It’s been a busy month. We’ve had revisions, a book launch, and others set up to go on sale in a few days. The hard part’s just getting started. We’re past the point of mercy, so let’s stay on target.

Town Herald:
Sorry for the duplicate post for some of you, but I set the audience wrong, and it didn’t go out to everyone yesterday.

Decimation Protocol:
The book is finally here! The sequel has landed after eight years of waiting. It’s out and available now on all major platforms. I can’t promise you half-collapsed stars in this story, but you’ll see the fallout from what happened to Andrea Hessner and the crew of The Demon. Grab your copy and take the plunge. If you love it, leave a review and let other folks know it’s worth the time. Share it with your friends and family. Word of mouth is the strongest lever we can pull to gain traction.

A stolen ship, an unauthorized mission, and a galaxy to tear apart.

Decimation Protocol

Decimation Protocol: Amazon

Back to the Editor:
Maro’s story has sat through two different editors, Jon and K.T., and the third one went to my newest partnership with KTA Editorial. That said, Maro 1 & 2 are making the editor excursion again. I’m sending them to K.T., and she’s going to make sure they’re spruced up and pass the sniff test. With my funneling attention leaning on Maro in the near future, they’ve gotta be in top-notch order.

Smashwords Discount:
From July 1^st to July 31^st, I’m participating in the Summer/Winter sale over on Smashwords. All my ebooks will be 50% off, so now’s a great time to snatch them up, especially if you love their platform over others. Any ebook already priced at $0.99 will be free, so that’ll be Red Creek. I’m hoping this will help new readers discover my work.

The Atramentous Archive:
In case you missed it, we had a damn good chat on examples of good stories versus bad ones. Most of these Live Events are for Members and Founders, but every once in a while, they’re open to all subscribers. If you see it ping your inbox, tune in and join us! In the future, I’m looking to host other authors, creators, or editors, so if you know any, send them my way.

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Battle Formations:
Vol. VIII: 1^st Draft:
It’s finished, finally. Well, to be fair, it’s about 98.5% done. There are four chapters I still need to write, but the torch has burned to the nub, and the major points are finished. Think of it in terms of Return of the Jedi. The emperor is dead, Vader’s suit has burned, the rebels have won, but I haven’t written the Ewok song and dance yet. That’s all that remains.

As a first draft, this is actually the second-shortest book in the series. With Volumes I & III coming in right at 200K words, this sits lower. Volume V will be the shortest book of the series, and at the end of the third draft, it’s 92K words. While that might feel like a bummer for some of you, just remember, the shorter the book, the quicker the turnaround for the next installment.

Volume VIII is around 175K words on the first draft. I’m sure after more rounds, it’ll fill out some. There was a lot of skimming while writing, nailing down the big movements, but it’s the details that give the story shape: drafts 2–4.

Prologue: 1/1
Chapters: 52/56
Epilogue: 1/1
Word Count: 175,327
Mood: Bittersweet

For Ko-dons and Members, you can check out all the updates in the Ink & Ash post.

Maro 4: Draft 3.
In a previous post, I mentioned that I knocked out draft 2 of the story and said I would go into draft 3 when I was halfway through the 5^th draft of Vol. IV. Well, I decided to go ahead and jump in now and do the third draft. I need to. Afterward, I’m going to be busy scrambling with the Dark Legacy Series and getting them pushed into their new revision rounds. Let’s look at the numbers…

Start Date: 6/8/26
Finish Date: 6/17/26

Prologue: 0/0
Chapters: 10/10
Epilogues: 1/1

Word Count:
1^st Draft: 22,487
2^nd Draft: 24,018
3rd Draft: 27,721
Mood: Looking Up.

Maro needed some color in the world. The story was there, faint outlines of what people looked like, but it was threadbare. Draft 3 is all about filling out the details of the senses. If something smells like shit, Maro’s gonna let you know. Also, all the other characters needed clothes, so I added in those details.

The first arc of the Maro novellas is drawing to a close, and after the fourth and fifth books are released, they’ll go on hiatus for a little bit so I can shift gears and focus on the Dark Legacy Series. Have no fear, his escapades in Atar will return. So far, I’m envisioning three sets of five books apiece.

Then, it’s on to Maro’s first full-length book, which was written in 2020 during the lockdowns. I’ll give you a hint of a spoiler. The title of his first book has already been seen on the page, laced in the first book of Maro’s journey: Red Creek. Go back and read. Can you spot it? Comment down below with your guesses.

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Vol. IV: Draft 5.
Okay, let’s talk about this behemoth. Its specter has long haunted me. For a quick recap, the first draft was finished in 2014, topping out at 402K words—K.T., if you’re reading this, I hope you appreciate how much I cut out. After writing it, I set the Dark Legacy Series aside, as I had written myself into an insurmountable wall. But taking a few years away helped me come up with the ending I have now.

Each draft, I cut viciously, taking out all the crap I should’ve never inserted to begin with, trimming what I indulged in, and tightening the cloth until it fit like tailored garments. Now, the hope is taking a scalpel and trimming away the fat without sapping the marrow of the story. Let’s see what we’ve got so far…

Start Date: 6/8/26
Finish Date:
Editor Due Date: 10/1/26

Prologue: 1/1
Chapters: 6/56
Epilogues: 0/9

Starting Word Count: 265,407 (story only)
Target Word Count: 250,000
Current Word Count: 262,879
Mood: Bracing.

This book will be a test to see how well I fare on one of my larger works and how long a 5th draft will take. It’ll be used for future reference. The long-held title of ‘the longest book in the series’ has been ripped from its grasp. Book six stripped it once complete, only to be dethroned by Vol. VII. We’ll see how this one goes, but pretty soon—now that I’m finished with Maro 4 draft 3—it’ll be my only project. I may stick with the ‘chapter a day keeps the insanity at bay’ approach, or see if I pick up speed. If I get done early, and the editor is available, I’ll send it to her.

Well, we’re done carving for now, and I think enough blood’s been spilt. That’s all I have for this round—short, sharp, and sweet. I shall return…

For deeper dives, become a Member. For full lore breakdowns, join the ranks of the Ko-dons.

Below is a link to her kickstarter. Click it, read it, and if it sounds like something you’re interested in, consider backing her and getting her vehicle ready to launch.

Here’s a snippet:

Murder? Mystery? Witches?

You son of a b*tch, I’m in.

The latest K.T. Carlisle book is ready to hit shelves this fall, but it can’t happen without your help! If this campaign gets funded, I’ll be able to afford the editing services needed to make this book the absolute best that it can be. Here’s a little taste of what you can expect from this project.

Check out her Kickstarter.

Then, there are books that enter a pressure chamber, forge a story in that harsh environment, and apply pressure until the reader starts to feel themselves crack. You question the implications long after the final chapter.

Decimation Protocol sits in that second category.

If you loved Mass Effect, then you already understand the story’s DNA. That trilogy was never about ships and tech, but the weight of a cosmic tale, a riptide that pulls you in deeper. As Shepard, you saw that not all command decisions were clean, a binary choice between good and evil. No, it was more about survival and legitimacy in a harsh galaxy.

Now take that mold, remove the illusion of blind allegiance or forgiveness, and you’ve got a starting point: heroic operators inside stagnant institutions, where the grayness of inference meets the resistance of full endorsement. While humanity yearns for heroes, a new planet to call home, others prefer the status quo, to burn down those who threaten their power.

Authority hates autonomy.

That’s the spine of Decimation Protocol.

For another cultural anchor, think about Star Trek III: The Search for Spock. Kirk doesn’t ask for permission. He takes the Enterprise, risks his rank, and treats institutional approval as secondary to a moral objective. The cost is his career, his admiral status, and exile to the fringes of the structure he spent his life inside.

That fracture is where this story lives. The Demon’s Fate was the ignition of choice, and Decimation Protocol is the consequential fallout. Sometimes there’s a clear choice, and you take the one that lets you look yourself in the mirror.

You will see:

• A mystery of disappearance and apparent ship mutiny.

• Officers skirting treason and flirting with insubordination to rescue a team at the edge of known space.

• And decisions that cost careers, lives, and integrity, but condemnation is preferable to the alternative.

What would you do for someone stranded? And how much further for a member of your family?

If you are already in this series, you know what kind of story you’re stepping into, one of consequence and searching for meaning. If you’re new, you can still enter here, but you’ll feel the weight of what you missed.

Decimation Protocol releases June 25th on all major platforms. Preorder yours today.

The mission’s already in motion, the orders issued, and it didn’t ask for permission.

A stolen ship, an unauthorized mission, and a galaxy to tear apart.

Decimation Protocol

Decimation Protocol: Amazon

I also want to take this time for a small announcement. I’m excited to say that all my books will be discounted at Smashwords during their 18th Annual Summer/Winter Sale! The sale, which lasts the entire month of July, is a great time to get my books at bargain prices.

You will find the sale here starting on July 1, so save the link:

https://www.smashwords.com/sale

Please share this promo with friends and family and any other avid readers in your life!

Thank you for your help and support!

Happy reading!

A new threat looms on the horizon. There is a gathering of former slaves and free folk moving north. Origins or intent is unclear, but they are slaughtering all people in their path. Slaves butcher their former masters and burn their holdings to the ground.

Despite the gr…

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There comes a time when we’ve got to make hard decisions, and then live by them, accepting the consequences as they come. The brimstones are calling for no mercy, just blood, and we’ve got to feed them.

Before we dive into it, this is another reminder to preorder your copy of Decimation Protocol. It’s out June 25th! You can find it on all major retailers.

A stolen ship, an unauthorized mission, and a galaxy to tear apart.

Decimation Protocol

Now, onto the post…

As you can tell from the last paid post, there was a clear, “oh, shit, this might be me,” moment. Well, that comes to a hard decision, and I’m going to follow it. This post will be on the shorter side, so, this week it’ll be a single post for both Ko-dons and Members, but it gets to the heart of the matter. Also, it’s release month, so I’m busy getting ready to launch! There will only be one paid posts this month due to the book launch.

I often state goals, and then make them. Deadlines help me stay on target. I did this with my plan of releasing ten books in five years. I’m still on track. But I also started looking at how long it was going to take me to release my main series of books: the Dark Legacy Series. At this rate, from first book to last, it’ll be 20 years. That’s too damn long, and here’s what I’m going to do about it…

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This is the final chapter of the original recordings. Hopefully by now, I’m already knee-deep in new recordings with better equipment. I hope you’ve enjoyed this brief glimpse into the first recordings of the audiobook, and I hope it excites you for the final product when it arrives. I’d love to know what you think!

Since this is the final chapter released, I’m going to shamelessly plug another story you might like, and it’s coming this month! Book 2 of the Warmaster Series is hitting the shelf on all major retailers! Grab your copy today, consume it when it releases.

A stolen ship, an unauthorized mission, and a galaxy to tear apart.

Decimation Protocol

Get more from Kyle Belote in the Substack app

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Get more from Kyle Belote in the Substack app

Available for iOS and Android

Get the app

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We’ve had a busy month, all behind the scenes moves, but now, I can show you the fruits of those labors. The hard part’s just getting started. We’re past the point of mercy, so let’s stay on target.

Town Herald:

Decimation Protocol:
Let’s start this right. The long-awaited release is almost here. If you haven’t picked up your copy of this second installment, pre-order yours now. It’s available on all major platforms, which you can find in the link below titled: Decimation Protocol. Or, you can click Amazon to purchase it there.

A stolen ship, an unauthorized mission, and a galaxy to tear apart.

Decimation Protocol

Decimation Protocol: Amazon

For fans of Mass Effect or Star Trek III: The Search For Spock, this is one you don’t want to miss.

Maro 3 Cover Reveal:
It’s finally here: the cover for the next installment of the Maro Prakk Novella Series. I really enjoyed what Ivan did, capturing a snapshot within the story while breathing terror and grit into it. Can’t wait to bring the story to you later this year! I think you’ll really enjoy it as it takes Maro off the trail and puts him in a new environment he’s clearly not suited to.

Back Jacket Blurb:
“Every man should have a cause, and they’ve got to know why they’re going to perish for it.”

A year after facing Crocottas and the conman Bloodbane, Maro and Katya board the first steam-powered ship. Maro seeks fortune in a high-stakes card tournament, but the ship erupts into a killing field. The wicked have come to play, too, revealing their hand one bloody card at a time.

Man of Fury is the third savage installment in the Maro Prakk novella series.

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Maro 3 Manuscript:
I’ve just gotten the manuscript back from the editor, and I’ve yet to go through it, but I’m looking forward to it. I’ll be doing the corrections, formatting, and readying it for publication before launching into the Vol. IV 5th draft. I think I’ve done something unique with this installment, but don’t take my word for it. Here’s from the editor:

This was such a fun read! Even though I’d never read the previous installments, I still found myself thoroughly engrossed in the story and the world you’ve built. I absolutely loved Maro’s grit and gruff attitude. There were so many lines I called out in the margins that made me laugh out loud or got a reaction out of me.

Audiobook Woes:
In case you missed it, I’ve been plagued with issues since I first started trying to bring you audiobooks for the Maro novellas. You can find the details of that post down below.

But what I want to draw your attention to is the free chapters I’m publishing for all subscribers. I have to redo them all, so we’ll chalk these up to rough drafts, much like a story. That said, they sound damn good, all things considered. Please enjoy them as they come out. Expect them on Mondays at 5 p.m. CST. The last two are slated for June 1st & June 8th. You can catch the first two links below.

New Audiobook Set-up:
In the hunt to bring you the highest quality possible, I’ve bitten the bullet and bought a Shure SM7dB Active Dynamic Cardioid Vocal Mic. I’m sure that’s Greek to a lot of you, but it is a quality mic used throughout the industry. You’ve probably seen your favorite YouTuber using it during their streams and videos. For the tech nerds among you, you can check it out here at Sweetwater. That said, I’m still getting a hiss/ haze sound in the recordings, so I’ve got to track down where that is taking place.

I’ve also replaced the PreSonus audio interface that was plaguing me. It wasn’t properly shielded for boosting that much power—my microphone has specific requirements. The new one, Motu M2, can also be found on Sweetwater. Take a look.

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Mortal Kombat 2 Review:
In case you missed the last Atramentous Archive, I talked about Mortal Kombat 1 & 2 (2021, 2026), what the movie got right, what it got wrong, and if it was a step in the right direction. You can catch the full clip here:

Battle Formations:

Vol. III:
Start Date: 3/5/26
Finish Date: 5/12/26
Prologue: 1/1
Chapters: 60/60
Epilogues: 1/1
Starting Word Count: 200,602
Current Word Count: 201,362
Mood: Relieved.

Not much needs to be said other than this one took me a while. I wanted to go at a steady pace instead of trying to tear through it and, in the process, burn myself out. In addition, I was writing Vol. VIII, and I oscillated back and forth between the projects.

I put it up on the wide distribution platforms, and it’ll go live on July 31^st. That said, the updates have already been sent to Amazon, so if you want to purchase it there, you can. The latest prices for the books on Amazon reflect what they’ll be on all the other platforms.

Some monsters are born, others are created from slivers of every twisted soul.

The Jackal of Shades

Vol. VIII:
Prologue: 1—Finished
Chapters: 32
Epilogue: 1—Finished
Original Word Count: 54,100
Current Word Count (Story): 112,139

I’ve enjoyed digging in the trenches of this novel and finding the story. There is the fatigue part that’s starting to creep in. That’s partly due to how many projects I have going on, while the other aspect is trying to find “the whole story” rather than the elements. What I mean by that is I’m trying to write a 1st draft like a 5th one, instead of writing the bones and worrying about the muscle, flesh, and blood during revisions. I may need to pivot back to the intent of a first draft, just getting the essence down on paper.

I have noticed that as I go deeper into the story, the chapters are becoming shorter, and that’s good. That’s where I need to be. The robustness comes with the revisions. Since the story has 4 parts, each part tightens as it approaches the end, and that’s where it needs to be. It should feel like momentum, not move at the pace of a glacier.

Some prominent characters have perished along the way, some deaths satisfying and others more in the realm of WTF, but it wouldn’t be my novel without a few of those. The cast is shrinking, and all roads lead to the culmination. Who will survive? Post your guesses in the comments below.

Refer a friend

Maro 4:
This is the second project I worked on. It’s been over a year since I wrote the first draft of Maro 4, so I definitely had fresh eyes when I came back to it. Draft two is all about tone and internal thoughts, polishing the grit of Maro back into his old splintery self while making his character more robust.

Start Date: 5/14/26
Chapters: 10/10
Epilogues: 1/1
Starting Word Count: 22,487
Ending Word Count: 24,018
Morale: Steady
Finish Date: 5/19/26

There’s no such thing as perfect writing on the first draft, so each revision adds another rich layer to the story. Draft two is always my favorite, as I get to sink into the character’s head and describe the world more vividly through their eyes, thoughts, and feelings. When I do the second draft on my larger books, I pick one character and do their chapters start to finish so the tone stays consistent. With Maro, since he’s the only POV, I tackle this in a linear fashion.

The second draft of the story isn’t a robust injection of words, but a slow build-up of that added internal texture. There was a bit of prose clean-up in this go-around, and I did change a few things. In a couple of places, I added to the story overall, which helped give the narrative weight in the right moments. You tend to miss those in the first draft, or at least I do, as it’s a word vomit.

I plan to go back and do draft 3 around the halfway point of draft 5 in Volume IV. It’ll give me a break from the Dark Legacy Series right at a crucial time when I might be feeling the burnout. Plus, it’s such a different take of the storytelling aspect, it’ll feel like a whole different world.

Well, the booming voice from the town herald has shouted out the news. Now, citizens return to their lives. That’s all I have for this round—short, sharp, and sweet. I shall return…

For a deeper dive, become a Member. For full lore breakdown, join the ranks of the Ko-dons.

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Some authors endure as shorthands known for quality, trust, and worthy of time. Others are just pieces of shit. Contract’s been paid, and the blade’s unsheathed. Let’s stay on target.

I’m going to say something confrontational: “Yes, authors owe you their work.” Regardless of litany of excuses, unless they’ve passed away, authors owe you. Right now, I’m directing this at two in particular: Martin and Rothfuss. Let’s find out why in this opinion piece…

But speaking of owing you stories, have I mentioned that Decimation Protocol is coming out soon? No? Great! This is the perfect opportunity to grab your preorder! You’ve been patient, and it’s almost here!

A stolen ship, an unauthorized mission, and a galaxy to tear apart.

Decimation Protocol

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Most authors become brief sparks, forgotten names, or a single decent run before silence takes them. Or maybe they’re never discovered at all. Others endure. Their names become shorthand for quality, trust, the quiet understanding that if they write it, it’s worth your time.

Speaking of worth your time, have I mentioned that Decimation Protocol is coming out soon? No? Great! This is the perfect opportunity to grab your preorder!

A stolen ship, an unauthorized mission, and a galaxy to tear apart.

Decimation Protocol

Stephen King. J. K. Rowling. Joe Abercrombie. Dean Koontz. Michael Crichton. When you read the names, something answers back: images, characters, magic systems, entire worlds, or just a feeling when you crack open their book, knowing you’re in for a treat. That’s an earned audience; that’s trust built brick by brick, layered one story at a time.

Then, there’s another class entirely: the ones who built that trust and broke it. It wasn’t shitty writing, it wasn’t being cowardly by not taking risks. No, it was by abandoning the very promise that made readers invest in them in the first place.

George R. R. Martin and Patrick Rothfuss. Let’s find out how they failed…

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Amira Rotten is a name that circulates in the dregs of society, spoken with familiarity and contempt. She is often described as cruel, sometimes worse. Her infamy is paired with a face and stature so unremarkable they vanish in a crowd. It’s the affluent that generally draws her attention, as their jewels glitter, beckoning to her.

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What I want to draw attention to is the first cover, which is the far left one. I absolutely loved the colors, and I told Ivan that. I said, “Hey, keep this in your back pocket for the ne…

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In this article, we’re taking a pause for the cause and discussing the next setback in the world of creating audiobooks. Let’s see the blood of it.

Establishing the Facts:
If you’ve been following me for any length of time, you know I’ve had more than my fair share of setbacks while recording the audiobooks. And in true grimdark fashion, the problems are a much deeper rot than I imagined.

Before we get into it, if you haven’t already, it’s time for you to grab your copy of Decimation Protocol. The sequel to The Demon’s Fate is almost upon us. It’s available for presale on all major retailers including Amazon.

A stolen ship, an unauthorized mission, and a galaxy to tear apart.

Decimation Protocol

PreSonus Audiobox 2:
The first roadblock came with a faulty piece of equipment and the drawn-out fight to get PreSonus to replace the defective device. After about a month, I finally got the replacement. Guess what? Wrong device. Not only that, but it was worth half of the cost I initially paid. I got the usual hubbub about the device I had was no longer manufactured, so it was a use it or lose it.

So, I used it, and I started recording Red Creek. Being a novice with the software Logic Pro X, mistakes were made, and I had to re-record a few chapters, either because I accidentally deleted something by not joining a track after recording, or the quality wasn’t up to my perceived standard. But no worries. We were on track, and I started knocking chapters out.

Fleshing out character voices was a little slow going, but I settled on something I liked, which eventually had a soft mutation into Maro’s voice now. It’s not all that uncommon to hear a narrator change during the events of a recording, but it’s subtle.

I digress…

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Radio Frequency Interference:
Then, that dreaded moment where I heard radio frequency in the recording, that high-pitched Morse Code while I’m splicing tracks together to make the whole chapter. You know the one I’m talking about. Well, I went back in and re-recorded those lines. No harm, no foul, but I had to figure out where it was coming from and fast, or it’d be a much bigger problem. Here’s a sample of it now…

If you can’t hear it, then that means it’s either too low on the volume scale, or your headphones may auto-block that frequency. However, if anyone’s listening with great headphones, or loudly in a car, they’d hear it.

When I record, I don’t use headphones. It throws me off, so I don’t actually hear anything until I get done and listen. This is why I was missing the RF while it occurred and had to do pick ups.

So, I continued troubleshooting and recording, and each subsequent chapter got worse and worse. Like the tech-dog I am, I unplugged everything, powered it down, and slowly worked up to adding everything back. I checked the Minami Gold mic cable. It’s good. The microphone. Not the problem. My computer? Nope. The lights in my recording booth? I wish.

It’s the freakin’ PreSonus Audio Interface…again!

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At this point, I’m done. I will never buy another PreSonus product for as long as I live. And you know what? I know a few other authors who are looking to record their own books, and they’re asking me what I bought for my setup. You know what I’m warning them not to buy?

So, what did I do? I got on Sweetwater’s website and started perusing. Long story short, I ordered another audio interface—third time’s the charm, right?—and it’s due to arrive soon. I need to get it plugged in and set up, check the levels, then I’ll be off to the races.

What does that mean for you, dear reader? A delay in my first audiobook. I’m re-recording all the chapters I had done. Four are complete, and I stopped working on the fifth one just because it was so bad, but there’s a glimmer of light for you.

Since I’m re-recording those chapters, I will release these 4 chapters for free to you. I will start next Monday, May 18th, and a chapter will follow each Monday until all four are released. When you see these posts hit your app or inbox, share it. ReStack it. Put it in front of someone who listens. Everyone’s got a friend who loves audiobooks. Tell them to have a listen and comment. Word of mouth is the most powerful tool at our disposal.

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What I want from you:
This is the perfect moment for you to help craft something special: direct feedback to me, the author, as I’m recording. I have to re-record these chapters, so if you hear something you like, or don’t like, or if you have a suggestion about these rough drafts, let me know pronto! Post a comment. I will try to engage with as many as I can.

These recordings aren’t bad, but an astute listener will pick up on the RF within. As someone who expects things done right or not at all. I can’t abide a faulty product. I have a standard, and I meet it or not at all. Not a purist, not a perfectionist, but maybe an exactist. Anyway, a faulty product would kill future endeavors, which I want to do with all Maro Prakk novellas, The Dark Portal, and possibly more.

I’ve had some feedback already from paying Members and the Ko-don tier, and it’s an equal split of people liking Avardi or Horace. I enjoyed voicing everyone’s characters, but I’m partial to Maro, but maybe that’s because I see a lot of me in him.

Recap:
Expect a chapter at 5pm CST on the following Mondays…

May 18th—Chapter One: One Fine Fellow
May 25th—Chapter Two: Charming Lad
June 1st—Chapter Three: No God of Mine
June 8th—Chapter Four: One Cheap Bastard

Session timed out; we’ve spared what we could for intercepted transmissions. That’s all I have for this round—short, sharp, and sweet. I shall return…

For a deeper dive, become a Member. For full lore breakdown, join the ranks of the Ko-dons.

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