Xoralia Kingdom’s Backstory
History on The Xoralia Series
I thought I’d give a little history behind my Xoralia Kingdoms Series. I have been a self-publishing author since 2014. Around that time, I wrote a short story that I titled Kiara’s Quest. I had a blast writing this story and decided it would be a good series. The story was very different from Kiara in the Xoralia Kingdoms Series. Kiara was young, barely 20, and written for a teen or young adult audience. Ardan and Corrick were part of it. I continued her story in two more books, but they didn’t do well, mainly because I didn’t know what I was doing. I love fantasy books, but didn’t know how to write one.
Backstory on the Xoralia Series!
For example, In Kiara’s Quest, at the end of the book, I had a large battle happening. Ardan wouldn’t allow Kiara to fight, so she went around healing the wounded. At one point, she sees an injured man and walks across the battlefield. The battle is halted to allow her to walk to the other side unharmed. The moment she reaches the injured man, the battle resumes.
I let my son read the book and he couldn’t stop laughing. “Mom. No one is going to stop a battle just because a woman is walking across it. And it would be stupid for her to do so!”
Because of his very good teenage advice, I decided I needed to do more research in the fantasy genre. And I pulled the books off Amazon so I could rewrite them and make them better.
Over the next few years, I spent a lot of time with this series and it began evolving. Kiara became an older woman. I did a lot of world-building and changing things. She became a woman who could move forward with her life no matter what was thrown at her. One summer, I spent hours with one of my daughters as she gave me advice and suggestions on how to write a fantasy romance (she reads a lot of these.) I also did a lot of reading. One thing I wanted to do differently from some of the other fantasy romances out there was I wanted it to be different.
And The Xoralia Kingdoms Series was born! (the story of how this series came to be will be continued in next month’s newsletter).
Unveiling the Magic of Weekly Episodes - Here’s Why!
Have you been wondering why I am naming my Xoralia Kingdoms “episodes” instead of books?
As many of you know, I’ve made a shift in how I delivered stories when writing under my Zoe Matthews’ pen name. Instead of releasing a traditional full-length book every few months, I’m now writing and publishing shorter episodes, each about 15,000 words, and releasing them every 7-10 days. These are only available on Amazon and through the Kindle Unlimited program.
I’d like to take a moment to share why I’ve chosen this approach and what it means for you.
The Joy of Weekly Episodes
Life is busy, and I know how challenging it can be to find time to dive into a long novel. That’s why I’m offering these shorter, bite-sized episodes. Each one is designed to be devoured in one sitting, making it easier for you to fit a little bit of magic into your week. Think of it like your favorite TV show – a thrilling new episode drops each week, keeping the excitement alive and the story fresh in your mind.
The Magic of Cliffhangers
Just like serial TV shows, every episode ends with a cliffhanger, a tantalizing twist that will leave you eagerly awaiting the next part of the story. This format allows me to keep the momentum going, so you’re always on the edge of your seat, wondering what will happen next. It’s a way to keep the story alive and engaging, and I believe it enhances the experience of the paranormal worlds we explore together.
Bringing You the Story Sooner
Writing a full-length novel takes time, and while I love crafting those longer stories, I also know that waiting months for the next release can be tough – for you and for me! By writing in episodes, I can share my stories with you much sooner. Instead of waiting months for a complete book, you’ll get new content each week, keeping you connected to the characters and worlds you love.
Why I’m Offering This in Place of Another Subscription
I first contemplated the idea of setting up a Patreon or Ream account. But I understand that we all have subscriptions to various services, and the last thing I want is to add another financial burden. Most of you already have a subscription to Kindle Unlimited and I decided to capitalize on what Amazon offers. To those who don’t have a subscription to KU, I am offering each episode for 99 cents. I want to make sure everyone that is interested has access to my stories, and I truly appreciate the support you give just by reading and sharing my work.
I also plan to combine them into boxsets, 5-6 episodes each, for those who would rather wait and read them all at once.
A New Kind of Reading Experience
I’ve noticed a few authors already doing this, so I thought I’d give it a try. This episodic format is something new and exciting for me, and I hope it will be for you too. It’s a way to experience storytelling in a different rhythm – one that’s fast-paced, consistent, and always leaves you wanting more. I’m excited to take this journey with you and see how this new format unfolds.
Thank you for being part of this adventure with me. Your support means the world, and I’m thrilled to continue sharing my stories with you, one episode at a time.
Stay enchanted, and I’ll see you in the next episode!