The wait for Book 5

Hey guys!

I'm just here to announce officially, for those who might be coming to check out the Patreon after the release of A Foreboding of Woe, that we're on a short hiatus from new Practical Guide to Sorcery chapters as I write my way into Book 5, A Cauldron of Bitterness. 

So we've got everything up to Chapter 204 -- "Hermeneutics," which is the last chapter of Book 4 (and we also have about 30k words of exclusive bonus content from books 1-4 that you won't find in major bookstores.) 

I generally try to stay far enough ahead of the chapters I'm releasing so that I never need to take a hiatus on the weekly chapters. But, you know, the best laid plans of Azalea sometimes go awry. 

I'm plotting Book 5 right now, tying all the plot threads and character stuff together with the reveal of more mysteries and the exploration of magic. Sometimes the plotting goes smoothly and ideas spring up like weeds. Sometimes I spend multiple days bashing my head against the metaphorical wall of a plot problem, trying to break it down, go around it, or climb over it. 

Once I'm finished with that, I'll start writing the beginning, and try to get a chunk of chapters ahead so that the chapters I release are less likely to need changes after being released. As I've mentioned before, I tend to write in loops, where something I'm currently writing leads me to realize I need to change 6 things throughout the previous 20 chapters. If I can get far enough ahead, I'm less likely to need to change things. 

I plan to start posting chapters from Book 5 on Thursday, April 4, after which the regular Thursday posting will resume. 

In the meantime: 

• I'll be posting the illustrated character cards that I'm way behind on. 
• I also hope to do more fun contest stuff like the previous engagement challenges.   
• And I'm pretty excited to put together some PGTS-themed swag/merchandise to give away, which you guys can give your input on to help me decide what to produce. We'll do a poll and take suggestions.
• I will be around on Azalea's Arcane Alcove, and if you're eager to discuss various characters, mysteries, and what might come next, that's also a great place to discuss stuff with other readers. 

Stick around and keep an eye out to be involved in that stuff. If you want to be sure to get any important updates from me to make sure you don't miss anything big, feel free to subscribe to my monthly newsletter. 

P.S. -- I'm pretty sure Book 5 will start with another Thaddeus POV chapter. :)