Biggest Announcement Ever

Illustration of Valeria by Gabrielle Ragusi

I'll go ahead and cut to the chase: My War on the Gods Companion Stories series is getting a complete overhaul.

While it always has and always will take place in the War on the Gods world, this series needs its own identity.

When I first wrote book one (a short story titled "The Shield of Nike"), I never intended on writing a novel-length book two, book three, or book four, all of which are now either published or awaiting publication.

I originally intended for it to be a one-shot short story that took place within War on the Gods, its sole purpose to get people interested in the main series.

However, the gears in my head kept turning, and it became so much more than a side story.

And, because it became so much more, it deserves so much more.

"The Shield of Nike" has fascinating concepts, yet it's by far the weakest thing I've ever written... all because I didn't treat it as a proper book one of a series. Basically, it's not long enough or well-developed enough to stand on its own or get lots of people interested in reading its sequel.

Which brings me to my next point.

For the past few months, I've been having "visions" about how to make "The Shield of Nike" (and, consequently, the series as a whole) so. Much. Better. About how to make it a story that stands on its own and has a unique identity.

I want TSON to be a proper novel, with great arcs and characterization, an exciting love story, and an emphasis on the horror/dark fantasy/postapocalyptic elements, as I believe those are what make this series special among the slew of other mythology books out there.

At this point, you might be wondering what I mean when I say the series is getting a "complete overhaul" - after all, if book one is the problem, why wouldn't I just expand book one to novel-length and call it a day?

Well, like I said before, this series needs its own identity. I don't want it to be called War on the Gods Companion Stories, for starters. It needs its own series title, its own book title "pattern," its own unique style of cover art... the works.

So, here's what I'm going to do.

In January 2024, I'm going to unpublish "The Shield of Nike" and Son of Time, and also cancel A Deal with Loki's release.

Then, I'm going to rewrite TSON and revise SOT and ADWL so that books two and three of the story are cohesive with the new book one.

Finally, I'm going to re-release the series, and it's going to be more thrilling than ever.

I know this sounds crazy. I know I seem insane for doing this. After all, I'm already juggling so many other projects, why wouldn't I just leave this story alone? But trust me when I say that if I don't bring it to its full potential, it will haunt me forever.

I adore these characters. I adore this world. I know in my heart what could be, and I have to make it happen. I have to share it with the world.

I mentioned that the series will be getting its own title, and that the books in the series will be getting new titles.

Of course, I wanted to share them with you today.

Series Title: The Gods Are Rotting

Book One (previously "The Shield of Nike"): The Gods Are Rotting

Book Two (previously Son of Time): The Gods Are Lying

Book Three (previously A Deal with Loki): The Gods Are Killing

Book Four (previously Escaping the Underworlds): The Gods Are Dying

I hope you're as excited as I am about the new direction the series is taking. I can't wait to share more about it with you. See you next time!