Just so you're all aware, this book is too damn long. When I started QuestWright, I always knew we would end up at this place. After all, I plan the ending first in any series. That's partly why every series I write starts slowly, then has an explosive ending. I need to set up all the little steps that are required to get to where we now find ourselves.
As such, Book 1: The Guildhall Grind, is far too many words. This sucker turned out to be 700 pages and almost 200k words. With edits, it would likely reach that far before going to publishing. Therein lies the rub. As such, here are a few announcements.
TL;DR at the bottom.
1. A huge, huge, thank you from me to you, the readers. There's almost 3000 comments on Book 1 alone, completed across only five months. There's also a bit over 3000 followers, and 600 favorites. That's a massive leap from my first series, Symphony. I want to say I hit about 3100 followers on Symphony at about 1.15 years, rather than 5 months. So, again, thank you so very much for reading my story. I hope it's been an interesting ride for you, just as I hope you enjoyed this finale.
2. Again, the book is too damn long. As such, before it heads to publishing, I'm going to split it in half. You'll notice, as a few of my ARC readers did, that the first book has a serious tonal shift about halfway through, just past graduation. It goes from training and Kara, to how Quests work, classes, and then the approval of Pathfinder. Then, we shift into worldbuilding-mode with the Depot, Hollis's paralyzation, Cass taking over the war, and now this. That's a big bunch of tonal shifts, and since it's already too long, the suggestion has been brought to me multiple times to just split the book in half.
However, that causes problems.
Publishers want books between 125k-150k. Now, if I was a big-time author, I could get away with a 200k book. But, sad as it may be, I'm not. I don't get to write my own ticket. Yes, this is a healthily followed story, but it doesn't get mentioned too often among the must-reads within the genre. As such, if I wanted to get a publisher to sign on with me, I would have to cut close to 50k words just to get approval. That's 30ish% (Math, guh). So, the other option is to split it in half.
Because of all of that, the first book will still be titled The Guildhall Grind, and will end at Chapter 36: Free Day (II). But now I have another issue, as both halves are not long enough. So, with that in mind and as I already told my Patrons, I'm going to be going back and adding chapters in. What happened to Chask will be included, as will a Cass and Adya date, further emphasizing why he's so suddenly connected to her. I'm going to show Bella's contract modifications and her meeting with Adya, as well as Pellin building Whisprnet and Gary, the immaculate salesman.
As for the second book, you'll get to see Mr. Moore fight a Changeling, a Changeling POV, more of Cass's defensive planning, extended battles, where it's not just the tunnel and the rush at the end here, and a few other things I'm deciding on holding off.
There won't be a rewrite here, and I won't be re-pub'ing the story on RR. It'll be purely on Amazon, because it's my publishing edit, so I can drum up some extra interest and show them "Hey, this guy actually evolved the story across multiple books". That means that what I'm posting on here and what will eventually strike Amazon will be two different versions. However, that won't change the final effect of Book 2 (now 3), and it won't alter Cass's paths or major choices. Consider the additional chapters as lore drops, more than anything else.
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
This is why I warned everyone in the blurb:
Author's note: This, like all my stories, is a work in progress. That means it's a rough draft, with the finalized, eventual product being extensively edited and tightened. I truly hope you enjoy it, as I love the story dearly.
Final versions are always a little different than what gets web-serialized. I'm partly a planner, partly a pantser. I had to cut several chapters in Symphony because it was far too long.
Lastly, #3: You know I'm taking a break, I even mentioned it above. I'll also have another in a few weeks from being incredibly sick during the holidays. I wasn't planning on skipping any chapters, but when you're sick, you're sick. I was sleeping 20 out of every 24 hours for three solid days, then needed another five just to regain my strength. They call it Flu type-A, or something. I lost 12 lbs in a week, though I am a bit of a hefty boy, so that doesn't show too much.
However, since then, I've mostly caught up on chapters, kind of, and have a good dollop of book 2(3) chapters out and ready. The story and tone go through a major shift for extenuating circumstances, and as Book 2(3) concludes, I'll have to put things on Hiatus as I go back and fix up books 1 and 2 for publication. That normally takes me about a month, and shouldn't hit until Book 3 concludes with what's called a soft exit.
Why the soft exit? [Definition: A soft closing to the story, where you could perceivably believe the series has ended, or could continue as per your want]. It's a suggestion from my Agent. You all know I'm trying to write full-time. My job is straight-up murdering my psyche, and I need out, to be blunt. So, the next series I'll be writing is already plotted, partly planned, we're in world-building mode right now, and it's tentatively titled The Man Who Chose the End. It'll be my first foray into a true LitRPG, and a LitRPG Apocalypse at that. The System and Plot are both completely original, as Symphony and QuestWright's were, though I'll be dragging a few crunchy elements from D & D over to make things easier for the reader to adjust. It will be violent, but also have a unique way of viewing LitRPG, with lots of heartwarming moments, even if the beginning of it will throw the reader for a serious loop.
Unlike Symphony and QuestWright, this won't be a slow start and build-up. It'll be fast, dive in, a good bit of action, and a rare sense of humor. I won't start to publish this series until QuestWright Book 3 concludes, and I plan on putting out half of the Book 1 Chapters all at once.
Should be a lot of fun.
Second lastly, #4 (Yeah, I did it. You want to fight about it?): LitRPGCon is fast approaching. My plane tickets are purchased, my hotel set, and I've applied to be a panelist. Dunno if that last part will get approved, but I'm guaranteed to show. You'll be able to find me on day 1 because I'll be wearing my famous purple suit (Symphony cover), and I'll be handing out CONQuests (limited supply). If you don't know what LitRPGCon is, go here:
I don't think I'll have a signing table, but if you find me there, and you bring a Symphony book or poster along, I'll be sure to sign it.
Third lastly, #5 (Hah!): I paid a large sum of money to a very talented set of graphic artists to remake the cover for QuestWright. I'm hoping to have it done around the time we get back from Book 1(1+2) ending. So, expect the cover to change.
TL;DR
A huge thank you for reading the story.
Book will be split before Amazon, extra chapters will be added for lore.
A break now, then another in a few weeks since I got mega-sick
I'll be at LitRPGCon. Hope to see you there.
And now I'm finally done. The epilogue for this book(s) will arrive in 30 minutes, as agreed from the stretch goal. Stay tuned as I wrote it in a special way just for you guys and girls.
Thank you again for reading my story(ies). I hope it was worth the time investment you put in.