by Discontinuing the Theonite Series
The following letter was copied from my most recent email to my mailing list, since I couldn’t bring myself to rephrase it all in a blog post. (2019)
EDIT: Scroll to the bottom of this page for an update as of May, 2023.
My Dearest Readers,
This is not a normal newsletter. This is an announcement and a letter of apology. And god, this was hard. Honestly, this felt like writing an email about how someone had died (don’t worry, no one has. I’m just being a drama queen). Anyway…
If you’ve been following this newsletter over the past year, you know that since The Sword of Kaigen came out, I’ve struggled to write the third Theonite book, kicked around half a dozen spin-off ideas, and struggled more. During my most recent boom of productivity (ironically, on Theonite 3), I came to an important realization about the Theonite universe. Namely, that it isn’t working.
I may have had fun (so much fun!) working on my various spin-offs this year, even nearly finishing some, but fun doesn’t constitute a cohesive universe. Between the size of Theonite’s cast, the breadth of its world, and the complexity of some of its content, I’m just not ready to pull it all together. Not at my current skill level. And continuously trying to spin off from a story that itself isn’t working is not a good strategy. So, even though this breaks my heart…
I’m putting a freeze on the Theonite series and all its spin-offs, including Flameless, Jamuttaana, and Rage and Whisper.
To everyone who’s followed the Theonite books up to this point, I’m so sorry I’m not able to deliver more at this point, and I’m especially sorry for insisting for so long that more books were coming. I was telling you what I thought was the truth.
When I published Theonite: Planet Adyn in 2016, I didn’t think for a moment that I was starting a series that I couldn’t finish. This was due partly to a lack of experience and partly to the fact that I had finished versions of the series back when I was a teenager. But my writing has changed so much since then that those drafts are no longer usable and I’ve realized that, as an adult writer, I lack the skills to make the series what it should be.
If I had more books to give you that were up to the standard you deserve, I would release them. Unfortunately, I just haven’t been able to wrangle the series into something worth publishing at this moment in time. I say at this moment in time because I’m still in my twenties, which makes me a baby in author years. Theonite is something I’ve been working on since I was twelve and will, I think, continue to work on for the rest of my life simply out of habit.
Just because it isn’t ready now doesn’t mean it never will be.
This isn’t the end of Theonite.
It just isn’t the right time for it.
I’m going keep working on this world in the background of my other projects until such time—maybe three years from now, maybe thirty—that the books are in shape for publication.
Thank you all so much for your support of the series. The fact that my first outing as an author received support at all means more than I can tell you.
I wish I could have delivered in kind.
So, what’s happening to the books I’ve already published?
Honestly, not much.
The Sword of Kaigen, being a standalone (and, incidentally, my main source of income), will remain for sale on Amazon in both ebook and paperback form as normal. Not going anywhere. Not touching it. Don’t worry.
I’m unsure if I want to take Theonite: Planet Adyn and Theonite: Orbit off Amazon or leave them with a note saying that the series has been discontinued for now. I’m open to suggestions. EDIT (5/21/23): At this time I have taken these two books off of Amazon. Regardless, if anyone wants a PDF of one or both books for their personal files, let me know and I’ll email them to you. EDIT (1/23/24): I am no longer distributing these PDFs, nor am I making the Theonite books available anywhere else.
2023 Update
As of this update (May 21st, 2023) I am no longer writing in the Theonite universe. Every time I consider returning to it, I hit a wall of deep fundamental issues with the world-building—an understandable consequence of writing in a world I conceived when I was twelve but not a problem with an easy fix. This doesn’t mean I’ll never return to that universe. It just means that, if I do, it will require a major overhaul of the world-building and collaboration with authors who have expertise I don’t (specifically authors from cultural backgrounds I don’t share and can’t write competently). Since I’m not a massive author like Rick Riordan, with the brand name recognition to pull other talent into their orbit and make it lucrative, this idea will not be viable for a long time if ever.
In the meantime, I’ve been plugging away at several other projects that resonate better with my current muse.
- If you want to read my next complete fantasy book for adults, you can pre-order my upcoming dark academia, Blood Over Bright Haven (coming out July 25th, 2023).
- If you’re only interested in adult fantasy featuring martial arts and action in the vein of Kaigen, you can find hundreds of thousands of words of that in the Altima-universe serials, Gunpowder Magnolia and Sazuma on my Patreon.
- If you want a fresher example of my YA writing (also with lots of martial arts), you can check out my new portal fantasy series, The Volta Academy Chronicles, publishing under my YA pen name, Maya Lin Wang.
EDIT (1/23/24): as mentioned above, the Theonite books are no longer available on any (legitimate) platform. At this point, I just feel so distant from and uncomfortable with the writing in those books that I want to be done distributing them in any form.
Thank you to all those who have left words of support on this post. I hope the updates have been helpful!
It will be sad! Your standalone adult fantasy books is one of my most anticipated books, it’s up there with Stormlight #4. No kidding.
BUT, if you don’t feel that it’s working, then definitely follow your instincts! Whatever you decide to create next, I’ll read it! Best of luck! You know you always have my support! 🙂
Petrik, it means so much to hear you say that. Honestly, I think my non-Theonite projects will be more up your alley than any of the spin-offs I had planned. I just wish I could get them written as fast as Sanderson!
I’m so excited already!!! Haha, to be fair, no one writes as fast as Sanderson; he’s born for writing non-stop 😀
It’s interesting that you made this announcement. I was watching an author’s livestream on Instagram and she mentioned that “if a story isn’t ready to be written, then wait until it is ready.” I planned out a fantasy series years ago, but I couldn’t manage to write a story. Now, it’s ready to be written.
And, it’s okay to take a break, especially if you need one. Both Philip DeFranco and PewDePie are taking breaks so they don’t suffer burnout. You’ve had a busy year. Don’t worry, we’ll keep ourselves occupied with other reads (I still have to start reading your current “Theonite” books)!
We’ll be waiting, patiently, for as long as it takes.
Thanks for sharing that. I think every creative person starts projects they can’t finish. In my case, it’s not so much burnout as my goals and writing style changing so much that I’m struggling to find direction with what is now a very old project. Much as I hate to cancel a project partway through, I think it would be worse to drag readers through a malformed story with confused plotting and themes.
Do what you need to do. While I completely understand not wanting to disappoint fans, always remember that you’re a person FIRST and an author second. If something isn’t working for you, it is 100% your prerogative to set it aside and work on something else that inspires and motivates you!
Thank you for saying that, Deck! I still feel professionally and emotionally terrible about canceling a series midway through. But the upside is that I now have a much better idea of what a manageable project looks like for me, so I won’t have to do this to readers (or myself) again.
I may try out what you’ve done with your Varkas Chronicles and Riven Realm books and go in threes 🙂
I really really liked Sword of Kaigen and so read the other two Theonite books because of it but didn’t connect with them, they felt immature and scattered in comparison. Good luck with your new projects.
Well, I loved the first two books, so this is a heartbreaking news for me. But I know that however bad I feel about this, you must be feeling worse. So if you feel that you won’t be able to complete this series right now, you should take a break. I hope that at some point in the future, you would be able to come back and complete this series. Good luck.
P.s.- How books were you planning to write in theonite series?
Oh no, this makes me sad. I just finished Theonite book 2 and immediately looked online for details about book 3. I hope you manage to work everything out. Take the time that you need. Remember that you are a truly talented author and that I will be glad to check out whatever you create, whether it’s a continuation of the Theonite series or something completely unrelated.
Art is appreciated for being great, not for meeting a deadline. You’re not letting anyone down by refusing to release mediocrity. Take as much time as you need to create the works deserving of your name.
I really enjoyed the Sword of Kaigen. And I also enjoyed how it connected to the little detailes from the other two books. But what I liked most was the world itself! I would be really sad to not be able to read more stories that play on Theonite. So if you feel like rewriting the first two books, so that you can put it all together in the end or just continue from the Sword if Kaigen, I would read them again! 😀
Sorry for the gramma and spelllig (I´m not a native speaker)
I just want to say that Sword of Kaigen is truly a wonderful book. I had read the Theonite books first and liked them, but Sword of Kaigen just hit it out of the park into the 5 star range.
I’m late to your universe (and have only read Sword of Kaigen) and wow it gripped me. I came here to find out about your plans for it, and I won’t lie, am sad to see it’s on pause.
BUT, as several others have said here before me, and many others have said elsewhere; if it’s not the time to write it, then don’t force it.
I really appreciate your honesty in bring up front about it; at least us fans know where we stand! Other authors try their best but constantly to be left hanging is painful (I’m not going to name names but it’s been 9 years now; the solace being that the reward will ever be the greater for the suspense). I digress.
Don’t doubt yourself though. I’ve read A LOT of fantasy / sci-fi, by brilliant authors. Sword of Kaigen stands shoulder to shoulder with giants in terms of its character, universe and plot – Hobb, Rothfuss, Lawrence, Lynch; they’d better look out. I look forward to reading your other texts in the Theonite universe and beyond.
Hey, I just wanted to let you know that sword of kaigen was phenomenal. I honestly believe that the series has extraordinary potential if it continues as a high fantasy adult series. Your work with character was outstanding and my only concern was that the ending with Robin and the godlike figure looming in the background felt force fitted in order to integrate with your YA series ( which I haven’t read). Please know that theonite is working, at least the depiction of it that you present in Sword of Kaigen and there are thousands of people who want to know where that story goes. I wish you the best of luck with whatever you choose to do. Thank you for telling such a wonderful story.
Came here to pile on. I just read Sword of Kaigen and was blown away. Hope when you’re ready there are other great stories to tell as I feel like that world wasn’t done.
In the meantime, excited to read your other new works as they come.
Same as the others, I just finished Sword of Kaigen and was thrilled to have found another author to follow.
I came here hungry for more books to devour and after reading this article . . . I remain thrilled I found an author to follow and whose works, wherever they take you, I look forward to reading. Thank you for creating worlds that the rest of us can become lost in.
Like the last few comments, I just discovered Sword of Kaigen for the first time, and loved it. I love the changing understanding of the main characters, the points of view, revealing Takeru’s actual thoughts late in the story, it was all a very enjoyable read. Of course I would love to see more stories in that world – but I so enjoyed your writing style and insights into the human experience, that I am looking forward to whatever you write next.
Like the other 10 people here I just finished sword of kaigen audiobook and I’m devastated that there won’t a sequel… The whole last chapter is basically perfect set up for a sequel!!!
Anyways as someone that wants to eventually write books I am in no means pushing you. I just wanted you to know that there are many many many people that look forward to a sequel, whenever you are ready 😉
I’m also in Wisconsin lol, so maybe I’ll see you in the supermarket or something haha
I understand. I think it’s okay to take a break if there aren’t any stories that you want to tell in this universe. It will always be there when you’re ready.
You don’t see often people putting pause to their projects in order that keep the quality high or better than the last delivery, you really care the quality over the money and that deserves respectful. That’s what HBO never understood with GoT.
Also, I would like to know which are those skills that you say you lack and why are you so confident about that they’re lacking. You said it twice in this script but don’t specify.
Thanks.
Hello! I just finished the Sword of Kaigen and would love to read the other books as mentioned in your newsletter clip. Is there a way to get the other two books?!
Hi Maya,
I just finished your book, the Sword of Kaigen, and I wanted to say I appreciate your work. Thank you for taking the time to craft a world with so many distinct aspects. I hope that one day you will dive back into the world of the Theonites and complete the story of the Matsuda’s. I know you don’t believe your skill is at the level you desire. But I truly believe that as you’ve taken a step back you will one day realize where you want this world to be. I’d love to chat or correspond with you about the Theonite universe and my experience with the Sword of Kaigen. Thanks!
That’s sad to hear as I just finished Sword of Kaigen for the first time and loved it. I so want more! I hope you bring us back to there again, maybe picking up at the end of SoK. Good luck!! 📚😎
Just wanted to throw a general support comment up here. I came late to this book having just finished it. I really enjoyed it. If anything it felt a little like the first Malazan book. Throw you in and let you figure it out. As that series did you can pivot and change as you grow. If you ever come back to this universe I will be happy to read it. In the meantime I will read some of your other works and generally use this book as the springboard into some eastern style fantasy that I had been unsure if I would ever read.
In the history of fiction there’s never been a more complete, complex, and compelling hero as Misaki, who’s buried so very deeply our psyche that we would willingly release her.
Whether you require 3 or30 years, patiently we will wait.
Your imagination and craft are flawlessly magical.
Deepest gratitude.
The sword of Kaigen was really beautiful. The world that we get glimpses of in the book is amazing but what made this story so wonderful was the intensity and importance of the story told on the relatively small scale of the town and it’s people.
The scope and diversity of the world you hint at is incredible, but your portrayal of the people living in it is just extraordinary. The ideas that you include on how to be a good person, how to react when you realize those you respect are wrong, how to live with pain rather than let it define you, how to morn a loss, these ideas are beautiful and beautifully communicated. I loved the martial arts, the powers, the swords, the fights, but what made this story beautiful was the intensity and care I felt in your portrayal of the characters feelings.
Maybe, like you say, the world building isn’t what you want it to be. But this book is incredible because of your characters and the way you bring the reader in and make them empathize with and learn from their struggles. If any of the future stories you write have half that intensity I know they’re already works of art. Looking forward to reading more!
I don’t normally comment on blogs but I feel compelled to here. I have so much respect for you for this announcement and forethought about the world you’ve created. I am very hopeful you will rerelease the original work at some point or more works in the Theonite world for me to consume, but I am happy to wait. As a writer myself, I understand what it’s like to start a project at 13 and now be looking back. I’m looking to publish the novel I started at 13 and it’s gone through so many changes since conception you wouldn’t recognise it. One day the stories you want to tell will be out there and I am happy you’re here writing.
I exclusively read fantasy, and I have read pretty much every good series that has come out. I found out about Sword of Kaigen from Tiktok and I must say, the scene where Misaki acknowledges Mamoru’s fate was the first scene ever written that made me cry. It was beautiful, sad, real and full of anguish.
So whether or not you write more Theonite books, I just came here to say thank you so much for giving us a masterpiece in Sword of Kaigen. Thank you!
P.S.: Also thank you for using Hindi words in the last scenes with Robin.
I just finished Sword of Kaigen. Wow wow wow, what a beautiful and bad-ass book. Kudos to you for making hard decisions. I look forward to immersing myself in more of you work. I’m about to secure a copy of Blood over Bright Haven!
Just finished Sword of Kaigen. I can’t wait to see what you build next. Such an awesome story, and there will always be part of me wants to see what T & K’s younger children grow up to be. I hope the muse can find you in the future.
Currently reading Sword of Kaigen via Kindle Unlimited. Sorry you’re discontinuing the setting. As an older author who also started worldbuilding at a young age, I can empathize. I reworked my first novel so many times it’s safe to say I’ve written several books. Redid my setting multiple times. Happy to help untangle any worldbuilding snarls if you ever feel up to it, though I understand if it’s still too painful. After all, I’m an Internet rando and you’re M.L. Wang, published professional. You’ve an honest to God agent for heaven sakes. You’re kind of a big deal. Anyway thought I’d reach out. Writer to writer. I get it.
I cannot speak to what came before…but I can speak to the Sword of Kaigen and there is something so good there that I hope, regardless of your skill as a writer, you come back to it once you are ready. To me, it’s so clearly a child of your experience – coming of age in the realization that the world is more than you thought alongside the complex role a woman has in that society. While it may be hard to let go of some of the threads before, the world building and fantasy elements of SoK stand on its own and can definitely be built off from that base. But to speak honestly – while the fantasy in that book is GOOD (I mean really freaking good) – I don’t think this book is successful because of the magic or the samurai. It’s the story. The narration involving honor, duty, family, love, regret, pain, hope…that is what has made this book so good. Misaki’s story as she finally stands solidly into the woman she becomes, Takeru embracing a role he never wanted, Robin finding balance as fighter and father, the brink of political destruction of the country, those are the stories that will bring us back. The elemental magic and world building will develop alongside.
You’ve got something fantastic. I hope as an author you can come back with a new perspective that allows you to build it more.
Sincerely hope you reboot the series one day when you are more content with your abilities as a writer. This world has so much potential and you should be proud of what you started, even if you aren’t proud of individual entries. Thank you for creating this world.
Just wanted to say that I just finished Sword of Kaigen and it is one of my favorite books I have ever read! The world and the action were of course very cool and interesting, but the complexity of the relationship between Misaki and Takeru was just incredible. All the characters just felt so wonderfully realized it was so very impressive.
I had SUCH a visceral reaction to Takeru in particular! I message my friend who loaned it to me about a third of the way through! “This is lovely so far! I love Misaki as much as I hate Takeru!” And she replied “Just wait…”. Then after The Duel… I was just so completely floored. I realized that the reason I had such an incredibly negative reaction to Takeru because he was basically Me, before I had a lot of therapy for my own child abuse. He ended up resonating with me so very much once I understood the root of his actions and disposition. That was very deftly handled.
I very much understand and respect your decision to put the Theonite universe on an indefinite hold, but PLEASE do not have any doubts in your skill as a writer. You are remarkable and I am very excited to dig into some more of your work!
I just finished Sword of Kaigen. So many feels. From the beautiful and human relationships and the God like ability to forgive each other. *chefs kiss !
As a mom of a son who is 10 to an imperfect woman who married an imperfect man (and have been married 15 years now) to being a human with a past and ability to change and love and be big enough for all the pain and love. This book resonated.
Thank you.
Please I beg you, I need a part to for the sword of kaigen, this book really changed me in a good way, please tell me what happens In Kaigen and what happens to Robin
Oh my gosh, I just finished Sword of Kaigen and I think that is in my top books I’ve ever read in my life!! I eagerly hope for more books in this series one day. Your writing is stunning! Also can’t believe you’re a Sconnie!!!
I’ve read Sword of Kaigen twice now (cried over it both times) and i’ve read blood over bright haven too. i absolutely love your writing and will be ecstatic for anything else you release in the future. I won’t lie, i was very sad when i learned that i couldn’t get my hands on the theonite books anymore and even sadder that they’ve been discontinued, but nonetheless you remain my favorite author and i am seriously so stoked to read whatever comes next. Also, if you’re ever having an event of any sort in wisconsin i am THERE! i’d love to get my copy of Blood Over Bright Haven signed!!
I’ve just finished reading the Sword of Kaigen and I adored it. While it is disappointing the Theonite series won’t be continuing, I completely understand your reasoning. Samantha Shannon similarly hit a roadblock in The Bone Season series and recognised that at the time of writing those books, she didn’t quite have the words to say what she wanted to and didn’t feel comfortable continuing the series on that same trajectory. Whatever you choose to write, I will gladly read. Blood Over Bright Haven was excellent and favourite of mine as well.
I just finished the Sword of Kaigen. I really enjoyed reading about such a strong mother and I loved seeing baby “wearing” and nursing. I understand not wanting to write more in a world that you’re not sure is built up as you wanted it. I would really love to read more in this world though! I want to know what happens with Robin and Daniel (yay! Good father figure!) as well as what happens with all the children. Thank you for writing this book, I will look into your other books!
Hello Ms. Wang,
I am a new reader of yours, and I began with Sword of Kaigen. I support you and your decision to wait if it feels right. But I also want to tell that I am so excited to follow your work. Your writing is on the upper crust of fiction I have enjoyed – my favorite authors include the greats – Patrick Rothfuss, Adrien Tchaikovsky, and Robin McKinley. I enjoyed your writing and your characters just as much. I devoured your book in 5 days. Your characters and your prose and your world building are excellent. Your storytelling is so compelling… I can’t wait. I can’t wait to read your books as you continue to develop your style and authorship.
I appreciate your reasons for not wanting to continue the theonite series. However, can I make a reading recommendation? Your book reminded me of the Young Samurai series by Chris Bradford. The culture focus and the way it interacts with the story and the characters and the long arcs (from youths to adults, and the similar transition in their problems) made me double check that this wasn’t by the same author! Of course, this series doesn’t have theonites- but if one of your reasons is because of finding collaborators in a similar niche, maybe this is helpful?
Thank you for writing and for sharing your reasons. You may never find this comment and I don’t know how to be notified if you do! But just know that I’ve read thousands of books, 2-3 books a week since I was 10. Thousands of stories. And yours stood out. I genuinely enjoyed it so much, and I’m adding it to my list of comfort books:)
Thank you for existing, keep writing, I’m excited to read more. Good luck with all the things!!
-Aisha