Major Announcement (Patreon)

Hey everyone, I’ve some big announcements to make!

First of all, I’ve finished splitting Books 1 and 2 on Royal Road into Books 1, 2, 3, and 4. I'll begin to mirror the process on Patreon over the weekend, and there's a breakdown below for what moved where. The next chapter will upload as Book 4 - Chapter 42, so I hope that won't throw anyone off.

The big announcement though is this: On November 16 Blind Chaos will launch on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited! I’m aiming to have books 1 and 2 both drop on KU at the same time, but life might necessitate delaying book 2 by a few days.

In essence, the former “book 1” from before my split will be stubbing as the first two books drop!

Going to include a FAQ here. If you have any questions feel free to comment and I'll answer 'em there or add them to this!

1) Why did you split the books?

They were too long! As things stand right this moment on Royal Road (and per RR’s tools), the word counts for each volume are:

Book 1 (Budding Rhythm): 151,720 words

Book 2 (Dancing with Chaos): 157,058

Book 3 (The Grace of War): 238,445

Book 4 (War & Worship): 118,176 (and counting!)

…And yes, I might end up having to break Book 3 and 4 into three books instead of two. My research so far suggests that 250k words is the outer limit for what I can make work for physical copies, and depending on formatting it can be dicey to even get close to that. I’m going to wait until I have a better sense of War & Worship’s final length to decide for sure (also, I’m not sure when Nozomi will be available for another cover).

2) Where’s Book 4’s cover?

Nearly done! Nozomi’s in the final stages, but I wanted to get word out while there was a full month left before release. I’ll need to get typesetting done for the new covers (and to fix what used to be book 2’s cover. And I’m oh so glad I already spent the money on the next book’s cover typography long before I decided to split these. Just grand.)

I'll make the full cover art its own update on Monday, unless something unexpected delays Nozomi.

3) There will be physical books?

Yes! They might come out after the ebook release does. This stuff has a higher learning curve than I thought, and I’ve still got surgery coming up next week (knock on wood; really hoping they don’t have to delay it). There will, at a minimum, be softcovers. I’ll look into hardcovers after everything else is ready.

4) Why can’t the story remain free on RR forever?

So, I started writing Blind Chaos’ OG draft when my career died. Since that day I’ve been coasting on savings, aided immensely by the bit of money Patreon brought in. Problem is, I’m getting dangerously low on savings and my recent medical troubles have made things worse by being a double-whammy of being expensive and by costing me numerous Patreon supporters (which is valid, I lost a lot more time than I was comfortable with and had to drop a day off my release schedule; though I’m still hoping to avoid admin/recovery weeks while I do this).

In a lot of ways, the Kindle Unlimited release is a bit of a Hail Mary. I would have loved to try to get a bigger reader base first (and I will be doing an advertising push in my final month), but I’m out of time. And if I have to return to my former profession, the time I can spare for writing will diminish significantly, resulting in an unpredictable release schedule (assuming I can even find an acceptable remote job).

That said, even if this goes horribly, I’ve no intention of stopping! Ranthia’s journey is far from finished. So long as I can move my fingers, I will find opportunities to continue writing.

5) Where are the epubs for Patreons?

I'm aiming to finish prepping the base files for book 1's epub this weekend (ideally Friday), then I'll send it to a friend who will build the text and images into an epub. Once I've tested it, I'll provide it. I can't offer a timeline but I WILL get you all the epubs for both book 1 and book 2 ahead of their release. Giving Patreon a bit of time to get book 2 is what might delay it's release on Kindle/KU.

Here's the breakdown on what's going to end up where once I finish the process on Patreon:

Book 1: (no chapters renumbered)

Chapter 1: Chapter 2

Chapter 2: Seeking Direction

Chapter 3: The First Class Up

Chapter 4: Awkward Repercussions

Chapter 5: Spellcraft and Banditry

Chapter 6: Familial Bonds

Chapter 7: Becoming an Adventurer

Chapter 8: Aquiliea Antics I

Chapter 9: Aquiliea Antics II

Chapter 10: Setbacks and Disappointment

Chapter 11: Covenant

Chapter 12: Violence Visited

Chapter 13: Sudden Success

Chapter 14: Adventurer I

Chapter 15: Adventurer I

Chapter 16: A Void of Her Own Making

Chapter 17: Seeking Value and Saying Farewell

Chapter 18: Adventurer III

Chapter 19: Minor Interlude - The Guildmaster of the Sardonia Adventurer’s Guild branch – Tomorrow

Chapter 20: Minor Interlude - Lacintus - The Darkest of Arts

Chapter 21: Ariminum, the Capital of Remus

Chapter 22: Old Faces New Encounters

Chapter 23: Heart & Home

Chapter 24: Inspiration & Aspiration

Chapter 25: Personal Enrichment

Chapter 26: Those Left Behind

Chapter 27: Adventurer IV

Chapter 28: The Chaotic Adventurer

Chapter 29: A Brief Bit of Immortality

Chapter 30: Advice Sought

In short, it covers the start of the adventure to Ranthia’s decision to join the Ranger Academy.

Book 2:

Chapter 1: Academy I (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 31)

Chapter 2: Academy II (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 32)

Chapter 3: Academy III (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 33)

Chapter 4: Blind Faith (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 34)

Chapter 5: Blindfolds & Bloodsports (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 35)

Chapter 6: Academy IV (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 36)

Chapter 7: The Winter Solstice (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 37)

Chapter 8: Academy V (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 38)

Chapter 9: Ranger Convocation (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 39)

Chapter 10: Ranger I (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 40)

Chapter 11: Ranger II (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 41)

Chapter 12: Ranger III (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 42)

Chapter 13: She who Dances with Chaos (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 43)

Chapter 14: Vision of Her Dreams (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 44)

Chapter 15: Outmatched (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 45)

Chapter 16: Minor Interlude – Leoios – One Miscalculation (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 46)

Chapter 17: A Hundred Thousand Cuts (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 47)

Chapter 18: Ranger Versus Route I (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 48)

Chapter 19: Ranger Versus Route II (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 49)

Chapter 20: Love & Leadership (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 50)

Chapter 21: Duel & Direction (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 51)

Chapter 22: A Flower in a Garden (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 52)

Chapter 23: Problems to be Solved (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 53)

Chapter 24: The Garden Roams (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 54)

Chapter 25: Contact (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 55)

Chapter 26: In the Defense of Others (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 56)

Chapter 27: The Price of Life (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 57)

Chapter 28: Confluence of Individuality (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 58)

Chapter 29: A Grand Honor (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 59)

Chapter 30: Minor Interlude - Emperor Augustus - Absolute Ambition (Formerly Book 1 - Chapter 60)

In short, it covers Ranthia’s time at the Ranger Academy, her two rounds, and her assignment to the War Rangers.

Book 3:

Chapter 1: A Nameless Base (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 1)

Chapter 2: The Morality of War (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 2)

Chapter 3: Momentum Shifts (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 3)

Chapter 4: The Tower on the Horizon (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 4)

Chapter 5: Blind Judgment (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 5)

Chapter 6: Patchworked Fragments (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 6)

Chapter 7: Changes Were Made I (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 7)

Chapter 8: Changes Were Made II (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 8)

Chapter 9: Unbreakable Days (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 9)

Chapter 10: The Price of Fourteen Words (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 10)

Chapter 11: A Great Honor (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 11)

Chapter 12: Rediscovering Life's Rhythm (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 12)

Chapter 13: The Grace of Remus (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 13)

Chapter 14: Old Friends (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 14)

Chapter 15: Old Enemies (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 15)

Chapter 16: Responsibilities & Secrets (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 16)

Chapter 17: Three Lessons (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 17)

Chapter 18: Ariminum Issues (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 18)

Chapter 19: Crushing Arrogance (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 19)

Chapter 20: The Face of Vengeance I (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 20)

Chapter 21: The Face of Vengeance II (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 21)

Chapter 22: Minor Interlude - Captain Bantus - Captain’s Log (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 22)

Chapter 23: The Invasion of Remus (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 23)

Chapter 24: Hitting Words (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 24)

Chapter 25: Facing Vengeance (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 25)

Chapter 26: Defining Herself I (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 26)

Chapter 27: Defining Herself II (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 27)

Chapter 28: An Erstwhile Flower (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 28)

Chapter 29: Words Shared (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 29)

Chapter 30: Various Little Duties I (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 30)

Chapter 31: Various Little Duties II (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 31)

Chapter 32: Spilling the Blood of Remus (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 32)

Chapter 33: Humanity I (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 33)

Chapter 34: Triumph & Debacle (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 34)

Chapter 35: Release (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 35)

Chapter 36: A Contract Signed (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 36)

Chapter 37: Markets by Day (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 37)

Chapter 38: Passions by Night (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 38)

Chapter 39: What Goes Up (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 39)

Chapter 40: Heart and Home (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 40)

Chapter 41: Endless Preparations (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 41)

Chapter 42: An Unwanted Truth (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 42)

Chapter 43: A Slow-Moving Target (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 43)

In short, the current book 3 covers Ranthia’s War Ranger days at the Unbreakable Image, her time in Remus, and the preparation work for Remera’s founding.

Book 4:

Chapter 1: Remera (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 44)

Chapter 2: Her Worldview (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 45)

Chapter 3: Unexpected and Unseen (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 46)

Chapter 4: A Little Taste (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 47)

Chapter 5: Conflict Rekindled (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 48)

Chapter 6: Time Won (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 49)

Chapter 7: The First Challenge (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 50)

Chapter 8: Parties, Profits, and Plots (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 51)

Chapter 9: Bricks of Wisdom (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 52)

Chapter 10: A Frozen Calm (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 53)

Chapter 11: Feeding Thanatos (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 54)

Chapter 12: A Bit of a Siege (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 55)

Chapter 13: The Cavalry (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 56)

Chapter 14: A Return to Consistency (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 57)

Chapter 15: Minor Interlude - Hunting - The Hunter (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 58)

Chapter 16: The Night of the Second Sun (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 59)

Chapter 17: Ancient History I (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 60)

Chapter 18: Ancient History II (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 61)

Chapter 19: Lives Lived, Lives Lost (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 62)

Chapter 20: Burning Love Heart (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 63)

Chapter 21: War-Time Celebrations (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 64)

Chapter 22: A Multitude of Reunions (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 65)

Chapter 23: Must Come Down I (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 66)

Chapter 24: Must Come Down II (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 67)

Chapter 25: The Foul Winds of Change (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 68)

Chapter 26: Blind Retribution I (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 69)

Chapter 27: Blind Retribution II (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 70)

Chapter 28: Unfamiliar World, Familiar Strife (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 71)

Chapter 29: A Strategic Withdrawal (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 72)

Chapter 30: With Varied Dramatics (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 73)

Chapter 31: An Elf's Vacation (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 74)

Chapter 32: Embracing Her Choice (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 75)

Chapter 33: Shock and Awe (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 76)

Chapter 34: Stolen Time, Faded Memories (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 77)

Chapter 35: Love and War (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 78)

Chapter 36: Avyna's Offer (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 79)

Chapter 37: Life’s Subtle Changes (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 80)

Chapter 38: Stalling Out (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 81)

Chapter 39: Minor Interlude – Sentinel Solace – The Result of Their Legacies (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 82)

Chapter 40: The Hourglass, Emptied (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 83)

Chapter 41: Minor Interlude – Avyna – Absolution (Formerly Book 2 - Chapter 84)

In short, the current book 4 covers the time from Remera’s founding, Ranthia and Avyna living together, Ranthia’s assassination and mental health crisis, and spoiler omitted.