A few updates.

TL;DR:

• I just appeared on a litRPG podcast.
• Assistaloon is back.
• Book 10 chapters (699-790) coming down next month.
  
• Break schedule for 2023/24.
• December 2023: break (rest and Christmas).
• March 2024: possible short break (work event).
• April 2024: break (family vacation).
• August/September 2024: TBD-length break (Dragon Con).
• December 2024: break (rest and Christmas).

I just made an appearance on the CritRPG podcast, which has also featured other litRPG luminaries like Zogarth of Primal Hunter fame. The camera angle for me is a bit odd because it's hard to position a webcam when you're using a huge TV as a monitor. I also look sleepy because I was. If anyone is interested, they can check that out here:

https://youtu.be/uKQiZMl3vV0

My assistant has returned from Canada. I make no promises regarding an improvement in proof reading other than I will now be blaming him for all mistakes. I sent him the latest chapter and the slacker was asleep, just because it was 2am. Weak.

The book ten chapters (699-790) will be coming down around the 14th of November, in readiness for publication. Book 10 releases on November 28th and there might be a promotional event or two around the launch.

Break schedule for 2023/24:

Not everything is finalised yet, but here is the basic breakdown:

• December 2023: break (rest and Christmas). Nothing special here, just visiting family at Christmas and trying to get some writing done while I'm not under the gun with deadlines, recovering from burnout or roaming around the USA. Having advanced chapters makes for more relaxed Shirt, which makes for better writing. It also means that I can maybe - maybe - have chapters coming out when I have to take short breaks for work events or when I visit my mum. No promises.
• March 2024: possible short break (work event). I may or may not be on a panel at SXSW in Austin, Texas, in early-to-mid March. I may or may not have enough chapters to cover my absence.
• April 2024: break (family vacation). I will be taking a rest, restocking the (hopefully still existing) chapter buffer and then taking a family vacation. I'm bringing my nieces and nephew to Disney World. Their parents as well; I'm not kidnapping the kids. I do not have time in my life to deal with all that.
• August/September 2024: TBD-length break (Dragon Con). After a brief appearance this year, I'll be at Dragon Con for full duration next year. Coming from Australia means two days of travel on either side of that from Australia, so I'm not sure how much time I'll be taking off for that one. It's possible I queue up chapters through August, take all of September off and restock the chapter buffer again. I'll decide closer to the date.
• December 2024: break (rest and Christmas). I'll probably always be taking December off from now on.