On July 12, 2012, I took the plunge and published ‘Mark of Odin: The Awakening,’ my first book in Spanish, which kicked off the dream that would eventually become the XaviVerso. Fourteen years have passed, and I can’t help but marvel at everything that has happened since then: six books published in Spanish and English, almost 200,000 readers reached worldwide across print, ebook, and audiobook, and ‘The Awakening’ has repeatedly reached the number one spot in science fiction on various platforms. How could I not feel awestruck on an anniversary like this?
When I decided to embark on this transmedia literary project independently, instead of accepting Planeta’s offer to publish my first three books, many called me crazy. I’ve said it many times: when I started shaping ‘Mark of Odin’ back in 2005-2006, it was never simply a matter of wanting to write a book. My dream was to combine everything I had seen in the online video game industry with literature. And after two years of negotiation—very constructive, I must say—the conclusion was clear: I had to be independent if I truly wanted to forge a new path and innovate in the book publishing industry.
Fourteen years have passed, six new stories have arrived, several versions of websites, countless hours of work, effort, sacrifice, stress, and the challenges keep coming. And, despite everything, I still feel fortunate to be able to fight for my dreams and my own path. I do this because I see how increasingly difficult it is to reach new readers and develop my intellectual properties so they can make the leap to film, video games, anime, or other formats. And while 200,000 readers might seem like a lot, especially for an independent author, it’s still a small number compared to what major entertainment promoters need to focus their attention on you.
But you know what? It doesn’t matter. Every reader who opens one of my books and shares the emotion it evokes is the greatest reward I could ask for. Luckily, I can pursue several projects that inspire me and fuel my dreams: my books, video games, and creating restaurant experiences. Thanks to this, as long as the spark remains lit, I will continue creating and striving, no matter how impossible it may seem to achieve my distant dreams.
Thank you to everyone who, whether for part of the journey or the entire way, has accompanied me on this quest. Here’s to the 15th anniversary!