I'll get down to business. Despite how this sounds, things are going well! I've been trying to get through the editing process, which... has been slowed to a crawl because of some personal struggles. You get how it goes, especially with the way this year has been going for everyone else.

With this longer installment, the story grew from a simple short to a novella to a full on novel at this point. There are still some things that I feel like I'm getting across the way I'd like, but with the way the story is written, I can't fluff it up too much. So I really hope people like what I have so far, and then I'll expound on more after it's been out for a bit. I do love a bit of lorebuilding me. (Maybe I'll even share some short stories with insight on how characters work and interact. The characters'll definitely stay with me for a little while, I think.)

So, what are we working on now? Mostly tying added details together and adding some clarification to the esoteric things. I have... one more chapter, I think, I'm going to add to it, but that's about all that the story can take. Two at most, though. That should bring the unofficial chapter count up to 12, which is a pretty good size for how this originally started. 

As much as I wanted to get it out by the end of this year, I don't think it's going to happen, sadly, but I'll keep working at it.

Wish me luck. I'll try to add progress reports on small things I like; hopefully, it'll keep me more motivated. I'm sorry it's been taking me this long, but onward and upward to greater things.

A long while ago, I tried my hand at the subscribed content model with Patreon, but considering where I was in my life and the awful medley of other things, I felt as if I was forcing myself to do things. I had to make this thing work, or else I was going to drown in situation. I had to take the break away to preserve my own mind.

Funny how, several years later, I'm in a similar position but with a completely different mindset. There's a sharp piece of clarity I was missing back then that I have now, and I'm ready to take things on again. The problem is the content. There's so much I want to offer, but I'm forcing myself to do so slowly.

So here's my chance to be transparent about the things that I'm going to currently offer on my page, and the things I want to offer in the future. But first, let's address something important:

My current billing model is instant and reoccurs on a 30-day cycle. So if you subscribe on the 15th, you'll be charged on the 15th of every month henceforth. I didn't want to make things too complicated at this point with a trust period. However, to combat this choice, I will be updating my author blog and newsletter (coming soon) with free to view content so that you know what you're getting into. This page will also have free excerpts and the occasional chat post to give you a better insight into the content you might see in the future. If'n my mind works in the future, I will have monthly roundups for only for my SubStar content.

What I'm offering for you all is a chance to get a first look at my projects, and currently, this involves my writing. I have short stories, full novels, and serials that I want to put out into the world. However, there's a slight caveat that I feel needs to be explained more.

You will get first access to my short stories and novels. At this stage of my creative life, I need a reason to get started and to see things through. Knowing me, you'll also be given side-by-side progress reports on a project: word counts, if I'm stuck, the trials I'm facing, the thoughts I'm having, the non-canon content I want to write. Chances are I'll probably end up writing full scenes that only you'll get excess to that may or may not be canon. :3c (It'll be expressed which is which. I won't bait y'all like that.)

But it's easy for me to get distracted, and I want to be held accountable in the best way that works for me. However, because you were there to see the project get started, this will give you early reader discounts, access to creative livestreams when I have them, Q&As, character trivia, and, depending on your tier, early reader copies of my books.

Early reader copies will only be available through eBooks. In exchange for your copy, I'm asking for honest reviews and open discussions. That's all! You could help give works their extra dimension and narrow it down in a way I possibly couldn't. At a higher tier, you will get either higher discounts or a chance for signed copies.

Also, I'm offering a chance to help you. At a specific tier, I'm willing to give editorial advice, help you shape up your works, and possibly take your works to the next level. I will read up to the first six chapters of your work and give you my feedback. Maybe even edits! This will be once a month or once every other month—I'm still debating because people work faster than others, and I want to make this fair for everyone to make the best use of productivity. 

I work with Twine a lot, and so I want to be able to show that off to people. Higher tiers will get to see my screaming—uh, developmental process while others will be able to play the final game weeks before anyone else.

Script writing! I've been writing scripts for projects for years, especially audio dramas. Higher tiers will get a shot at casting calls if they're interested; if you're not interested, but you know someone, you can give them a chance to audition via email before anyone else. My only request would be to not mention it publicly. Auditions would be posted two weeks after on Casting Call Club.

And to that effect, supporters will get first glimpse at audio/video projects and maybe podcasts. 

As you can imagine, there's a lot that I want to offer, but it's very important that I pace myself out and try to feel things out before making big promises. At this point, I have no monthly rewards to offer, but maybe as my other skills develop, that'll change in the future. For me, there's no end to the things I want to give back, but I have to show some restraint, otherwise I will flounder.

I'm far more earnest about this than I have been in the past, but I've found new motivation to kick things off again. If you've read this far, thanks a lot, and I hope that my points were given in an informative and direct way. 

Let's make some magic—I'll see you all soon.