Reflections on Publication

Without realizing it, I've written into the late hours again. Since starting this book, staying up late has become the norm.

I originally intended to post my thoughts tomorrow, but now, in the stillness of the night, I feel compelled to ramble a bit.

My editor, Night Snack, has just informed me that the book will be launched tomorrow at noon. There may be a delay of about ten minutes before the chapters become visible.

As for updates, there will be at least three chapters per day, each four thousand words long. I have no stockpile; everything is written on the spot, so the chapters might be posted separately.

Looking ahead, if the first-day subscriptions exceed three thousand, I’ll update at least ten thousand words daily this month. If they surpass four thousand, I’ll update more than fifteen thousand words each day.

With another book launch approaching, my mood is more anxious than ever. After three consecutive flops, my mindset has become unsteady. The results of this new book have already exceeded expectations, which makes me all the more anxious and afraid to hope too much.

The last book started with three hundred subscriptions and reached an average of fifteen hundred. I didn’t earn much, but I certainly tasted the helplessness and struggle of trying to turn around poor results.

That’s why I’m pouring every effort into this one—carefully polishing my words, pondering the plot, striving to do my best.

Three failed books in a row and all my old readers have drifted away. When I ask in the group if anyone is still reading, I receive only a few responses. It’s disheartening, and I wonder if there’s any chance to meet those old readers again.

Since this book’s launch, I’ve faced all kinds of cutting comments and even personal attacks that nearly shattered my composure.

Fortunately, the book gained momentum later on. The number of followers slowly increased, and with everyone’s support, it even made it to the loudspeaker and headed for the Three Rivers event. Oh, and that happens tomorrow, meaning the launch won’t benefit from the Three Rivers boost.

I have no idea how many first-day subscriptions there will be—no sense of certainty at all. In the past, I could usually make an educated guess, but now I truly have no clue.

There are nearly forty thousand followers, but each chapter receives very few comments, and there aren’t many recommendation or monthly votes either. It feels a bit like a single-player game, so I really can’t estimate. My anxiety only grows.

I just hope it doesn’t flop too badly.

I hope you’ll consider supporting the official release, casting a monthly vote, and recommending the book.

I hope this time, I can finally turn things around.

It’s late, so I’ll stop rambling. I need to get up tomorrow to write the launch chapters.

In any case, as I said at the beginning—write slowly, and as long as life endures, so will my words.

Tomorrow at noon, I hope you’ll join me on the Qidian app to make that first subscription.

Thank you all.

Li Hongtian