Start of a Vacation · 10:18pm Apr 30th, 2015
Or so I prefer to think. As of right now I am officially unemployed. Turns out the big wigs where I work have concluded that proper documentation isn't worth the money invested, so they've kicked me to the curb to save the office funding in the short term. Oh well, I've got money saved up, I can last a little while whilst I look for new work. In the meantime, more horse words!
A call for pre-readers, artists and a The Gentle Nights announcement after the jump.
But first, I'm calling for pre-readers and editors again. I've got three stories that are going to start in May and all of them need someone to look over them. As per my usual, I'm only looking for three people per story, but there are going to be some special conditions in this instance. Check the details below before volunteering. If you're still interested, let me know and be sure to specify which story you want. I want to get some variety out of this if possible, so I'll try to avoid the same people working on multiple stories.
Story I: Shadow Pony
A Slice of Life fic, this will be a short series (current estimate: 6 chapters) in which a pre-Archons Fine Crime bumps into a filly who is dangerously close to taking the same dark path he did and tries to justify not helping her. Although there will be some bouts of violence, I aim to keep this one down to a Teen rating.
Update Schedule: First chapter on May 16, with updates every 12 days afterwards.
Story II: Them-Verse
Not one story but four, each of them being major developments in the Them-Verse created by RainbowBob (and expanded by yours truly with permission). These will most likely be Mature-rated, but some may be limited to Teen. This series has a long schedule because I don't know how long each individual story will be, and the updates are tentative.
As the original creator, Bob gets dibs on pre-reading for these.
Update Schedule: Becoming Them to release on May 23. New stories to be released every three weeks after, or faster if possible.
Story III: Order of Shadows
This is the big one. No, you don't understand, I mean it's going to be the BIG one. A single FIMFiction story divided into eight or nine books at around 8-10 chapters each. This one is going to have a much faster updating pace than the other stories, but even then I expect it to take longer than a year to complete. As such, I'm only accepting pre-readers for the first book, which is currently set at 9 chapters. Once the first book is nearing completion, I'll give the pre-readers/editors a chance to pull out and myself a chance to ask if others want to participate. This way, nobody will be stuck pulling back on a promise to work on this beast with me because real life or a lack of motivation has hit them.
Generally speaking, OoS is a prequel to Trixie vs. Equestria and Twilight's Inferno that details who each member of the Order is, why they are there and how they ended up fighting Trixie and the Mane 6 in TvE. The first seven "books" are each going to focus on one member, whereas the last one or two (haven't decided the format yet) will center on their part in the events around Trixie vs. Equestria.
Update Schedule: First chapter releases May 30, with weekly updates afterwards.
In the meantime, if anyone knows of some decent artists who do cheap commissions, do let me know. I need one for each of the Them stories and maybe Shadow Pony. I'm not concerned about Order of Shadows, as I already commissioned and paid for artwork for it ages ago before I knew I was going to lose my job. If I do get a new job quickly I'll probably go back to my usual art-snob methods, but for now any assistance would be appreciated.
Me three weeks ago when I realized I was about to be unemployed.
And before we all forget:
The Gentle Nights: Audience of One ends this weekend!
I don't know about you guys, but I am very satisfied with how this one turned out. I'm going to release the finale on Saturday and the epilogue on Sunday. If anyone wants to take the opportunity to tell me how crappy the story wasawesome I am, now would be the perfect time to do so. A huge thanks to Starlight Nova, Mercury Gilado and Absolution for pre-reading. You guys are officially awesome.
I've already had plenty of calls for sequels/side stories, and let me tell you know: your calls have not gone unheard. As of right now I have three potential stories in my bucket list for expanding the AoO universe, including (names tentative):
The Pursuit
A prequel focusing on Vinyl Scratch and her quest to create the perfect symphony. Vinyl's personal life and her relationship to Octavia are to be deeply explored in this one.
Counting Stars
A sequel, the details of which I can't relate ATM, but know that it will largely be from the perspective of somepony that hasn't been introduced in AoO. Stick around for the epilogue's Author's Notes section for the details.
Blood and Horns in the Land of the Tiger
Another prequel, this one is about Benjamina's life. Starting with her move to Nildia, it'll focus on her discovering that she'll need more than business acumen to survive as a banker. Featured will be her gradual descent into a life of crime and the struggle to still be a 'good' pony despite the challenges thrown in her way.
Bear in mind that none of these stories are guaranteed to be written. As of now they are merely concepts in my mind. Even so, know that I wouldn't even mention them if I didn't think they were worth it, so list them as 'possible.'
The Gentle Nights: Audience of One Chapter 21: Saturday, May 2
Shadow Pony Chapter 1: Thursday, May 16
Becoming Them: Thursday, May 23
Order of Shadows Book I – Chapter 1: Thursday, May 30
Stats
Total Word Count: 1,229,000 (+12,000) over 26 stories
Average Words Written Per Week: 10,000
Follower Rank: 383rd (+4)
Overall Ratings Average: 95.16% (+0.23%)
Highest-Rated Story (Not Counting Stories at 100%): The Gentle Nights @ 98.37% (+0.04%, 2 Weeks)
Story with the Most Votes: Tyrant @ 1949/53 (22 Weeks)
Story with the Fewest Votes: Paul's Persistently Protacted Practice Pieces (16/0)
Longest Story: Trixie vs. Equestria @ 144,000
Sorry to hear that, I am working towards my business associates and I am just having to worry about finding a decent job once I am out of college.
Sorry to hear that, Paul. I hope you find gainful employment soon, and enjoy your vacation in the meantime.
*hugs*
That sucks, man. Sorry to hear that.
But hey, I'll gladly pre-read one of your stories if you want. I'm always willing to lend a helping hoof.
If you need an editor or pre-reader, I'd be happy to do so!
That is quite ambitious and it sounds as if you are still working...just not for money.
Speaking of artists, you could try the below:
hikariviny
draw ponies
(scroll down for this one) veggie55
(not sure if still open)dm29
Sorry to hear about being unemployed. I've been out of work two and a half months now myself. There are jobs out there. You just have to find them. I'm actually looking into getting my CDL-A right now. Always work if you have that.
Sorry to hear about that man. This sucks. I hope you find something soon eh?
Man, I have most of your stories in my read later list, I'll get around to them eventually. The backlog I have right now would put a library to shame
Well this is certainly earlier than expected. But you'll be fine.
I'm still a thing. I still exist. My time is finally approaching. yes. Yes. YES.
Ahem. Anyway, i'm ready to help in any way I can.
I like the idea of Shadow pony, but I will go with any of them you want me on. Also, I'll be able to do all of the chapters this time. The, hiccup, in my life has been thoroughly thrashed.
Still, I'll completely understand if you tell me to go back to living under my rock, seeing as I failed to finish two stories in a row.
-Sanity is overrated
Yo dude, any grammar or spelling errors that you don't want to bug others on, I'd be willing to help. I can also point out odd phrasing if you ever need it. I'd be willing to do this for any of the stories except the Themverse, for the simple fact that I don't do well with depressing material over a long period. (At least, that was the impression I got from the first Them, it was just The Walking Dead levels of misery and 2much4me)
3032119
Ah yes, life after college, that moment when you realize that your parents aren't supporting you anymore. ...or at least, that's how it used to be. Good luck with that!
3032125
My vacation will indeed be pleasant, job hunting aside. Finally I have an excuse to screw up my days and nights again!
3032155
I shall keep you under consideration. I'm getting lots of volunteers, so we shall see.
3032169
I'll put that story you sent me through my own personal grinder and see what I think. In the meantime, thanks for the suggestions! I already have two of those artists on my extensive commissioning artists list, but the other two are new and look like they may be exactly what I'm looking for.
3032179
My current schedule requires me to be capable of updating on average of once every four days! I don't know if I'll actually be able to keep that up, but I'm sure as heck going to try. It's not like I don't have a lot of time on my hands ATM, after all.
3032225
I'm not too worried. My chosen career path is one with very few qualified individuals in the workforce and a high demand, so I think I'll be okay.
3032365
My backlog might actually go down, depending upon how much reading I decide to do instead of writing now that I have a bit more free time.
3032558
Hmm, I'm sensing something. It might be... eagerness? Nah, that must be disgust. So be it, I'll skip you this time.
3032655
We shall see. I seem to be getting quite a few volunteers, and I'm torn between trying new people or going with the ones I know.
3032779
I shall keep you in mind. I understand your limitation with the Them-verse; some people just can't take that level of pain for too long, and I do intend for it to continue to a certain degree in the coming stories.
3032881
I appreciate the consideration. Good luck.
3032881 Your lucky. I was a factory worker. Not a lot of cross training in other jobs there so I'm looking into a whole new industry. One which is heavily understaffed.
AOO was total shit there was too much Tirek in it!
no but seriously eager for the end
Oof, that's rough ;-; were you happy with your job or are you alright with losing it and finding another? I might consider pre-reading... Except that I've never done it before and I of course am busy on a consistent basis due to my having the occupation of school. I just love taking accelerated courses *sarcasm* I wish you the best of luck with whatever you decide to do with your stories and your job situation. ^^
3035248
No, I actually loved my job, so I was sad to know I wouldn't be at that office anymore.
AoO is almost finished?! Huh. I should really start reading those chapters I missed. I think I have around seven of both AoO and Frequency... oops. Congratulations on that, in any case!
Sorry to hear about your job. I went through the same thing. After working my way up from the bottom to getting to head my own department, I was let go after almost ten years. Foolishly I thought I wouldn't be out of work long. An impressive resume, almost two hundred business contacts, and that much experience, I expected to be back at work before my severance package expired.
Two years later... TWO YEARS later, I was fortunate enough to get a position making half of what I made before, working in a warehouse. No more office, no more minions, no more company car. It's not an easy thing. I can only hope that you find something new that you will enjoy, instead of having to settle.
I sincerely wish you the best.
Q.E.