Dear Reader,

First and foremost, I would like to thank you for stopping by to read Argentum. As the first book in this series, this is a crucial book to set the tone for all of the characters and the pending “Violet War” which is slowly being revealed as I go.

In November, I mentioned why I was offering my first draft of the novel and had hoped to get more chapters posted, but with the holidays and my focus on my day job — I didn’t, and I feel really bad about that.

I’ve had some time to reflect about what I could have done to update my book more frequently, and I realized that I have made a terrible mistake. I split my time between promoting Argentum and finishing the book. Worried whether or not anyone cared about the story that I’ve fallen in love with, I was concerned with how many people were reading the book rather than simply writing it. I forgot all of you: the readers that have stopped by to read this story and the readers who have taken the time to add your thoughts.

I never expected the wonderful comments people have posted both here and through my Contact the Author page. While I am not new to writing, Argentum will be my first, complete full length novel. Every chapter you read here is completely unedited — in the rough. This is not a story I’m writing because I “think it will sell,” this is the story I want to tell.

So here’s what I pledge to do better:

(1) – I will add a news update to the front page after I’ve added five chapters.
(2) – Even though people have recommended I add different formats for the book — pdf, podio, etc. — I’m not going to worry about that until the book is done.
(3) – I’m not going to bother promoting the site until the book is done.
(4) – Upon request, anyone who wants to be notified when the first draft of Argentum is complete can send me a message using my Contact the Author page. In turn, I will contact you directly and notify you personally.

To be completely honest and forthcoming with you, this is a series which I hope will eventually get published one day. Every author dreams of that, and I am not ashamed to voice my aspirations. No dream of mine is worth losing readers, though. Although each reader may have a different perspective about the stories you read — without you, writers would not be writing.

In the world of publishing that’s a tricky balance to maintain, because writers often have limitations or boundaries for their stories so they can continue to get paid for what they do. When I started this site, I realized I had more freedom because I don’t have to worry about any restrictions — but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t focus on the story.

Thank you so much for your support of this story, it really means a lot to me and I hope that you can forgive me for forgetting how important all of you are.

Time to get back to writing!

Kind Regards,

Monica Valentinelli
Author of Argentum