The Great Dao Toward Heaven is about to go behind the paywall.
By convention, this is when I should write a few remarks expressing my trepidation and anticipation, thanking my editor and everyone for their help, and then asking for votes and so on, but... you can probably tell that, with this new book, The Great Dao Toward Heaven, I really want to change some conventions, or at least some habits of my own. So I had originally planned to slip quietly behind the paywall and get you to open your wallets without anyone being any the wiser. Then I was criticized and told that this showed disrespect for my readers.
I feel I have always respected my readers.
Although I used to argue with readers a lot, with us cursing each other out, and I basically never take readers' suggestions, much less pay any attention to criticism, I still feel I respect my readers-because I take writing very seriously, and I have always held to the standard that, to pass muster, my work must be worth the money you spend on subscriptions. When I work, the mental energy and everything else I put into it are absolutely sufficient. You can say my writing is rubbish-that is a question of ability-but there is nothing wrong with my attitude, apart from at certain particular times.
A middle-aged man has a mountain of things to deal with. I won't go into detail; anyway, whenever I have the time and energy, I write seriously.
As for my thanks, I would like to keep them in my heart.
I haven't asked for votes in two or three years. Just do as you please.
I have no trepidation about how the book will perform, because it is well written.
But I really do have hopes.