So ... what now?

Chapter 20 is out. Plotlines have coalesced. Characters have arced. Realizations have been had, and new, ever-more harebrained schemes have been laid.

Where do we go from here?

The obvious is answer is "Book Two", but Talia and Beth aren't quite ready to get there yet. The serialization of 'RCBG' has been a joy to work on, a gift to share, and a true delight to behold the reception to, but it is what it is, and what it is, is a first draft. This is more obvious if you look at the first seven chapters and read them right before the last seven: the scope, stakes, and characterization are all very different now that we've had a chance to experience this world and the people who inhabit it in a much fuller sense that has far outstripped the ambitions and aims of the initial joke premise.

Yes, RCBG is a satire of a specific kind of transfeminine struggle and community structure---its satirical roots with regards to transfeminine self-denial and self-determination remain evident even in chapter 20 (if you know, you know). Regardless, if we were to simply take the existing text of the serial and publish it as a book, to be experienced end-to-end instead of on a weekly, evolving basis, we strongly suspect that it would not be nearly as enjoyable nor impactful as is has been to follow this story as it develops these past three months.

As such, Beth and Talia will be editing the book---not extensively, and not in a way that radically alters the plot, events, and dynamics that are so beloved by serial readers. We will, however, introduce important and notable characters earlier, make the various intersecting plotlines cohere better, and in general ensure that the story's full scope and breadth is presented in a more natural and digestible way.

We will also, importantly, cut down on the "character silos", where pairs of characters (Nickathy, Lauremmy) tend to interact in closed-off dyads (in Nichole's bedroom, or in a video call, etc.), taking advantage of our full cast and presenting readers with more character interactions and meatier storylines to sink their teeth into.

If you're a reader of the serial, will you enjoy our upcoming book, Gender Phantoms? We'd like to think so. We believe the novelization of the serial will contain enough new material for fans to enjoy while presenting a familiar story in a new, updated, better format.

Of course, we will not be releasing the book in a serialized format---this is not going to be serial 2. At some point, writers need the freedom in the drafting process to work on the book end-to-end, which will be a faster and more efficient process (bringing you the book quicker) and also spare you from sitting through the same story a second time.

While we work on the book, however, we will not simply cease updating! We will be putting out more side content, such as Republican Competitive Ballot Growth (due this week!) as well as prequel, sidequel, and AU materials that you, the Patrons, get to vote on! Do you want to see more of what Bobbie and Alex get up to, or get a scene of Tahani and Rupali getting ready for the ball? You might just get to!

Finally, while we won't be serializing the novel, we will be putting out the first (and maybe even second!) chapter of the book, exclusive to Patreon, once those are ready and locked-in! Consider it a thank you for sticking with us and supporting us.

Once Gender Phantoms is finished, editing, and released, we will resume updating RCBG here and on ScribbleHub, serializing Book Two as we did Book One. When that will be exactly, we cannot say, but we do think we will resume the main continuity before 2026, though no earlier than November.

On a final note: Thank you once again, from the bottom of our hearts. Your support has made this possible, and we are overjoyed to keep bringing you more of this zany, absurd world that has become oddly heartfelt and human in the process of creating it.

Warmest thanks,

Talia and Beth