The Traveler's Gate Chronicles

9/21/2013

Oh, you want to know what the title of this post means? Please, allow me to delay by dancing around the issue for several paragraphs.

First, as I know many of you were wondering, the map is coming! I sent my crappy hand-drawn version off to a graphic artist today, so in the next few weeks I'll be uploading a map to The Crimson Vault and House of Blades.

At the very least, you'll be able to get a vague picture of the region. I know lots of you have asked for this, so there you go.

Second, I will be adding a Territory reference section as well (this will be included in the map update). It will have each of the Territories listed by name and attribute, as well as some bits and pieces about the Territory's history, cultural impact, and abilities.

Third, I have uploaded many typo, proofreading, and editing changes to The Crimson Vault. I've changed every mistake that has been pointed out to me, as well as several I found since first putting Crimson Vault on Amazon. These changes should take effect tomorrow, and if there's a particular editing issue that bothers you, please send Amazon an email sometime tomorrow afternoon asking for an updated copy. They'll be happy to send you the new, updated version.

Or, of course, you could wait a few weeks for the map/reference update. Whichever you prefer.

Finally, I'm elated to report that sales of the Traveler's Gate Trilogy have now crossed 30,000 copies.

You know how many writers sell 30,000 copies their first year? Not many. Four months ago, I didn't expect to be one of them.

-Will

P.S. Oh, right, the title. I'm also working on a collection of short stories set in the Traveler's Gate universe. The collection is entitled The Traveler's Gate Chronicles, and is tentatively set for release next month (it may take longer, depending on how long Amazon takes to process Kindle Serials). The first story or two will be available immediately, with another story added every two weeks until the release of City of Light. I intend for this to be a Kindle Serial, but if that doesn't work out, I'll figure out an alternative delivery system.

P.P.S. No, this will not delay City of Light. Not even by a day. I will be working the maximum amount of time possible on CoL, but I can't spend ALL of my time working on one thing. I would explode. The Chronicles can provide me with a healthy amount of distraction, as well as something fun for you guys to read between now and early next year.

23 Comments

Helgard

9/21/2013 04:08:35 am

If you do explode, make sure to have a few canvases nearby to catch the spatter pattern. Maybe you could use it for the cover of City of Light!

Harlequin

9/21/2013 07:24:01 am

Hmm. Sounds like a fair shake. How do Kindle Serials work? Is it like a magazine subscription, where I pay for x amount of months and receive an issue when published on my kindle?

Will Wight link

9/21/2013 08:32:39 am

That's a great question! You buy the book once, just like normal, and you get every story that's been published in the book so far. Then, when I add more stories, your Kindle automatically updates and you get them for free.

So it's the exact same price if you buy it on day 1 as if you wait until the collection is complete. You get exactly the same thing.

I do NOT know how pricing works, however. If it works like a regular Kindle novel and the price is up to me, I'd probably charge $.99 or $1.99. But I don't know if I even get a say in that, or if Amazon decides for me. And if I do get to choose, I don't know if my cut of the royalties remains the same.

So there you go.

Orca

9/23/2013 04:28:03 pm

Annoyingly Amazon won't sell kindle serials to New Zealanders, possibly not to anyone outside the US. So please make it available as an ordinary kindle ebook once it's complete.

9/24/2013 01:16:35 am

Thanks for letting me know, Orca! There's a lot I'm unsure about regarding Kindle Serials, and I'm glad you told me. If there's any way for me to release it normally once it's done, I'll be all over that. I definitely want to make it available everywhere I can.

Will M

9/22/2013 12:34:31 pm

Will, that sounds awesome. Roberto Calas, the author of The Scourge has a post on what it's like to be a Kindle Serial Author(http://www.lindsayburoker.com/guest-posts/amazon-serials-program-for-authors/). It sounds like you'll be able to set your own word count, so that may make it a little easier, but it still sounds very intense. To do that and a book will be impressive. Good Luck (not that you'll need it).

9/24/2013 01:21:27 am

Thanks, Will! Everything I can learn about Kindle Serials helps!

What he's describing there, though, sounds exactly like writing anything. It does sound intimidating, you're absolutely right, but I'm confident that--on the writing side, at least--I pretty much know what I'm getting into.

The only reason I'm so confident that I can do this is because I just got out of a Master's program in Creative Writing, where I regularly had to finish an 8-10K short story in a day or two. Writing a NOVEL like that, as Calas describes, sounds terrifying, but with a short story collection I think I can do it.

Full disclosure: most often, I didn't HAVE to finish the stories in a day or two. My procrastination skills are the stuff of legend.

Elena

9/22/2013 04:00:42 pm

Um...no pressure or anything, but WRITE WRITE WRITE!!! On a less psychotic note - Fantastic series - you sucked me right in, I finished House of Blades and Crimson Vault in about 18 hours (yes work, children, and household responsibilities were neglected). Perhaps that's not actually less psychotic sounding....hmmm....

Let's try: Looking forward to CoL and the new serial! (much less creepy, right?)

9/24/2013 01:23:00 am

Your psychosis is both flattering and soothing. I feel right at home.

Thanks for giving me a chance! I'm glad you enjoyed the books, and I'm proud to have distracted you from "productive work." I'm convinced that productivity can't be good for you. It's all a myth perpetuated by The Man.

I feel like I should work the word "patriarchy" in here somewhere.

Ailema

9/23/2013 03:56:59 am

Blog-stalker here doing a little dance. 30,000 copies! and more goodness on the way! You are so awesome, Will! Are the Travelers Gate Chronicles gonna feature Kai somehow?

9/24/2013 01:24:05 am

Probably, but I haven't 100% decided yet. There are a couple of places where I could put him, but I'm not sure if I will or not. I still want to do a longer story from his perspective, after all, and I don't want to tread on my own toes.

What a weird and confusing analogy that was.

9/25/2013 02:33:56 am

Well, as long as it’s only your toes, and not your typing fingers. Still, better not risk damaged toes. Those can get painfully distracting while writing. I’ll take a Kai novella even if I have to wait.

Robot Warrior

9/23/2013 06:36:01 am

Wholly crap!! You sir, are a fantastic writer!! I've been an avid reader of fantasy for about 3 decades, and your work is some of my all-time favorite! I have just plowed through both stories in a weekend and am eagerly awaiting the next installment. PLEASE HURRY we need MOAR!!

9/24/2013 01:25:49 am

Well, I hope my works weren't WHOLLY crap, but I'm delighted that you enjoyed them. It's truly an honor, sir! Even as we speak, I'm working on moar, toiling ceaselessly in my dank laboratory to produce another chimeric abomination for your consumption.

Brian S

9/23/2013 01:21:22 pm

Ummm....Okay. Personally, I'd be in Dublin drinking a Guinness right now if I were in your shoes and had sold 60,000 books in about 4 months, but if you'd prefer to keep writing, I won't argue with you.

Have you entered either of your books to see if you could possibly get a literary award? I imagine a lot of them are controlled by the publishing houses, but I know that there are a handful that are exclusively for self published authors. If you can't find them, go here.
http://www.thebookdesigner.com/book-awards/

9/24/2013 01:28:31 am

30,000, but I appreciate the sentiment. How do you know I'm not in Dublin right now, huh?

Man, I wish I could type with an Irish accent.

As for the literary award...I'm going to steer clear of those. My books aren't really what anyone in the industry would call literary, so I'm just going to save my breath until I either write a book that fits their criteria or get so popular that it doesn't matter.

I appreciate the vote of confidence, though.

9/26/2013 12:37:32 pm

How do I know you're not in Dublin right now? Are you kidding? Haven't you realized that we now have you under twenty four hour surveillance?

You live a pretty boring life by the way.

Andy Poquette

9/25/2013 11:09:43 pm

Just wanted to say every one of those 30k copies is deserved. The series is fantastic. Keep it up!

9/30/2013 03:35:44 am

Thanks, Andy! Would you be offended if I told you that reading your last name has given me a sudden craving for croquettes?

Jake

9/27/2013 01:59:02 am

Will, you are the man! You're first 2 books rock so hard!!! I could not put them down.

There's not one book on earth I'm looking forward to more than book 3, City of Light. I LOVE your 1st two books to death. Keep up the amazing work.

Can't wait to read the short stories too!

9/30/2013 03:36:25 am

No, Jake, YOU rock so hard. TAKE THAT!

Thanks for reading, man!

John Mercurio

10/7/2013 07:28:52 am

Will, I have really enjoyed these first two books, and I have enjoyed reading these blog posts almost as much. Keep up the good work, and I am looking forward to CofL. Put the Guiness down and start writing (unless you can type one-handed, then by all means, drink up)!

10/8/2013 06:14:10 am

I can type with nothing but my budding telekinesis. It's true. It really comes in handy when I have to write my novel during Violin Juggling class.

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