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February 25, 2023 - Update (Patreon)

Published:
2023-02-25 07:26:03
Imported:
2026-06

Content

Hi!

It has been a busy week with the launch of book seven, which has gone really well. I appreciate everyone’s support. The only glitch was how late in the day the audio released. I will try and avoid that next time.

Book 8 is coming along nicely. I am 100 pages into it and already starting to worry it is going to be longer than I want it to be.

I am far enough ahead that the impending arrival of BAFK2 this Monday will not impact next week’s chapter release. Sleep deprivation here I come. Haha.

Pleasing everyone is impossible, but it has shocked me how much a few people hated book 7. This far into a series it surprised me. I’ll keep doing my thing, as I know those people are just a vocal minority.

Another common complaint I’ve seen are the quests Sift generates. I honestly intended for those to be a fun distraction. People HATE them. I will likely run a poll soon to gauge how widespread that is. It’s possible this is one of those things I find funny, but others find frustrating.

My pace for book 8 has been fast enough, that I spent a lot of time this week thinking of what other project I could start. For years I’ve known what I wanted to write after Divine Apostasy ended and I’ve foreshadowed this is multiple books. It’s a series that takes place in the same universe as Divine Apostasy. I’ve struggled with how to write those books without ruining the end of Divine Apostasy.

I came up with a solution and took the first steps this week in finding the right voice. I’m not sure I have it yet, but I’m hopeful. Rest assured you will be the first to know when it’s ready.

Okay, I need to wrap this up so I can post the new book 8 chapters.

I opened up chapter 2 to Root.

I opened up chapter 3 to Harvester.

I added chapters 4, 5, and 6 to Step Master, Blapy’s Favorite, and Divine.

Enjoy!

This week reminded me of how great you are, and how lucky I am. I don’t take it for granted. Thank you for all the support.

Take care,

AFK

Comments

Samuel Strode

I find most of Sift’s quests funny.

Lena M. Lucente

Yes, I liked them. Please make sure he gets his pastry shop.

xRogueCraftx

I have no issue w/ any of Sift's content so far, and hate is a really strong word. I'd feel hesitant to take it too seriously if anyone was getting that emotionally charged over it. But personally I didn't really like how things ended w/ book 7. Not for the content, or the deaths,. I just felt like it was a massive amount of buildup and then just petered out and ended suddenly w/out really any closure or denouement. The fact that after a dozen chapters of buildup and conflict, I can sum up the entire end in 3 sentences is where it fell short to me. "Everyone not important dies, survivors take an unimportant oath of secrecy, everyone goes home. The end". Again. Don't hate it, just didn't like it. Not the worlds biggest deal. I don't like every word every author writes and you can't please everyone. I would have never bothered to even complain if it didn't seem like you were soliciting feedback.

A. F. Kay
>>102708611

Thank you for the thoughtful feedback! I can see where you are coming from. I can't really defend any of that without giving away spoilers of book 8. I will say I felt Ruwen needed to deal with consequences and the oath may not appear important now, but you should know me well enough by now to see that I plan things books in advance. I can assure you, that oath is important. Nothing makes me happier than taking a seed I planted three books ago and letting it blossom. There is a lot of merit to what you say about the endings. In my head, this is one story as we follow Ruwen on this journey. In that sense it is almost like a webserial as opposed to a typical novel. And that makes endings really hard as the story transitions from one arc to another. That is something I can work on. Anyway, please know that I really love this kind of feedback as it makes me stop and look at what I'm doing and gives me a chance to course correct. I remember in book six some here started to complain about Sift's behavior. And they were right. I changed it. I would encourage everyone reading this to give me your thoughts on things. I know you love the series or you wouldn't be here. So I know everything comes from a place of caring about the story. Thanks again.

Adam Boshcoff

I love Sift’s quests! Honestly, everything sift-related is amazing and makes me smile! Please never change. The people who are frustrated are just empathetic with Ruwen and his own frustrations trying to clear the quests and not getting the results he wants from Sift

Thomas Self

Honestly I have not really enjoyed sith's content too much and as an overall book 7 has left me disappointed

A. F. Kay
>>102749323

It makes me sad to hear that, but I know that is a reality of what I am doing. I hope book 8 is more to your liking.

Cory Crowell

I really like book 7 and the sifts quest. I like how he knows about them.

Jonathan Crandall

I liked book 7. Even if it felt like it slowed down plot-wise, it gave more depth to different character relations. The portion where the other newly-minted masters die at the end of book 7 felt raw but good. It gave a good reason for Echo to change progress on her road to redemption

Sean Franklin

I like Sift’s quests a lot, and im hoping for more in future books, but I think maybe a little too much time was spent in book 7 on sift’s quest. They should be kept as a funny side gag. I enjoyed book 7, I think the pace of the series has been a little fast sometimes, a little slow sometimes, but overall im still enjoying it!

JAMES Bateman

I loved the book and thought it was great. One thing I would comment on is I feel as if the fight scenes are getting shorter and a tad bit less descriptive as the books progress. I feel as if this is showcased by the fight between Ruwen and chip in the legion’s fifth vault which lasts 21 pages, compared to the founder fight which only lasted 6. The final fight in book seven, while longer than the founders fight, still lacks some of action of Chips fight. I love the plot and story, but Ruwens thoughts and talking with sift slow the pace significantly and very little of the fight has the combat used in previous fights. Don’t get me wrong, I think this is partially beneficial as it portrays ruwens inability to save everyone and be everywhere due to the time it takes him to maneuver across the battle field. The reader can empathize with his struggle and feel the time panic to cross these vast distances quickly as it takes time for the reader to read these sections. I just think that the moments where he engages the aspects can last longer and be more combat focused rather than strategy talk, which would keep up the adrenaline of the fight. I would love to see more sections like “The movement placed Ruwen’s body out of balance, and Fake-Ruwen took advantage by thrusting a foot forward into Ruwen’s ankles in a sweep. Ruwen tightened his diaphragm, pulling his legs off the ground as he flipped backward. The lizard-dragon’s sweep met empty air, causing its foot to travel too far, and twisting its body out of balance. Ruwen’s toes struck the creature in the chin, a foot over the illusion, causing the basilisk to stagger backward.” Clear descriptions of each movements with step by step actions that paint a vivid flowing scene in the readers head Compared to “Perhaps not enough to matter in a brief fight, but as the seconds turned into minutes, the advantages Ruwen held compounded, making the outcome inevitable.” And “For the first time, Ruwen went on the offensive, disturbing the Harmony of the surroundings and studying how the Founders’ reactions shifted the balance that enveloped all of them. They performed their Steps perfectly, but not always in a way that completely balanced their environment. Thorn blocked Ruwen’s Hissing Hen strike with a flawless Sleeping Turtle, but after the exchange Harmony revealed a slight disturbance remained between them. Thorn had transitioned from Sleeping Turtle into Leafless Tree, a valid shift that raised her right arm. With Harmony however, he now knew had she moved into Angelic Bow, lowering her right arm, she could have returned their surroundings to neutral again.” This fight starts off with a skip from the beginning of the fight to minutes into it. It doesn’t describe what kind of actions ruwen the founders are taking, just vague lines like a recap rather than a live accounting. I’m not opposed to naming the different movements with actual steps, but I’d like to know what sleeping turtle and leafless tree looks like so I can picture the fight. (Why would she be raising a right arm in response to what action? How would have been better if she didn’t raise her arm and instead lowered it? What would been changed about ruwens action? What is ruwens next strike, left hand uppercut motion or jab etc? And this is probably just one interaction of an implied many that happened in this paragraph) The fight was still great, and had sections like the stump and chip fight, but skipped over so much that could have made the fight my favorite as it is such a cool ass concept. I still loved it and have already read the whole section multiple times ofc, I just thought I would add what I think could make it better and hope I’ve communicated that well. Sorry for the long message and also do we get the audiobooks through Patreon like the ebooks if we are in the divine tiers?

Sterling Holcomb

I just finished a full reread and enjoying the new book. I love your writing and my only suggestion is to be judicious with exact quotes during flashbacks as it can get to be a little much. I think the Sifts quests are great. Ruwen is the center of all of these grand events and the way you write his friendship with Sift does a great job of fleshing out and giving life to both of the characters. Congratulations on BAFK2! Don’t be afraid to take the time you need for yourself and your family; I hope I speak for all of your fans in saying that your prodigious writing speaks is great, but we value your health and happiness more.

Kelly Burton

I just completed a full listening (and reading of information-dense sections) of all seven volumes. This was my 3rd iteration on volumes 1-5, 2nd for volume 6, and 1st for volume 7. First, I must express my deep gratitude for this incredible series. I have a bit of feedback, which I will provide later, but have to convey that I feel truly blessed by the quality of your craft and creation. Any negative feedback, such as the high morality of your characters or "untainted and unrealistic" nature of their dialogue (interpret as profane-free), is simply silly and lacks perspective. There truly are remarkable people (and writer's) like that in the world, although an unfortunate minority amongst the vulgarity-slinging masses in science fiction and fantasy the last several years. Now for my thoughts and feedback (limiting to 5): 1) The interactions and friendship between Sift and Ruwen are priceless in all their forms and I wouldn't change a thing. I especially love the perspective and reactions of others when their thoughts and dialogue spins into tangential chaos. People give me odd looks when I am laughing out loud, really loud, while listing to those scenes. 2) The heart-breaking conclusion of volume 7 involving the Masters was completely understandable, but, man!, was it hard to process. My hope is that such adversity proves revolutionary for those impacted. 3) I somewhat agree with the feedback provided regarding the battle scenes and that the meaningful detail has diminished a bit. More specifically, illustrating the actual body mechanics in addition to the step names would be fantastic. I think many of us with advanced martial arts training find this riveting. That being said, the concept of "Harmony" is so freaking cool! 4) I recognize this is a departure from how you have written vol. 1-7, but I would find it fascinating to read chapters or perhaps chapter introductions (in addition to prologues and epilogues) from the perspective of Sift, Hamma, Lylan, Kysandra, and others, and pieces here and there from the perspective of Madda, Padda, the Founders, Shelly, etc. I have come to love these characters and that love could only deepen through a regular glimpse into their inner thoughts, emotions, and perspectives. 5) Finally, I confess I was a bit disappointed that a scene I imagined for the end of vol. 7 did not occur. This is NOT negative feedback. My sentimentality and empathy toward Ruwen, and probably the heart-break I experienced regarding the Masters, caused me to imagine (and very much want) his emotional barriers to shatter upon seeing Hamma and witness him break-down in her arms like a child in need of some desperately needed release and healing. His heart is clearly broken and I honestly wonder when he might receive whatever it is he needs (love?) above and beyond the rational reasoning of others (like Big D) to truly begin to heal. The only scene I can recall across all volumes where you convey Ruwen receiving pure emotional healing is his reunion with his parents in vol. 4. Forgive me if I am forgetting other relevant scenes. Regardless, you have done a masterful job in causing us to absolutely feel Ruwen's pain, as well as that of Sift, Echo, and Nymthus.

Kelly Burton

Final thought - I agree that pleasing everyone is impossible, but I find it beyond baffling that anyone would "hate" any part of vol. 7, and honestly, any part of the other installments. Don't allow the minority who have little positive to say about anything today discourage you. Rest assured, I believe you are crafting magic.

Jeremiah Halstead
>>102705249

I find the annoying but more annoyed on Ruwen's behalf. He has a huge blind spot on see sift's deviousness or cleverness.

A. F. Kay
>>102705249

My intent is really about best buddies giving each other a hard time, not anything bad.

Samuel Strode
>>102705249

Ruwen is in his mind so much of the time remember the third temple hammah saying my hips are your fault? I can see him being blind to what sift does but I think AF Kay writes it for comic relief I mean yes they are now adults but imagine they are fresh out of high school 18-19 year olds wanting to have fun and play jokes on everyone

A. F. Kay
>>102876580

That is great feedback. I will pay more attention to how much I do those quests. Pacing is very difficult as sometimes the story I want to tell isn't plot related in an obvious way.

A. F. Kay
>>102924983

I will come back to this and comment more once I process it all. Thank you so much for taking the time to write your thoughts down! I appreciate it! Also, it is just the ebooks. I don't have a way to distribute the audio as it is exclusive with audible.

A. F. Kay
>>102937891

Thank you! That is great feedback on the flashbacks. I hadn't considered the people binge listening/reading will have those scenes fresh in their memories. It will be harder than ever to balance everything, but I will find a way. Balance is key, after all. Haha.

A. F. Kay
>>103166673

I will respond later when I can think through all this wonderful feedback. I will say that your point 5 will somewhat (maybe) get addressed in chapter 8 of book 8. It will release tonight for the top tiers. I will come back and comment more. Thank you so much for taking the time to write all this down!

Joe
>>103175449

Yes. I really couldn't have said it any better.

Pedro
>>103175449

Hello! I agree with Kelly Burton above in that you'll never please everyone. Trust in your own vision as an author :) With what amounts to almost 3 consecutive novels worth of time away from "home base" now, I'm looking forward to seeing how you're going to address the huge number of dangling plot threads!

Lew Proudfoot

I am a late comer to the series, but I LOVE IT. I just finished Book 7. Shocking ending. I cannot remember actually crying while I read a book, but I cried for that scene. I'm tearing up just thinking about it. Please keep going!

A. F. Kay
>>102705249

Yes, this is what I am shooting for, but I think I am missing for many people. Thanks Sam!

A. F. Kay
>>103175449

Agree. In hindsight that probably wasnt the best decision. I wish Ruwen would listen to reason. haha.

A. F. Kay
>>103451225

That is wonderful to hear. I think it is every author's dream to make their readers cry. haha. Seriously though, being able to resonate with the reader's emotions is something I am always trying to do. Glad it worked this time. It was so sad. Very hard to write. Thanks for the feedback!

Kelly Burton
>>103451225

"so sad" is a bit of an understatement, AFK...a big positive on the evolution of your craft from my perspective. I only stated that this scene was difficult to process. The truth is that you made a grown "blank" man sob a little bit with the accompanying little breath hiccups -- so embarrassing to admit. Well done!

Josh Ewart

Hi! I'm a new reader, started within the past week, and am already subbed to the Patreon. Hopefully this is a good reminder that you do good work. I have had basically no complaints about the plot, pacing, or characters throughout the entire series. The only two things I have feedback on that made me think could use ANY improvement would be that sift's frankly entertaining quests could be balanced a bit more with either ruwen doing the same to him, the quests coming to bite him back, or some way to balance sift's advantage from them. However, I don't think you should take them out, especially with how they help ruwen be reminded to complement others. The other thing that I noticed is that blappy mentions the expansion of the energy in book 7 about a third of a way in, and we know ith could destroy the b.p. planet, but have heard nothing about itfrom ruwan, and he seems to have forgotten about it. W bit more about ruwans side of that might help. Thanks for the good writing, and I hope to see more!