(Long post, Wall-o’-text incoming)

[I took a lot of the feedback and decided to run with it. It’s important to note that this takes a bit of time to write and all numbers and placements are based on where everyone is when I write this. It may be different now but it should be close.]

You can view last weeks here: The Story So Far Part 1

Welcome back to The Story So Far, my name is @Joey Angotti  and I’ll be your guide for this evening. A week of surges and lulls, new faces making the top 10 and the ones from last week fluctuating highlight this second week of the Geek and Sundry Fantasy contest right here on Inkshares! Let’s take a closer look.

10. Her Latent Charm: Book 1 in the Bridge Series by @Dana Brentson  (41 Readers / Last Week’s Rank: N/A)

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a new challenger in the top 10 this week in Ms. Dana Brentson and the first book in her Bridge Series. Books, Video Games, D&D and all things Fantasy round out her interest making her a girl after my own heart - but we’re here to talk about “Her Latent Charm.” This story follows Brigid, a young woman who lives in a world where people believe that magic is a myth. Most of these people have not seen Brigid in action, as she is extremely good at it! So good in fact that it begins to reawaken the magic of the world around her. With a few comments and a tease of Chapter 8 under her belt, she’s definitely worth checking out. She’s been in and out of that 10th spot, but she’s putting up quite the fight to stay there and go beyond it.

9. The Fairy Stepmother, Inc. by @Maggie Hoyt  (43 Readers / Last Week’s Rank: N/A)

You may remember Ms. Hoyt from last weeks The Story So Far, she was just an honorable mention for fighting for that 10th spot. Well she has been busy the last week and is now sitting in 9th! Her book, The Fairy Stepmother, Inc., is a medieval set comedy based on a woman named Evelyn Radcliffe who finds herself with some pretty bad luck. Two dead husbands, two teenage girls obsessed with marrying princes and not a single fairy godmother to be found. Yikes! If you haven’t read the prologue and the first two chapters Ms. Hoyt has provided then you’re doing yourself a disservice. That second chapter is up there because of the lovely support she’s received this week, so maybe if a few more of us start preordering she’ll let us see some more! Go check it out!

7-8. Arcadia by @André Brun  (58 Readers / Last Week’s Rank: 2nd)

The next few ranks are really tight. Arcadia is one of two books at 58 readers(as of this writing) currently tied for 7th/8th. However, Mr. Brun has decided to back out of the contest due to being a part of Too Many Controllers - the extremely talent-filled anthology that won the last Nerdist contest. He has gracefully bowed out to provide other, newer writers right here on Inkshares to have a chance to win a contest. It was a very honorable move that you can read more about in his comments section on the page for Arcadia. Let’s make sure we continue to help and support Mr. Brun and the rest of the Inkvengers. If you haven’t had a chance to check out their page, you should be able to click the title of the book above! Show them some love!

7-8. A Beast Requires by @Jay Lockwood (58 Readers / Last Week’s Rank: 5th)

A Beast Requires by Jay Lockwood is the other book in question for the 7th and 8th spot. With the aforementioned decision to back out by Mr. Brun and his Arcadia title, it leaves room for Mr. Lockwood to take hold of the 7th spot. Unfortunately he dropped 2 ranks from last week, but have you seen his page recently? You need to do yourself a favor and go watch Mr. Lockwood’s promo video as soon as possible. It’s funny, entertaining and really invites you into the world that he’s cooked up for us. While you’re there and after you watch the video, be sure to check out the comments section for some more humor and insight from Mr. Lockwood(He explained the Ice Cream Harem!) You can catch the prologue and the first five chapters of the book itself there as well.

5-6. The Living God by @Kaytalin Platt (62 Readers / Last Week’s Rank: 3rd)
5th and 6th place are much like 7th and 8th currently with both writers having the same amount of readers. Ms. Platt was sitting comfortably in the top 3 the last The Story So Far and has fallen two to three places(depending on how you look at it) but not by much. While everyone should take note that every lead isn’t safe in these Inkshare contests, it should also be noted that you always have a chance. Despite falling a few spots, Ms. Platt is only 5 readers out of the top 3 - something that is definitely doable in a day of hustling. Don’t be surprised if she ends up back up there. That being said, let’s talk about the book itself. From Ms. Platt’s own words:

“The Living God follows the internal struggle of two Mages as they confront their fears of powerlessness and attempt to find meaning in the hand that life dealt them.

Saran seeks to overthrow her crazed father and salvage what is left of her country before it falls into complete ruin. Keleir is cursed with a Rauke’s soul at war with his own. The two are touched by fate, gifted with the ability to sense each other, and destined for a future that neither care to know. When Saran’s magic is stolen, she must confront a life without the ability to manipulate time, struggle to see the rebellion finished, and keep Keleir from falling ever closer to becoming The Living God.”

Be sure to also check out her sample chapters(3 of them!) and her comments section where she delivered on her promise of uploading a video! Though she still plans on releasing a more “official” video for the book(this one is more of a Vlog - cleverly titled: “TheLivingVlog”!) Either way it’s worth the look!

5-6. Chronicles of An Domhan by @Conri  (62 Readers / Last Week’s Rank: 4th)

As the writer of this forum post that may or may not continue throughout the contest - I am super happy that Mr. Conri has fleshed out his book page! Author info, more book info, more details about the contest AND an introduction video are just a few of the additions to his page that will definitely help someone, who is already doing a fantastic job mounting preorders, continue to get the support that could help him win this thing. I strongly suggest watching the introduction video at least. Chronicles of An Domhan is a book that contains a lot of genre’s I love mixed into one with some kickass art to help set the atmosphere. Here’s some more info on the book from Mr. Conri’s page:

“An Domhan is the Seandaoine (Elves of my universe) saying for ’The World’. They being the oldest and most spread civilization, that world came to refer to the land as one would refer to our planet as Earth. Across the lands of An Domhan, grand nations vie for their power as nations are wont to do. The universe itself is filled with my own unique flavor of; Elves, Dwarves, and Orcs, Magic, Monsters, and Arcane Mystery. All this is mixed with an advanced Mid-Industrial age set of societies. All trying to advance beyond the next while employing their own brand of advantage while still holding to their traditions to their own varying degrees.”

It should be noted that this is just the gateway into the An Domhan series and Mr. Conri has a lot more in store for us to look forward to! It’s shaping up to be a fantastic series! Go check it out!

4. The Slave Prince by @Jeyna Grace  (63 Readers / Last Week’s Rank: 1st)

Despite falling out of 1st place and the Top 3, Ms. Grace’s title, The Slave Prince, is still one of the books in this contest to watch. With numerous recommendations and readers - not to mention only 4 readers keeping her from finding her way back into the Top 3 - this train probably isn’t slowing down any time soon. I dove into the prologue and some of the sample chapters and I can say that the book is masterfully written. Ms. Grace has a way with words and it captivates you from the moment you start reading the prologue. Make sure to give her book some of your attention!

3. Flames in the Dark by @Tara Roquemore (67 Readers / Last Week’s Rank: 7th)

It’s time to talk Top 3! It’s also time to talk about the amazing pushes by some of the authors ranked a little lower last week. Ms. Roquemore has been busy and the results are showing in force. She jumped 4 places in the top 10 in just a week landing her in the current Top 3. With only a 4 reader cushion it’s no time for Ms. Roquemore to get complacent, which it doesn’t seem like she’s taking the foot off the pedal anytime soon. 4 Recommendations, 110 Followers(!), tons of people pointing out lines from the book they’ve enjoyed so far - there’s no reason to think she’s slowing down anytime soon. Also: People love the prologue. You should go read the prologue!

2. The Delicate Art of Soulripping by @Sara Polk  (69 Readers / Last Week’s Rank: 10th)
Hey, do you guys remember when The Delicate Art of Soulripping by Sara Polk was 4 readers away from being knocked out of the top 10 last week? We’re only 2 weeks in but this may end up being the biggest turnaround/surge of the contest. Ms. Polk’s dark, gritty, fantasy novel about Oz - an 800 year old soul ripper from a small Midwestern town - is one of the must-read novels currently in the top 10. At 100 preorders, which isn’t that far off, she’s planning to upload the 3rd chapter and letting us know what happens to Oz next. Heck, if you preorder and get 5 other people to preorder she’ll WRITE you into the book. Something to think about!

1. Storm Song by @Allison Griner  (75 Readers / Last Week’s Rank: 6th)

I can’t lie, Storm Song by Allison Griner is one of my favorite works in progress on this entire site, contest or not. Doing this forum post allowed me to see it for myself by researching Ms. Griner’s work and I immediately fell in love with the characters and the world they’re living in. It should be known that I’m a sucker for pirate-related stories but that is beside the point. Enough about my interest in this story - Ms. Griner has been consistent with updates featuring thank yous and news about some cover art for her book. It should also be noted that after 11 more preorders she’ll be uploading two more chapters! If you’re interested to see more of the adventure of Thoster Chatwyn now is your chance. Check out Storm Song!

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This one wasn’t quite as long as the last - a lot of the same people are in the Top 10 and without repeating a lot of what I said last week, it would have felt way too forced(it may have felt a bit forced anyway!) - I’m open to any and all feedback, let me know if I should keep doing these. If you like the idea/concept/posts then don’t be shy and inform your friends and other Inksharians. Let’s try to get more people involved in the forums in general and liven up the place!

Shameless Plug: Want to help me achieve my dreams? Want to see my awkwardness when I have to include myself in the Top 10? Please take a look at A Soldier’s Crest: Heroes of Khroma(my very own entry into this contest)!

Lastly I want to thank Inkshares for making this site and giving aspiring authors like us a chance to share our stories. I also want to thank all the Inksharians, especially those in the Top 10, for giving me some interesting stories to read and write about.

Cheers!