Chapter 25 will be massive. I was expecting a range of 15,000-20,000 words, but the section I intended as the set-up for the main story arc already clocks at 6,000 words -- about three times longer than I planned. That would be enough for a stand-alone chapter, and I thought about posting it that way, but the whole thing ties together thematically, so I'm sticking to my original concept.
In the meantime, here's a small preview. It won't spoil you on the main arc of the chapter, if you're worried about that kind of thing. I picked it mainly because it's fairly self-contained, so don't infer too much about which characters show up and how the rest unfolds. If this goes over well, I might do similar posts in the future, depending on timing and what I'm writing.
Update, 8/18: This chapter is huge. The length of a short novel. Some of the things you've probably been wanting for a long time kind of, sort of happen. I think every character either appears or is name-checked, but it takes place in its own kind of bubble and is close to being a stand-alone story, the way Chapter 16 was. Is it bloated? Too shaggy? Kind of epic? I'll let you guys decide soon, almost definitely by the end of the month. Very excited to finish it.
Update, 8/29: Well, I spoke too soon. Had a night to myself last night for the first time in 10 days, so the new chapter won't post in August. Soon, though. Sorry for the false optimism.
Update, 9/4: Chapter 25 is done. I've mailed it in for posting. 32,543 words. Insane. Read it slowly, because I might need some recovery time. I'll write a new post when it's online.
