Other Stuff

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Hey.

I've been gone for a while, I realize--real life interceded. Company of Crows has been completely halted (I'm still writing large swathes of the story--but I'm keeping it offline for now. I'm not precisely sure what I'm going to do with it. As of now, it's been re-entitled 'Imbroglio'), and I've been working on both a rewrite of the Last Skull and another superhero serial that occurs in the same setting. The latter is called Notorious, and is about an ex-supervillain trying to go straight.

If you're reading this after clicking on the link from Jim Zoeteway's excellent Legion of Nothing series, then hey--if you want to read The Last Skull, feel free to, but keep in mind that the characters featured from that crossover fic are from the new Skull universe, not this one (but they're based on the characters here). I'll hopefully have a link to that series soon.

Thanks for reading!
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New Story (Company of Crows)

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So, I've dealt with most of my IRL issues and I'm coming back round to writing again. I've written a few drafts for what's either going to be the sequel to the Last Skull or a reboot of the series; I haven't decided yet. In the meanwhile, as a side project, I've started writing something with a slower pace, to try and extend my reach outside of my usual immediate-gratification styled prose. It's in a fantasy vein, and concerns the career of a young huntsman-turned-mercenary--it's called Company of Crows, and I hope you'll give it a shot.

As of writing this, only two chapters are up--until I've gotten myself steady and comfortable, I'm only going to update twice a week. The site's a little bare-bones at the moment, but contains everything you need to read the first two chapters (and as I add more chapters, I'll add additional functionality as necessary). Feel free to comment, etc.

Once I've got three chapters up, I'll submit it to webfiction guide for review, just like this one. Thanks for bearing with me, and thanks for reading!

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Updates Coming Soon

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First off, I'm sorry for the lack of updates over the past week--I've been dealing with a lot of real life crap that I won't go too deep into--like most crap, it involves an abundance of stress and dwindling funds (throw in on top of this that my laptop's been kaput--but I should be sending it in for a full repair in the next few days, so there's that!). I'll be updating ASAP, probably within this week--worst case scenario is that I won't get an update up until the beginning of next week, but now that I'm getting a handle on this that's unlikely.

In the meanwhile, your support is (as always) appreciated; leave comments, feedback at webfiction guide, or even check out my other story--Arcadia Snips and the Steamwork Consortium--and give some thought to possibly purchasing the book (still available!).

I don't like missing due dates as a rule, so in the future I'm going to take a friend's advice and start packing the front end with more updates so when situations like this arise I'll have something to show you. The drawback, though, is that means no more six-a-week updates--I'll be sticking closely to the three, and any extra overflow will go in the queue. I hope that doesn't turn any of the readers who've stuck with me so far off.

As always, thanks for reading!
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Semi-Vacation (but not really)

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So, with Threshold 13 posted, that marks the end of this arc--and brings the current events to a (semi)-close. I'm fairly pleased with where this has gone, even if I think I've already made several key missteps--I started this story with the intent of constantly moving forward and I think I've accomplished that much. Feedback to how I've done so far is, as always, much appreciated.

I'm going to take a break for about two weeks to plan the next arc a bit more heavily--but fear not. Updates will still come, thanks to work written by an alternative author. We'll get a brief opportunity to witness a previous Skull's past, learn more about the government's classification system, and possibly see a few more biographies as well. And at the end of the day, I think the next arc of mine will profit immensely from more planning rather than less (as has been the operating procedure so far). I've got a lot of threads I've got to tie together.

In the meanwhile, please feel free to leave your thoughts in the comment section--the forums--or even fill out our TvTropes page. If you've enjoyed the story so far, consider mentioning it to friends to spread the love. And thanks for following me this far!

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Author! He Intrudes!

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I beg your pardon for the lack updates recently--in recent news, my laptop has been rendered defunct, and it's on my laptop that all my notes concerning the Skull, the characters, and the events of the next few weeks lie. To that end, however, I've decided to continue making updates until I either 1) Get my laptop working again, or 2) Remember what it was I wanted to happen next and write it the hell down. So I'll still be sticking to the three updates per week schedule--I plan on having two more updates before this week is over (whether they'll be story updates or bio updates, we'll see...)

The first bio post I've made is on the Grin, one of Susan Daysdale's (the fifth Skull) villains--although he also did battle with Donnie Daysdale and Bryan Daysdale (the third and fourth Skulls, respectively). He is a bit of a creepy mother-fucker--an analogue to the Joker for this setting--but have no fear, he's dead now.

I plan on doing a few more bio updates (masks--villains, and capes--heroes) regularly, as I get more pictures done of them. Also, on that note--the art of the Grin was provided by my ever-supportive wife, who is available for commissions here.

Thanks for your patience, and hopefully see you soon.

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Once Again, The Author Intrudes

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Sorry about the delay on the previous post; real life is simmering down now so I should have more time to dedicate to the task of updating The Last Skull. I'm thinking of actually moving to a more robust update schedule (5 times per week, on weekdays), but I feel as if I need to justify this somehow.

Anyway, this post is largely here to point out that I've heavily edited the chapter I just posted (Threshold 2) by adding a considerable chunk to its end--it was supposed to be there but I somehow accidentally forgot it. Error corrected! Click here to read the chapter as it should be (or just hit the 'previous' button above!).

On a final note, if you've been enjoying this story, please consider voting/writing a review for the entry on Webfiction Guide, updating its page at TVTropes, donating with the button to your right, checking out my other work, Arcadia Snips, or just passing the word along to friends. Thanks!

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More Authorial Intrusions!

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Just posting to mention that I've set up some forums for folks to give feedback; I want this to be an interactive process between me and the readers--also, I love hearing the CEASELESS PRAISE OF THE MASSES. Also, Nemesis Part 3 is up, and introduces a whole smorgasbord of characters--as well as a smorgasbord of trouble. Really, let's face it: It's a smorgasbord of smorgasbords.

The forums look godawful, I know--I'm working on tracking down a better theme and uploading it. In the meanwhile, I'm also going to create a better space on this site for some fan-created work, as well as a few partnerships I've had with a friend who's producing stories about the earlier Skulls and their interaction with the villains who are showing up just now.

And that's about it. I'll be working on the next few parts--once the Nemesis arc is done, we should be in line for a quick story about the earlier Skull (courtesy of Saladin) and something else even more special. Stay tuned to this space!

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Another Authorial Intrusion

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I've been visiting family, which has given me an excellent opportunity to write an immense quantity of updates per week--but now as I get back home and return to my regular work schedule, readers should expect my updates to return to the steady 'thrice per week' format. The next few days in particular will probably see very few updates from me (though I'll still post at least three updates per week) as I get settled back in and catch up on all the things I need to catch up on.

In the meanwhile, I'm going to take this opportunity to note that readers who want to support The Last Skull can do so by taking a look at my other work, Arcadia Snips and the Steamwork Consortium--support doesn't have to come in the form of money (though money always helps)--just pass the link on to any of your friends who you think might be interested in it. Or, hey--pass on this one! Reviews of either The Last Skull or Arcadia Snips are also always helpful--word of mouth is basically the only thing I've got.

On a final note, I'm planning one additional serial blog--either a spin-off from some of the characters we'll be seeing here or something completely new. I'll probably end up posting about it in this space relatively soon.

Thanks--and thank you for reading!

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An Authorial Intrusion

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And thus ends the first two parts of 'The Last Skull'. I'm going to do a bit of re-organizing over the next few days (not much, just spruce up the labeling--create an efficient division between story pages and non-story pages, etc), and then continue the story with the next part (where things will begin proper, and a new, terrifying enemy will emerge! Quiver with fear!). Keep an eye on this space, etc. I should have everything ready to go by Friday at the very latest.

I'm always interested in feedback--people who want to tell me what they think I'm doing right, what they think I'm doing wrong--or people who just want to ask me questions about the story (it's hard to reply in the comment section here, since it probably rarely gets read). Feel free to contact me at my email address (thegreathippo over at gmail), or leave a comment here or elsewhere--I'll usually respond to the comments when I have time, and I'll always try to respond to emails. Additionally, please feel free to drop off a review of the story at webfictionguide.com or anywhere else.

If you're feeling really adventurous--and want to support a starving writer--please feel free to check out the link to your right that leads to Arcadia Snips, my other finished product that's currently available for sale. Support doesn't always mean you have to shovel out money, either--if you think it's a good story, tell your friends, and tell them to tell their friends. Eventually, a friend might think it's worth buying, and then...

Anyway, thanks for your support--and your continued readership!

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