Serpentus: 2 Years Later
Looking back at February of 2024, it was one of the worst months I’ve endured in a long time. I was diagnosed with extensive fibroids and learned I needed major surgery. Work was a mess between contract laboratory investigations, a lost shipment that required notifying government agencies, unexpected travel, and an increased workload overall. Then our cat got sick and passed away (she was 18, but my heart still breaks a little every time I think about that day. It was not a decision I was prepared to make, and I’m still not sure I’d want to make it again.) February 2024 is not a month I remember fondly.
But before all of that, I planned out a book release.
Serpentus was set to publish on February 27, and if you know anything about Amazon, authors get penalized severely for rescheduling or canceling a book already on preorder. Despite all the other things in my life going to hell, I was determined to release that book on time. It was ready, all I had to do was promote it.
Which I did not. At least, not very well.
I did the bare minimum leading up to release. I just didn’t have the energy (or the time, really) to do anything more than that. The initial sales (or lack thereof) were a perfect reflection of my efforts, but I knew that books are one of the few things in this world that don’t have an expiration date, so I focused on what I needed to most: my health. I could always do a marketing push later.
The problem is, I also had Harbinger on preorder at that time (with a late May release date), and Legend coming 6 months after that. The Caein Legacy had a lot of fans already, so I made that my priority once I was feeling better. Serpentus was put on the backburner…Again.
And then there was the lead up to the publication of Wraith and the Revolution in mid-2025.
It wasn’t until last fall (October/November 2025) that I really started doing any significant marketing for Serpentus. And although the numbers have been slow to increase, I will not give up on this book. I believe it’s one of my best so far.
Which is why I decided to enter it into SPFBO this year, rather than Exile. Exile has more ratings, more fans, another 3 books following it to round out the series, and will appeal to a broader range of readers. Serpentus is a standalone, gets very dark in parts, and isn’t suited for as many readers (there’s stronger language and some of the themes are admittedly pretty disturbing.) But what Serpentus really has going for it is that it’s unique and it doesn’t shy away from some very tough topics.
I want more people to find Serpentus, and through it, possibly the related series. I can always submit Exile next time.
Serpentus deserves its day in the spotlight, and I won’t give up until it gets there.
All this to say: Look for another post tomorrow. Serpentus will be on sale to mark its 2nd birthday.
