First, I would like to say that this is an announcement I'd never have the need to make.
The scheduled chapter for September 2nd 2023, is cancelled.
Most likely, you've not heard of this, but my story "Deal Breaker" was stolen and has been selling on Amazon under a different title by a person named Adam Krochta (the things I hope to happen to you are best said unsaid) for the past 10 months (since Oct. 2022). As a result of this, I have problems publishing the edited version of the story. The main issue is a direct result of the above-mentioned person's blatant, verbatim theft of the story's content from Royal Road. Another part of this issue is dealing with the Kindle Content Review team and proving that I am indeed the author of "Deal Breaker".
I'd like to use this moment to thank Royal Road's staff, and especially Wing, for assisting me and providing help with this issue.
This is not something that has happened just now. It is something that has been going on since August 10th 2023, and has had a significant impact on my writing. To be more precise, it has had quite a negative impact on my will to write and share my stories with everyone. It has also had a negative impact on my personal life and mental state, as it feels like I'm hurling myself against a stone wall.
Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.
Initially, I thought of keeping all this personal and informing a select about what has been going on. However, the accumulated stress has proven to be too much and is affecting my writing. What does that mean?
Sadly, nothing good for you as readers.
After giving it a lot of thought, I've decided to put on hold publishing the chapters for "Terra's Demons: Forgotten" for the time being. Hopefully, for no more than a few weeks while I prepare safeguards to protect my stories in the future. This issue has also wreaked havoc on my personal schedule regarding what I had planned for this year. Meaning that I'll be delaying "Terra's Demons: Corrupted" - the second book of the series - for 2024. Also, "Soul Harvest" and "Deal Maker" - which I planned to publish here on Royal Road starting September 2023 - will be pushed back to either November or December 2023.
To end this abysmal announcement on a more positive note, I'd like to thank everyone who has been reading this story (and all my other stories). You cannot imagine how much your interest and comments mean to me, especially at a time like this. And hopefully, I'll surprise you with the next chapter sooner than I think. If not, I plan to resume normal updates for "Terra's Demons: Forgotten" in October 1st 2023.
M. R. Aze