Hey everyone! I'm going to launch AA on Royal Road pretty soon - 2 or 3 weeks. I've been using Midjourney to make a temporary book cover, but I commissioned a human-made one because I like supporting humans. The problem is, I'm not sure I like the new art better. In fact, the people I've asked say the Midjourney one is better. Let's see what you all think. Additionally, if you don't like either...
2025-05-21 14:58:43 +0000 UTC View PostHere's another chapter for you! Thanks for reading and for all the feedback :)
-Plum
32 – Pyroglyph Invoker
As Andy said, “Yes,” the glyphs under the smooth surface of the slate began to shift and stir. The faint, silvery light that occasionally traced them became steady and grew in brightness. H...
2025-05-20 21:11:27 +0000 UTC View PostHere's your intro to Dark Ember :) Hope you enjoy it!
-Plum
6 – Stonereach County
When Chantico led him across the last world bridge and they stood on the spirit plane local to Dark Ember, Victor could feel the miasma of death in the air. Even there, though a veil separated the material and spirit pl...
2025-05-20 20:47:56 +0000 UTC View PostEnjoy the chapter! If it feels like I'm reviewing names and things in these conversations a lot, that's on purpose; I feel like this plot is getting a little convoluted, and I don't want readers to be like, "Wait... who's that guy again?"
Thanks!
-Plum
37 – Trust
When Ward felt the tug...
2025-05-19 20:23:26 +0000 UTC View PostEnjoy the chapter! Have a nice rest of your weekend :)
-Plum
5 – Soon Enough
When Victor returned to his palace at Iron Mountain, he teleported directly into the workroom outside of his cultivation chamber. He’d already spent time saying his farewells to Kynna, Bryn, and the others; Arona knew he...
2025-05-18 20:12:18 +0000 UTC View PostEnjoy the chapter :)
-Plum
30 – Spoils of War
“Why here?” Addie asked as Tony pulled the van into the alley where the basement entrance to Doc Fox’s chop shop was tucked away.
“Because this guy’s not affiliated with any corps. In fact, he doesn’t get along with them, especially Boxe...
2025-05-17 19:23:23 +0000 UTC View PostHere's your delivery :)
Happy Friday, everyone!
-Plum
29 – The Star of the Show
“Holy shit,” Tony said, glancing over at her from the driver’s seat. Addie raised her eyebrows in question. “Check the account.”
Addie knew what account he meant, of course....
2025-05-16 20:50:24 +0000 UTC View PostOkay, this should be the last of our "catching up" chapters for a while. Hope you enjoy!
-Plum
4 – The Value of Being Good
“You’re very close, aren’t you?” Yon asked, chasing his words with several strange clicks in the depths of his avian throat. “When you came to me, your pool of Energy was already at hei...
2025-05-15 20:13:32 +0000 UTC View PostHere's today's chapter! I'm seeing very accurate predictions in my comments, and I have to wonder if I'm being too predictable, lol. Perhaps you're all just exceptionally intelligent, though. Yeah, I'll go with that. Anyway, it's all right; we all love to get a prediction right, don't we? :)
-Plum
36 – Anything 2025-05-14 18:41:24 +0000 UTC View Post
Enjoy the chapter!
-Plum
31 – A Moment to Rest
Andy and his ragtag group of rescued prisoners stumbled through the darkness, following Wentworth northward until Andy glimpsed the lurching shapes of several large, hunched figures—humanoid but monstrous—rooting around in the back of an overturned s...
2025-05-13 22:03:53 +0000 UTC View PostHere we go - Chapter Three and the descriptions of Victor's further gift-giving that I promised you. Thanks for reading and for all the feedback :) It helps!
-Plum
3 – The Meaning of Home
As Lesh sat down, cradling the massive sword across his knees, Victor regarded the rest of their little gathering...
2025-05-13 19:11:33 +0000 UTC View PostI hope you enjoy the chapter :)
Thanks for reading and for the feedback; I appreciate it all.
-Plum
35 – Sacrifice
Ward skulked in an alley across the street from the gates leading to Fitz’s estate. It was already after sundown, but he had a feeling he might be waiti...
2025-05-12 19:38:43 +0000 UTC View PostHey folks - I know my AA posts have slowed down a bit. My free time's been slammed by other obligations lately. I'll, hopefully, pick up the pace soon. :)
-Plum
30 – Recruitment
As soon as his feet touched the asphalt, Andy pulled his spear the rest of the way through the fence and then darted toward...
2025-05-11 21:36:16 +0000 UTC View PostHappy Mother's Day!
Here's your chapter :)
Enjoy~
-Plum
2 – Weighing the Scales
“Opening your spirit or soul space is one of the—”
Victor cleared his throat, interrupting the Spirit Master, “Excuse me, Dar. When you say ‘...
2025-05-11 18:50:03 +0000 UTC View PostEnjoy the chapter! Let me know if this "subject 12" stuff makes sense. You'll see what I mean toward the end of the chapter.
Thanks for reading :)
-Plum
28 – Subject Twelve
Addie sprinted for the stairs, her heart pounding, her mind racing with conflicting emotions, mostly worry for To...
2025-05-10 20:15:49 +0000 UTC View PostEnjoy the chaos! Have a great weekend :)
-Plum
27 – Cold Mary
Tony pounded on the door. He wasn’t one to go charging into a home because of some yelling, but the scream had been blood-curdling, if faint. It had sounded like someone facing the cold, hard realization of impending doom.
“I didn’t hear it,” Addie whispered.
“I barely did. Nora picked...
2025-05-09 20:29:48 +0000 UTC View PostYay! We're starting book 11. :)
I hope you enjoy it. Keep in mind that, when this is a book, it'll be the first chapter that book readers will have seen in 4 or 5 months, so I wanted to kind of provide a kind of review of what's going on. This chapter and probably the next 1 or 2 will accomplish that.
Thanks! Enjoy~ 2025-05-08 19:16:02 +0000 UTC View Post
Hey, everyone! I just wanted to share the news: Neon Dust has a publisher - Podium Entertainment. More than that, I've confirmed with them that, for the audio version, I'll have duet narration with both Suzy Jackson (from Cyber Dreams) and Robb Moreira (from Victor of Tucson). I'm so stoked to hear these two incredible talents bring this story to life.
Book One's manuscript has b...
2025-05-08 15:18:52 +0000 UTC View PostEnjoy the chapter!
Yes, I read your feedback and appreciate it! I hear your concern, Omar :)
-Plum
34 – Asking for Help
“Well, Ward? You’re sure you can’t join us?” Fitz asked, gesturing toward the clockwork coach, burbling and clicking as it idled near the street. Haley was si...
2025-05-07 17:14:31 +0000 UTC View PostSorry, I'm a day late! Please enjoy the chapter :)
Thank you for reading and supporting my work!
-Plum
33 – Shadows of Doubt
Haley looked back at Ward, watching him go into his apartment. She felt guilty about not being open with him, but it was a small feeling, easily overshadowed by ...
2025-05-06 18:02:43 +0000 UTC View PostHere's a little something for you to read this fine Sunday.
-Plum
29 – Reconnaissance
Andy clutched his new spear haft, smiling at how James had smoothed and tapered the end to fit perfectly into the steel spearhead the System had given him. It had a proper heft to it now and was easily a foot and a ...
2025-05-04 16:08:44 +0000 UTC View PostHere's today's chapter. Sorry for the cliff . . .
Enjoy!
-Plum
26 – Takumi Stack
“You’re sure this is okay?” Addie asked, looking down at her new holster, attached to her belt, right out in the open.
“You know the rules. We got permission from Takumi corp...
2025-05-03 20:29:24 +0000 UTC View PostHere's today's chapter. I hope you like it! Have a nice Friday :)
-Plum
25 – To Hunt a Ghost
When Tony returned to the lobby of the SOA office, he couldn’t help smiling at the way Addie beamed at him. She immediately jumped up and walked over to him, heedless of the other people waiting for service, as she grabbed ...
2025-05-02 21:12:04 +0000 UTC View PostHey, all! I might be taking a few days off to let my mind ruminate about VoT, Book 11, but that doesn't mean I can't deliver another AA chapter for you all! :)
Enjoy!
-Plum
28 – Just Doing My Best
At Andy’s words, any control over the crowd he might have had fell apart. He didn’t t...
2025-05-01 18:15:53 +0000 UTC View PostHere's your chapter! Enjoy :)
-Plum
32 – The Medicant
It was close to the middle of the night when they emerged from the gate, into the moonlit market square from which they’d entered the challenge. The only person present to see them exit was a sleepy guard standing watch over that corner of the market. He almost ...
2025-04-30 19:06:18 +0000 UTC View PostWell, folks, this wraps up book 10! I know many of you have an idea of how things should go, but I hope you'll find my version of the next couple of books satisfactory. :) In my head, it's going to be awesome, but the hard part is getting it from my head and into text without losing a lot of that awesomeness. We'll see how it goes! :P
Now, my brain ne...
2025-04-29 16:35:55 +0000 UTC View PostHere's a fresh delivery for you :)
Enjoy!
-Plum
27 – Priorities
***Congratulations, Andy! You defended your settlement and have slain four members of a neighboring, hostile settlement. Because of this battle, you can declare war on the Hardhead Co...
2025-04-28 23:37:41 +0000 UTC View PostEnjoy the chapter!
-Plum
31 – The Shape of Secrets
“How’s he look?” Ward asked, watching Lali gently probe Trent’s bruised, swollen forehead.
“I can feel the bone through the swelling now, and aye, it feels too damn mushy.”
“Don’t press on it!” Haley hissed, grabbing Lal...
2025-04-28 18:05:28 +0000 UTC View PostHere we go, folks. One more chapter in book 10. I'll deliver it on Tuesday, then I'm going to take a week off VOT to give my brain a break. This chapter will give you some clues about what's coming next, but the chapter on Tuesday will give you even more insight.
I've seen a lot of speculation about the order in which Victor should tackle his outstand...
2025-04-27 17:49:39 +0000 UTC View PostHere's your chapter :) Thanks for reading!
-Plum
24 – Tier Nine
Addie collapsed onto the pile of moving blankets, making an exaggerated groan of exhaustion. “Please tell me that was the last load!”
Tony chuckled, leaning a shoulder against the van, while her dad rolled up the cargo straps. “You k...
2025-04-26 19:50:38 +0000 UTC View Post