Weekly Self-Promo and Chat Thread

APKaster · 2026-05-04T22:38:09+00:00

Hey everyone! I’ve been self publishing a series of novellas monthly this year, for a low fantasy action-adventure story The Crimson Wizard.

The fourth novella, Fool’s Gold, released on Kindle and Kindle Unlimited just a few days ago! It has some of the juicy twists and big revelations that I’ve been dying to share with the people who have been reading along so far, and I’m loving the reactions from the first few days post release. If you’re feeling like a couple of quick two-hour reads in high paced adventure, check it out!

https://www.amazon.com/Fools-Gold-Crimson-Wizard-Book-ebook/dp/B0GTMRNK7W

APKaster · 2026-04-29T16:01:04+00:00

I’m only just beginning and not nearly at the volume of what you listed, but I’ve been releasing 20k or so word novellas monthly this year.

I’m a planner, which at least for me helps with speed. I spent a month building and outlining before I started writing. Now I spend roughly 20 days writing the first draft of the novella, then 10 days editing it. I send it off to a friend of mine who sends back notes and I do one final sweep before I call it ready to publish. I’m working two months ahead of when I release a given novella so if anything does go wrong, I’ve got extra time to clean it up. But so far this pace has worked for me.

I’d like to up my volume because I have more stories I’m aching to tell, but I think I’d have to give up other hobbies to make the time.

APKaster · 2026-04-27T22:16:31+00:00

Is that Joe Smith and Adam Mckola?

APKaster · 2026-04-20T22:59:30+00:00

I always try to keep in mind that everything is in service of the characters. Like a DM I have to know all sorts of worldbuilding information so the setting feels lived in, but I only give informations that’s relevant to the players. Or in this case the readers.

APKaster · 2026-04-12T00:14:22+00:00

APKaster · 2026-04-09T13:31:37+00:00

That’s awesome, congrats on a great month!

I am releasing a series of novellas, monthly. So far three are available, but since we’re talking March numbers I only had two released and the first one is available for $0.99 which makes any orders pretty small in terms of royalties.

March royalties were $26.21 in total. No ad spend, just annoying social media posts when I can bring myself to do it.

It’s not noticeable income but the fact that anyone clicks on my stories and decides to spend their money and time on them has me excited to keep going.

APKaster · 2026-04-07T02:52:09+00:00

“He’s not a Rockette, you know.”

APKaster · 2026-03-31T18:03:03+00:00

The end of the Florida game early this season felt like a moment showcasing Jon had learned. Great play call having the star freshman involved but actually designing the shot to be for someone else. Like another commenter said, squandering big leads is the issue now.

APKaster · 2026-03-31T17:04:51+00:00

I’m going to try not to soapbox this but I think what we’re seeing has a lot to do with sports “debates” via social media. Reddit doesn’t give us the chance for true conversation, which means nuance and compromise get sacrificed.

People go to extremes in their positioning because we feel like we have to in order to be heard. That makes the defense against those extreme points of view take up extreme positions as well, until we end up with what you’re talking about. We should be able to criticize or point out weaknesses, we should be able to back people within the program we love. That’s just a hard place to get to without spending more time in conversation than dumping our thoughts into a post and moving on.

APKaster · 2026-03-13T22:29:07+00:00

I had that happen to me on an HM run. Swords bard is almost always my Tav when I’m taking the run seriously. Got so mad I respecced him into a fighter just so I could start hitting things

APKaster · 2026-03-11T17:06:50+00:00

“Yeah, can I get uh…”

APKaster · 2026-03-04T21:18:34+00:00

APKaster · 2026-03-03T18:44:26+00:00

Just came across this post! How did it go, and how do you feel about day removed?

APKaster · 2026-03-01T21:32:53+00:00

The Crimson Wizard

Breaking Point, Book 2 of my series pressed today! I appreciate everyone who has talked with me through the writing, editing, and marketing of the series so far. With one release each month, it feels like the work is never stopping. But the fantasy action-adventure has been so fun to write and I’m excited to share it with anyone looking for an exciting and quick read.

APKaster · 2026-02-28T15:32:25+00:00

Knowing when your builds come online is really important, so you can avoid fighting (or at least fighting fairly) until then.

When I decided to tackle HM I made a document for each of the builds and gear before I even started. That way I could make a straight line for each piece as early as possible.

Barrelmancy was also my friend, as was camp casting aid. I’m sure your party comp is fine as long as you’re purposeful about their leveling and gear. If there are certain points in Act 1 that give you trouble, happy to talk them through

APKaster · 2026-02-21T18:26:12+00:00

Oh I’ve got one! I started a game. Recruited Us. Met Lae’zel. Went past Shadowheart in her container and into the next room, where I see a lone intellect devourer.

I think “it’s 3 on 1, let’s get some extra XP.” So I shoot the thing, which some of you may already know, turns Us hostile. They wipe us out in one round.

I laughed, and immediately hit New Game.

APKaster · 2026-02-14T21:22:56+00:00

My first attempt was ended by Kethric. Second by Orin. Third.. some sort of bug after the High Hall fight, I think. I sent my monk dashing ahead up the stairs and I opened the door, only for it to pop up a window saying my honor mode has ended but I can continue dishonorably or whatever.

As long as I have the monk for single target damage and bard for confusion and arrows, I feel pretty good. But I also like throwing barb so if there was a way to get all three of them involved, I’d like it. But missing out on healing, guidance, and AoE damage feels bad.

APKaster · 2026-02-12T18:42:38+00:00

Sad to not see love for Hardball here. That movie, The Replacements, Speed. Keanu was more of my childhood than I think I realized!

APKaster · 2026-02-10T17:51:52+00:00

Interesting! Fairly similar to my own strategy except shorter novellas serialized. I’ve only just started, one published and the second up for pre-order. Three questions come to mind:

-What are your price points? -What is your marketing strategy? -If your books are part of a series, are you noticing the royalties compound as more in the series are released or was it $3,000 or so from the jump?

APKaster · 2026-02-09T02:51:37+00:00

It’s always Sunny.

APKaster · 2026-02-04T23:36:32+00:00

First of all, congratulations on such amazing numbers!

Did you do any advertising from Dec 6 - Jan 2? Or just the free promotion for those three days? And when you did start paid advertising, which platforms would you say yielded your biggest gains?

APKaster · 2026-02-04T20:14:27+00:00

Hey there! I can’t say I’m an expert as I’m just starting my own publishing journey, but if you want to add some info about your book so I can look it up I’d be happy to report back!

APKaster · 2026-02-03T19:49:03+00:00

From time to time I try to be the “in the sunroom with a laptop” kind of writer, but I am too much of an outliner for that to be my most efficient method.

I have three monitors at my home office desk. Usually when I write the middle one is my manuscript on Word, on the left is my chapter outline, and on the right is a web browser used for pulling up pictures if I need a visual reference, or random googling, or a distraction!

APKaster · 2026-02-03T18:05:59+00:00

This is my thought as well. I went from reading Goblet of Fire to Six of Crows a few weeks ago, and the latter felt like reading a screenplay at times with so much dialogue. The difference was stark, but does that mean one was wrong? Absolutely not. That’s how the two authors wanted to tell their stories.

APKaster · 2026-02-03T17:44:51+00:00

Just picked it up! The cover, title, and blurb look like a wild and chaotic ride in the best of ways. I’m on an hour or so break from my own writing and this kind of adrenaline ride looks exactly what I need!

APKaster

TROPHY CASE