2024 in Review

If you go on other slow burn deep lore progression fantasy patreons its full of the people that you describe but but the best series are often contraversial by breaking the mold a little. Having a marmite effect for its success. I made a comment on one such complaint telling them that there are plenty of run of cookie cutter series they can go read instead if its not their cup of tea rather than trying to change the author. Got alot of likes on that post.

Kangaroo

You are describing imposter syndrom which is really common in successful people, Goerge Cloony had a great story about that around the premier of monument men. Your series is easily in contention for my favourite progression fantasy series precisely because of its deep lore, well built arcs, meaningful characters and because advancing actually feels like it takes time effort and fortune. Only series like Defiance of the Fall and The Primal Hunter compete. The genre is stuffed full of opmc characters with very vague progression mechanisms that go straight from epic fight, unrivalled break through and new fight. They can be fun to read but truely I would not pay to go on their patreon and only remember the series and authors using my kindle unlimited history.

Kangaroo

i know you said you weren't encouragement baiting, but im going to offer encouragement anyway. Youre doing a great job, and many many people love the work that you are producing. imo, genre boundaries are lame anyway. who cares what a progression fantasy is "supposed" to be like. To me, It doesnt seem like people should write to fill a slot in a genre, they should write to tell a story that they want to tell. And we're all very happy you're giving us your story, not some pre-canned duplication of what exists in other places :)

Caleb

Hi Sara, doing something different requires you to be an exception. It requires you to walk a lonely path. That is the only way to do something exceptional. Please keep doing what you’re doing in the faith that many people like and appreciate it. Please continue to step forward in faith.

Cam

Without going into details, I’m a writer in another kind of literary art dominated by folks whose imagination erase my existence and the extensions of my work connected to my existence. Sometimes the signals that “I don’t belong” are obvious (usually the acolytes) and at other times the signals are almost conjecture. Maybe even collateral conjecture. The toadies are bad. But the collateral conjecture (due to its relentless amorphous existence) is sometimes worse. So sorry to hear you’re struggling with signaled unbelonging! ! I am, like everyone else, glad for your work. Street Cultivation being my longest fav. And TWC being my newest fav. None of that helps, I imagine. But I try to remind myself that I do what I do because I want to. I love it. I do want the people interested in my work to find it. And I do work hard to produce something that can be well read (though none of us are promised we will be read well - which is one of the first misguided hopes I had to let go of.) I don’t know. I supposed I would comment. This post struck something in me. Thank you again for your lovely pieces of work.

K D

What I may be hearing is that the issue isn't about market access it's about opinions from either a cumulative audience or vocal individual readers? A portion of your audience that reads your work and compares it to X,Y, or Z. Are there demographics you can find in this? Do those that compare your work still buy the next book? Do they offer references to what distinguishes your work from XYZ or vise versa? From the feedback cumulatively +/- what are people saying they like? What are you and your audience sees as your writings uniqueness and strength ? What's different for me is the character development of powers or tactical traits is very visually and structurally oriented. Understanding progress takes picturing room tiers, energy flows, the buildings of the soul homes physical orientations , the materials spatially placed in the rooms. All the orientational and flow references are different than advancement in other books by circumstance and experience and you have the balancing task of spatial descriptions of architecture and materials against storyline progress. Your highly creative with language - making descriptive and unique names: the visceral and tangible experiences of interacting with materials and energy, energy harmonics, people, cultures, terrain. You have to be more creative than other authors because of the tiered architecture, energy flows, and progressions dependent on materials and structural planning. Your characters in a way are engineers, or at least need to be associated with someone who is good at engineering. For Language - Tolkien (like you) inventive with words. He focused on Latin and Greek etymology. You invest in words having spatial and energetic relations. I wonder how you see your work's strengths or uniqueness in relation to whatever your XY, or Z is? Same question for those in your audience that are giving you feedback that matters to you?

Greg

I appreciate your intent to help, but I don't frame the issue in exactly the same way. Of course I'm glad that people like you not only find the series, but offer me support. That means a great deal to me and I try not to neglect that. It isn't that I think there's no market for my work (there's clearly some), it's that I think the broader progression fantasy audience doesn't share many of my interests. For every person who enjoys what I'm trying to do, there's at least one who will read my work, but consider it an inferior version of something else. These people are often the most vocal. This is just wearying, and there's no way to avoid it outside of ignoring all criticism, which I don't believe is wise. I also don't think it's generally effective to try to change a genre, so I'm not sure what constructive actions I can really take.

Sarah Lin

So what is it that would make a difference for you in progressive fantasy? How can you contextualize your experience and clarify what you are looking to achieve for us? Perhaps you could turn this (or another interactive online process) into a problem solving, or brain storming, or constructive dialogue? You may be able to develop interactions with us through Patreon asking questions that will provide insight into our perceptions as your supporters - cumulatively we represent your market. What information could you develop with us that would be useful, supportive, collaborative in you progressing and working towards your writing goals? Obviously we want TWC to continue and succeed - so how can we constructively, collaboratively make a difference for you? I chose to support through Patreon because this series is unique - treating the soul as a literal training ground and as the architecture of the soul's nature and nurture aspects of living. I also appreciate Theo's personal growth working for others as much as himself. I found the first book randomly on Amazon when I happened to search for "soul home". I wonder how generally your future clients gain access / awareness? How are they led too and hooked into TWC? What do they need to know or have to 'search' for on the web (or through your network) just to find the series. On Amazon - I typed in 'Progressive fancy' and Deathseed was on Pg 4, Wakespire - pg 6. Are there other genres your writing does or could fit into? Could it be litRPG? You've mentioned several times now doing something right this year with your marketing and promotions that increased your success and exposure. Like you said pats on the back aren't going to make the difference for you - so what will?

Greg

I’ll be here until it ends. One thing I like is that there is continual development and growth not just at a power level but at an ideas and concept level too. I think not every progression fantasy has to be a turbo charged power fantasy. Cradle is my favorite in the genre and even that I wish had gone several more books.

Phil Norton

I just want to chime in here— thanks for doing what you do, and pushing through adversity however it manifests. I’ve probably read most progression fantasy books and ..well, many of the web serials— there’s a reason I look forward to coming back here every week; TWC and Cradle are in my opinion, the pinnacle of the genre. Yeah, there’s a staleness to most of the rest of the genre— but the rest isn’t at the top in terms of world building, net new magic systems, or even storytelling, so I’d take that as a reflection of other series as opposed to TWC. Also, my one of my favorite parts of the series is the main trio of characters, there’s something relatable to each and every one, which is hard to do, incredibly refreshing and thus super fun to read.

Anthony Gallegos

I really enjoy progression fantasy, but what drew me to--and has kept me--reading TWC was your ability to think outside the boxes that the subgenre has placed around itself already. Your world building is fantastic and detailed, the concept execution of soul homes has been wonderful and fresh, and the characters' viewpoint narrations have been thoughtful and thought-provoking. You deserve to be eminently proud of your contribution here--it's something utterly unique in the field. I, for one, want more like it.

JasonD

This is not encouragement but a brief perspective as a fan of yours. I feel like the subgenre is one with really strong pros and really brutal cons. I deeply fell in love with the genre due to the unique pros, but as I tried to dive deeper it became really hard to find stories that didn’t at some point involve racism, sexism, a complete lack of lgbtq+ rep, 2d or hyper rational MCs, no companions ever keeping up with the MC, etc. The latter stuff I can tolerate, but as a queer person it has felt really hard to continue reading a genre I was initially so drawn to when almost every story feels designed to be unwelcoming and exclusive of people like me. Your works really helped keep me in the subgenre and feel like they’ve carved out their own little niche in the genre for me that’s provided an extremely needed safe haven. I’ve seen your comments above saying you don’t want to complain or go into any negativity and I fully respect this. But as someone who also felt stark signs of not belonging in the genre, I wanted to comment and highlight the impact your works have had for me in this space. Wishing you the best with whatever next steps you decide upon.

Dylan

Honestly, your work is exactly the sort of thing that I was hoping to find when I picked up the genre. Creative takes that apply principles of cultivation or internal alchemy in new and interesting settings and from different angles are my jam. That's honestly one of the main reasons that the Cradle series is so engaging, in my opinion. I would put the Weirkey Chronicles right up there.

Adamanus

I'd be really interested in reading projects that you'd enjoy writing. I'm consistently drawn to the way that you build characters and tell a story. I feel that that would transcend whatever genre it's put in.

Bryce Leo

Haha, I'm glad people appreciate "Theo-sister" as intended. It's small, but I'm fond of this detail.

Sarah Lin

Fair enough. Still, I love your work and many, many people do too. While I wouldn't dare demand anything from you, I do hope you keep writing for this subgenre. Your contributions to it are beyond considerable, and it's lovely to see lgbtq+ relationships represented. Plus a straight man confident enough in his identity to not give a shit about being called sister is great to see too. Sorry, I'm ranting lol.

Payasuo

I respect this question, but don't think it would behoove me to complain about the subgenre at any length.

Sarah Lin

Always glad to hear from people who resonated with TBS. ^-^

Sarah Lin

I respect this question, but don't want to complain at length. I would be happy to write traditional fantasy, and I like my own conception of progression fantasy, I'm just not sure how much of a place there is for me.

Sarah Lin

I enjoy nonfiction, but I'm not very likely to write it! I intend to continue writing TWC and I'm passionate about many of the ideas yet to come, I just hope the audience is there for it.

Sarah Lin

Exactly! Besides, as a reader that likes the premise of the genre, I feel like there is not enough original things being done with it. That's what I like about the Weirkey Chronicles. It's an imaginative take on progression (portal) fantasy, with character agency and maturity.

Cybernetic Panettone

There is weird subset of nerd culture that likes to gate keep. Some part of them makes them believe they put the "real nerds," who were fans looking before being nerdy was more socially acceptable. Those people are just sad and should be pitied, because that is all they have at the end of the day. So, even if it stings, just let their dumb opinions roll off your shoulders. Also, I love your world building and magic system. They are unique, and I couldn't have came up with your ideas in a million years. 😄

Dick Dastardly

I don't know if encouragement is what you need, even if I'd love to give it to you. What I'd like to read are your thoughts on why you think your work doesn't belong in the genre, since that might actually help us all understand better the genre and the barriers its target audience has raised on creativity.

Payasuo

I know you aren't fishing for encouragement, but you are getting it anyway; you are a great author who has carved out a really unique space in PF circles. You do really interesting, unique things within the subgenre, and the sales numbers reflect what a lot of us are thinking: it is good to subvert and examine the genre rather than playing it straight and by the numbers. Your books are frequently recommended on the sub-Reddit too, for just this reason. That being said, if the genre is stifling you creatively, you deserve to branch out. And you have a lot of loyal reader who would follow you wherever you choose to take your writing next. Good creatives feel like imposters it makes them refine what they are doing and shows a sensitivity to the world that is reflected in their work. It makes them struggle but it also makes them better. This is a symptom of greatness more than anything. Anyway, I doubt I can really turn this around for you, but I hope you have better days soon, and that the grumpy Theo within can see he's appreciated.

Josh

The Brightest Shadow is awesome. My favourite series by far in the last two decades. You are awesome. You should probably believe me over anyone else ;)

Benj Guzman

I found Weirkey Chronicles because Travis Baldree was the narrator. It isn't an author's job to promote narrators, rather they should find the best narrator to produce the best audio version of their work... and possibly even bring aboard a few new readers because of the narrator's track record. And true pro tip: never switch narrators mid series if it can possibly be avoided... just ask Jim Butcher about the reaction to a highly competent fill-in narrator for The Dresden Files when there was a schedule conflict for James Marsters. *epic disaster* By the same token, when begining a new series, a new unknown but talented narrator may be a good choice if they do high quality work... it never hurts to give a leg up to a new talent if they are the right match for the book/series.

ZJJ

Travis Holley

Your a great author I loved street cultivation and weirkey chronicles is excellent happy new year 👩🏻‍🦳

Donncha crowley

It sucks that you feel that way. Even if you know it's ill-founded it can still feel that way, so I hope you feel better about things, because I certainly enjoy your work. Good luck.

Jacob Platt

Alternate opinion: you've got a fresh take on progression fantasy. It doesn't have to be everyone's cup of tea. Having a niche and being unique is an advantage. From a sales perspective, it doesn't matter how many people don't like something. Only how many people do. I like litrpg numbers go up fantasy, but I like this too. I agree it's not quite the same? Not sure why someone would be reductive about who is allowed to be in what category. Anyways, your feelings are valid. I guess i just feel like we should encourage diversity.

Matt

As someone who's consistently enjoyed your work at each step, it hurts knowing that you often haven't enjoyed taking them. But if you turn in another direction, I'll be eager to see where you're going, and I'm confident I'll enjoy anything you make that speaks to your creative intentions. While you're definitely reaching an enthusiastic audience, I do think you're right that the progression fantasy genre tends to preferentially concentrate readers who're looking for something different from the sort of work that speaks to you. And it sucks, because there very clearly are people who *could* be into progression fantasy if it were usually more like the sort of things you want to write, but they mostly don't gravitate to the genre, because what are they going to see to keep them there? I don't know what sort of genre is likely to offer the biggest concentration of the sort of audience members you'd want to reach (if I had any ideas, I'd share them with you.) But I think there are a lot of genres where there are people who'd want the sort of things you'd like to make. I hope you're able to find a space where you're satisfied with the reception you get.

Desertopa

TWC is just about the only progression fantasy series I feel like I can recommend to others. Most of the genre is filled with series that quickly fall into a boring spiral. The care taken here and the actual plot and the solid characters and their growth arcs all put it solidly in ‘Great Story’ and not just in ‘Great Progression Fantasy’. I’m enjoying the story you are telling and hope you keep enjoying telling it. Here’s to another year!

Jerek Kimble

I think it’s hard to find meaning in any work, especially when there’s a lot happening emotionally or in life. What I can say is that one of the most profound and rare qualities that I’ve found and loved in your writing is that the characters themselves reflect the nuance, challenges and ambivalence of occupying complex living worlds. I don’t think that kind of sincerity leads to being the most popular in a genre like this (too many people crave a simpler power fantasy), and it might feel discouraging to go against the grain, but I especially value and esteem your work because it feels like you’re really making an effort to tell a fantasy story that feels true to life, and that’s always been my favorite kind. Thanks for sticking out the hard times and being so earnest

Sam Buckner

All the best! If you feel that you don't like this genre anymore, don't hesitate to branch out, maybe you'll find more support and success! But otherwise for as long as The Weirkey Chronicles continue I'm happy to remain a supporter, especially because the price is very reasonable (way below my 1€/chapter limit). Wish you all the best in the new year!

Andrei

I'm curious as to the source of your feelings, as someone interested in writing meaningful progression fantasy myself. Is it from being between traditional fantasy (more serious, at least from a general public perspective) and litrpg (numbers go up crowd) and feeling outside of both? Because I truly do believe there's a place for progression fantasy, and that the number goes up crowd will, as the genres mature, realize that the middle ground is a pretty interesting place, especially since the major litrpgs mostly end up there as they mature themselves (after a couple hundred chapters, there's basically no more mention of stats, etc)

Samuel Lévesque

Regarding the "I started writing progression fantasy with real enthusiasm, but I quickly received "You don't belong here" signals." line (I tried to make this a paragraph but patreon comments on phone are difficult), the big difference I see between the typical progression fantasy author and you is that your writing is much, much better. Like characters who aren't all identical snarky teens, plots that actually go somewhere, world building with actual thought instead of "hurr what if this thing that I forget about about two chapters later," the quality difference is stark.

T

Thank you for your selfless storytelling all I can say is that I adore your stories! I hope these dark thoughts/feelings are shattered for you, though I don’t know how that is done myself. All I can do is hope paltry digital support lifts a fraction of the weight from you.

Nimh

Progressive fantasy not scratching the itch? What kinda stuff seems meaningful at the moment? I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to switch genres but I'd be very confused if you started writing non-fictional stories of the war of 1812.

Runcible Technician

TWC is one of my favorites. If you don't belong in this genre, then I'm not sure who does. Thank you for continuing the story.

Brennan

Samara Cyn - Rolling Stone Your stone is already rolling, and as part of a genre which is also making steady strides and gaining steam, it's bound to pay off eventually down the road, so hang tight. Of course that is said by someone just as delusional and 10 steps behind, so harrdy harr! But honestly, as long as you're writing steadily and developing new ideas, none of it will be a waste no matter what comes next. Stay curious!

Alexander Hallonblad

Haven’t commented before but have been a subscriber on and off for years and have been here since TWC 1 (and street cultivation!) - just wanted to say THANK YOU for your work and your creativity and that it is SO appreciated! The uniqueness and style with which you write and the new and fresh ideas in your work are precisely why you DO belong in prog fantasy and I hope you never leave!

Mark B