Omake – Q&A Part IV

Q: We had a bit of racy content in this last volume that was met with a few raised eyebrows. Can you talk to us about your thought process on why you wanted to take things in this direction?

It felt like the natural outcome. I don’t typically write erotic scenes, but when the situation calls for it, I don’t shy away—though I keep things tame enough for anyone to enjoy the content. That way, if this were a published hardcover or paperback, a few racy moments wouldn’t automatically push it into the mature category just for getting the blood rushing.

For those who’ve experienced abuse from an older person and found those moments in my writing unsettling, I sincerely apologize if they triggered any painful memories or emotions. But avoiding any potential offense would mean complete self-censorship, and that’s never been my style.

I think that’s part of why woke developed a bad reputation. Personally, I see it as a good thing—it encourages empathy and awareness. But like anything, balance is key. It doesn’t always mesh well with absolute free speech, and that’s where things get complicated. The best approach, I think, is taking the most valuable aspects and applying them thoughtfully.

Q: There are certain competing websites that shall not be named that frown upon any scenes spicier than a ham sandwich. Do you have any plans on releasing this story on any other platforms to expand the audience? 

I’m sure those websites exist, though I couldn’t tell you their names. Funny observation, though.

Right now, I have no specific plans to release SuperLuminal: Resurgence on other sites, though I’ve considered Royal Road. The only catch? I don’t have any real reputation there.

If you have suggestions for platforms that might be a good fit, I’m open to hearing them. That said, I’d want to steer clear of sites that exploit writers—there was one notorious for that, though I can’t recall the name.

Q: It’s not something we see often here on ScribbleHub, but you seem to put a ton of work into the visual aspects of this story. We’ve got custom breaks, custom banners for each chapter, a cute kitty asking for comments and more. What makes you want to put so much effort into “the look”?

Simply put, I have a passion for both design and writing. I was into web design long before I ever started writing, so blending the two was a natural evolution for me. What you’re seeing is the result—a highly polished story with custom graphics, something I’ve always incorporated to some degree. My books have always had solid covers—Saving Face being the one exception—and decent graphical scene breaks. For a while, I relied on ASCII art, but when I remade Saving Face, I added custom graphical breaks and a beautifully commissioned cover from someone I knew. Back then, I had the funds to invest in my writing projects.

Speaking of which, I should probably think about restarting my Patreon. It’s never been lucrative enough to risk my Social Security, and with Social Security itself in serious danger of being cut or dismantled, it might be worth reconsidering, especially since I’ve stopped reapplying for food stamps (SNAP). Honestly the near monthly paperwork to keep it active was bothersome and they didn’t give me much.

Anyway, back on the subject of image creation for my projects, with AI image generation, it’s now possible for anyone to incorporate these kinds of visual enhancements with enough effort. Personally, I think it adds a lot to a book and helps it stand out in the best way. AA seems to agree—if anything, I think he almost refused to touch Book Three until I generated some banners! :D