Soulsmith Coming Now!

9/26/2016

EDIT: Hey, would you look at that? It's up!

THE UPLOAD HAS BEGUN!

I will update this blog post, as well as Facebook and the mailing list, as soon as the link goes live on Amazon. So make sure to let me know when that happens, as I'm sure you'll see it first with your thousands of eyes, you monstrous creature.

-Will

159 Comments

Gage

9/27/2016 12:25:01 am

Im at work on a grave shift. Been checking once every half hour. Im super excited to get no work done tonight:)

Patrick Q

9/27/2016 11:21:09 am

ONLY $2.99?!?!? You're a good man Mr Wight, a good man

Keep up the good work. I'll post an amazon review as soon as I'm done.

Will link

9/27/2016 10:33:54 pm

Thanks to both of you! I'm very tired now, and I should have gone to sleep many hours ago, but I keep checking book stuff. Sleep is for the weak.

As for the $2.99 price point, it's funny you mentioned that, because I have a business consultant who was pushing me to go for $3.99. I usually listen to him, because I always tend to charge as little as possible (so I need someone to keep me in check if I want to make any money), but I opted to keep it where it is.

I think three dollars is a fair price for a book of this length. It's a full novel, but it's still shorter than the Traveler's Gate or Elder Empire books. For now, I like keeping it at $2.99.

Elfishpirat

9/28/2016 11:38:31 am

I agree that you really should charge more. While shorter than your other novels, the quality is excellent, not not mention the amount of time and effort you put into them.

Just promise us, Will. Promise us that if you ever are living on ramen noodles and thinking of quitting because you're only charging 2.99, that you will consider raising the price.

Because if you don't finish your series, we will die, and our remnants will haunt you for all eternity.

Aru

9/27/2016 12:35:00 am

Hurray, It available on - https://www.amazon.in/Soulsmith-Cradle-Book-Wight-Will-ebook/dp/B01M09PWJQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474961524&sr=8-1&keywords=soulsmith , but this is on Amazon India. Still not available on Amazon.com

Aru

9/27/2016 12:40:42 am

Btw Will where do you come up with the book names , I just jumped to the Sequel page and let me tell you seeing the Sequel Name brings to Mind lots and lots of badassery. BLACKFLAME!

Will link

9/27/2016 10:35:20 pm

I'm glad you liked it, Aru! I was actually torn between two names for this next one:

BLACKFLAME, which I eventually settled on, and SKYSWORN.

The first refers to the empire in which the book takes place, and the second...

Well, you'll see.

My friends and family were a little divided when I asked them to pick a title, but ultimately "Blackflame" won out by virtue of being easier to say. Plus it sounds cool.

Soham Ghosh

9/29/2016 10:06:49 pm

Now that's plain unfair. Tantalising plot points already!

We as readers demand to know what Skysworn is!

(Oh, who am I kidding..we'd beg on bended knees xD)

But seriously, how does a short story leading to spoilers about the next book sound?

Henrik

9/27/2016 12:43:09 am

It's live now!

link to the book in amazon is not working but if you hit buy with one click it works.

Keith

9/27/2016 12:51:51 am

Downloaded in Aus Yay!!!!!!

Adam

9/27/2016 01:02:02 am

Out in the uk now!!

Andrew

9/27/2016 06:15:25 am

Purchased in the U.S.

Matti

9/27/2016 08:35:54 am

You Sir, are the Man!

Will link

9/27/2016 10:36:00 pm

Thanks, Matti!

Jason A

9/27/2016 08:48:00 am

How am I supposed to see patients today when you put out a new book? Seriously man.....

Will link

9/27/2016 10:36:31 pm

Tell them to put their medical issues off for a day and come back tomorrow.

Aaron J.E.

9/27/2016 08:52:13 am

Woohoo! It's bought and paid for, but I will sadly need to wait until this evening before I read it. I have so many assignments do in the next few hours I'm pretty much puking up essays at this point.

Looking forward to the book, and congratulations!

Mahfuz

9/27/2016 11:42:31 am

I feel you bro :') Just got one more left out of seven

Will link

9/27/2016 10:38:19 pm

Essays. I still have the nightmares.

School scars us all.

Madeline

9/27/2016 12:44:18 pm

Gah! Must finish book dad wants me to read first! Why could you not release this yesterday instead of today?

Will link

9/27/2016 10:38:53 pm

Weakness, Madeline. Curse my fleshy typing fingers! Move faster, you ingrates!

John

9/27/2016 02:05:11 pm

Loved it! Great book

Will link

9/27/2016 10:39:18 pm

Glad you enjoyed it, John! Thanks for reading!

Scott

9/27/2016 02:35:12 pm

Yeah, this series is addicting. I'm hungry for the next episode. This is one of those sets of novels I can see myself re-reading in order repeatedly every time a new book comes out.

Will link

9/27/2016 10:40:03 pm

I'm looking forward to the next installment too, Scott! Even I want to see what happens.

Because sometimes, what you have in your head isn't what ends up on paper.

John

9/27/2016 02:57:22 pm

That was awesome. Please tell me you are done with Blackflame and it is coming out tomorrow!! Going to post my review now. Personally, I hope you shelve the other series in favor of this one for now. Your best series so far, in my opinion at least. Great job.

Will link

9/27/2016 10:42:12 pm

Man, I wish I was already done with Blackflame. That would be a nice surprise, wouldn't it?

From a practical standpoint, it would probably be a better business decision for me to shelve Elder Empire indefinitely and just ride the Cradle train until I needed a break.

But that would be kind of mean on my part, leaving readers hanging. I don't want to be that guy.

Thanks for reading, John! And thanks for the review!

Drew

9/28/2016 10:01:32 am

Thank YOU for taking into consideration your fans of EE's feeling. I love this book series, but I already have 1 Brandon Sanderson sized longing for completion, I don't need another.

Will link

9/29/2016 08:24:31 pm

Yeah, I know how it feels. Been there.

So it's not like I'm not willing to delay a release, but only if I really think it's worth it.

Jim

9/27/2016 03:57:32 pm

I spent a while tearing through this book. Fantastic!

Will link

9/27/2016 09:08:24 pm

Glad you enjoyed it, Jim! Thanks for reading!

Matt

9/27/2016 05:53:59 pm

Will, question for you.

Is it better for authors if a book is bought outright or obtained through unlimited?

Devin

9/27/2016 08:55:54 pm

Will makes a little bit more through unlimited if people read it all the way through the last time he went over the numbers with me. It could have changed since then, because amazon is a fickle beast.

But I would say if you have unlimited, purchase it through that. You save money, and he still makes money. Win/Win.

Will link

9/27/2016 10:44:17 pm

Devin is correct, as usual, although with this series in particular I'd say that I probably make about the same from an Unlimited read-through as from a sale. Some of my books make more, some make less, but it depends on the month and the title. Usually it evens out.

The point is, if you'd prefer to read it through Unlimited, go right ahead! It still supports me very well. And thanks for caring enough to ask!

Bethany H

9/28/2016 11:42:29 am

So if we have KU, and we read the book, then return it and borrow it again an indefinite number of times...do you get paid for each time it's read, or only once per customer regardless?

Will link

9/29/2016 08:25:51 pm

It's like a sale WITHIN a sale...

BOOKCEPTION

(But no, that wouldn't work. However, if you read the book completely on Kindle Unlimited and then bought it, that WOULD be two sales. Just FYI.)

Mikey

9/27/2016 06:51:27 pm

Just purchased my copy and I will read it later tonight after dinner. Look like the book is doing amazingly well at #185. Well deserved.

Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #185 Paid in Kindle Store

Just a reminder, if you want to read other fantastic xianxia fantasy, these are arguably the best of the best. They are free to read thank to FAN TRANSLATION.

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

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

Will link

9/27/2016 09:07:16 pm

Great list of recommendations, as always! I've read most of these (not Superstar, but I think all the others) and they're the best!

And I was very happy to crack the top 200! Now my fingers are crossed for that top 100 barrier...

Avinash

10/4/2016 10:47:27 pm

you forgot battle through the heaven

Armand

9/27/2016 08:55:52 pm

Just finished it and I have to say, it was another great book in the series. I already want to read the next book.

Although I have to say, now that we have a better grasp on how strong the sword sage was, his death seems kinda lame. I mean, they were jades and hes... something a lot stronger.

But, I guess that it kind of shows that whatever level he was at, it wasn't something one should call a god or immortal yet. Still very much human and susceptible to death.

Will link

9/27/2016 09:05:05 pm

Everything you said is absolutely true, but I'm going to respond with a mild spoiler.

[MILD SPOILER ALERT]

Under normal conditions, a bunch of Jades would not have been able to kill him even if he were poisoned and asleep.

I tell you this so you know that I'm aware of this apparent contradiction, there IS an explanation, and it WILL be shown to you in the future.

Gage

9/28/2016 12:07:54 am

I had a feeling something like that was the case. You're pretty good at remembering 'plot holes' and other oddities and addressing them later on.

One such thing that definitely came to mind while reading Soulsmith was it became much more apparent why everyone in the valley is so weak compared to literally the entire world. It kinda bugged me a bit Unsouled as to how that could have possibly happened to the point where even slaves outside the valley would obliterate anyone inside, but now we know just how fundamentally incorrect the valley is when it comes to how spirit arts work.

Now we just need to find out why everyone's fundamentals are wrong but Im betting thats a revelation for a future time.

Armand

9/28/2016 07:29:45 am

Oh, good to know. Thanks.

John

9/29/2016 11:30:20 am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8RCQDDsMpU

James A

9/27/2016 09:40:39 pm

Just finished the book. Loved it like everything else you wrote. Given the clear hint that the Sage was a major Underlord I was also wondering how it was he could have died and if it has anything to do with Yerin's guest.

Will link

9/27/2016 10:45:05 pm

I'd like to do this scene as a monthly short story, but I'm afraid I might need to use it as a plot point in a future book.

Sancus

9/28/2016 12:37:32 am

I think this is such an apparent "plot hole" by the end of Soulsmith that it deserves to be addressed as a plot point in the actual series, as I'm sure far fewer people read the short stories.

But you could do something like a shorter explanation in the novels later on and the whole story as a short story. Guess it depends on how important of a plot point it will become.

Trieu

9/27/2016 10:10:34 pm

Just finished. Great follow up. One question, do you plan on starting the 3rd book soon?

Will link

9/27/2016 10:30:19 pm

I'm in a bit of a pickle on that, to tell you the truth.

On the one hand, the series is sort of designed for quick releases. I'd love to get Book 3 going as fast as possible.

But I DID sort of leave the Elder Empire series hanging for about a year, so I kind of need to finish those ASAP.

Trieu

9/27/2016 10:38:52 pm

It's simple, really. Things come in 3s. Get the third one done....THEN go back to Elder Empire ;)

Will link

9/27/2016 10:45:30 pm

I am tempted, Trieu, I won't lie to you.

QUADRU

9/29/2016 11:34:54 am

No, TRIEU, things come in fours!

Madeline

9/29/2016 01:50:04 pm

In this case I think threes is the most we could argue for. Elder Empire HAS been left hanging for a while...
But so far everything Will has written comes in threes. Threes is easier to argue for than fours.

Also in my opinion the cliffhanger book two leaves us on is more painful than the cliffhanger the first book left us on.

John

9/29/2016 01:59:47 pm

I am the great QUADRU and you dare to come between me and my arch-nemesis TRIEU? Prepare to meet your doom! You will be drawn and quartered!

QUADRU

9/29/2016 02:01:09 pm

Oh no! My secret identity has been revealed! Curses!

Chris DZ

9/27/2016 11:13:30 pm

Eithan is amazing, and I was wondering just how incredible Lindpn would be with both his supernatural awareness and Yerin's offensive power

Will link

9/29/2016 08:28:34 pm

Too incredible, Chris. I couldn't give him that many powers!

...until later, when his opponents are equally terrifying.

Josh

9/28/2016 12:12:28 am

Finished! More! Another! Feeeeeed me!

*ahem*... sorry. I very much enjoyed the book and hope to read Blackflame soon! The description of Bren reaching Iron was a fun contrast :)

I see Lindon eventually going meta with his power set, I hope :) Kind of like Daniel Black picking the "magic" specialization of magic.

Gage

9/28/2016 07:19:59 am

Easily one of my favorite parts of the book. They were describing the different types of Iron and then when they settled on the choice for Lindon I was like 'oh thats lame'. Then we get to see how normally people obtain that type and its like 'oh shii----'

Definitely looking forward to whats in store for his development in Blackflame.

Will link

9/29/2016 08:30:51 pm

Fun fact, Gage: the original title for Book 3 was "Bloodforged," because they're going to explore the capabilities and advantages of his Iron body.

Will link

9/29/2016 08:30:11 pm

Oh yeah, he's going as meta as he can.

Talha Yilmaz

9/28/2016 02:37:31 am

Hey Mr. Wight,

Just powered through Soulsmith after rereading Unsouled! Was a great read especially the later half of the story! I've been enjoying your writing a lot recently!

Wondering what you imagine the length of the series to be and if we'll get to see all the awesome places you've shown glimpses of? So far its been one location per book which excites me if that's an indication of more to come!

Been on that cradle high for the past 8 hours, excited to see where you take the story and how you build up the world/universe!

P.S. I remember reading you took out some of the Suriel sections in fear of taking away from Linden's story. In my opinion I found the amount to be just right in Soulsmith!

Will link

9/29/2016 08:33:46 pm

Glad you enjoyed the book!

I'm definitely planning a bunch of cool locations for Cradle. As it stands now, I intend to establish a home (outside of Sacred Valley) for him soon, so that'll be a recurring location. But we're still exploring somewhere new every book.

Kaden

9/28/2016 06:03:08 am

Do not be tempted by the darkside Will you must write OKAK (elder empire book 3) to balance the force

Will link

9/29/2016 08:34:39 pm

I still intend to write OKAK next, but the Dark Side is making some compelling points, Kaden...

John

9/29/2016 09:00:57 pm

If you finished up EE with just one book instead of two, you could then start on the next Cradle book, while writing short stories about EE, possibly asking your readers about what they thought would be best to cover in short stories. That way you finish up EE, get to start the next Cradle book faster, and still get to fill in any EE gaps that fans ask for with short stories.

John

9/28/2016 06:33:39 am

As a major Sith Lord, it is my responsibility to tempt Will (although I am guessing sales and greater income which this series seems to be bringing in for him are a greater temptation than I could be).

STRIKE WHILE THE IRON IS HOT! Be seduced by the dark side of Cradle.

Don't make me lock you in dark cavern while sacred beasts until you finish book

Will link

9/29/2016 08:41:41 pm

A steady paycheck IS nice.

Main thing is, it's easier to write Cradle (because they're shorter and have less complex timelines), and I get a better response to them. So I've got a series that's hard to write and appeals to a smaller audience, and a series that's easy to write and appeals to a broader audience.

All that said, starting a series carries a tacit promise that I'll finish it in a reasonable amount of time. Also, I WANT to finish Elder Empire. I like the story.

It's just hard to justify, sometimes.

James G.

9/29/2016 09:26:24 pm

Come to the dark side, Will. We have cookies...

Another Cradle book wouldn't hurt. Nor would two.

Look at the nice chocolatey goodness, you know you want one... :)

Kristina

9/28/2016 07:31:51 am

I've read Soulsmith twice, I need Blackflame now!!! RIGHT NOW!! Okay, so, I've read all of your other books, and this series is by far my absolute favorite. Thank you for being such an amazing author. :)

Rhys

9/28/2016 02:18:29 pm

Not sure i like it better than travelers gate..... yet. I still love Simon and his powers. But cradle just has so much more potential than anything else will has written imo. A completely open world followed but multiple other open worlds, which arent established and so dont trap Will and Lindon into a specific mould. I love it

Will link

9/29/2016 08:43:24 pm

Rhys,

That's what I enjoy about Cradle. As long as I keep slowly and steadily opening it up, I can do pretty much whatever I'd like in that series.

Will link

9/29/2016 08:42:36 pm

Wow, you've read it twice already? I CAN'T KEEP UP!

Thanks for reading, Kristina! Glad you're enjoying the stories!

James T

9/28/2016 08:20:39 am

So just finished the book and I loved it. I know you want to finish the other series as stated above but I haven't seen anyone ask when you think you will be done with the final two books in that series and ready to move onto blackflame.

Will link

9/29/2016 08:43:50 pm

They typically take about six months, James.

Mike

9/28/2016 10:06:27 am

I have really enjoyed everything you've written so far, and this book was no exception. I was just sorry it was over so soon. You are showing yourself to be a master world builder on the level of Brandon Sanderson. Each of your books leave me hungry for more. I can't wait for the next book!

Will link

9/29/2016 08:45:29 pm

Thanks for the high praise, Mike! I know the book was over quickly, but the idea is for the series to eventually last readers a long time.

Nikk

9/28/2016 10:26:26 am

Finally! I just bought it and I'll read it right away!

Keith

9/28/2016 02:14:53 pm

Amazing book! Each one you write is better than the last. Only one problem.... Now I have nothing to read till you release something else. Any suggestions people?

Noah

9/28/2016 07:45:40 pm

Amazing book! Better than the first! When's the next one out? Elder empire is good and all, but all the answers point towards writing another (or 5) cradle books! Except maybe you telling people you'd write Elder empire? Nah, cradle overrules that! Write another! Please?

Will link

9/29/2016 08:48:33 pm

I have to finish Elder Empire, Noah! Otherwise it will haunt me until I do!

Haunting Jeremiah

10/1/2016 05:23:49 am

I will haunt you too

Noah

10/1/2016 11:08:32 am

I second Jeremiah. And you'll still finish it... Just not immediately...

scott pike

9/28/2016 08:11:43 pm

Well I'm more than a quarter throught the book and I have to say I like it. I got it through Kindle unlimited the moment it went up. I like your characters a lot. Though since I'm not finished I wonder if these infected animals are the great sickness Suriel is fighting on other worlds.

I only wish the rest of the travelers gate series and the cradle series where on audble already.

Andrew

9/28/2016 11:02:09 pm

Oh man, you skills get Luke Daniels as your narrator. Not that you aren't a great narrator but you have books to write and no time for that.

Will link

9/29/2016 08:49:26 pm

It does steal away my time, Andrew.

I looked up Luke Daniels at your suggestion, and here's my main problem: he's already narrated a book called UnSouled.

Mike

9/28/2016 09:11:54 pm

Another great book Will! I've stuck with you from House of Blades until now and have never been disappointed. The rate that you churn out books is astounding, but with the Elder Empire series also out, is Cradle a priority or will you finish the Elder series first?

.....asking for a friend

I personally enjoy the Cradle books more, but I'll enjoy whatever you come out with next!

Will link

9/29/2016 08:49:50 pm

Planning on finishing EE, Mike!

Rhys

9/29/2016 05:06:59 am

Will I want to say shelve EE and just write cradle for a few more books. But you should finish EE for all the EE fans, though it pains me to say it. After that though, Cradle might be your best bet. It has, in my opinion the chance to be a true epic, something your other stories, while great dont.

Masoric

9/29/2016 06:39:31 am

I have to second this. The Cradle series is one of the most compelling stories I have read in a long time. While I enjoy EE in a big way it does not draw me as does Cradle.

Will link

9/29/2016 08:50:26 pm

I agree with pretty much everything you said, Rhys. I think I can go further and do more with Cradle.

But I want to finish Elder Empire.

Andrew

9/29/2016 06:04:28 am

Will, is it safe to say that Simon(at his current power level as the heir to Valinhall) would get completely owned if he set foot in Cradle outside of Sacred Valley?

Rhys

9/29/2016 07:20:59 am

I get the feeling that with ghost armour and nye essence and especially mithra, Simon could give them a run for their money tbh. Also will, is the advisor system in TG similar/related to the goldsign revenants in cradle?

Mahfuz

9/29/2016 11:33:10 am

Interesting! I would say even the regular Simon (no mask) could be on par with our slightly above Truegold level on most aspect but have some SERIOUS advantage even against Underlords. I say most aspects because still don't all the Sacred Artist powers.
Still, Caela stumps any and all constructs xD In typical Valinhall fashion, Simon would wipe the floor with Highlords (that a thing?) BUT only till the chains play nice!
Then again, could he incarnate in Cradle? For that matter, could he even call powers in Cradle?? Will, I'm rambling here mate

Will link

9/29/2016 08:51:37 pm

This is hard to say, Andrew.

I suspect you'll be able to make up your own mind once Lindon makes it a little further, and you get more of a sense of what a normal battle between sacred artists is like.

Andrew

9/29/2016 09:47:04 pm

Come to think of it, would Simon's powers even work outside of his own world(Amalgam?)

Lamar

9/29/2016 11:23:51 am

Will Will Wight write? Yes Will Wight will write.

Will link

9/29/2016 08:52:02 pm

What will Will Wight write? Will Wight will write wights.

Madeline

9/30/2016 08:51:18 am

Do iiiiiiiiiiiiit!

John

9/29/2016 11:48:24 am

Are there tens of billions of lowgolds on Cradle? Since 1000 x 1000 x 10,000 = 10 billion, either the odds that Eithan quoted are incorrect, or else there must be a heck of a lot of lowgolds around somewhere.

Rhys

9/29/2016 02:36:25 pm

As i understand it mist of the children of about 15/16 are lowgold. Its a normal level of power. Its just sacred valley that is abnornally weak

John

9/29/2016 04:26:00 pm

I think you missed my point. The population of the Earth is 7.4 billion. And compared to what we have seen on Cradle, the population density seems much lower on Cradle than on earth. So, if there are say, 10 people on Cradle Underlord or higher, then the population of Cradle must be around 100 billion (if we assume that all of them are lowgolds or better...more if a significant percent of the population is below lowgold). And I get the impression that there are significantly more than 10 people on Cradle Underlord or higher, based on the tour Suriel gave Lindon, and based on the fact that there were two Underlords nearby even in the benighted area Soulsmith took place in.

Either Cradle is an unbelievably gigantic planet, or the odds Eithan quoted are wrong.

Will link

9/29/2016 08:14:44 pm

This may or may not surprise you, but I actually have an answer for this.

First of all, Eithan is using those numbers rhetorically. He begins it by saying "I've heard it said..." indicating that this is idiomatic, and not literally correct. It's really just a saying about how difficult it is to advance; it's not based on accurate census data.

That said, it's not high. It's low.

Cradle has a population far greater than that of Earth and more spread out. The planet is larger, the gravity is higher, and the sacred arts developed as a way to survive in environments that would kill any real human. Even though the populace is spread out, there's basically no region that isn't inhabited by SOMEONE, including deserts at the center of many continents and large stretches of the ocean.

But, of course, the only people who know this are the Abidan. And now you.

John

9/29/2016 11:55:18 am

When Lindon progresses his other core to iron, can he get an additional, different iron body? A steel body sounds like it would be good for when he gets to underlord....

Will link

9/29/2016 08:53:39 pm

Lindon will learn the answer to this question in the next book, but since it's not a huge spoiler, I will answer you here:

[SPOILER ALERT]

[I'M ANSWERING HIS QUESTION, LOOK AWAY]

...he will not get a second Iron body. His body has already been transformed and reforged, so while he can still take his soul up in quality, his body has been refined.

Aaron

9/30/2016 08:21:56 am

Perfect.

Aaron

9/29/2016 11:58:33 am

Gods but this series is good.

I had a very hard time wrapping my head around some of the concepts though. Aura (vital aura IIRC), Madra, Bindings, Scales, Cycling (probably the only one I somewhat understand)... I had to read some of the things that happened a few times but I still felt a bit lost. Was there a glossary in the first book? I should go check. If not, can we get a description of each of these things and their interactions with each other? I feel like I'm on my own Path just trying to understand these concepts.

Will link

9/29/2016 08:54:27 pm

I understand completely, Aaron.

I had intended to include a glossary with this edition of the book, but I didn't do it and eventually ran out of time.

Aaron

9/30/2016 08:22:35 am

Fair enough. I hope to see one at some point. Maybe as a companion piece just on the website?

John

9/29/2016 12:47:19 pm

I'm guessing that it will take more than twice as long to finish Elder Empire (two books, each longer than a Cradle book) as it will to finish a third Cradle book. Like, 5 months versus 2 months. So, if you do EE next, then it will be 7 months until the next cradle book.

Ouch.

Maybe you could abandon the double book thing for Elder Empire, and just write one book to finish it off?

Scott

9/29/2016 01:17:11 pm

Even if it took a bit longer than that (let's say a full year to get all 3) that's still an incredibly huge amount of content produced in a short timeframe compared to contemporary fantasy authors. From that point of view it's a remarkably good deal, IMO.

John

9/29/2016 01:52:28 pm

That kind of assumes that everyone wants to read 2 more EE books. I'd much rather read a single, more focused EE book to conclude the series than 2 more less-focused books.

Besides, if you surveyed Will's customers over what they would prefer over the next 6 to 12 months, I'd bet a large amount of money that a majority would prefer 1 EE book and 3 cradle books to 2 EE books and 1 cradle book. There are a lot of cradle customers who would not want to wait a year of the next cradle book.

Although a third option might be even more popular: 1 EE book, 1 cradle book, and 1 travelers gate book (in that order).

Will link

9/29/2016 08:59:42 pm

That is true, Scott, and it's another factor for me to consider. Because at this point, people EXPECT three books from me a year. Which is an absurd pace for a fantasy author.

However, I've taught them to expect that. What readers want from me is now colored by what I've done in the past, not what's reasonable to expect in the rest of the industry.

So I've considered slowing down for a while just to lift the pressure on me a little bit, but Amazon rewards steady releases and punishes dry spells. No rest for the weary, at least until I have a greater following than I do.

John

9/29/2016 10:59:16 pm

I think Brandon Sanderson averages around 400K words published per year. So, one Stormlight book, or several of his shorter books, depending on what he is working on that year.

Three 120K word books a year does not seem like a lot compared to Sanderson. Compared to Jim Butcher, it is more than he has been managing lately, but I think he used to average about two 120K books a year until he got bogged down with bigger, more complicated books recently. Compared to Patrick Rothfuss, three 120K books a year is a lot. But Rothfuss has let me down (he promised to release a book a year when NotW came out) and I will not be buying any more of his books, so I do not consider him a good benchmark.

Will link

9/29/2016 11:11:29 pm

That's basically accurate, John, and what it means is that I'm putting out books more quickly than any major fantasy author with the exception of Brandon Sanderson.

Which might be too fast. I'm not sure yet.

Will link

9/29/2016 08:57:32 pm

More like nine months. It takes me five months to write EE and two months to write Cradle, that's true, but there's always editing time to consider. Plus there are a lot of people waiting on a CoL audiobook.

I did actually consider writing the last sequence of EE in one book. ODAD were each about 110,000 words, so if I write them in pairs, that's 220,000 words...and six months of work. But if I combined the stories into a single book, I could probably tell both stories in about 160,000 words, which could save a month. Or even two, optimistically.

But I'm not going to do that. I started this experiment, and by Jove, I will finish it.

Madeline

9/30/2016 08:55:32 am

One book to end the series would make me more interested fyi.
I've been not really looking forward to okak because I can't imagine a scenario in which both sides get what they want. Okak, with all viewpoints in one book, eliminates the possibility that the main characters of one book fail in the end.

Avinash

10/4/2016 10:33:33 pm

@Madeline
Ah but you forget victory and failure are conditional
what may be considered a failure for one person can be considered as a victory for another

So its still possible to get victory for both.
or they may even combine together for a common goal
like expelling the elders from their world

Captain Nemo

9/29/2016 05:11:00 pm

Hey Will! I've been reading your books since you published House of Blades, and I'm a big fan. Now, question: The Arelius family in Cradle and the Aurelian empire in EE. Is that a connection or a coincidence?

Sent from the depths of Mysterious Island

Will link

9/29/2016 09:05:08 pm

I am very glad you asked that question, because it IS a coincidence. I knew someone would notice, and I'm glad you pointed it out.

Here's the deal: originally it was the Orelius family, because I thought "Eithan Orelius" sounded cool. But the first round of readers conflated Ozriel (the missing Judge that Suriel is hunting) with Orelius, and they became confused.

Basically, when you're making up a bunch of names, you want to make them sound as different from one another as you can, or people get confused. That was one too many similar-sounding O-names, but I liked the sound of "Orelius." I couldn't go with "Erelius" because then Eithan Erelius sounds like the fake name of a wizard, and I ruled out Eithan Irelius for reasons that probably made sense at the time but I can't recall now, and settled on Arelius even though I knew people would assume there was a connection to the Aurelian Empire.

There isn't. Just a coincidentally similar-sounding name.

Captain Nemo

9/30/2016 07:44:13 pm

Well, that certainly makes sense.
Thanks for the answer!

scott pike

9/29/2016 07:38:51 pm

Just finished the book. That was a great sequel. I look forward to future adventures. It looks like Lindon is just advancing fast.

Will link

9/29/2016 08:20:25 pm

He's developing insanely fast compared to where he started. More civilized people wouldn't think it's weird to go from nothing to Iron in an afternoon.

James Shaw

9/29/2016 08:43:41 pm

Hey Will just finished the book, enjoyed it as always. I love reading your books I think they are always fun action packed fantasy that really makes me like the main character they always act a bit different from the standard hero's journey protagonist and I always really like that. I think your writing is getting better as well. My only problem is now you have so many series I want to read more about and you only have so much time :'( . Also honestly charge more for the books, I think they are worth more even though you may think they are short they last longer than $3 and I would hate to see you stop writing because its not economically viable. Can't wait for the next one great Job!

Will link

9/29/2016 09:13:19 pm

I'm glad you're enjoying them, James!

I'm probably giving off a misconception about my income here, so let me clarify: I am not on the verge of bankruptcy. Nowhere close. I am making a very comfortable living for a single guy living alone.

That said, the income from writing is not steady. It has extreme peaks and valleys. In one month this year, let's say March, I made about a thousand dollars. In July, I made about thirty thousand.

So you see, it fluctuates rapidly.

However, there are quite a few expenses that go onto the business end that most readers never see, and I obviously don't get any benefits: I pay all business expenses, insurance, fees, taxes, etc. out of my own pocket.

Also, the way Amazon works rewards rapid releases. Two books released three months apart get WAY more attention than those same books released nine months apart. Which means they make more money AND they make it more steadily.

TL;DR - I am in no jeopardy whatsoever, it's just complicated. As long as things continue as they are, I'll continue being able to write full-time.

jim

9/29/2016 08:54:32 pm

Have you thought about consolidating the last two books of elder empire into one longer book? (not gonna lie I haven't read it, but I thought they were story lines that would eventually come together anyway...)

Will link

9/29/2016 09:14:52 pm

Read it, and then let me know if you think it should be in one book or two.

That sounds like I'm saying "Once you'll read it, you'll see that it couldn't POSSIBLY be told in one book!" but I'm not saying that. I actually don't know what you'll think if you read them.

I'd be interested to know your opinion.

And in direct answer to your question, I HAVE considered it. But I'm leaning against it.

John

9/29/2016 10:34:45 pm

For one data point, if the conclusion of EE is two books, I will definitely not buy both of them. I might buy one of them, or I might not. I don't want to have to guess which one has the best parts (i.e., the parts I would not find boring, as quite a bit of the middle books were for me), so there is a good chance that I would not buy either one (I don't feel especially compelled to see how it concludes, it might be interesting, but I can take it or leave it).

But if there were one concluding EE book, I would buy it.

Will link

9/29/2016 11:24:32 pm

Honestly, John, I talk about sales a lot because they're concrete, quantitative ways to measure reader response to a book. But I'm motivated BY that reader response, not by the sales themselves. Knowing people enjoy my stories and want the next part is what keeps me wanting to write.

When I'm trying to decide whether to do OKAK in one book or two, I'm not thinking about what will net me the most book sales. I'm thinking like this:

--I began with this concept of the twin novels, so I've made an implicit promise to see it through. If I were a reader, I would be disappointed to see the author gave up on it 2/3s of the way through.

--In one book, can I convey the same revolving protagonist/antagonist relationship between Shera and Calder? The answer is obviously yes, but will it save me any words? If the book is going to be 200k+ words anyway, it will take just as long as writing two, and I will have gained nothing.

--What about the flashback storylines? How can I best conclude them in a satisfying manner that loops back around to the beginning of the first books?

--Is there a symbolic/storyline advantage to combining them into one book, or will it merely be additional confusion for new readers (I.e. "The previous four books were in pairs; why not this one? Where's the other one?")?

...and so on. If I were solely concerned with maximizing sales, my decision would be easy.

I'd still be writing Traveler's Gate.

Alex

9/30/2016 12:44:10 am

Hey Will,

I am torn as well. Love EE but would love the next cradle book as well. If votes count I would vote for cradle next then a return to EE. Regardless of order though I think you should do two books to close out EE. Loved the idea when you first presented it and have loved reading the two stories.

Chris

9/30/2016 09:16:51 am

I definitely agree with you on sticking with the two book formats for EE conclusion. It might be a little different to have to read the ending in one book and then start reading the second knowing the overall ending to the story, but it's been an interesting experiment that I think you should finish. Plus, I'd like to see how you handle that problem of having two interesting endings that don't spoil the other book. Maybe have some mystery in the one that's only addressed in the other?

Should be fun. I would suggest publishing both at the same time if you can though, that way they can be read simultaneously if desired.

And, I'd also suggest waiting until after Blackflame to do it (as I argued below), because, dang it, I'm dying for the 3rd Cradle book, haha...

Thanks,
Chris

John

9/30/2016 10:46:42 am

You seem to be arguing that sales are somehow NOT measuring reader response. I don't follow that argument. I think the reason that Cradle is outselling EE is because a large majority of readers prefer Cradle to EE.

I'm also not suggesting that you pick one series (eg., Traveler's Gate) and do nothing else. Trying other things is a great idea. It is what created Cradle, after all. And that experiment appears to be a great success.

But the thing about experiments is that they sometimes fail. That is fine. That is the nature of experiments. A good experimenter looks at the results of an experiment and changes course based on new information ("When the facts change, I change my mind. What do you do, sir?"). If the first Cradle book had dismal sales, then there would be little reason to go on and write 2 or 5 or more Cradle books.

In the case of EE, I think both the low sales and the level of writing difficulty is making a strong argument that the dual-book approach is a failure. Sure, there are some fans who really like it. But it costs a great deal of time and effort to please a smaller number of fans. If you really want to maximize fan response, I think it is clear that your best bet would be to conclude the story with a ~120K word single book (sticking to whichever viewpoints have the most impact, minimizing flashbacks as much as possible), and then get on with the next Cradle book, while writing some EE short stories (flashbacks? other viewpoints?) that EE fans most want to read.

Now, if you just want to write two EE books to please yourself and/or to please a few vocal fans, I don't mean to argue against doing it for that reason. I am just arguing that you should be clear on the reasons, and writing two more EE books is not likely to maximize fan response in general.

By the way, speaking of experiments, have you considered trying parallel writing? One possible path forward would be to get the next Cradle book out as quickly as possible, as several people here have suggested. But then, a possible experiment would be to continue writing Cradle books while working on EE in parallel. That might allow you to release Cradle books (albeit at a slower rate) while still making progress (at a slower rate) on EE, perhaps finishing EE in late 2017. Maybe that experiment works for you, maybe it does not, but it seems like it could be worth a try.

Jordan

10/1/2016 09:09:53 pm

Why the HELL aren't you still writing travelers gate? That sounds douchey, but serious, like why DoD you stop? It's still by far my favorite book from you, and I miss Simon. Seeing so little discussion of Travelers gate appearing here makes me kinda sad. Realistically, what you do is based upon your priorities, which I will not attempt to pretend I know all of, but my recommendation based upon what I do know is this.
1. Another cradle book, as it's the shortest, and having two books close together is good for sales and happiness.
2. Finish Elder empire, as you wish to, and sooner rather than later opens up a lot more options long term, it keeps it from being a weight around your ankles.
3. Cradle again, as from what I've seen, it's the most demanded thing here
4. A set up book for Travlers gate, leaving you with options of where you want to go with that world
5. Would probably change based upon finance and popularity, and by whatever strange Wight related other books you may or may not have ideas for.

Again, my recommendation, as unbiased as I am capable of being, and obviously non binding. I enjoy every book you create, and look forward to whatever decision you make. Good luck, and keep up the good work!

Chris

9/29/2016 11:32:16 pm

Hi Will,

Really loving this series! I'd like to make an argument for why you should go ahead and write Blackflame now:

1) If the Cradle books take about 2 months each to write then starting now means you'll finish around the beginning or middle of December, so right before the holidays. From a business perspective, that would be potentially very profitable to give you a release, visibility, and $$ right before the holiday buying season, plus allows you to finish 3 books this year. Waiting to do EE next year still gives time to have 3 books come up next year as well, if not possibly 4.

2. New readers looking for a new series over the holidays, especially if they're students on holiday break, will likely see a new release come out and then potentially start from the beginning, thereby increasing your potential readership, and building on the momentum that Cradle seems has right now.

3. The EE is great, looking forward to the conclusion, but if you start it now then it still won't be out until 2nd quarter next year so you miss the holiday season and then also put off next Cradle release until at least summer. If you do Blackflame now, then worst case EE goes back by two months which is at the end of 2nd quarter, right before summer, so you're really not delaying too much time. In contrast, the reverse of EE, then Blackflame, is a much larger wait on the Cradle series.

4. From a motivation perspective, it sounds like from your comments above that you're a bit more in the zone on writing the Cradle series so doing one more now will likely go faster then having to wait to do it after EE. It also sounds like since EE is harder to write you'll have to take some time to get back into that one anyway. Doing Blackflame now is likely a very smooth transition and then will give you time beginning in the new year to start EE conclusion and really get into that with the Blackflame behind you.

6. The Cradle series seems to be in a bit of an arc right now where the next book will likely really pick things up and get exciting. The EE series has already passed through that arc and beginning it's final path to conclusion. Fans really want to know what happens next, but it's not quite as tense for readers waiting for it as it is for waiting for Blackfame.

7. And finally... I really want to know what freaking happens next!!

alright, thanks...

-Chris

Rhys

9/30/2016 06:16:33 am

Will the christmas point i hadn't considered. It might be worth writing the third cradle in time for the holiday season then giving yourself time to finish EE at your leasure. If you wrapped up the first cradle mini arc as well then you take some pressure off.

Luke

9/30/2016 12:06:08 pm

Cool idea, why not try to appease both the fans of EE and Cradle at once? Not only do the fans get to enjoy smooth slow-steady release rates, they do for both series. Plus, stopping now on Cradle right after Blackflame does have the consequence of stopping the momentum you have gained. At the same time, slowing down EE (even while still working on it alongside Cradle) would disappoint those fans, too.

In effect, it might or might not be possible to do a "best of both worlds" approach here in writing and try to do both. It really depends on how willing you are to go back to Cradle, in contrast with the need to finish off EE in a way that it doesn't haunt you.

If you have any thoughts/ideas on what you are most likely to do, I would greatly appreciate it. In all honesty, I loved the Cradle books so I would like to see you continue there. At the same time, I understand that you are the author and so you should do what works best for you.
Even if that means total focus on EE until it is finished and then going back to Cradle.

Thanks for your hard work,
- Luke

Will link

10/1/2016 09:16:23 am

A lot of good arguments, Chris! There's only one problem: in my experience, sales actually decrease between Thanksgiving and New Year's. They do not increase.

You wouldn't think so, would you? Apparently the sales of Kindle devices increase, but Kindle BOOKS (for me; I can't speak for everyone) don't go up until January.

So, according to what data I've accumulated over the last three and a half years, pre-Christmas is the WORST time to release, and summer is the best.

Chris

10/1/2016 10:09:41 am

Well... that is strange to hear, but if you wait until summer then you're still losing 6 months of sales right? The immediate sales might be better in the summer for but it's still 6 months later so overall worse. Plus, that actually might be an argument to release EE in the summer since it has a smaller fan base it can use the extra support and wider release. The Cradle series is getting a wider fan base and so doesn't actually need the extra support of a more popular time to selll. It's going to sell well no matter when you release it.

So you've actually argued for my point and proved it!! :-) Besides, don't you want to give your fans a great Christmas present??!! I couldn't think of anything better, haha...

Nick

9/30/2016 10:58:15 am

Just finished Soulsmith and I loved it. Elder Empire is interesting and the Intent system fascinating but I personally prefer Cradle.

Write as you want. While I would love to have a new Cradle this holiday season I know that is unreasonable, there are not even three full months left until Christmas.

That said I am personally rooting for another Cradle book to come next but I won't be disappointed so long as something does come next. IE Sanderson good, Rothfus bad.

As an aside I have noticed your books fit on a scale of intrigue vs personal development with EE being mostly intrigue, TG being a strong mix and Cradle being focused on personal development.

PS flipped through to the end on KU and then bought and read it. A paperback boxset of any of your series would be nice to be able to buy at some point, but it may or may not make economic sense anytime soon and no physical copy is worth you being too broke to write.

Will link

10/1/2016 09:19:56 am

I'd love to do a box set of some kind, and my graphic designer would certainly love to do it, it's just hard to set aside time to develop projects other than new books. I don't even have time for all the new books!

"Intrigue vs. personal development" is a good way to put it. Cradle is more the style that I WOULD have written TGT in, had I expected House of Blades to sell more than five and a half copies. Essentially a lot more Valinhall and a much longer arc.

Jeff Smith

9/30/2016 11:10:53 am

Let me just vote for the EE series to be next and be 2 books. I really enjoy getting to see the same fight from a different viewpoint. It is proving a contention that I always have had that the hero/villain of every story depends on who you follow. It is hard to hate someone when you see that their actions are consistent with events that have already happened to them. I realize EE can't really have a full on happy ending based on what has happened but it still can have a great ending.
Also it will clear the deck for your other series.
Also next time split the difference with your advisor and do 3.49

Will link

10/1/2016 09:21:45 am

You know, I don't typically prefer full-on happy endings anyway. When EVERYONE gets what they want, it doesn't feel satisfying or real.

So I don't consider it a spoiler to say that no characters are going to be completely happy with where they end up. Because really, who is?

Madeline

9/30/2016 02:21:00 pm

To add to the list of bribes for you to write Blackflame first, mom says she has more quilt kits than she knows what to do with and what is your favorite color.

Will link

10/1/2016 09:22:09 am

Dark blue, Madeline's mom.

Shreyas Amrutkar

9/30/2016 03:52:10 pm

Hey Will,
I have a query regarding your Cradle Series.
If the people of sacred valley are so weak, why weren't they conquered/killed/obliterated by people outside the valley? How were they protected from outsiders?
and lastly, why people from sacred valley are so weak?

John

9/30/2016 05:35:19 pm

I think the weakness is easily explained by their isolation. There is much less danger in the sacred valley, and it seems the best way to advance is to be put into danger and have to find a way to survive.

As for why a band of lowgolds has not come and stolen all their good artifacts (the schools seem to have some really nice ones), I was wondering that myself. Apparently the entrances to the valley are hidden / difficult to find, but I would think that some of the golds would just climb it to get in, or perhaps use some flying construct that can do better than one of those skimmer clouds.

John

9/30/2016 05:38:42 pm

...or better yet, just capture one of the people who periodically venture out of the sacred valley to gather fruits and such, and make that person tell them how to get in.

Will link

10/1/2016 09:23:12 am

John is right about their isolation. As for why some random guy hasn't wandered into the valley and ruled like a king, there is an explanation for that, and it will be shown to you clearly in future books.

Avinash

10/4/2016 10:40:33 pm

does the explanation has anything to do with the missing abidan OZRIEL having grown up there???

Avinash

10/4/2016 10:39:25 pm

probably has something to do with the cloud over mount samadra

or maybe the valley is protected somehow
like some ancient master probably the missing OZRIEL grew up there and he protected it or shielded it somhow

Will link

10/5/2016 10:49:38 am

I can neither confirm nor deny your theory, Avinash.

I do want to point out that Suriel didn't say anything about Ozriel growing up in Sacred Valley, just in Cradle somewhere.

So maybe he did, maybe he didn't. You don't know. IT'S A MYSTERY!

Andrew

9/30/2016 04:42:58 pm

I respectfully request a new thread to be created. I have to hunt through for new comments on this one.... Too many comment.

Will link

10/1/2016 09:23:54 am

Yeah, I should have split this a while ago. It takes me five years to scroll down to the bottom.

I'll put up a new post today.

Emily

9/30/2016 07:46:33 pm

I loved the new book. I didn't really like the first one but I'm glad my trust in you as an author payed off. For a second I almost joined the bandwagon screaming for the next book. Until I remembered that would push out Elder Empire.

Also because it needs some representation. I love Elder Empire and the two Book Format. I'm sad at all the people declaring it a failure and not buying it. Thank you for deciding to write it next and not put it off indefinitely. Keeping the implicit promise to your readers to finish a series is extremely appreciated! (Cough RR Martin, just cause more people watch a stupid tv show is not a reason to not finish writing a better book series)

Will link

10/1/2016 09:27:35 am

Thanks for trusting me, Emily!

I can tell you that from my perspective, it wasn't a failure. It just doesn't live up to Cradle or TGT.

And when I've got two series that vastly exceeded my expectations and one series that only met them, it's hard to spend a ton of effort on the lowest performer. Especially when it requires the most time and attention.

But I enjoy writing the series, and I like the characters, and I'd like to come back to the world someday. Maybe for some tighter-focused horror stories; that would be fun.

Not haunting Jeremiah

10/1/2016 05:34:27 am

We could stalk you if it would help you write faster. Or be more motivated to finish okak. Or I could buy you lunch

Andrew

10/1/2016 08:26:18 am

Offering to buy him lunch sounds like a lead in to the stalking part.....

Will link

10/1/2016 09:28:31 am

Oh yeah, the lunch seems like it's a lead-in to being stalked.

Joseph

10/1/2016 08:47:15 pm

Will,
I definitely vote for another Cradle book first. I have read all of your books now and like the Cradle series the best by far.
I read fantasy for escapism and the discovery of novelty and Cradle delivers this the best compared to any series I've read. The Traveler's Gate series seems fully explored to me now and the draw for sequels in that world would have to rely on character development and relations. Maybe that was why people were hankering for a romance in that series now...
As for OKAK, I think it really does need to be one book. The novelty of a "paired book series" is legitimate but I think it needs to end in one book for closure. It is well established that time-lines cycle back to the beginning for closure, and while I don't think paired books have an established closure mechanism, I get the impression that one of the final book pair would be short-changed if left status quo. Personally, I also rarely re-read books. The only fantasy books I have read more than twice are Tolkien, Jordan, and Rothfuss. (Although I read both Cradle books twice already.) In EE I read Calder's books first and every time I went to pick up one of Shera's books I had to struggle with, "I know what will happen in certain important parts already." I feel like this would be worse in the final books.
I hope you keep up the fantastic work. I plan on buying every one of your books in the foreseeable future.

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