I never posted about this here and I just realized I should have. Yes, there will be more books. Why did I take a break from writing them? The biggest reason, was that Amazon was starting to act up in regards to anything that got the 'harem genre' tag again and a number of us got worried. Some folks made significant changes to how they did things (they pulled out ALL sex scenes and posted them elsewhere), others did nothing. Some just doubled down and wrote more scenes.
I decided to take a step back and see just how it all played out. If I had my account banned, that would mean losing both my name and my pen name (as they're on the same account) and I'd never be allowed to sell anything on Amazon ever again. So I'd be completely out of the ebook market. So I had no choice but to see how it all played out.
Also, I had two books I was under obligation to write for the Publisher I'm starting to work with. One of those books they changed their minds on and I self-pubbed that and it did so well I need to get a sequel out ASAP. Whereas prior to that I figured I could just write two a year (tradpub is slow). The other book is the Summer's End sequel. Still waiting to hear on that. It's been long enough that I'm guessing they want it and are now editing it. Or something.
I did feel that I needed to take a -short- break, but due to a few unforeseen circumstances that break has gone on a little longer than I meant it to. I should be back to writing Valens Heritage in the next 3 months.
There are a LOT of books I want to write this year, I'm hoping that after a few changes to things around the house and my life (as in I'm in the process of offloading some of the non-writing work to my spouse, which isn't easy - I'm a bit OCD and I don't like giving up control) but I'm hoping to get more time to write and less stress in my life. A lot less stress. The last few years have been very stressful. The last big stressor is my dog (a fairly large GSD) who is very old and having lots of issues and well, his time in this world is growing less.
So I apologize for not making this clearer, sooner, but it's been a busy year. The car accident back in June led to several issues that messed up plans and schedules as there was a lot I had to deal with. Next time I think I'll just hire a lawyer.
I've been watching this account and hoping for more Valens. I like your Van Stry books too, but.....
ReplyDeleteBtw, any more Shadow? Love the anti-hero and gritty world. Thanks for what you do.
I honestly don't know on Shadow. Time will have to be the judge on that.
DeleteIs there anywhere else you can publish if Amazon screws you over? I mean seriously - some of the ebooks on there make your Valens series look tame... I'll buy wherever you publish...
ReplyDeletehopefully I won't have to find out. But I've been in Amazon's spotlight before and haven't enjoyed the experience. I think someone there used to be gunning for me. But yeah, there is a lot more explicit stuff out there. I don't want to write erotica, and never wanted to be lumped in with it.
DeleteI would say it's weird that I like your books. I'm asexual and the sex scenes are something I don't care for. Your books though have a story, with some sex thrown in. I've read some other harem lit, and in general by the third or fourth book they become sex books with a barely there story to tie the sex together.
ReplyDeleteWhile there are other places to sell a ebooks, I've got three for sale on Amazon and other placeß. I've never had a sale elsewhere.
It is strange that Amazon would be going after haremlit, when there is straight up porn being published there.
I
Thank you for the kind words. Yes, I write stories and not erotica, the sex scenes are there partially because people expect them in a lot of books today, and partially to help move things along, and yes, because some folks want them very much, but I want to tell stories that are enjoyable and explore different ideas and themes.
DeleteAmazon, or rather some people who work at Amazon, go after Harem type stories because they are very politically 'correct' people and the idea of stories written for men, for men to enjoy, offends them. It offends them a lot. Men aren't supposed to have anything that they can enjoy. They're completely fine with Reverse Harem, with way more sex in it, which just goes to show that they're hypocrites.
That they were picking on me for a while was really strange as a LARGE percentage of my fans are women (about half). I've actually considered going back and adding 'Romance' tags to the Valens books because they very much qualify for the Romance genre (I have several Romance author friends and was even invited to a couple of Romance Author conventions).
It's a strange ongoing fight with a bunch of uptight scolds who really are incredibly sexist, but the world can be a very strange place.
Again, thank you for enjoying the books.