May Update + Fiyu's Blueprints (Patreon)

Two parts to this post, which you'll see is a good thing.

Skyvenom Update

We are getting closer! I now feel like I can promise this book, though I don't know about the exact dates. More on that later, abstract thoughts first.

After two lengthy books, I wanted Skyvenom to be a little shorter... and it looks like it's going to be another long one instead. >_< It might end up even a bit longer than Wakespire! And to think that I had contingency plans if the book ended up too short.

It might seem odd to say after talking about length, but the book has too many chapters. I've gotten on a rhythm where the individual chapters are shorter than average for this series, which is something I do by gut feeling instead of counting. This is mostly irrelevant for the finished book, of course, but it means the Patreon chapters might not be as satisfying. I may do three chapters some weeks if the normal two happen to be short.

As mentioned, the ninth book intends to have more politics and maneuvering. It also pivots on a big twist that I hope will come off as a Batman Gambit instead of an idiot ball... I don't know, it's something that seems obvious to me, but is hardly ever done in progression fantasy. I realize that you don't know what I'm talking about now, but it reflects my process and you'll see eventually.

Anyway, I intend to release Deathseed and do the big sale in early June. Think I can commit to that. You might also get a preview chapter of Skyvenom, but chapters aren't ready to start yet. I just feel bad that this book has taken so long.

Fiyu's Blueprints 

Meanwhile, since we're running out of weekly posts, we have Fiyu's full blueprints. I placed her newest floor first, since that's the one I figured people would be most interested in, but the others are also available and updated where relevant.

The main thing to remember is that her fourth floor represents her status as of the Battle of Nlukoko, which includes a lot of temporary materials. She still has significant work to do as an Authority, which you will continue to see in the ninth book.

Having the characters slow down at Ruler was intentional, but this lull at Authority wasn't originally planned and I can only hope readers in general don't get impatient. There is definitely a contingent that gets bored if there aren't two ascensions per book, but TWC is what it is by this point. I hope all the developments that I thought shouldn't be cut or abbreviated seem worth it to everyone else too!