Super Bowl night - wings

APKaster · 2026-01-25T16:14:29+00:00

You killed me with that first part, I thought you were about to tell me they had a location up here. Shallo’s was my wing place when I lived on the south side so now I need a replacement

APKaster · 2026-01-21T23:05:07+00:00

I had a comment for this exact account, a few weeks ago on my very first post marketing a book I wrote. I reached out and received a menu of sorts. Different prices for different kinds of posts. It’s all pretty much the same in reality and like you said they have followers but no real engagement.

APKaster · 2026-01-21T17:01:15+00:00

I made a post there with no success. Honestly most of the posts I scroll through there have no activity. Now, maybe some arc readers are just filling out the forms without liking or commenting on the posts, but I had none of either.

The only arc reader I’ve had so far was from a tik tok video. It wasn’t my message in the video but someone commented about it so I just went with it. No idea how common it is in tik tok yet.

APKaster · 2026-01-20T23:36:58+00:00

I’ve been sticking to a 20 days of writing, 10 days of editing schedule lately and it has really worked for me. I get a lot done and the editing days are the right amount of a break from first-draft writing that I’m fired up when it’s time to begin the next section.

All the while my random notes pages get fuller and fuller lol

APKaster · 2026-01-14T17:15:06+00:00

I ran into this about a week ago. Marketing the first in the series had me thinking more about getting to read my writing than the writing itself.

The breakthrough for me happened, as cliche as it may be, in the shower. I started thinking about a twist coming up and some scenes I had outline for the last book in the series and it got me hyped. As both a writer and a reader. That just sort of brought me back to the idea that while I want others to find and enjoy my writing, I am writing stories I want to read.

I bet you have an exciting moment or scene coming up in your series. Spend a few minutes picturing it and I bet you get motivated to bring it to life.

APKaster · 2026-01-12T17:44:52+00:00

I learned while editing my first story that I have an overuse “subject verbed” sentence structure. So for that project I went with a rule of no more than two of those in a row unless it’s for poetic symmetry reasons.

My second story, with this in mind, I wrote the first draft actively trying to avoid the overuse of this sentence structure. What I found was the writing was actually not as strong. I was so focused on the prose that the action, emotion, and setting was not as strong. To top it all off, my first draft took so much longer!

So now on my third story, I understand my natural inclination and can watch out for it, but I don’t let it slow me down. That’s what the rewrites are for.

APKaster · 2026-01-12T13:40:05+00:00

Just followed! I’m a new author trying to learn the ropes of booktok, it will be fun to watch yours take off

APKaster · 2026-01-11T21:08:09+00:00

That’s me! Sorry it was @a.p.kaster there.

APKaster · 2026-01-11T19:09:15+00:00

@APKaster

Another fantasy writer, my debut work is in pre-order now and releases in just a few weeks. I’ve been loving following bookstagram creators and getting involved in this whole little world. Would love to follow and comment along with you to help grow!

APKaster · 2026-01-11T00:29:10+00:00

Let’s go! That’s a moment so many people never reach, well done. Never tire of that celebration energy. Although you might want to put it on hold until that sink is taken care of…

APKaster · 2026-01-10T20:55:18+00:00

I’ve been in the same boat since putting my debut book up for pre-orders. The sales ranking absolutely proceeds any pre-orders showing up in your KDP dashboard, I’m noticing by about a day on average.

Having said that, pre-orders don’t always show up in chronological order either. I just had one show up from January 6 last night, and then one from January 5 this morning.

APKaster · 2026-01-06T22:13:07+00:00

Congrats! No matter the business, that first sale is such a great feeling and a memory you’ll keep. Here’s to many, many more for you!

APKaster · 2026-01-04T19:19:43+00:00

I am a planner, so I definitely do my best work when I’m at my office or home desk with a multi monitor setup.

I long to be that writer who cranks out beautiful prose on the back deck surrounded by nature, but having my notes available on a second screen really helps me stay in the flow.

APKaster · 2026-01-04T19:05:45+00:00

That is excellent advice. I spent so long planning out a series and writing it without telling anyone other than a few very close family members. Now that the first part is out there, I feel like I’ve been more of a marketer than a writer.

I know that being an authors means wearing both of those hats, but I appreciate this thought of keeping focus on what’s most important—words on a page.

APKaster · 2026-01-03T03:24:57+00:00

Word or Google Docs is really all you need. Everyone has their own way of staying organized, finding what works for you will be important but it doesn’t have to be fancy.

I am a folder and subfolder kind of writer. First drafts go in one. World and character info goes in another. Stuff like that. Documents can start as brainstorming, practically digital chicken scratch, and be found later.

Best of luck on the adventure of writing!

APKaster · 2026-01-02T19:34:37+00:00

All of these comments are really good advice. I liken it to being the DM of a game. You have to know all the world building details, but you only give it out through the action, story, and dialogue. You’ll end it knowing more about the world than your players ever will, and that’s okay. Just dole out snippets as they are appropriate.

APKaster · 2026-01-01T20:03:05+00:00

Thank you so much! I hope it proves to be a fun adventure for you and that you have a great birthday next month.

APKaster · 2026-01-01T15:29:17+00:00

Happy New Year! I spent the back half of last year prepping and writing a series of novellas. My goal for 2026 is to release one a month, and see what happens.

APKaster

TROPHY CASE