IMPORTANT: THIS IS NOT ABOUT THE CURRENT FICTION. THIS IS ABOUT THE UPCOMING PUBLISHED VERSION OF THIS STORY. THE CURRENT FICTION'S NAME WILL STAY THE SAME. TL;DR AT BOTTOM.

If you've paid attention to previous author notes and comments, you'll know that I plan to publish this. The published version will be very different with heavy edits, some new parts, and some parts cut out. Think of this story as like a draft for that upcoming story. By differentiating this from the published version, I believe it will be easier to keep this story up for free and leave buying the published version as optional. While making the published version different enough to be worth reading both.

Side note: While this is a draft version, I will transfer over as many spelling/grammar fixes as I can. I might make an epub of this draft too for those offline readers.

This brings up several questions about what differences there should be. I know for sure that I want a different cover for the published version. I'm keeping EpicKiller11's cover on this for now. However, I'm a bit torn about the name.

Should I keep the same name?

"Observation of a Demon Tortoise"

I came up with this name for a simple reason. One, it's direct and tells you exactly what the story is about from a single glance. Two, it's unprofessional and works well together with the cover. I lied about changing the cover eventually and intended to keep the Microsoft Paint one as it complemented the unprofessional element to the story's draw. Of course, EpicKiller11's cover was too beautiful to pass up. Not only was a new cover refreshing, but its cool look despite being bad photoshop suited the theme of an unprofessional title and cover. (No insult EpicKiller11, the cover is great)

The thing about RRL is that blatant unprofessionalism can draw in people and even a stick figure cover can draw in massive amounts of curious viewers.

However, once we get into the territory of publishing, unprofessional becomes a massive buzzkill. On RRL, people can read whatever they want for free and more likely to try something that looks low quality as long as it stands out. Not only that, but the fact that it's an amateur site makes low-quality content more acceptable with a strong focus on creativity (that and regular updates). In publishing, if you buy a book you don't like, you've just wasted your money and have less room for trying out new stuff.

There is always the chance that someone will read the sample and see that things aren't too bad. However, most will judge by the cover and title then move onto the synopsis, reviews, and sample. It's a strict screening process because when people pay money they expect quality in return.

Heck, I even have to worry about what I register as the author name. I doubt I can get away with Tortoise Fortis, so that leaves me with creating a new penname that sounds like a real name or using my real name. I don't think I'd be able to use my real name. Don't have that kind of confidence and I'm paranoid about the people around me finding out about my story. I have a trauma from showing my best friend from highschool one of my first stories without letting him know it was mine. Needless to say, it did not go well as they promptly called it shit. Can't blame them as I'm not well known for being tactful either.

Back to the topic at hand. I'm thinking about changing the name. I'll be coming up with some new names in the coming days but I'm all ears, or rather eyes, for suggestions. Or if you'd like, you can insist I keep the name. It does have its own charm and I suppose I could make up for it with a really good cover.

Progress update: I'm in contact with a possible editor and know of an artist that specializes in the style I want for the published version's cover. I haven't done anything with finality as I don't think I have enough content to start this yet. Also, I'm self-publishing so when I do start the publishing process, I'll have to dish out a few hundred dollars from my personal savings.

TL;DR

-Story will get published but will be different

-This story won't be taken down and an epub might be made

-Will have different cover and possibly a new name

-Comment new name suggestions if you'd like, or tell me to keep the current name

-New name will only apply to the published version