Launching my seven-book series as a web novel on Royal Road dispelled ideas about earning a living as a writer. I made it to their Rising Stars algorithm but realized that gaming the algorithm is how to find success in the web novel space. Other authors explained that it’s not about writing good characters or stories. Gaming the system involves copycatting the latest trend, launching into action in paragraph one, and embracing novelty no matter how nonsensical.
I’ve got great feedback from readers, but The Book of Dungeons isn’t for most RR readers. It’s like offering a meal in a candy store. Web novel readers want a quick fix, and other Royal Road authors say I’ll do much better on Amazon where sugar rushes don’t perform as well.
Despite losing the overall popularity contest, my feedback has been critically helpful in identifying typos, plot holes, and character inconsistencies. These improvements have made my soft launch a rousing success. I’m releasing chapters as fast as possible to polish my series ready for Amazon and audiobooks. This means editing 6-8,000 words a day while also incorporating feedback into released chapters. It’s an exhausting pace, leaving me no time to socialize whatsoever.
Playing Second Fiddle to a Feline
A documentary crew interviewed me about computer games. They showed up in my living room and we spoke for a couple of hours over an iPad using Zoom. Cheddar ruined many of our shots, rubbing against cameras, playing with cords, and jumping on my lap throughout the process. He wanted attention. As always, he got his way, and became a part of the process. They captured shots of him to explain the frequent meows, scratching, and surprise appearances. I had to repeat takes so often that answering questions felt unnatural. I’ll be amazed if they got a minute’s worth of footage.
The documentary also interviewed Mike Morhaime, Allen Adham, and Shane Dabiri, so I felt honored to be included. I went to Houston last year do to film another interview, but haven’t heard anything about the series since, so it’s anyone’s guess to its airdate. I’m told it’ll be on The History Channel around December of 2024, but those are guesses.