Hi Ria of Shadewood readers! It's been a while since my last posting, so I'd like to bring you some updates!

First, progress on Ria book #3 has been going reasonably well, and we are on track for the shorter end of the projected hiatus duration. Patreon now has four new Ria chapters.

I also have some good news! So as to not screw over my $2 patrons while rebuilding patreon to 10 chapters ahead, chapters will be resuming on Royalroad at 7 chapters ahead! (Instead of 10.) Every 2 chapters after that point, RoyalRoad will get a new chapter until we reach the planned backlog of 10 chapters.

Book 1 is still being edited, so no timetable on KU stubbing yet.

The reason I'm still editing is:

I got enticed by the prizes and the writing prompt for the RoyalRoad Community Magazine contest and and entered a new story called The Torch.

Here's the blurb:

With debt slavery looming all but inevitable after a catastrophic expedition, Toren learns of an opportunity to join a crown-sponsored colonization of new lands. Lured by the possibility to earn forgiveness for his debts, he gambles away his levels and Profession for a chance to meet the recruitment requirement: a gold-rarity trait.

Returned to level 1, can he survive in untamed lands long enough to earn the needed contribution credits?

Aaaanyway. The contest is over and I didn't win anything, so I need to make some decisions about the new story while it still might have a shot at Rising Stars.

Villainess Veronica: Vampires and Vines won the previous poll, but with the deluge of new stories for the contest, I didn't want to risk launching Veronica's story until the rush petered out some.

That brings us to the current situation, and I need your help to decide the new story's fate! Do I continue to carry the torch while delaying the villainess or is it time to unleash the villainess?

Only you can decide.

(If it helps your decision, The Torch is a 'one-shot' type story in the same world as Villainess Veronica.)