Well, that's it. A hefty 206k words later, A Deadly Bite is done, and with it concludes the entire AToD duology. This is where Nathan's story -- or the written part of it, anyway -- ends.

I started tentatively working on ADB in November of 2021, perhaps six weeks after finishing AToD when my impulse control finally drained away, and have been steadily working away on it ever since, though I've dipped my hand in a couple of other things on the side. It's now October 2023. That makes nearly two years and undoubtedly the longest I've ever spent on one single book. Kinda wild. I'm gonna bask in denial for a few days before the crisis hits me.

I've certainly had my ups and downs as writing's gone on, but I don't think I'll ever lose my love for these characters. Nathan, Fiesi and Sarielle are doomed to live rent-free in my head forevermore. I will never stop rambling about them. I'm sorry (not).

Anyway, on to the important stuff :D

Thank Yous

First I'd like to thank the beauty of the microwave s'more. Love those things. I am running off pure biscuit and melted marshmallow and chocolate as I type this.

Oh and I guess I better thank you guys too for being here I guess. No, genuinely, thank you T^T If you've made it all the way through the marathon of these two first-drafty books (what is that, 380k words of my rambly prose?? You mad things) you deserve several gold stars. Silent or otherwise, as always, I appreciate you immensely. Thanks for sticking with me <3

I don't think I have anyone specific to thank -- aside from the usual suspects, but you guys know who you are and I can slap you with my appreciation whenever I like -- so a big double thumbs up to everyone. Imagine me grinning up at you all dorky. I'm very sweet and innocent like that. 

:)

What Next?

Well, as I said, this is it for Nathan and co. No more sequel, no more pain, no more mysteries to solve (well, except maybe a couple, but,, we'll leave those to your wonderful imaginations :D). However! It isn't the last we'll see of this world. I do have one more AToD-related project festering in the back of my mind.

It's a prequel focusing mostly on Harlow, as well as Mayci and Rishi, and their intertwined trio of downfalls into the dark pits of Adeía. There's scraps of mixed-up romance, traumatic pasts, family conflict and spicy corruption arcs to be explored, so I think it'll be great fun. We might even get a few snapshots of tiny Noli and even maybe tiny Fiesi!

Its working title right now is Witches And Weeds, and though I can't give any kind of estimate as to when I'll start working on it or posting it (you expect my motivation to be anything but wildly sporadic and unpredictable?) I can promise with some degree of certainty that it'll pop up eventually. So keep an eye out for that :D

Until then, I have plenty of other things to keep me busy, and I think I'm more than due a break from this world of magic fire and copious angst. But I'll be back. You know me.

Other Stuff

Is it question time again? I think it's question time again. As always, no obligation to answer -- all just a bit of fun and to satisfy my own curiosities :D

> Who is your favourite character? Has that changed from book 1?

> Least favourite character? (I'd bet money that this one's changed)

> What was your favourite scene?

> Do you think (or like to think) Fiesi lives?

Also, I feel you should know it's a personal headcanon of mine that post-plot Nathan takes up poetry. Maybe even storytelling. Once he learns to read and write, of course. I just think he'd be very good at it.

- Pup