Update on Volume Four and More
It has been a while since I posted an update on where things stand with the series, so here is your update!
First, the Wiki: It is in place and people can start using it. While I have put a decent chunk of information in it, there is a lot more that needs to go into it sill. I would love for some fans to help build it out. *hint* *hint* For now, I am updating it slowly as I can find time.
Second, Volume Four: Writing on book four is going well. It was approaching the 35k word mark (or about 1/3rd the length of Shadows) but I have decided that one of the sub plots is too big to be a sub plot and I am breaking it out to become book five. That cuts book four down to 20k words (or around 20% of the length of Shadows). This book features Shadow, Dusty and the rest of the Battle Wizards again on quest to find the source of the shadow that was revealed in Shadows. Volume Four will end the major arch that started in book one, but it will not end the series.
Third, Book Five: Book five will start the pattern that will continue for the rest of the series. Volumes 1 through 4 built the universe that the rest of the stories will live in. Going forward starting with book five, future books will be standalone books (or possibly mini-series) in the universe that was created in Volumes 1 to 4. I plan to maintain a master time line in the Wiki so that everyone can see how the books relate. I have several story lines that I want to write out this way, at least three or four more books worth beyond book five.
This is a bit of a deviation from the original plan, as originally I was thinking five books to tell the foundational tale, but I think by the end of Volume Four everything will be in place for the universe. Not all questions will be answered of course. Enough uncertainty will be in place to allow the freedom for future stories to grow the universe.
Finally, I want to hear from you! Shadows is selling well. It appears that at least most people that bought Academy liked it enough to purchase Shadows. So my question is how does it compare? Which was better and why?
