From Gardens to Fabric Stores to Fiction Slumps. - A.K. Stephens I was doing so well, and then I stopped. Where did the time go? One […]

From Gardens to Fabric Stores to Fiction Slumps. akstephens.com/from-gardens...

OOOO! That’s SO Creepy! (The Oooo Kids) OOOO! That’s SO Creepy! (The Oooo Kids) [Efon] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. OOOO! That’s SO Creepy! (The Oooo Kids)

My grandma has been working in an illustrated kids book about bugs for years, and it just went live on Amazon. 🥰 If you’re feeling generous and wanting to help out an indie retiree author, might I suggest The Oooo Kids?

#selfpublish #kidsbooks #writingcommunity

a.co/d/aTROE5m

Welcome to My New Corner of the Internet - A.K. Stephens So here’s the deal… The internet has changed a lot since I last maintained a […]

Welcome to My New Corner of the Internet akstephens.com/welcome-to-m...

I got hyper-focused on a new/old thing over this weekend. I have a website again! Given that so many query forms want an author site, I may as well give in. It's still under construction, but it's mostly functional! Let me know what you think. 🥰

www.akstephens.com

Thank you! 💖 I’m finally logged in to my work computer again today. 😮‍💨

Ugh... I've been stuck in bed with the flu for a few days now. This sucks. And it didn't even hit me as hard as it hit my partner. 😢 He's stuck going to work today, too.

Resist. Survive. Integrity.

Very relevant to my query struggles, too. Thanks for the encouragement! We’ve got this! Right? 😅

a man holding a stick with the words " never give up never surrender " behind him Alt: From Galaxy Quest, a man holding a stick with the words " never give up never surrender " behind him

At least, not again! Haha

I know. This isn’t my first time querying, just my first round since 2023. 😅 And while I’m still no where near those numbers, it’s not a brand new game for me, I just gave up for awhile. But I definitely appreciate the encouragement! 💖

Thank you! I sure hope it’s a worthwhile alteration. The plot that spans the whole book is “resolved” as far as the authorities are concerned at the split, so I’m just going to build on that more & give my MC a stronger sense of “I’m not sure it is, but okay.” That doubt will quickly grow in book 2.

I’ve already gotten some good ideas from @ajfieldsauthor.bsky.social—who has been amazing in beta reading my stuff the last couple of years, and we bounced back and forth on a plan that I think will really make this work! Hopefully agents will agree. 😅

But I do think that there’s logic to making the first book into a duology, as it’s the only one that is entirely historical fiction—the rest of the series is contemporary urban fantasy. This gives the intro a foundation in smaller chunks, and gives them their own space. #WritingCommunity

Considering the two nopes from my latest query set and all prior ones never gave any info other than “sorry, but I’m not the match,” I’ve become suspicious that it is that 189k word count. 🥲 #AmQuerying

I’ve decided to give a shot splitting my first book into two. It *is* pretty hefty for a “debut” novel, and there is a decent spot I can split it with minimal adjustments to each half. #writing #WritersLife

Boooo... Rejection #2. And this one seemed like a probably good match! 🥲 Oh well. Gotta keep on going! #AmQuerying #WritersLife #WritingCommunity

Tomorrow I’m writing for five years!

I was #writing today, but then I fell asleep with my laptop still on my lap and my cats curled up with my heated blanket. 🥰 Woke up because the auto feeder went off and they both launched off of me. 😒 #WritersLife #WritingCommunity #Cats

I finally removed all my NaNoWriMo t-shirts & hoodie from my wardrobe. I haven't worn any of them in a year, so I may as well make space for new stuff. I wish I felt sad parting with them, but instead, I feel annoyed. And annoyed mainly by how many I had! #WritersLife #WritingCommunity

Who is torturing that poor piano? Jacob wondered as he approached the music room one morning before school. He winced as the unknown player struck a flat note and jumbled the melody, so he peeked into the room. No one was in the primary classroom, but the practice room in the back, which Jacob often claimed for himself, was clearly occupied. As he approached, he noticed another guy from his grade frowning as his fingers stumbled across the keys. That’s the cute guy from my English class, he realized. He’s also on the football team with Matt. Damn, what’s his name?

One of my current three #WIP is unusual for me, as it is undoubtedly more YA than I usually write. But I guess that's what happens when I decide to follow a later MC in his teen years. 😂 #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #AmWritingFiction

Thank you much! 💖 You do the same! We’ll get the eventually! 💪

Likewise! Mutuals are getting published is one of the only reasons I ever find new stuff.

Ooh, that is awesome! My characters have ties to old Welsh folklore, and I’ve ended up diving into Irish folklore while research for that.

Internet randos can be the best! I believe in you too! We got this! 💪

Yes! I hope so too! What are your primary cryptids? I’ve got tons, but I’m a sucker (ha!) for vampires and witches. 💖

I keep reminding myself of that. 😅 Trying to, at least. I’ve heard of authors sending out hundreds before getting a bite. And I’m at like, maybe a dozen since 2018, and 5 were within the last two days. One day we’ll find our matches! Just don’t lose momentum. 💖

Thank you!! My first book is is historical fantasy that sets up the world, but the bulk of my books are more contemporary urban fantasy. How about yours?

I just did that last night myself. 🤞Best of luck on your quest!

Annnnd the first agent query I sent out yesterday already replied with a rejection. 🥲 At least they were friendly with it. Four remain pending.

#WritingCommunity #AmWriting #AmQuerying #WritersLife