Aleph

Biography

Aleph is retiring, and taking the books down before she goes. She never found her audience, and couldn't sustain herself without one.

Smashwords Interview

So why are you quitting?
I always knew my health was going to give out at some point. What I didn't suspect was that my heart would give out. Over twenty years, I never found my audience. Thousands of downloads, both through Smashwords and in the years prior to uploading to Smashwords... and less than half a dozen people ever even gave the books any stars. Granted, those rare few gave us five stars. I couldn't see past all those 0 star ratings. Each year I worked to produce a book, gave it away for free, and felt like people hated it. After ten books, I just can't do it anymore.
Is 10 where you wanted to end it?
I wanted to write these books until I died. I tried with all my might to make it through to volume 11, because it was a breath of fresh air. It was full of warmth, love, and yes some gore and pain but a lot of things being brought back together and healed. Lef reappears, and pines for information about his unrequited crush-- jealous of every moment Nathan spent with a man who left a lasting impression on him at a critical time. Yusom reappears as a brilliant Black prodigy, hoping to find the undead kid he dreams about. Though some of his reincarnated memories are nightmares, overall Ben is now an older kid who seems incredibly fun and cool. Puavale appears to be... well, classic Puavale. It was going to be a lot of fun.

But I couldn't find that fun. I couldn't find that warmth. Over the years, it became harder and harder to open my laptop. It literally gathered dust. By the end I was crying more than I was writing. I sent out a call to my readers, and said: I think I'm doing a terrible job. I think people hate these books. If you want these books to go away, do nothing.

Months later, I have my answer.
Read more of this interview.

Books

This member has not published any books.