Let's just start with the first line that everyone wants to know: what happened to Nephilim, what happened to me?

The answer really isn't that mysterious: I was burnt out. I wrote Nephilim, which is over 180,000 words, in the span of about 5 weeks.

For those that don't quite understand the math behind that, I wrote a full fantasy novel+ in length (at least when scoring averages) in chunks of roughly 3,000-5,000 words a day (on average). Usually, that number was much higher. I was dropping mountains of text with next to no pause.

So what happened? I got signed by Aethon (who, by the way, are fucking amazing and the most understanding publishers in the world) and ended up working on dividing my current writing into Book 1 and part of Book 2. I submitted for and received a lot of editing, cool cover art, and a generally amazing experience with Rhett & Steve and the entire Aethon team.

Subsequently, my job which I have no intention of disclosing details about, ramped up in a way that nobody really expected. Emergencies occurred. Crises had to be addressed. I became very busy. Combine that with a wave of mental health issues, real life family drama, and just general burnout and I crashed.

Hard.

None of this, of course, explains the silence. Thankfully that's an easy explanation. I avoid things I feel anxious about, and not writing made me anxious.

So, of course, I just avoided everyone and everything--including Royal Road and my own discord.

So fast forward 15 months, and here we are. I'm back to writing full-time. I'm back to enjoying writing full-time. I even wrote two new books over the course of my hiatus, completely outside my usual dark progression fantasy wheelhouse, if you can believe it.

If things go well, I may share them.

Anyway, onto the elephant in the room: Where do we go from here?

Easy. I finish Book 2. I finish Book 3. I make good on my promises to a publisher that, frankly, is run by two of the nicest men on the planet--and I pursue my dream of writing.

Stolen novel; please report.

As for you guys, I guess this comes down to a more nuanced conversation. I've witnessed all the toxic and hateful and downright disturbing commentary some of you have left, or sent me in private messages, or gone out of your way to throw at me on discord. Don't get me wrong, I write because I love your reactions--but I am not beholden to your whims. This is a free book. This is a free website. You are getting this for absolutely zero cost.

At least until it's published, I suppose.

I love my fans. I love that you exist. I love that you guys enable me to feel like my work is appreciated. For those of you that have stood by patiently and waited, and hoped, and just wanted to support me--thank you. You mean the world to me. You're the kind of people this website was built for, and I am proud, humbled, and honoured to be an author you care enough about to want to follow and encourage. You are the people that I draw strength from, and you are the people that make me want to keep going. Forgive me for my weakness, and I am very sorry I disappointed you. I will never be perfect, but I will certainly attempt to do better.

To the other side? Well, I'm not one for mincing words.

You all need to take a deep breath, a step back, and have a very hard look at yourselves. I'm not here to satisfy your entitlement. No author on Royal Road is. We write for the love of writing, and you consume it for free. Do not ever believe for one demented second that any writer on this website owes you a goddamn thing. It is shameful, disgraceful, and downright disturbing what I have read and witnessed since taking my unannounced hiatus. I hope none of you speak to your family or loved ones the way you've spoken to me and other writers, because it's immoral at best, and borderline psychotic at the worst. Do yourself a favour and seek counselling, because behaving as you have is extremely disturbing.

Shame on you. I hope you grow and become better people. Were I younger, more sensitive, or less experienced in the world; your actions, comments, and unhinged aggression would have been enough to drive me away permanently. You have presumed to know me, my situation, my motivation, and my life's reality. You have cast aspersions, made defamatory comments, and outright attacked my character--for no other purpose than ease of internet anonymity. You're the very reason so many writers do not remain on Royal Road, despite their love for the craft.

Do some self-reflection. You need it.

With that all wrapped, I'm going to post the next chapter of Nephilim... and then more Chapters probably once a week, or more if I feel like it. My only masters at this stage are Aethon, and that because they have enabled me to pursue my passion. My readers are my inspiration, and for the many of you that simply seek the joy of storytelling, I am privileged to be able to provide for you. I thank you for your faith. I commend you for your patience and understanding.

Aurelian's adventures continue in Chapter 51: Bloodbath.

Please enjoy it. I know you waited a long time.

With respect and love,

Hannibal.