Illicit Alliance. . . Novel?
Added 2021-02-04 04:11:44 +0000 UTCSo, I'd like to float this idea here, first. I am doing a final edit on 'Illicit Alliance' tonight, decided I'd take a little extra time to really re-read the entire thing before I post it (and I'm glad I did, I found an array of things I wanted to clean up and fix). Since Patreon's uploader crapped out on me at the end of the month anyway, I figured eh. . . what's a few more days.
Here's the thing. It's over 30k words as-is. It's far too long to put in a compilation of short stories, and we've had some good times doing editing streams on it, so I know there's at least a small community here that's interested in this tale. It isn't, strictly speaking, a planned novel. While the plot did evolve as I worked on it, it was always meant to end at the point it's at now, with a cliffhanger for a future adventure, involving Fathom, our dhole antagonist and general scum villain.
The question I'm facing here should be pretty obvious at this point. Is there a novel here? Illicit Alliance would be an odd one for me, because it's extremely niche. I mean, furry is always niche, but this is a story that REALLY benefits from the rest of the Red Lantern lore. I can adjust the first chapters so that you don't need that knowledge coming in, but I'm not gonna lie, it helps if you're already a fan of the series and the characters.
Some of you have already read it, so I'm looking for opinions. Is this story too niche? Before anyone asks, I actually DO have a whole adventure, a wider plot arc, to take the cast along on - that isn't the issue. It'd be a much more high-adventure, 'fun' book than my others. Still thoroughly adult-rated, just less tragic. And I'm considering doing something I've never done before. . . having the narrator change roughly every 30k, every quarter, of the story.
If I did this, it would take the spot of the monthly stories here, just like Kindred did. But y'all seemed to like that, so hey, maybe that's okay.
Another thing I might need to do for this book that I've never done for a novel before is a Kickstarter. Novels are a TON of work and especially for something this niche, I'd need to know the interest is there in actually purchasing the book, from the outset. That being said, it's still about 1/4 of the work of producing comic pages, and I've managed to write a novel while keeping up with my content obligations in the past, so it's far more doable than a comic right now.
Thoughts? Questions?
Comments
I'd love an Illicit Alliance novel!
CometFoxYote
2021-03-19 22:07:14 +0000 UTC31k
Rukis
2021-02-05 19:45:22 +0000 UTCIt was music from Inuyasha, actually.
Rukis
2021-02-05 19:44:38 +0000 UTCI would absolutely be in for a monthly update/full novel of this. Grayson is probably one of my favorite characters, and seeing more of him is a win. Would absolutely buy this if it became a book.
KiskaBeaust
2021-02-05 19:25:36 +0000 UTCSame goes for me not read any of Illicit Alliance yet, but do enjoy the idea of another novel. And would definitely support you on the kickstarter. Definitely a fan of the characters and would love the benefits of the tie in with the other characters.
Dave Foster
2021-02-05 04:09:57 +0000 UTCI don't have much to contribute to a Kickstarter but I'd love to see a novel made out of this, it's one of my favorite pieces of your writing so far. I meant to ask during the stream - I'd love to know what was the music in the background? Sounded almost like the dune theme
Leskka
2021-02-05 03:55:16 +0000 UTCThanks for the stream! I only caught the last few minutes of it but it was really fun!
Leskka
2021-02-05 03:52:45 +0000 UTCgo for it! I like to read from book more than screen and I enjoy reading stories from you. so go for it!
HlangArn
2021-02-05 03:33:01 +0000 UTCFrom my point of view, thirty thousand words is a novella; seventy thousand or more a novel. How many words is "Illicit Alliance"?
Alex Peterson
2021-02-05 01:34:00 +0000 UTCI've not read it, but I do like the idea of having some non-tragic stories. Sadly I have trouble reading anything of length on a screen so I always wait for hard copies of your books to come out, but I always enjoy them when once they do.
Alden
2021-02-05 01:10:35 +0000 UTCLike Shia labeof has said before “Just Do It”
Daniel Ortiz
2021-02-04 21:04:23 +0000 UTCI stumbled across one of the editing streams some years after having read Red Lantern, and (at the time) not having read any of your other work, and was able to pick things up quite quickly. While learning more about the setting has certainly added something for me, I don't think it would be a requirement to enjoy the story. I suspect a couple of paragraphs in a 'new readers intro' would be sufficient; though obviously only you know how involved it's going to get later. As for the Kickstarter, sign me up! Illicit Alliance was a big part of the reason I signed up here in the first place. Both to read the rest of it, and in the hope you would continue the story at some point. I was honestly prepared for a much longer wait :) I would be absolutely over the moon if you went ahead with this.
R. E. Thorburn
2021-02-04 20:45:21 +0000 UTCDo it
Beau Regard
2021-02-04 18:21:02 +0000 UTCOh my mistake I’ve missed them! Time to do some reading.
TiberiusRings
2021-02-04 15:14:11 +0000 UTCSeriously? You have to ask? It's Grayson and Luther... and a kiss. ;) Shut up and take my money!!!!
Trejaan Cavelion
2021-02-04 13:42:33 +0000 UTCI know I would like to see another novel from you. And, if you start a Kickstarter, as long as it is not TOO outrageous, I would definitely support it. I am a little paranoid about work, and I havent bought art in months... figuring the 300 dollars would be better in savings. But I would absolutely buy the novel
sunkawakan
2021-02-04 13:34:33 +0000 UTCI'm all for it! It's been such a fun ride, and I adore Grayson and Luther, so any chance to get more story of them is a win in my book. I would also happily support an Illicit Alliance kickstarter!
Samantha Jo Cash
2021-02-04 11:56:32 +0000 UTCI really enjoyed the story, and it would be amazing to read the adventure that follows. (*Edit: and I would totally buy the book)
Dog-In-A-Jacket
2021-02-04 10:28:03 +0000 UTCI haven't caught many of the streams when you were writing/editing, but from what I read so far I really enjoyed the story. I've also enjoyed all your other stories set in the Red Lantern world, so hell yeah I'd buy the novel.
Cosmo Shepard
2021-02-04 08:09:18 +0000 UTCThe sample would be the chapters I've already posted of Illicit Alliance. Basically if that doesn't speak to you, continuing it as a novel probably wouldn't be of interest to you either. The 30k words I have so far work pretty well as an introductory plot.
Rukis
2021-02-04 07:23:15 +0000 UTCI definitely buy it. Trejaan who does a lot of fan fiction does this - focuses on a character POV - often leaving to to guess who it is :) which is fun as you have to be on your toes. But certainly put me down for a Kickstarter :)
Marcwolf
2021-02-04 06:51:58 +0000 UTCMore Luther and Grayson in an actual novel ? Yes please. Illicit Alliance was such a great read already. A great mix of lighthearted adventure with moments of serious and really emotional meaningful moment between Luther and Grayson that cement the foundation of their further relationship in the Red Lantern universe. I also think you should be allowed to indulge in new idea's that keep you as a writer motivated and give you enjoyment and a change of pace, so if that means supporting another Kickstarter campaign i am all the more for it. Oh and if you do decide to make this please please include an illustration of a certain unexpected kiss between Luther and Gayson because that scene was just gold.
Y-Foxy
2021-02-04 06:49:38 +0000 UTCI’ve always been a fan of your writing and your lore building so I’m not the best person to answer since I’m in your demographic niche. I suppose the best way to gauge appeal could be a poll of some kind. Try to identify how many of your audience knows about RL and the books away from the core comic. Another path you may consider, if you do decide to go this route, is a primer. Something like a small guide that outlines key elements of the characters past you know the audience needs. Something akin to an introductory glossary and the Lord of the Rings movie intro. Is there a sample I could take a read at? It could help me formulate some advice (if you’re still looking for it).
TiberiusRings
2021-02-04 06:42:48 +0000 UTCI will buy anything you write, and I’m ready to back another Kickstarter from you immediately, so I am all for this. As for the niche question - thinking back on it, I think you can make it work as a novel that doesn’t require knowledge of your other works. Maybe a few scenes that help give some background and context on the cultures that are clashing and the world you’ve built. In particular, I think establishing reasons why Luther is secretive and violent around his secret will be important. (Hope it’s ok I give some feedback on the story at the same time as advice on making it a novel that can stand on its own haha) As the story stands now, I felt a little at odds between the world you had already established that created Luther’s fear and secrecy, and some of Luther’s actions and reactions (particularly his reactions to Lotus and Grayson’s teasing - I would have imagined him to have had less patience for that - and how he shut Grayson up near the end of the story). I felt nervous on Luther’s behalf in those scenes. I think you can make that work a bit better as a stand-alone if maybe you establish the immediate environment as one that’s decidedly less up tight than the one Luther comes from and some reasons for him reacting a bit gentler towards Grayson and Lotus than I would have expected. Also I think the otter cartographer would benefit from some development of his relationship with Grayson, as he seemed just convenient to the plot, and I’d like to see more of what their history is worked into the scenes you wrote so far. I LOVED Lotus, love love love her, so would adore if you wrote a part of the novel from her POV. I think it’d be fun to have a lighthearted adventure novel from you in my collection! But I’m quite happy for it to involve gritty scenes to keep it true to your world :)
Flann Moriath
2021-02-04 04:53:32 +0000 UTCIt definitely sounds good to me. I think your instinct is right- a kickstarter sounds like a good way to gauge interest without taking risks.
BeastNeverSeen
2021-02-04 04:50:51 +0000 UTCI'm always down for more Red Lantern stuff
WildFox
2021-02-04 04:33:37 +0000 UTCI love the idea. I love the cast and would love to get to know the new characters better. I LOVE the added context to Luther and Grayson's relationship, which I only suspect will add to the inevitable tragedy. Kickstarter is a great idea too to help! Another idea for writing it would be to upload it a la Kyell style, every 1k words or so. The denomination doesn't matter so much as the concept of consistently putting out updates... weekly? Biweekly? Something like that. As opposed to big ol' chunks I dunno, food for thought. I'll take it however you give it. Hope this happens!
Connor Laleff
2021-02-04 04:26:19 +0000 UTCAbsolutely go for it. I had such a fun time reading through Illicit Alliance. It definitely carried a less emotionally imposing aura then the rest of your work, (still reeling from a certain Golden Jackal.) I’d definitely support a Kickstarter for it.
Tiller Brown
2021-02-04 04:17:03 +0000 UTCAnother Rukis novel? Featuring my two favorite characters? Take my money!!!!
Randall
2021-02-04 04:16:17 +0000 UTCI’d buy it. So count me in.
Kayko Wolf
2021-02-04 04:13:22 +0000 UTC
