Written by Benjamin Medrano

January 12th Update, 2026

Remember how I said that if writing went smoothly, I’d finish the rough draft of Born of Chaos this past week? That didn’t happen. I’m at about 151,500 words, and I’m working on the last chapter. Realistically, there’re two chapters left, as the epilogue is going to be longer than normal for me. Still, I expect to finish one chapter today, and plan to push through the epilogue as soon as I can to get to editing.

I fully expect the rest of the week to be devoted to fixing the first two parts of the book to match the ‘voice’ I’ve taken to lately, so that’ll slow me down, but after that I’m going to be sending it to my Alpha readers while I decide which project is next on my list.

I hope you have a wonderful week!

4 thoughts on “January 12th Update, 2026”

  1. Hello just a question. But first love your writing. I have bought and liste to every series you have released to audible. Now I was wondering when you was going back to Lilith’s shadow or Beesong Chronicles? Thanks Michael Hardin ll

    Liked by 1 person

  3. So, both are on the list of stories I’d like to continue. I discussed it on my Patreon on the 1st, let me grab the list, simplified since I don’t want that massive post in a comment…

    So, I’m debating between working on something new, or resurrecting an older series/project. On the ‘old’ list, in order of likelihood, are: Beesong Chronicles, Lilith’s Shadow, and Broken Chains. The last is a book I’ve only released on Patreon, set in the same universe as Ruethwyn, and I just… ran out of steam on it. It hasn’t been properly edited or anything.

    On the subject of something new (not actually new, but not published or shared), I have a list of five (six? Embers of War is sorta on it…) projects (two of which might end up under a pen name, since they’d have erotic/explicit content, though I’ve set them up so those chapters are on their own and could be removed). In no particular order:
    – Silent Songstress – Isekai superhero story I’ve been working on occasionally, pretty close to complete. Potentially under the pen name.
    – Shoggoth’s Daughter (working title) – Follows an elf who was raised by the equivalent of the Great Old Ones of Lovecraft mythology, but not as malevolent/horror-based. Have a few thousand words.
    – Sorceress Unleashed – LitRPG Isekai with the twist that the protagonist wasn’t supposed to get grabbed, as she was a mini-boss in a VR MMORPG. Have quite a bit of writing, about half a book’s worth. Potentially under the pen name.
    – A Quiet Retirement – My take on the ‘adventurer retires to a small-ish town to make a life for themselves’ cozy genre. Would actually be quiet and cozy, no major threats. I have a couple thousand words.
    – Dungeon Monarch – Another LitRPG I started a while back. This is the LitRPG Apocalypse genre, and the character died in the integration, only to be offered the opportunity to resurrect as the ruler of a dungeon (temporarily). Essentially, she can get out after hitting a certain level. I have ~36,000 words, or about 1/3-1/4 of a book. Her dungeon is in the ruins of a mall, and she themes it as a massive superstore/resort for dragons.

    I don’t know which I’m going to work on, but with Through the Fire wrapped up, I’m planning to choose one and go with it.

    Like

Leave a comment