Photo credit: The Awakening by Cygx1
It’s been a while since I’ve updated everyone, and I’m fielding a ton of questions, so I think an update is probably due.
Here’s what I can tell you: book five is in the works. I’m about 270 pages in and I’ve written Ean and Tanis’s threads up to the end of part one, along with a smattering of other characters’ first chapters.
To give you some perspective, here’s what that looks like:
1st Chapter Part 1 Part 2
Ean √ √
Tanis √ √
Darshan √
Pelas √ √
Franco √
Isabel √ √
Alshiba √
Valentina √
Nadia
Ansgar √
Felix √
Marius
Sebastian
Trell
Alyneri
Carian
Fynn
Viernan √
Errodan
Morwyk
Dore
Baelfeir √
Shail √
Niko
Looking at the list above, you can probably determine four things right away:
1) It doesn’t look like much is done when you see how much needs to be done.
2) The 270 pages that are done represent only a small fraction of the storylines that need to be covered in the book.
3) There are a lot of viewpoint characters in this story! And the list above doesn’t even include secondary viewpoint characters who I might need to use in order to tell a certain part of the tale, such as Björn, Loukas and Tannour, Thrace Weyland, Gwynnleth, Seth, etc.
And that, dear readers, dumps us onto the crux of my biggest challenge in writing book five. There are a LOT of viewpoint characters, and now more than ever, they intersect, entwine and weave in and around each other.
Some characters initial chapters have to be written so I can write other characters’ story threads. For instance, at a certain point, I had to get Isabel and Franco’s early chapters done so I could continue writing Ean and Tanis’s thread, even though these four characters’ threads might not seem to directly correlate. I had to write Valentina, Shail and Baelfeir so I could write Pelas, etc.
I have frequently started a chapter only to realize that I can’t actually get any farther into that character’s thread without having figured out what another character is doing. I have to leave that chapter and go tend to a new character; and when I get into that next character’s chapter, I realize, actually, I need yet a third character’s storyline resolved in order to get back to the other two. This is a new problem specific to this book.
But to attempt it the other way, that is, sequentially…imagine what it takes to really assume someone’s viewpoint. To be in their head, think their thoughts, use their vernacular. It takes a bit of doing. There’s a focus that’s necessary to really become that character.
Now look again at the list of characters above. Imagine trying to write the book in chapter order (assuming I could even figure that out at this stage). I’d be bouncing from one character to the next, changing viewpoints with each chapter, moving through that entire list of people, one after the other, just to even get a first chapter written for each of them. Lord above, that would be exhausting! Maybe GRRM could manage it, but I surely can’t.
I write organically, so I’m used to being able to run with a character to see where they go (half the time I’m chasing after them, just trying to keep up), but this book is requiring more plot development up front.
So that’s one aspect of this book that’s challenging me.
D) The last thing you probably realize from looking at the above list is there is no way I can finish the story in one book. Based on the outpouring of encouragement and support I received after my last blog post, I’m betting that makes a lot of you very happy.
Let me reassure the many of you who have written to me with concerns: I am definitely not going to rush through the story or cut out important threads just to cram everything into one book. This would serve only to appease my initial concept of ‘five strands, five books’, but would in no way serve my characters or you, especially when I’m clearly the only one who cares about this symmetry.
But it presents my second big challenge:
I think in story arcs of a particular length. Each main character has an overall arc for each book, but within that arc there’s a part 1 arc and a part 2 arc. Let’s call those mini-arcs. After putting over a million words into this series, my mind just conceives of the length of each character’s arc/mini-arc without putting much thought to it.
A lot of characters’ threads at this time are only two mini-arcs away from the denouement. If I only had to write, say, seven viewpoint characters, we’d easily make this happen in one book. But because there are so many viewpoint characters now, in order to follow each character’s thread to its denouement, everyone’s story arcs are going to end up getting split over at least two books.
That means in order to keep the pacing exciting, I need each character to have four mini-arcs instead of two (based on the expectation that we’ll wrap the storylines up completely in book six).
Let none of this mislead you into thinking I’m complaining. On the contrary, I love the game of it. But it’s a new challenge, and it’s taking more time than usual to get all of the storylines off and rolling.
Thanks for sticking with me through this process!
Melissa,
Let me simply say that if the ending takes more than one book, I am okay with that. This series is worth the work and the dedication you (and the readers here) give to it. I will admit that I was getting a little worried that writing had stalled. I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and an even better Yule/Christmas. Cheers!
Writing is always underway for me, Ben. Whether or not I’m making much headway…that’s a different story! Unique to this book, I’ve had to rewrite chapters several times. It’s partly due to the complication of the storylines and not having some of them fleshed out enough – and not being able to get them fleshed out until I finish what I’m doing, but unable to really finish it well because the others aren’t fleshed out…the Ouroboros in the worst way. In any event, I am definitely working on it steadily. 🙂
I’m a little late to the party here, but you might find it easier if you simply make a diagram of all the intersections, like looking at the pattern of the tapestry of the book from a larger view point, so you can visualize where the viewpoints of different characters cross paths with others. I might just be thinking too simply and this makes no sense but I think it would help me if i were in your shoes writing this novel.
Thanks, Caleb. I’ll definitely keep your advice in mind. 🙂
It looks to me like you are the right person for the job! It may seem daunting, but don’t loose faith. It will be worth it in the end. Your patient fan
Thank you for being a fan, Sean. I appreciate very much your patient support.
Awesome news! Just on a reread through Audible. I think I could listen to Nick read my shopping list for hours. He’s a great talent.
I wanted to ask a couple of questions, if I may.
1. Are there any plans to update the character list on your website, it’s really useful for keeping track of some of the less visual characters?
2. Is the epithet ‘epiphany’s prophet’ something Isabel chose for herself or was it bestowed or is it a rafo?
Thank-you for the many happy hours your writing has given me and so many others!
Hi Jo, I know what you mean about Nick. I’m so lucky to have him as the voice of my series!
To your questions: 1) I can definitely add another character list marked with a spoiler alert. That’s why the current list is a reference only for book 1, because later lists give too much away. 2) Isabel has always been Epiphany’s Prophet. There’s a story there, but I will probably have to save it for the prequels.
Thanks for your questions, and thank you for listening!
So maybe a book 6???? I would love to see the story go on just a touch. I have become invested in all of them
I think definitely a book six, Max. I’m thrilled to know you’re invested. It’s one of the best compliments I could receive. Thank you for reading.
Wooooo!! Another book sounds great!! Symmetry is cool and everything but i think i’d prefer an extra book 😉
I’m not a writer but it looks like you are doing a fantastic job to me, keep it up!!
🙂
You’re in good company with preferring another book over symmetry, Slick. 😉 Thank you for the well wishes and words of encouragement. They always help bolster me when a character is being particularly brutal to me.
I love your discovery of it all and the sharing of that with us; thank you. Symmetry is beautiful, more books from you is better (well, so I say). Hugs and thanks for giving me another thing in life to so look forward to! Your books are mastery, my favorite and often shared about, gifted and referenced. Go as you will, it’s perfect.
I’m honored and touched by your kind words, Mara. I feel so blessed to be able to share my world with others and know that they enjoy journeying within it as much as I do. Thank you for sharing my world with others, and thank you for reading.
Perhaps making six books works nicely for the symmetry if you consider the 5 books for each strand of Elae and Deyjiin for the ending. Either way, I am a big fan of the work and eagerly await the next installment. And did I see mention of prequels?
Hi Fred, Thank you for your suggestions. I can definitely find new symmetry with six books if I decide it’s important to me. I am looking at prequels, but that’s obviously a way down the road.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying my series. Thank you for reading. 🙂
Take your time. I’m super excited that it will now be two books. Thanks for updating us. I love the story and always felt one book only may not do it justice so don’t fret, take your time. Even if it takes another year or two we’ll all be waiting since the story is that good.
Thank you so much, Gregg. It’s definitely heartwarming knowing everyone will stick with me while I muddle my way through the tangle of complicated storytelling I’ve created for myself. 😉
When do you think book five will be out for us to read?
Realistically, Keith, I think we’re looking at 2019, but miracles do happen.
Thanks for the update! I’m so excited to see where this story goes! It sounds like you write like RA Salvatore does, but with multiple characters and worldbuilding like Brandon Sanderson. It makes an awesome story, but I can see why it’s so complicated!
Those comparisons seem true to me, Amanda. And complicated is definitely the word these days, but I’m up for the challenge. Thanks for your comment.
Totally fine with me! It gives me time to re-read all the books that came before again! Keep writing, I will keep reading!
You’re awesome that way, Maggie. 😉
Whatever you do Melissa, I am sure it will be awesome. Wishing you the best of luck, how about a 3 month hint before letting the next book come out. That way I can read them over)). Thank you for writing this fantastic story.
Trust me, Kirk, I will be alerting everyone with plenty of time to reread when I know about publication dates! I know a brush-up on Alorin is usually needed (and hopefully fun). Thank you for your well wishes. I’ll put them to good use.
You go, Girl! Your organic writing works. The books storylines weave in and out as a minuet. Your characters are highly developed and grow and evolve. I should well imagine this takes time and considerable mental calisthenics. When book 5 is completed, I shall buy it and read it and eagerly await book 6, if that becomes necessary. Thank you, so much, for sharing the story
Thank you for your thoughtful words, Pamela. I grow strong on such encouragement. And thank you for reading! 🙂
Hi Melissa, thanks for the update, how many pages do you anticipate being in books five and six?
I would prefer to have the last two books be closer to the first three in word count. So that’s somewhere in the range of 330k and roughly 750-800 pages.
Sounds like we might be getting all five strands of elae plus a Deyjiin book! I am a pretty recent reader and the existing books have me completely hooked. You are up there with the great authors in the world you are building. So please keep going and take as many books as you Need!
I’m honored by your kind words, Aaron, and I’m thrilled you’re enjoying my series. Thank you for the encouragement. I’m excited about where book five is heading.
May the Force be with you!
Oh, yeah. Wrong universe.
Take as much time as you need. I’ve waited years for next installments, and thoroughly enjoyed the fact that the author didn’t rush or short-change themselves, the story, or the characters.
You will tread the path before you.
All of the above is very true, Tim. Thank you for your support – and thank you for reading!
Thanks for the update! I really appreciate your work and I’ll wait patiently for the next installment knowing that you’re making progress. I’m not sure that Rothfuss and GRRM are going to get their series done but I know you’re going to finish yours! In the meantime, what are you reading now that you can recommend for us while we wait?
Thank you so much, John. I appreciate your faith in me. 😉
Right now I’m catching up on Stormlight, but I posted a list of my top favorite fantasy a few months back. There might be something on this list that you haven’t read. I also recently enjoyed NK Jemison’s Broken Earth series, if you’re looking for something different.
I’m about to start on The Stormlight Archive vol 1, my very first time of reading Brandon Sanderson. Recently finished Trudi Canavan Successors Promise and at the end it transpires she is writing a fourth book in Millenniums Rule series, seems like you she realised a another book was needed to do the story justice.
I really appreciate the thought and effort you are putting into this. It is well worth the wait. I have read many exciting multi-volume stories where the story is artificially ended leading to a sense of dissatisfaction with the time spent engaging in the story. Please keep writing with the integrity I am seeing and your fans including me will be loyal and satisfied. Jim
I wholeheartedly agree, Jim. It feels like a crime when an author is forced to prematurely end a story thread due to space or some other constraint, which usually has nothing to do with the story but everything to do with the book business. I definitely want to do justice to these characters who have been such an integral part of my life for so long.
Melissa,
I patiently await the next book as it develops on its on. Please take your time and let the characters tell their stories. I look forward to the development of the next book with patience to read the next episode of the greatest story I’ve ever read!!
Nevin
Thank you so much for your support and encouragement, Nevin. So much praise will have me blushing.
Hi Melissa,
Thanks for the update! Now I look forward to these and I appreciate your willingness to interact with the fans. I can imagine the challenge you are facing as you have established so many view points. Interesting in that things take a life their own and applying structure to it and as you say keeping good pacing are vital. I imagine when you started you might not have anticipated so many characters whose stories become relevant to the overall plot. It’s almost like the story as it grows needs to mature like a fine wine. 🙂
Have a happy holiday season and good luck!
-Victor
It is definitely challenging, Victor! And no, I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I started – LOL. Happy holidays to you also!
As the books to date prove, you are up to the task of bringing this fantastic, complex story to its climactic and anticlimactic finish. Thank you for not compromising your dedication to your characters …or your fans.
Thank you for the nice acknowledgement and flow of support, John. I appreciate that very much.
Your books have been and still are phenomenal. I know you’ll figure it out and blow our minds away with this one. Keep up the great work. ;^)
P.S. you could always make the ending into a trilogy. hehehe
LOL, Matthew. Point taken. 😉
I am just now starting book 4 and enjoying your books very much. It would often take R.Jordan quite sometime between his writing the WOT series, but was always worth the wait. With so many characters converging toward one place in time, it may take more books. Looking forward to book number five and hopefully a sixth book.
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the series so far, Kurt. I would love to get feedback from you after you finish Kingdom Blades. It’s helpful to get my readers viewpoints on the story and characters, as I can lose perspective at this point. I appreciate your confidence and support. Thank you for reading.
I am truly looking forward to the next book or books in the series. But I must admit I was delighted to read that there will be prequels! I love the series, and rather found it on a fluke. Happy writing!
Michelle
I’m thrilled you’re enjoying the series, Michelle. I’ve been planning prequels but haven’t even begun planning the prequels. But I am looking forward to writing them, especially with the history being uncovered in book five. 😉
I just wanted to say I really, really, REALLY enjoy your books and am patiently awaiting the next in the series. I have the books on audio and took them with me when I went on deployment this year and couldn’t stop listening. Keep up the amazing work!
I’m so glad you’re enjoying the books, Terrell. Nick Podehl is quite a talent. I feel blessed to have him as the voice of my series. Thank you for sharing your excitement with me, and thank you for listening.
I loved books 1-4 I’m anxiously awaiting book 5. do you have a working title for it yet?
I’m so happy to know you’re enjoying the series, Michael. I do have a working title but I’m not going public with it yet. It’s far too early in the story to know if the theme will actually play out, and I don’t want to write a book around the book title. 😉
I was introduced to your first book this year and eagerly consumed them all in audiobook format on Audible. I’m eagerly looking forward to the next one and I appreciate the open update on the progress and your writing process. While I’m looking forward to the story concluding, in also not looking forward to the series coming to an end. Good luck and hope to hear more (and hopefully read more) in 2018!
I’m so glad to know you’re enjoying my series, Kamal. Honestly, I’m not looking forward to the series ending either, but this story does have a conclusion that needs to be reached. 🙂 Thank you for listening.
Thank you so much for giving such a thorough update. It is so refreshing to get such a detailed update. I will indeed celebrate there being 6 books!
My pleasure, Adam. Thank you for reading. 🙂
Hi, stealing a line from another great author this might be a RAFO. But I seem to understand that Elae is coded into 5 strands representing 5 aspects of one force. however my question is does Deyjin have a similar coding?
Your books made my Christmas shopping so much easier as I could get others copies of book 1 to get them hooked too! Thank you
Aaron, I truly appreciate your giving copies of my series to your friends to introduce more readers to Alorin. Thank you so much!
Elae’s “five strands” are merely one way of codifying the power. As is discussed in book four, there are other civilizations in the realm that don’t use that codification at all and do very different things with the lifeforce. Deyjiin doesn’t have the same codification as elae, as the Warlocks have never been that interested in defining their power. 😉
Melissa,
I’m glad to see you’ve resolved the question of 5 vs. 6 books. With how many POV’s you have in play, I agree, story over symmetry. I look forward to seeing where you take this story and the characters you obviously love so much.
Bill
Thanks, Bill. It’s been wonderful getting your feedback on things.
Melissa,
I love this series and will have no qualms if it takes 10 books. Hell, have your husband or a friend write a companion series of 6 books and one day this series will be looked back upon in the same vein as Malazan!
I like where your head is at, Matt. 😉 But truly, I’m so glad you’re enjoying the series. Thank you for your support, and thank you for reading.
Ok I’m about recovered from book 3 to start number 4 XD. Thank you for posting progress reports on how far you’ve gotten, even though I’m not quite ready for 5 I feel so much better knowing what’s happening than all the uncertain waiting I usually have to go through waiting for a book. I love your style of writing and I take a lot of pleasure seeing how much attention this series is getting!! Keep up the amazing work Melissa!!
Thank you so much! I look forward to your feedback on Kingdom Blades. 🙂
My brother and I have read large fantasy novels since we were kids. To put it into perspective, I was about 5 or 6 years old reading novels and I’m now 33. That’s 27 years of reading novels. We’ve had hands down favorite series that hadn’t changed over all those year. Then I discovered Cephrael’s Hand and shared the books with him. And this series became hands-down, uncontested first place of favorite books. It really says something where you can’t put down the book. No matter which characters you’re reading about, you never have that “I just wanna hurry up and get back to X character” moments. You even love the “bad guys”. Pelas is one of my top favorite characters in it.
One thing that makes these books stand apart is how character are put together but also a robust, unique magic system that is so in-depth. One of the things that makes books stand out as favorites is the magic system. And that’s pretty much which moves a book to favorite status–that and the characters. So top books for us are like:
1. Cephrael’s Hand series
2. Wars of Light and Shadow – Janny Wurts
Those are the top two magic systems for me of all time.
3. Valdemar series – Mercedes Lackey (Great traditional leyline/nodular magecraft)
4. Sunrunner – Melanie Rawn
5. Sword of Truth – Terry Goodkind
6. Elvenbane – Andre Norton (a mix of magic and psionics)
There are many other great books over the years. But nothing to us capture our mind quite like yours and Janny’s for robust magic system and story-telling.
I’m honored that my series has found such a high place in your esteem, Andre. Thank you so much. It is definitely nice to hear that you enjoy all of the chapters, no matter whose character viewpoint we’re in. That has always been my goal in writing this series.
There are also a couple of series on your list that I never found my way into. I’m excited to give them a try upon your solid recommendation.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on my series, and thank you for reading.
Melissa,
I received you Cephrael’s Hand as a birthday gift last month. I loved it from the magic system to the storyline to your style of writing. I ended up buy rest of the books, and I finished them all in a month. I was just wondering if there is an estimated when your last book will come out since I literally can not wait for it. Thank you for sharing such a fantastic world.
KM
Please thank whoever gave you the book for me, Khalid. 🙂
I’m thrilled you’re enjoying my series. I don’t have an estimate for book five yet, but I’m actively writing it. When I have more updates worth sharing, I’ll post to my blog.
I would love any other feedback you’d like to share about the characters or the world. Feel free to message me.
Thank you for reading!
Melissa,
I found your books on Audible and have listened to them all twice. I have enjoyed your series more than any set of fantasy books I have ever read. Considering that I am 48 years old, I have been reading for a long long time! Your character development is so deep and well thought out that I feel a connection with so many of the players. I can empathize with them in so many of their different positions. I think your next big project should be finding someone to create a first person video game in the worlds you have built!
Wow, Rich, that’s a lot of Audible time. I’m honored that you’ve spent so much time in my world. (I suppose it’s easy to do with Nick Podehl – all the voices he does are incredible. I feel so lucky to have him as the voice of my series.)
I’m incredibly flattered that my series has found a place so high in your esteem. Being that we’re from the same generation, I often wonder if you reach a certain point where you need more out of fantasy. I read some of the newer books getting lot of acclaim and feel disappointed sometimes in myself that I can’t find that spark in them which others seem to have found. They just fall flat. My theory is that we grow as readers, and with each new series that really captures our interests, we gain new plateaus of expectation. Anything below that level ceases to dazzle. Anyway, I consider that I’m writing to that public – the really discerning fantasy reader who’s read just about everything.
You and my husband would get along. He keeps trying to figure out a way to make an RPG or tabletop game out of my series. 😉
Late to this thread – RE: your husband trying to emulate a table-top RPG setting.
Has he had any luck and if so, what system(s) has he used?
With the unique, non-Vancian magic system, I’d go with one of the effects-based systems like Genesys by FFG or even Savage Worlds by Pinnacle Entertainment.
– Currently re-listening to the series before I listen to the latest release! Outstanding series of books.
Greg, I have no idea what you just said. It could’ve been Martian for all I understood it – LOL.
Thanks for the recommendations. I’ll pass them along to my ex. 🙂
Wow amazing, I am currently absorbed in your books. I would just like to thank you for creating such a great world! Please don’t rush and I love the fact that you time time on every character…i would definitely look forward to more than 6 books!
I’m so glad to know that you’re enjoying my series, May. I’m honored that you want to share the world I’ve created.
It’s heartening to hear that you’re enjoying all of the characters. They’re what make the world real, but I know there are a lot of them. Sometimes that can be a little daunting. I try to make them all interesting, since my series at its core is really about viewpoints.
Thank you for reading.
This series is one of the greatest series’ I have read. The time you have taken to weave these incredibly intricate plots is amazing. It is a true “high epic” series; one of which requires multiple reads to get everything. That being said, I was never under the illusion this series could be completed in 5 books. I look at it as 5 books = Introduction to 5 strands. It would be hard to complete this world and expanding universe in a small portion of the end of the 5th book, right after the 5th strand has just been discussed in depth. Now, with the understanding of the 5 strands, the war in earnest can begin. I love this universe you’ve created, and would love to see it continue to evolve/resolve in another 5 books. High epics such as this series, WoT and The Stormlight Archive all have this in common. Keep up the great work, I can’t wait to start my reread before the 5th book comes out.
I am honored by your kind words about my series, Isaiah. I agree that it wouldn’t do my characters or the story justice to try to wrap it all up in the last 100 pages of book five. I decided somewhere in the journey of writing book five that I just can’t put a definitive on it – i.e. after writing over a million words letting the story grow organically, I now can’t say, “now we’re going to end it in this book.” The story just screamed to a halt. I couldn’t get anywhere with it. Apparently my characters, like my readers, were in severe disagreement with that idea. 😉
So we’re back to just letting the story go and seeing what happens. Six books, ten books…it will eventually conclude, but I’m no longer trying to decide when that will happen. I have learned I’m not in charge.
Hello, Melissa!
I just wanted to write you saying how much I love your work! I read the first 3 books in a matter of a week, realized it would be awhile before book 5 came out, and then had to pace myself reading book 4! Needless to say, I’m excited to read the conclusion! In the meantime, I think I will re-read them just for good measure! You never know what telling details I could’ve missed the first time around.
Thanks for all of your hard work!
Thank you so much, Kelsey. I love knowing that you’re enjoying my series. I definitely wrote the books with a re-read in mind – especially books one and two – so I would love it if you let me know if you notice anything newly on your second trip through the story. That kind of feedback is very helpful to me. But most of all, thank you for reading.
This is really one of the best book series I have encountered in many years, the only series I am more invested in right now is Stormlight from Sanderson. Endings are definitely the hardest part and take longer to work out, Nobody wants you to rush it, Reasonably frequent progress updates are better than we get from many authors…
I am such a fan of this world you have built, the different realms, cultures and the magic systems are all very interesting, I am currently trying to figure a good way to make this world fit into a tabletop RPG.
I do have a question it’s been bugging me since book 1. The names of the dragons, are they translated from or inspired by a real world language, or are the names just something you thought sounded cool and made up an in world translation?
I’m thrilled that you’re enjoying my series, Hunter, and honored that you consider my series alongside Sanderson’s. I definitely don’t want to rush it, either. I don’t think I could actually. I can’t leave a chapter unless I’m perfectly happy with it. I hear that’s kind of an unusual way to write a book, but it works for me.
You and my husband should get together. He’s always talking about how to turn my series into some kind of tabletop or RPG game – LOL.
The dragons’ names came from Indian names. Hindi is a language descendant of Vedic Sanskrit, which is one of the world’s oldest languages and seemed fitting for Alorin’s oldest race. I didn’t find literal translations from Hindi that worked, so I put together root forms that sounded interesting to me. Probably very shocking to my Indian readers. 😉
Melissa, take your time. Don’t worry if it stretches into extra books. I’m sure Robert Jordan didn’t plan 15 when he started (Didn’t make it to the end, glad Sanderson took over. I know have another writer to wait on. 😉 ) Or Frank Herbert 6 in the Dune series. Asimov, maybe.. planned all 15 books in the Foundation. My problem, as you can tell by the aol.com account, I’m getting up there. We all want closure before we go. 🙂 Keep up the good work and I’ll keep patiently waiting. ( In the shadows, tapping my foot, and looking at my watch ) Discovering your work is a great find for me. Thanks.
Thank you for your support and encouragement, Greg. I will endeavor to get this darned book written before too many windings of your watch, but my goodness is this one turning out to be quite the challenge! I’m so glad you’re enjoying my series. Thank you for reading.
I saw an ad on Facebook asking if I was “STILL waiting for the next book in your favorite fantasy series? Check out the award-winning Cephrael’s Hand.” … and I contemplated the irony, realizing “yes, I really wish McPhail would get book 5 done- that *is* my favorite fantasy series.” I’m not meaning to rush you or complain- only to say that rather than GRRM or Patrick Rothfuss (and I *am* still waiting for them to finish their respective series as well), it’s actually your books I look forward to the most. =)
I’m honored to know my series has claimed such a high shelf in your esteem, Adam. Thank you! I am most definitely working as fast as I can to get book five out to everyone. I appreciate the reminders that my readers are anxiously awaiting my own books. 😉 Thank you for reading.
this is simply one of the best stories I have read in quite some time. I have been completely enthralled! I can not wait for book five!
Thank you so much, Conor. I’m overjoyed to know that you’re loving my series. I’ll be posting a book five update soon. Thank you for reading!
Thank you for sharing your update and challenges of the process. It is a welcome serendipity to see how your written world is created and crystalized (a parallel to how Tanis is discovering and implementing his creative gift).
I would only differ with you or anyone in making comparisons to GRRM or Rothfuss. You are in your own galaxy of great talent. And something else..IMO… you come across as one who still loves her work and doesn’t hold her fans in contempt for wanting more. Great blessings
; and may you always find reward in what you do.
John, I’m honored by your kind words. I wish I had more to update all of you on, but I will say that being able to have so much interaction with readers like you makes up for those feelings of guilt of “but I’m still not even halfway through.” I learn new things about my series it seems every time I interact with my readers. I can’t imagine trying to write this series without my readers’ feedback and impressions. I appreciate you as much as you appreciate me. 🙂
I’ve just recently discovered your work, and I have happily blazed through books 1-3 of this wonderfully creative series. I’m now nearing the end of book 4, much to my dissatisfaction. That is, dissatisfaction with the fast approaching end of available reading material, not any sort of disappointment with the narrative, characters, plot development and expansion, or any other aspect of your work. I couldn’t agree more with the sentiments that praise your originality, and I thank you for the effort that you put into this saga. I wish you all the best with your current work… I am certainly looking forward to experiencing the rich harvest it is sure to yield 🙂
Thank you so much for this feedback, Alex. I’m so happy to know you’re enjoying my series. Thank you for your words of support, and thank you for reading.
I am just coming to the end of book 4 and am eagerly awaiting book 5. I think these books would be great as a first row wielder. Keep up the good work :).
Thank you so much, Ben. I’m so happy to know you’re enjoying my series. Thank you for reading.
Just finishing book 4 on audible. What an amazing series. I have enjoyed every second of the story. It is such a wonderful world you have created. I look forward to the rest of the story. Thank you for sharing your creativity.
Thank you so much, Travis. I’m thrilled you’re enjoying my series on Audible. Book five should be releasing on Audible later this fall. Thank you for listening!
Yay! I’m so excited for book 5 to come out this fall. I just now finished book 4 & was searching on line to see when the next one would be available. They are amazing stories.
Thank you for all the effort you put into them.
My pleasure. Thank you for listening, Jennie.
I’m not much of a reader of actual books, but i go throughout my day listening to audiobooks. Nick Podehl has brought your world to life for me and I love every second of it. I’m actually listening the first 4 books for a 3rd time. I eagerly await the release of the audio version of book 5 to continue the story. I have a feeling that i’m going to very distraught when the story reaches it’s end, but that’s the way an excellent series should leave you. I’d ask for 12 more books just so the story could continue, but all stories must come to an end so others can be told.
I’m thrilled you’re enjoying my series on Audible, Shelton. If it’s any consolation, there will be a book six in the series. So you have two books yet to look forward to. 🙂
Thank you for listening.
Thanks for the update! I am super excited to read this next book. I love all the characters and how they intersect, its really exciting.
Good Luck!
Thank you so much, Jenn. I’m thrilled you’re enjoying my series.