly, I don't have authority or influence here.

8/13/2021 01:13:20 pm

I can't predict the events in the book obviously so it would need adapted and edited to Wills needs and style. But general idea.

(Normally starts with a scene in the book) Lindon sit down to rest for a moment taking a second to recover. Ouch! He smacks a mosquito that bit him on his forearm.
“Do you mind?...” The mosquito remains on the arm unphased. “Im trying to have my lunch break” Lindon starts and runs a scan on the mosquito, Archlord… “Apologies… Sir…”

Something like that. Hopefully it gives you a laugh.

Robert

8/1/2021 01:04:19 am

Cat-o'-nine-tails is also the plural form. This is because (like fish and sheep) the cat-o'-nine-tails is a singular existence that gets projected onto the form of any new cat-o'-nine-tails that is formed; when you meet a cat-o'-nine-tails, please remember that what you see is like a window into the greater reality and treat it with the respect it deserves.

Aremeer

8/1/2021 11:51:22 am

Love your books. Keep up the good work. :)

Francis

8/1/2021 07:52:50 pm

I am yearning in my loins for the next book, thanks for all of the hard work Will.

Greg

8/2/2021 06:25:49 am

There's a Mr. Death here. He says he's come about the Reaping?

Dr. death

8/30/2021 10:51:28 am

I'm here in my brothers place you may call me bobert reaping was his ex born of the reaping family we belong to the grim family sorry for the confusion

Noh

8/2/2021 02:50:05 pm

Fairly certain all octopi are sentient.

Joe Jungbluth

8/2/2021 07:57:52 pm

I just finished listening to Bloodlines for the 4th time. Each listening uncovers new information and is more enjoyable than the previous. Thank you both Will and Travis.

Mike slongbigger

8/6/2021 09:40:53 pm

I was thinking about listening to it. I always reread the last book or two right before another release.

Bill S.

8/3/2021 10:48:47 am

Great news will. I enjoy your books. Thanks!

8/4/2021 10:26:40 am

well, the reddit gamble is on.... :)
lots of betting on the next few months as release .....

Nirendra

8/4/2021 06:11:15 pm

Hello Sir.

I love your Cradle series, cannot wait for book 10.

Are you still taking anime recommendations? If so, please give Giant Robo a try. It's my favourite anime of all time, and a hand-drawn masterpiece.

In terms of TV, if you can get it, watch "The Adventures Of Brisco County Jr". You will not be disappointed.

All the best with your writing!

8/14/2021 08:45:54 am

Dixie Cousins: Brisco, put me down!
Brisco County Jr.: Alright, you look bad in a wig and you were too easy to find.

Lil bob

8/18/2021 08:38:01 pm

Robert you bastard, you found me

Sage of Dying Light

8/7/2021 01:02:57 am

"if I make that guess and then don't meet it, I will be whipped endlessly by gangs of stalkers wielding cat-o-nine-tails."

Stalkers are managing to use whips?
Well, I guess they can pick up scrap metal too, so I shouldn't doubt it too much. Just remember to pick up the teeth as they fall!

Orfieus

8/7/2021 04:41:56 pm

I would be very happy for a 2021 release

Carl

8/9/2021 11:07:40 pm

You have been playing Eternia haven't you? This sound's like Eternia. The Red Inkquisition is on to you. Please release your books in our market, someone dropped one once and the library never had it when I try to check it out. We need more copies.

Tom

8/10/2021 05:43:04 pm

The name of the book is a fairly big spoiler in itself, but I suppose it's an unavoidable one.

WWII

8/15/2021 04:31:14 am

Reaper release date announced

?
:D

Lissa

8/18/2021 08:25:16 am

I'm SOOOO glad to hear it is going to be a long one. Feel free to add more and cut less 😀 My best friend was an author, her cutting room floor was one of my favorite things as friend & Beta - her work was amazing, long, and kept us drawn in much like you do. I miss her dearly and I'm using your books to medicate the loss. So I don't even know what number re-listen I'm up to on this series. 8? 11? Thanks for letting us play in your imagination. You've got a ton of talent!

My birthday is this Saturday if you want to surprise a stranger (and all these fine people) with an old cutting room floor bit or side story this week as a bday present 😉🙈

8/18/2021 08:27:23 am

Oops I meant to post that as a main comment.

Labyrinth Delver

8/16/2021 03:19:55 am

You walk around.
It's so quiet here.... desolate.
You can smell the dust, ancient, musty.
The walls are bare, scratches made by some monster or remnant claws.
You think to yourself, "This what happens when you open so many channels of communication; reddit, facebook, twitter, Discord".
Some survive. Others become barren.
But you have a secret, a power that can liven things up here.

A RELEASE DATE msg!

JonZ

8/17/2021 08:56:34 pm

But what is said date? I lack access to the proper channels.

Andrew

8/16/2021 11:23:30 am

Looking forward to the book regardless of the release Date and I'm sure hitting the Kindle best-seller list again will be enjoyable for your Team and youself ;).

Dash

8/16/2021 12:20:09 pm

Just passed wind and blamed the dog. They all fell for it. It's the little wins in life that make it all worth while. Thanks for the books!

Orphiex

8/16/2021 12:29:56 pm

Amen to Subnautica! I’ve been playing it again recently with heavy modding to increase the material requirements, and it’s like a whole different game. Happy abyss diving!

Nic

8/19/2021 02:30:54 pm

Please get with netflix and get this great story made into an anime!!!

Mike

9/6/2021 05:31:35 pm

I could see the Black Clover or Naruto worlds existing as iterations in the Cradle series multiverse, maybe even Bleach. I think Lindon would get along great with the main protagonists from each of these worlds in their worlds, or even if Asta, Naruto, or Ichigo ascended with their willpower or authority over determination itself.

Marcel Marino

8/21/2021 07:22:05 pm

I'm wondering which day Will is going to pick for me to get absolutely nothing done.

He has this power.

Sawgunner

8/22/2021 04:15:03 am

Don't worry about the cat o nine whatever.If I don't get my Cradle fix and soon. It is going to turn into a clip from 'Deliverance" in here. Ya hearing me boy?

Ahkemmsh

8/22/2021 05:24:34 am

Too far. Just....too far.

Dross the Boss

8/28/2021 11:40:24 am

I scream, you scream, we all scream just constantly waiting for the next update (sorry Will, know everyone's working hard just excited for the book!)

Vishal

8/28/2021 08:22:40 pm

Really looking forward to Reaper. Love the fact that ‘Last Written’ is The End. Amount Complete being 100% 2nd-To-Wintersteel draft (love that!) is super cool too. No idea about progress reference to Level 84 Gengar…anyone?

Nathan

8/28/2021 09:57:09 pm

Not unlike you, Subnautica is the best! Please don't die randomly! Or...unrandomly?....I'm leaving now. You're the best, thanks!

Chancellor Palpatine

8/30/2021 11:17:16 pm

It's treason then.

Is it happening?

8/31/2021 01:42:13 pm

Is it today the day Will's blog loses its streak?

remains to be seen

8/31/2021 02:51:54 pm

he has 4 more hours, yet, by his timezones

Brian of Off-White Gables

9/13/2021 12:40:39 pm

Remind the bum Skwirgle that he owes me money.

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