This serialized slow-game is all about acknowledging the interactive, relational nature of creativity. A true act of will holding hands with surrender. You release, we catch. We release, you catch.
Read this last week but didn’t get a chance to comment before I was up and into the whole morning routine of getting ready for work and kids out the door to school - but it’s been in my head to do so, and I’m finally back after listening to the first two chapters! I love what you said at the start about needing the silence in between to give our brains room to work and how our ideas can get destroyed in the wood chipper of media consumption - so very true. And also, I LOVE THIS FORMAT. It’s electrifying and intoxicating, the waiting, the anticipation and excitement. And I love the proximity and how that makes authors feel real, and touchable to me as a reader, instead of some distant unreal entity.
Emily, you have no idea how much this means to me, that another creative with your talent enjoys this work. Thanks so much for being a subscriber and for being a part of this new novel.
You amaze me Ben, I love your courage, your attentiveness not only to the story you are in the process of writing but to your audience too, your meticulous planning and orchestration of chapters — complete with narration and musical interludes, I mean wow! what's not to love? — and every time that leap of faith! As for Daedalia... I can't wait!
I thoroughly enjoyed your previous novels and I'm very much looking forward to Daedalia. Thanks for your art and how you approach it. Control and perfection are overrated.
It really is such a wonderful, exhilarating process to publish a serial as you go. It’s terrifying, but I can’t get enough. Thank you so much for the mention, Ben!
Releasing your fiction without knowing the ending? That takes stones, man. Hehe. I admire it. Here's to 2026 being a great year for great endings and of course, all the little moments that precede them.
Here for it!! Thanks for including Flux on this terrific list of serials. Erica also has a cool “Wall of Serials” in TiF — be sure you get listed there. I’m excited for this!
I have enjoyed both your written work and your serialized audio books here on Substack.
What I am here for is your stories. They are rich, and full, and hold so much of the essence of what it is to be human.
I listened to a podcast from Dacher Keltner’s The Science of Happiness pod cast recently that spoke of the power of story to connect us all. It is a tradition I hope continues thru all the changes which happen in our everyday living.
I agree with trusting the process, as I did every single night when my oldest daughter was young. We created stories together every night, never knew the ending nor the twists and turns it might take.. trust that the best would come forward.
thanks for the mention ben. interestingly, i had my whole thing written and posted it all at once. so technically not a “serial” in the way you describe.
i wish i had the artistic cajones to post without having finished. best of luck on the new project!!
This serialized slow-game is all about acknowledging the interactive, relational nature of creativity. A true act of will holding hands with surrender. You release, we catch. We release, you catch.
Can’t wait!
It’s the ultimate trust-fall! Or maybe we’re all falling together. In a skydiving formation.
Totally, except I would never jump out of a plane. ✈️
Yeah, me either
Thanks, Kimberly. It does become a virtuous cycle and god knows we need more of those in these times.
Wow, your trailer made me so, so very excited for Monday.
Yay! Me too. I can’t wait for you to hear the new story.
Read this last week but didn’t get a chance to comment before I was up and into the whole morning routine of getting ready for work and kids out the door to school - but it’s been in my head to do so, and I’m finally back after listening to the first two chapters! I love what you said at the start about needing the silence in between to give our brains room to work and how our ideas can get destroyed in the wood chipper of media consumption - so very true. And also, I LOVE THIS FORMAT. It’s electrifying and intoxicating, the waiting, the anticipation and excitement. And I love the proximity and how that makes authors feel real, and touchable to me as a reader, instead of some distant unreal entity.
Emily, you have no idea how much this means to me, that another creative with your talent enjoys this work. Thanks so much for being a subscriber and for being a part of this new novel.
You amaze me Ben, I love your courage, your attentiveness not only to the story you are in the process of writing but to your audience too, your meticulous planning and orchestration of chapters — complete with narration and musical interludes, I mean wow! what's not to love? — and every time that leap of faith! As for Daedalia... I can't wait!
Thank you, dear Susie. I’m so excited to share the new story with you. I’m nervous. fussing around over here like someone expecting dinner guests.
I have a strong feeling your guests will be delighted without the fussing Ben... stand back and be proud! And have a good weekend!
I thoroughly enjoyed your previous novels and I'm very much looking forward to Daedalia. Thanks for your art and how you approach it. Control and perfection are overrated.
Thanks for being here, Phil. Hopefully this one’s entertaining.
It really is such a wonderful, exhilarating process to publish a serial as you go. It’s terrifying, but I can’t get enough. Thank you so much for the mention, Ben!
It is a wild ride, Bridget. Thanks for reading!
What an intriguing little teaser! Looking forward to the start of “the main event”!
Thanks, Rose. Glad you’re going to join me on this one.
It really is such an incredible act of trust — in yourself and the audience. So excited you’re doing it again!
I’m excited to have you back as a reader. It’s going to be fun.
Soooo excited for this, Ben.
Thank you, friend.
Releasing your fiction without knowing the ending? That takes stones, man. Hehe. I admire it. Here's to 2026 being a great year for great endings and of course, all the little moments that precede them.
Here for it!! Thanks for including Flux on this terrific list of serials. Erica also has a cool “Wall of Serials” in TiF — be sure you get listed there. I’m excited for this!
My pleasure, Julie. I was happy to include you. Flux is a wonderful story I enjoyed watching unfold.
I have enjoyed both your written work and your serialized audio books here on Substack.
What I am here for is your stories. They are rich, and full, and hold so much of the essence of what it is to be human.
I listened to a podcast from Dacher Keltner’s The Science of Happiness pod cast recently that spoke of the power of story to connect us all. It is a tradition I hope continues thru all the changes which happen in our everyday living.
I agree with trusting the process, as I did every single night when my oldest daughter was young. We created stories together every night, never knew the ending nor the twists and turns it might take.. trust that the best would come forward.
Tally ho Ben!
Hi Tey! It’s been a while. He’s right, stories do connect us. Thanks for the kind words and for being such a generous reader.
thanks for the mention ben. interestingly, i had my whole thing written and posted it all at once. so technically not a “serial” in the way you describe.
i wish i had the artistic cajones to post without having finished. best of luck on the new project!!