Afterword
I think the proper way to start an afterword is by thanking the reader. With this in mind, I leafed through some of the books I had on hand, and to my surprise, I noticed many recent ones don’t even have real afterwords. Some were just thanking people in their lives, or updating readers on their recent activities, or mentioning stories that were completely unrelated to the work itself.
So I spent a few days thinking about how I could entertain everyone somehow. In the end, I decided to write a simple afterword.
Now that the stage is set, I’d like to begin by simply expressing my gratitude to everyone. The online readers who helped me nurture this story. The editor who approached me about publishing it and worked diligently on creating it. The illustrator who added such color to my work with beautiful illustrations. My partner who watched warmly over me through all my ups and downs. My senpais who gave me lots of advice when I didn’t know what to do. My gaming friends, the cram school teacher who told me I’d definitely be a novelist, my parents who instilled in me the habit of reading books, and my understanding boss at work. To all the people who have helped me since my school days. Etc, etc, etc…
And to you who are reading this afterword now. Thank you very much.
This Alluring Dark Elf Has the Heart of a Middle-aged Man! is the first work I posted online in January of last year. My debut novel. The thing I lost my, ahem, publishing virginity with.
Many of the scenes written in third person in the web version have been changed to first person in this book version. I think you enjoyed being able to re-read the story from Haruka’s point of view. A-At least, I hope so.
At the time of writing this afterword, it still hasn’t fully sunk in that what I wrote is going to be out there for everyone to see. It feels so very surreal.
All the characters in my story are cute to me. Even though I wanted to make some of them villains, I’d end up feeling sad and going in the opposite direction instead. Their world is a bleak one. Nevertheless, it’s a heartwarming adventure story about the main character and his (her?) friends living peacefully.
I hope those of you who pick up this book will also enjoy discovering your favorite character and feeling like you’re on an adventure together.
Yuhi Shimano, June 2023