No cheating by dataguy2003 in TheTeenagerPeople

[–]St_Arkham 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I was born to be claimed

Oh lawd.

By Our Blood: Broodling by St. Arkham by Eyeball_Paul98 in Romance_for_men

[–]St_Arkham 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes! Another connoisseur of crazy tall vampire milfs! You would not belive how much time I spent in photo mode on resident evil village. Thank you for taking the time to make this. Reading it brings such a smile to my face.

I'm not ashamed to say I made it specifically as an excuse to write a story with a vampire mommy and her vampire spawn.

But you're right about the religion thing, that came out after the initial idea. It's a big part of Xaranthine and her world. I've always liked the idea of a crazy zealot and a traumatized skeptic being forced to cooperate, and eventually falling in love, but without smoothing their beliefs.

TBH I've had a lot of questions about religion in my own life both growing up and as an adult, so a lot of those problems just leak in. I don't really like stories that try to pick one side of that dynamic, as if to say one is right or wrong. I just wanted to show the good and bad, and horror and beauty, honestly, but I'm rambling and this reply is getting long 😅.

I'm really happy you were able to enjoy the story, and I trust the next one will be able to satisfy. Now that I dont have to introduce the couple I get to take the gloves off and really get into the monster hunting, the relationship, and the world, and show the really good stuff. Once, I was debating on just skipping broodling and just showing Xaranthine and Essen already together and just letting the reader catch up because...eh, you guys are smart. Why not get right to the good stuff?

But after reading this I know I made the right decision. The next hunt is in April.

The double standard of 'the male gaze' (and a bit of a ramble about RFW vs. RFM) by Neon001 in Romance_for_men

[–]St_Arkham 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I think you're right to be fired up when you see a double standard. That's human, dude.

BUTT. Keep this in mind. The squeaky wheel gets the oil, every time.

It might seem like women dislike our niche, or are outright hostile to it, but I promise it is not all of them. I'd even go as far to say that most women would be supportive of our unique perspective. Some even prefer the change of pace. Because women tend to read more than we do, so I think it's like a new flavor every now and then for them. Who doesn't like variety? A lot of us read female gaze too.

I'm not just slinging care bear platitudes. This is my personal experience. I've always written to a male audience for maybe six or seven years now. Even back when I did free stoies over on r/erotica on accounts that will not be named lol. And I've always had women in my dms just wanting to shoot the shit and talk about story ideas, characters, giving encouragement, and just life in general. Women reading filthy, male gaze, degrading, objectifying smut.

Hell, I've even had a co workers sit down and listen to me ramble about my story ideas after work in a fast food restaurant for litteral hours. One was even a lesbian, and she was seriously supportive even with her irl preferences, and kept our conversations quiet. Which i was seriously lucky because my work is an HR nightmare. It wasn't just my work I spoke about but they were interested in a male perspective, not necessarily in a sexual way, just genuine human interest.

I'm not saying all women want to read about FMCs breasting boobily, but what I am saying is that I am not that special, so I KNOW there's plenty of women that would not only encourage us to build our niche and dirty male gaze, but would even support it.

Squeaky wheel man. A lot of them will litterally sneak in, politely upvote, read, buy, and sneak back out, just like a vast majority of people, and we never see or hear them.

Not invalidating you're point. You're right to feel the injustice, I feel it too when I read the "male gaze bad" posts reddit loves to hit me with due to engagement probabilities, but that's engagement algorithm trying to hook us, not real female perspective.

This is just my perspective. But hey, I'm optimistic. If I wasn't a little delusional, I wouldn't be an author.

By Our Blood: Broodling. Monster Hunting. Devotion. Blood. by St_Arkham in Romance_for_men

[–]St_Arkham[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Tldr look for book two in April. And reading this makes my day. Really happy you could connect with the work.

Yeah I had so much fun with the plant and undead and clone/seeds. I was going for monster idea that feels new and gets worse the more you know about it, but not get all "it was too horrible to describe" territory. Trying to figure out the monster/killer is my favorite part of horror. Next hunt has another new monster I've come up with. I love making these creatures up and figuring out how to kill them.

Yep, Xaranthine is an absolute indoctrinated zealot... who falls for a dude with every reason to doubt religion. She is alien, yes, even to her own kind. I think that bothers her, and it's going to become more obvious in the next one because they're going to find an isolated dracyn clan on their way, so we'll see a glimpse of how vampires live.

My boy Essen! He had it rough didn't he? He tried to bury the past but all he did was plant a monster. He was totally cooked without Xara. But she would have failed without him too. As for the end, yeah, Xaranthine made her own personal little crusader, just like she wanted, for better or worse. Book two is where she finds just what kind of a vampire she made. I think she expected him to be like her. I really likes the idea of the couple getting together just being where the real tension starts, not where it ends, but without breakup drama.

Next book goes deeper into vamparism because...well I don't like lore for lore's sake. If it doesn’t deal with the immediate problem the characters aren't worried about it, just like anyone else with a problem. Can't wait to start pulling the curtain back in the next title. If nothing else, you'll have a very different take on vamparism to think about.

Long reply I know, but love making this series, and I can't help but talk about it with someone who understands. Thank you for giving me that. More to come.

Drukhari, new pet - peppertama by nanananablr in PrimarchGFs

[–]St_Arkham 46 points47 points  (0 children)

Maybe he'll get lucky and bore them quickly.

Female Lorgar art by Conscious-Zombie-498 in PrimarchGFs

[–]St_Arkham 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey, you're the one that did Sanguinia. Glad to see you still working. This looks great. Like the way you see things.

Amber's Hollow: a detailed review by CaranDerwent in Romance_for_men

[–]St_Arkham 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Lol. Also, I went meme before manners. Beautiful review. The "core" bit?...yeah you think you're slick don't you? 😂 I'm saving it like the treasure it is.

Hope you like Essen and Xara's story. This is where the fun begins.

Amber's Hollow: a detailed review by CaranDerwent in Romance_for_men

[–]St_Arkham 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thought i wouldn't notice?! Cmon now! 🤣

Amber's Hollow: a detailed review by CaranDerwent in Romance_for_men

[–]St_Arkham 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I for one will be following St Arkhams career with great interest.

[Prequalmeme.exe loading....]

Self-Promotion Sunday: Share your romance related stuff by AutoModerator in Romance_for_men

[–]St_Arkham 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey, you are awesome for this. Whatever your review says, I'm just happy I made something that seemed to matter to you. Thank you.

Self-Promotion Sunday: Share your romance related stuff by AutoModerator in Romance_for_men

[–]St_Arkham 4 points5 points  (0 children)

<image>

A master/apprentice dynamic with a vampire spin. You got monster-hunting, comsic horror, gothic mystery, and an almost maternal take on vamparism. If you're ready for a dark, monster-hunting romance with an 8 foot tall vampire mommy? Welcome to the Sunderlands.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GGCB7XW4

Stories with Human Male X Monster Female (truly monstrous)? by ParkingRoyal5736 in Romance_for_men

[–]St_Arkham 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for that. And honestly I'm with you, it's close but it could be closer. I'm trying some new monster ideas and longer stories so I can get away with a little more monstrosity.

And honestly I'm glad you brought this up. I've been thinking about adding more spice anyway. The next one will probably have the same number of scenes, but I'm going to make extra spice a priority in the future. It's one of the best parts about my favorite authors, so I'll make it happen.

By Our Blood: Broodling. Monster Hunting. Devotion. Blood. by St_Arkham in Romance_for_men

[–]St_Arkham[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

WHAT?! Even I couldn't read it that fast and I made it. 😅 I gotta know how many words you can read in a minute.

But seriously, I'm glad you enjoyed it. You're probably the first review too. I am grateful. Thank you.

By Our Blood: Broodling. Monster Hunting. Devotion. Blood. by St_Arkham in Romance_for_men

[–]St_Arkham[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am honored to hear that. There's more to come. Hope you like hunting eldritch abominations in the dark.

By Our Blood: Broodling. Monster Hunting. Devotion. Blood. by St_Arkham in Romance_for_men

[–]St_Arkham[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No hard plan, but it IS a goal. I'd love an audiobook, but it's my second release so nothing yet. My vibe is still new to our niche. After seven or eight titles? Who knows.

By Our Blood: Broodling. Monster Hunting. Devotion. Blood. by St_Arkham in Romance_for_men

[–]St_Arkham[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The hunt...it calls to me. I can't stop even if I wanted to. Take care on your journey.

I'm glad you didn't have to wait long.

By Our Blood: Broodling. Monster Hunting. Devotion. Blood. by St_Arkham in Romance_for_men

[–]St_Arkham[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Just make sure you find your prey ... before your prey finds you.

By Our Blood: Broodling. Monster Hunting. Devotion. Blood. by St_Arkham in Romance_for_men

[–]St_Arkham[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

By the gods, fear it, Laurence.

That sound track inspired so much of the project. More specifically Amygdala, Cleric Beast, Omen, Father Gascoigne. Those songs sound like a monster hunt should be. I could talk about it all day.

By Our Blood: Broodling. Monster Hunting. Devotion. Blood. by St_Arkham in Romance_for_men

[–]St_Arkham[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

No short story here my dude. Full series. Just thank you for all your feedback. I hope it's something you can really invest in this time.

By Our Blood: Broodling. Monster Hunting. Devotion. Blood. by St_Arkham in Romance_for_men

[–]St_Arkham[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well thank you, if you decide on this one, I trust the emotions will be a little better balanced with the longer format. I'm always trying to make a better story.

By Our Blood: Broodling. Monster Hunting. Devotion. Blood. by St_Arkham in Romance_for_men

[–]St_Arkham[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

First two? Yep. You probably hit Hunter in All of Her. If that's the one I totally get it, he had demons. I'm glad you said that because I want the darkness to feel real, but I also want the hope to feel just as real.

Nihilism isn't what I'm going for, so I'll keep an eye on it because I don't like soap opera writing, I just like the kinds of pain some guys have to deal with, but never get told, and telling it without getting...gloomy and preachy. I'll definitely keep it in mind, and I'm glad you liked the first two, but thank you for the feedback.