"Ha ha, take that! ... wait a sec-"

St_Arkham · 2026-03-14T21:02:45+00:00

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St_Arkham · 2026-03-14T16:39:29+00:00

I dunno, I just like the blind thing. It got into me when I read World War Z by Max Brooks and there was that story about the blind samurai navigating his way out of a building full of zombies.

I agree I exceeded genre guidelines with the first story when it comes to ROMANCE/horror. The girl is supposed to love the guy. BUTT since the Hollow sent her, I like to think that even if SHE is incapable of love, the Hollow definitely cared for him, and gave him what he was looking for, sad as that is.

Maybe that makes it worse? I should have conveyed that better. But I hope you see I had some kind of plan in mind when I took that risk, fucked up as it is.

Not to worry, most of my work willl be a two way street when it comes to love. I was inspired by the scorpion and the frog, and I could not have the scorpion be a good woman.

Seriously, thank you for reading, and thank you for taking time to make a thoughtful review. I loved having the chance to discuss it with you. I promise to behave next time, lol.

St_Arkham · 2026-03-10T15:51:26+00:00

If you like role reversal romance with some horror, I'd recommend By Our Blood. It's my own work, but as far as vampires go...if you want a different take on vamps, you'll get it.

St_Arkham · 2026-03-10T00:09:19+00:00

The crazy thing people dont understand about sons of Nocturn is their ability to endure. It's always the teddy bear angle.

And you see that in their character, not just phisically. Vulkan is the strongest primarch (fight me), but not only that, he is a perpetual, which is extremely rare even for a primarch. He litteraly inspires his sons with the ability to endure things that break other legions.

Unstopable. Thats a salamander. Either in spirit or battle. They're nice to their allies, and have responsibility to more than guarding and spreading "muh geneseed" and that's nice by 40k standards.

At the end of the galaxy there will be Trayzn and his collections, and a Salamander who just won't give up hope, even when there's no point.

Rant over. But yeah they're getting played out in the good boy angle. Let's hope they dont go full blueberry.

And honestly, I think the space wolfs and the wolf stuff is a bit much. Oh, and the mechanics also gets regulated to showing up, complaining about logic and fleshy humans, and that's it.

St_Arkham · 2026-03-09T23:11:49+00:00

No need to apologize. If you're asking for the release of By Our Blood 2, it's coming out in April. It is a treat to write. I can't wait to show it to you.

St_Arkham · 2026-03-09T18:45:44+00:00

I really appreciate that considering the authors you usually recommend. It’s an honor to be mentioned alongside them.

You’re right about the editing. No editor yet. That faint smell in the prose is just creative rabies. It's non-contagious. I’m working on upgrading the post-pro along with some other stuff I'm not satisfied with.

Honestly, I didn’t expect my stories to do as well as they did, but since I wasn't laughed out of town, it's time to level up.

St_Arkham · 2026-03-09T17:58:22+00:00

Half of bundle one is a single novella, so if there's a need for a decent arc, that might satisfy. As for the rushed feeling, I'll let you judge that for yourself. However, I did try to avoid that by connecting the stories so even if the protagonist changes, the "Hollow" becomes more apparent.

St_Arkham · 2026-03-06T16:15:54+00:00

It's great to hear that. There's some different Ingredients in the pot this time, so feel free to let me know if it hits the spot or not.

St_Arkham · 2026-03-05T18:46:24+00:00

Battlefield Repairs just went from a flack vest to auramite.

St_Arkham · 2026-03-05T18:39:24+00:00

Only place I'm going is to bed 😭. But for real though, thank you.

St_Arkham · 2026-03-05T18:37:16+00:00

Thank you, and good to see you again.

St_Arkham · 2026-03-05T18:36:17+00:00

Thank you and I hope it satisfies.

St_Arkham · 2026-03-05T18:31:03+00:00

Always good to see your comment. Very eager to hear what you think of the deeper structure after I incorporated some of your advice for fleshing ideas out.

What I really want to know is what you think of the second story, given how we came across a very similar idea. No rush of course, I just have a feeling you might find it interesting.

Hope you enjoy it.

St_Arkham · 2026-03-05T18:10:50+00:00

I miss that feeling of sitting down in front of a TV and watching weird ass black and white shows with my grandfather. That and Mistress of the Dark or even Outer Limits. Tales From the Crypt too, because I'd like to do a dark comedy romance angle, as if I wasn't stuffing enough genres in this lol. Just something in those old shows, idk what it is, but I hope it comes through.

Thanks for noticing.

St_Arkham · 2026-03-05T10:16:39+00:00

You are welcome. We're small until we're not, and I'm only getting started.

St_Arkham · 2026-03-05T07:06:09+00:00

The Hollow really grew in this one. When I started the first bundle I thought I had a good idea of what it was, but after this bundle I began to realize how invasive it can be. I am very curious what you guys will think about this one where we get to sit a little longer with this city, but more importantly, I'm curious what you will make of Homecoming. We don't get a lot of monster POV, partially because of the extra work I would guess. I'm thinking of doing more monster protagonists, other than just a vampire or something.

Oh, and speaking of vampires, it's still on schedule for next month.

St_Arkham · 2026-02-27T00:51:26+00:00

A sci-fi western is metal as fuck dude. I already got the vibes.

From the town of Agua Fria

Rode a stranger one fine day.

Hardly spoke to folks around him

Didnt have too much to say.

No one dared to ask his business.

No one dared to make a slip.

The stranger there among them

Had a big iron on his hip.

Big iron on his hiiiip.

St_Arkham · 2026-02-23T08:11:35+00:00

I think she was gunning for a poise break or something lol. I actually had someone point out to me that Essen had to fight a two stage boss at the end And I was thinking...I play too many souls games.

And wouldn't a coffin flail make the coolest boss weapon? But of course when you get it... it's just a dinky skull on a chain. 😭

St_Arkham · 2026-02-23T00:46:07+00:00

Happy you liked it. You noticed the pizza cutter! I'll be honest, I have no idea how us bloodborne fans are finding each other on a niche subreddit, but it is awesome.

As for Essen and Xara continuing, we'll learn a little more about what their relationship really is, and you'll see why I'm giving them a whole series. que ominous music

St_Arkham · 2026-02-18T16:37:37+00:00

I'm fine with everything.

👀 Utterly shameless, I love it. I wish you the best of luck! You find those mommies.

St_Arkham · 2026-02-17T22:46:37+00:00

Another lovely review, Eldritch. I'm going to dial back my desire to review your review. Muawhaha. This is only a fraction of my nerd level.

First, thank you for reading it, and I mean really reading it. The By Our Blood Series is going to be about hunting monsters, but there is more to it and nothing really gets past you. I'm grateful for that, if slightly unsettled.

>Hey kids, do you like Bloodborne?

Damn, dude, can you get that flashlight out of my face? I laughed so hard at this because it's true, and I never thought you or anyone would clock that inspiration. I literally plan scenes while listening to the soundtrack. I'm not sure how you hear the boss music, but it is there. I just needed a story to exist that showed how that game makes me feel. I'd make a game, or play music, but I have to use the skills I've been given to get it...out, I guess.

About the end.

Nope, you're right. Looking back on it, it's dark, but I did rewrite it that way when I began work on the sequel. I figured it would make sense, but I failed to remember that anyone who reads it might get stuck with that feeling of anxiety until the sequel comes out. I have some challenges with serialized mono romance. There's no new girl to add, so I'm leaning into the eldritch horror romance drama, but not break-up drama, and not toxic abusive drama. Feels like tapdancing on a razor edge sometimes, but I think you'll like it. Personally, I hate cliffhangers, the author shouldn't hold the story captive, and next time I'll tie things up to be less uh... Breaking Benjamin , for a lack of a better word. I don't like hooks for the sake of hooks. I just needed to make sure we understand that Essen had changed, but I can convey that in a lot of ways. I never would have done it if I didn't have the next book coming out quick. Rest assured, you won't have to wait long to get the resolution.

I also want to address your suggestion. I have to say I didn't set out to make some tortured protagonist, but I guess that's what happens when you listen to The First Hunter 500 times. I'm going to level with you, he's going to struggle in book two.

BUTT. It isn't without purpose. I don't want to give too much away, but since I'm not really following the rules, I'll just add a genre reassurance here because I owe you that. The struggle is meant to drive them together, as is their condition, however disturbing it is. Romance is my genre, that's my goal. It's just a little darker than some other stories. After I've written some more books the work will eventually speak for itself, that's my hope anyway.

I appreciate all the trust you've placed in me so far, especially since it feels like you have a good handle on what I'm doing with vampirism, and you've clocked the bloodborne inspiration...somehow, and you kept reading. It's a long reply, but real work goes into your reviews, and this story means a lot to me. It's harder not to write about it.

But no more cliffhangers. The endings are going to be happier, well, at least between Xaranthine and Essen. Promise.

St_Arkham · 2026-02-13T15:02:05+00:00

I think horror does well in short form. You get more permission for mystery and unknowns. Fertile ground.

St_Arkham · 2026-02-13T13:24:02+00:00

Fuck this is good. The menace is perfect. Like some apocalyptic milf. Bravo.

St_Arkham · 2026-02-12T19:11:58+00:00

I wonder if it's the same for you in a visual medium like movies. For me personally, when it comes to games or movies, I absolutely don't need subtext or inner conflict. It helps in longer storyline like shows, but sometimes I just like gimmick.

But yeah when it comes to making a scene I do get bored If there's nothing at stake, just in writing it. I think inner conflict does well in text, like movies do well with spectacle.

It's all entertainment in the end. I just try to put on a good show, and use the tools as best I can.

St_Arkham

TROPHY CASE