Hey, I’m posting this in advance of tonight’s chapter. Which I hope to have done, but will come out in two parts—the other part being posted Tuesday, because it’s so long and requires lots of editing.
I have an announcement to make: I’m taking a break for the month of September. I’ll be back October 3rd, so please pause your Patreon membership or cancel it as I will keep it active.
Some background. It’s the end of August, 2026, and we’ve just completed the book launch for Book 1 of The Wandering Inn, which is in stores now. It has been a huge buildup to this moment, and behind the scenes, I’ve been doing a lot with the amazing team to make it as good as it can be.
I think it’s been amazing, seeing fans find the story, and already I’ve heard things like libraries having waiting lists for the books, and now it’s out. And more will come—the next book is going to appear in stores in September!
But as the book launch was happening, a few days after I got to see the book in a bookstore myself, my grandfather passed away.
I wrote a blog about it, and I won’t go into it here. But that really did feel like an ending to all this work, and we were quite close; he read The Wandering Inn. He might have been the oldest reader (he was 98, so I think he has most of you beat), and I’m still processing his passing.
I have not yet attended a memorial service, and these things take time, at least around here. I just kept writing, because, well, it’s a distraction. And I had the Horns of Hammerad arc. But I have been tired.
I owe a number of chapters I haven’t felt ready to take on, like Oelnnox and Rickel. I focused on this arc, the Horns of Hammerad, and Pisces in particular, because I know it so well. I wanted to tell the story. I should finish posting the Horns chapter tonight…if I need a delay, I’ll post another update. But then, I think my energy has run out.
Hence the month off. I have promised to take time off if I truly need it. Now’s the moment. I’m going to go travelling at least once, and say goodbye to the last of my grandparents. Loss takes time, even if he lived a grand, long life we could all wish for.
Still, that’s my announcement. I’m not burnt out. Just scattered, and a bit sad and tired. It could turn into actual exhaustion, but I’m going to do the right thing and take a second for myself. Thanks for understanding. Also, look forwards to the final Pisces chapter. It’s got good reviews and I did want to finish writing that before heading off for a month.
You’ve all been amazing helping make the book launch a big thing and supporting the story. I truly do appreciate all the kind words people have sent in, and pictures of them with the book. I won’t be totally gone—especially since Book 2’s coming out in stores. But I’ll be resting for a moment, then I’ll be back to hang out with you guys. Thanks again,
—pirateaba