A. F. Kay
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November 12, 2022 - Update
🕑 Added 2022-11-12 07:18:03 +0000 UTCHi!
Go ahead and jump down to the news, I’ll wait.
Exciting, right!
Now that we got that huge news out of the way, I want to talk a little about this week’s chapters.
When writing the three chapters this week, they all struck me differently. The first, probably because I held this scene in my head for hours as I wrote it, exhausted me emotionally. The situation Ruwen got himself in and the method used to try and solve it took immense focus and concentration as I tried to convey a sort of complex solution. Regardless, I felt that chapter when I finished.
The second one was difficult to write for obvious reasons you will see in the beginning, and then transitioned into something fun and revealing. Revealing for both entities involved. It gives a reminder, once again, that not everyone is as simple as they appear. Anyway, that chapter took a lot of effort because it didn’t take place in a very long timeframe, and I wanted to reveal different sides to those involved. Whew.
Then the third chapter. A lot of world building that I did my best to make interesting via dialogue. I’m not sure I got this chapter right and might need to circle back to it when the book is finished. Did I reveal too much? Did Ruwen put too much together? Is now the right time for those revelations that were hinted at in previous books? Constant thinking and weighing of every word, and I’m still thinking about it. WHY IS WRITING SO STRESSFUL!
I wanted to talk about my thoughts for a title, but I think I’ll save that for next week. Too much is happening tonight already.
Ok, so here is the NEWS I cruelly posted about earlier today. Please note, initially I had planned on starting it this Wednesday, FIVE DAYS after telling you. I came to my senses. You’re welcome.
If you caught my post, you’ve probably spent a few seconds wondering what I kept secret. It could be about anything. But it’s not. It’s a book.
Now I wish I was Brandon Sanderson and could pull out twelve novels from under my desk. I don’t have twelve novels, but I have most of one.
And I only contributed to it.
That’s right, a co-authored novel in the Divine Apostasy universe.
What can an author do when he struggles to meet his current literary commitments? How does he answer when so many fans of the series want a broader picture of what is happening? Many fans are interested in other events away from Ruwen and his limited point of view. Why can’t AFK just write some books about other people?
The answer is AFK will BRB.
Credit for that incredible combination goes to my great friend Sara Tonin (please see the comments for her debut novel).
A. F. Kay and B. R. Bea have succeeded where AFK alone has failed.
The result is an entire book from someone else’s point of view. Who is it? Why can’t you get to the point already? Are you some kind of sick author who is enjoying dragging this out? What kind of writer keeps switching between third, second, and first points of view, anyway? Why didn’t you give us a hint?
I did. I told you earlier your “prayers” had been answered.
That’s right. Hamma has her own novel, and it’s called: Hamma’s Last Prayer
Yay! Hamma!
Now, who is this co-author?
She is one of you, and you know her as Betsy.
Betsy is a friend of mine from the earliest days of the Divine Apostasy. She is part of my writing group and a superb writer. She is also a super fan of the series, and you can see her comments on the weekly chapters.
For months, Betsy has listened to Hamma and told her story. I’ve helped guide the details and made sure it still felt like a Divine Apostasy novel.
I will say this upfront. I could have never written this novel. There is an authenticity to Hamma and Lylan and the others. For the first time, I have experienced the Divine Apostasy series as a reader. I didn’t know what would happen next. I grinned. I laughed. I felt terrible and even uncomfortable a couple of times. It is superb. It is Hamma and Lylan like you’ve never experienced before, in a place you all love.
Hamma’s Last Prayer starts shortly after Hamma and Lylan leave Ruwen and Sift at the Blood Gate in book six. It continues in parallel with book seven.
We'll post chapters going forward every Wednesday.
We hope to have it out early next year, before the release of book seven.
We decided to post chapters of the first draft on Patreon so we can get helpful and constructive feedback before the novel is finished. Please let us know what you like as well.
This is the longest update I think I’ve ever posted. Sheesh.
Next week, we’ll talk about audio for Hamma’s story and the title for the seventh DA book.
I’ve opened chapters 37, 38, and 39 of book seven for Root.
I’ve opened chapter 1 of the secret book for Root.
I’ve opened chapters 40, 41, and 42 of book seven for Harvester.
I’ve opened chapters 1, 2, and 3 of the secret book for Harvester.
I’ve added chapters 43, 44, and 45 of book seven for Step Master, Blapy’s Favorite, and Divine.
I’ve added chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 of the secret book for Step Master, Blapy’s Favorite, and Divine.
Enjoy!
If you made it all the way down here without suffering a stroke or migraine, pat yourself on the back. You are awesome. If this wall of text caused a stroke or migraine, please call emergency services, but you remain awesome as well. Thank you so much for being here, and supporting this story, and now, other stories as well. You are the best.
Take care,
AFK
Comments
Samuel Strode
You’re right 8 is stretching 5 would be fine 😏
A. F. Kay
Yes, I would never get to all the stories on my own. And there are so many that need told!
A. F. Kay
I wish!
A. F. Kay
Seconded!
A. F. Kay
I'm so happy you see it that way, too. It really was an aligning of the stars.
Christoph
What a reveal and twist - so excited about this collaboration. Feels like you cannot have enough wonderful stories set in DA! So glad you have the trust to have one of your friends and colleagues take over Hamma's side of the story and see what the girls get up to while the boys are trying to become masters! The first chapters in HLP read really well - looking forward to seeing what they will get up to!
A. F. Kay
Thanks for the feedback everyone. I think it's exciting that we found a way to give people more of the Divine Apostasy universe. Keeping a single PoV can be really limiting sometimes, and this will help flesh out those areas that suffer.
A. F. Kay
Many people don't like side quest type books. The great thing about them is you can just ignore them if you want. But for people who love them, or love those characters, they get to see them shine. So the book(s) are for those people. The great thing about this collaboration is that it isn't slowing down my progress in Divine Apostasy...so this is something completely "free" with no opportunity cost. Everyone wins.
Darren Lee
I read the co-authored chapters. While GOOD and enjoyable and I had begun to wonder what was going on with the "girls" while everything else was going on. The chapters didn't really go into any great depth. A few co-authored chapters here and there - i can see but not a second book. While some authors utilize a method where they bounce back and forth between perspectives -- generally speaking it's a distraction. While those characters are important, as it stands right now I doubt a whole book addon would be weak. Some inclusion within might work however. Just my two cents.
BRB
And it’s hard for others to offer critique, too! It’s tricky to know if your comment will be welcome or intrusive. So I’m very glad you asked. Comment away! I care about getting the story right.
Jacob
I lead a team of designers and I truly believe that the best creative work requires a village full of diverse strengths and convictions. I think it’s awesome the internet has transformed how so many writers go about creating their stories. It’s already hard to receive criticism for the work I do, and it isn’t nearly as imbued with my soul as writing is. I admire writers who are able to bare their souls this way.
BRB
This was very a generous offer, btw. It’s rare to have so many beta readers, and to have ones that are invested in the universe and not just reading because they’re your brother and they have to? Incredible.
Jacob
Thanks for being so specific in what you’re looking for. I’ll keep them in mind as I read!
Jacob
I’ll certainly do so. ☺️
BRB
All feedback is welcome. I want to hear everything you love and hate. In particular, it’s very helpful for me to hear about any instances where you felt one of these 3 things: confused, bored, or incredulous. So anything that’s unclear, any time you felt your mind wander, or any time you said to yourself, “Yeah, right. She would never say that” or “Explosions don’t work that way, idiot!” etc. If you guys can watch for those 3 things, it would help so, so much.
Jacob
Thanks for your comment! What kind of feedback are you looking for in the future as he posts your chapters? Just emotional response or maybe things that stand out and if anything is unclear?
BRB
I’m still amazed. Haha. And I definitely underestimated how much fun it would be to write in this universe. AFK is a great guy and I’m so glad he asked me.
BRB
Thank you. It’s so exciting! (And nerve-wracking, for me) So relieved to hear you guys think it’s going well so far.
Adam Boshcoff
Omg! What an amazing reveal! Absolutely loved these first few chapters! This type of collaboration is so exciting!
Samuel Strode
So this week was 8 chapters can we have this every week?
Joe
Nice!!!
A. F. Kay
Here is that book my good friend Sara. It is a combination of Urban Fantasy, YA, and Gamelit. I loved it. https://www.amazon.com/Between-Light-Shadow-Fantasy-Adventure-ebook/dp/B0BM1VKZ3R
Joe Bou-Chedid
I am extraordinarily excited to read Hamma’s adventures! And I think it is incredible that a true fan was able to help expand the DA universe! This has to be one of the coolest things I’ve ever heard of an author doing! Well done!
Jacob
Just wanted to say that I think it’s amazing that you’ve cultivated the kind of friendship in another writer that they wanted to add to your world. And just as amazing to me, that you gave her custodianship of one of your main characters. I like you a lot, but I like more as I keep getting to know you. Well done, and congratulations!
