Oh no!

Whilst wandering around doing some basic writing on my tablet, I dropped it. It landed flat on the face exactly on the hardest point of the ground I was walking over at that moment, and it just about exploded. Parts went everywhere, the touchscreen shattered into a spider web of cracks, the casing broke, and the sole USB jack snapped off at the bottom.

I kind of stared at it in shock for a while, but thankfully, I had backed up the notes for Enchantress of Ingley to the cloud, and was somewhat consoled. It was only later that I recalled I had the notes for the Scoundrel's Answer sequel and about 80% of Lilian's Task actually written on the damn thing and that they WEREN'T on the cloud.

Gravity: 1. Me: 0.

So without usb connectivity, and without bluetooth set up, the only recourse would be to try to access it via the wifi, but it was a no go. But the story didn't end there, no. Somehow the thing still had the speakers attached, and I was awakened by the familiar alarm tone I had set up to wake me up the next day, emanating like some ghostly, taunting cry from the shattered remnants of my broken tablet.

However, without any working buttons or touch screen, I couldn't shut it off. Fortunately it shut itself off after a good twenty minutes, but for the next few days, each morning started with a jeering reminder of my own clumsiness.

It appears as though I need to start quickly if I am going to get a paid exclusive release out next month.

In other news, I have another chapter of the Enchantress of Ingley up, which, well, at least there's that, right? Now, the question I'm wrestling with at the moment is this: Should I post free releases on the blog as well? If I do it when I finish editing, they'll hit a few days before they will on literotica, which has a moderator process. It would be a little bit of a bonus for those who regularly check my blog to get them a few days early, for those who are interested. If you would like to see this in the future, please leave a comment!

Now yes, I still intend to release cleaned up, edited, and compiled versions of what I put out on literotica as paid ebooks. There are several reasons I do this:

1) A lot of readers prefer a story in a format that's neat, edited, gathered together, that they can read off line, without relying on a site with its ads and so on and so forth.

2) There very well may be some readers who only run across my works through the ebooks.

3) Right now, purchasing an ebook is one of the few ways to show that my work is valued, besides reviews and feedback. I hope to add patreon and donation buttons in the future, on the off chance someone might care to help support these projects in that way.

4) I apparently need a new tablet now. *sobs* Those things don't buy themselves, and every little bit helps.

In all seriousness, I seriously appreciate each and every purchase I see roll through on my ebooks. It brightens my day, and often inspires me to get cracking on writing more. I realize that I'm not exactly writing great masterpieces here, just fun adventures that straddle that line between oldschool sword and sorcery fantasy and pure naughtiness. So the fact that people are still interested in reading what I have put out simply amazes me. Thank you all.

The Enchantress of Ingley

The first chapter of my new serial, The Enchantress of Ingley, is now up on literotica.com. It will be a weekly series of approximately 19 chapters (though that may be subject to change, plus or minus a few) and the first work in what will hopefully be a trilogy of connected novel length stories.

I will be writing each chapter from a different point of view, which is new for me but shouldn't be too difficult, not being such a great departure in style. It's set in the same world as my other works, which I really need to get around to mapping properly.

In other news, I've been on a Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser kick lately. It's been ages since I've read any of them, so doing a marathon read of the stories has really brought me back.

Disappointing numbers, new project

While it's only been out a little more than a week, I am somewhat disheartened by the initial numbers on The Duel. From what I understand, the initial sales give some degree of momentum to any particular ebook. I have no doubt that eventually the numbers will pick up a bit, but I am left to wonder at the difference between Scoundrel's Answer and The Duel. Initial marketing was basically the same, so that leaves four main differences:

1) The Length - I believe this is the primary driving factor. Scoundrel's Answer is a full length novel, even though it was initially released in serial form. The Duel is much shorter, barely a novella.

2) The Price Point - I had priced it at 99 cents in order to try to encourage bargain hunters to try it out, as well as a certain loathing to price such a short work any higher.

3) The Tone - The Duel is somewhat of a departure from Scoundrel's Answer. I intended to soften the tone and add more romance elements. Maybe I should stick with what I do best, or at least better, twisted scenes and action more suited to a generic swords and sorcery tale.

4) Existing User Base - Scoundrel's Answer had a number of readers when it was put out on serial format. I can't help but think a few enjoyed it enough to buy the ebook once it was cleaned up and edited.

Scoundrel's Answer isn't exactly a runaway success by any measure, but it at least sold enough copies in its first month to pay for itself, which in my book is a win. I'm not looking to become some chart topping dynamo, but having the releases pay for themselves just feels nice.

This is by no means meant to be a pity party, and should not be read that way. I'm learning as I go with independent self publishing, so that requires taking a long, hard look at what works and what doesn't work, and genuine attempts to improve on what does. It's the same method that I believe anyone who wants to do anything seriously should undertake, whether it be a hobby, a profession, or an art form. When I get feedback on my writing, I take to heart what people did like and didn't like, and try to adapt. Not for their sake, honestly, but for my own.

So now, with the process of trying to turn a buck writing tales getting underway, it's time to set some new goals. My initial idea was to release three or four shorts, then stick them together into bundles. It seems to work for others. I felt that, with a disciplined schedule, I should be able to release something once a month, or close to that. This goal is still valid, but I think I'm going to change it up a bit.

As of now, I'm putting the finishing touches on planning another serial, similar to Scoundrel's Answer. It will be a full length fantasy sword and sorcery style yarn, though perhaps a touch more coherent. I'm aiming for a release schedule of approximately one chapter a week, which should be very doable. While I'm putting it together, I will also be working on the previously planned shorts to maintain a decent presence in ebooks as well. I'll just concentrate on stories that are longer and more involved.

Worry not, those who want a sequel to Scoundrel's Answer. It's on the drawing board as well, though it may take a little longer than expected.

And if you want to purchase either The Duel or Scoundrel's Answer, links to do so are now on their own permanent page, accessible through a tab above. Or elsewhere, depending on whether you are reading this close to when I write it or years from now.

The Duel - Now Live!

Yes, I know, I know I skipped updates that The Duel was actually finished, or that it had gone off to editing and so on and so forth. ( Though my followers on twitter were alerted! http://twitter.com/acorvusauthor ) But here it is, on amazon and smashwords:

Lady Alisson Heartstone has dedicated her life to furthuring her mastery of the arcane arts, with little time for family or romance. As court wizard to Lord Protector Aldmere, she enjoys status and power, but little in the way of true happiness. When an invading army pushes Aldmere's forces to the breaking point, they are offered an out, a gamble of the entire war on the outcome of a wizard's duel. But when a face from her past resurfaces in the form of the roguish wizard Therias Prenthal, can she follow through with her duty in the face of her regrets? Or will the bold Magus Prenthal conquer her without a single spell?

Available on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00KXLGFKU

Available on Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/447398