iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

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

a.co

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)

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 10/03/2025

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

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 26/02/2025

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

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 25/02/2025

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.

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Ashley Apples @ashleyapples.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

Resist. Survive. Integrity.

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 18/02/2025

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

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

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! 💖

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

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.

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

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. 😅

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

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

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

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

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 12/02/2025

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

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 11/02/2025

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

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Ashley Apples @ashleyapples.bsky.social · 09/02/2025

Tomorrow I’m writing for five years!

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 08/02/2025

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

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

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

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

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

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?

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

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

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

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

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

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.

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

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

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

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

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

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. 💖

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

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?

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

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

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

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

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

Oh, never mind, I totally did sit on it for longer. I forgot I joined thanks to an invite code. 😅 But still, it's only been like a year and a half?! That's still crazy.

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

I'm dying that today, of all days, is when I finally decided to start making an effort to use this platform. 🤣 Happy Birthday, Bluesky! I guess I didn't let it sit around as long as I thought. How has it only been a SINGLE year? 🫠

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

That's the way to do it! I write because I enjoy spending time with my imaginary friends. 🩷 I'm just ready for these fools to start pestering other folks, too.

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

OMG, this is exactly my music tastes! Along with bands that are more recent but absolutely the same genre. ...I need to get this.

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

I'm not so sure I've changed all that much aesthetically... But I did hunt for the shirt! And while I couldn't find it in black, I did find a red variant! 😂 I'm gonna keep searching for the black, but for now, I have a bit of my young, edgy self back. hahaha! #ElderMillennial #ElderEmo

A red T-shirt laid flat on a chair, featuring a playful graphic design. The text reads, 'From the desk of Toto' above a small illustration of a black Scottie dog mid-leap. Below, the message continues in a handwritten-style font: 'Dear Dorothy: Hate Oz, took the shoes, find your own way home!' with a paw print signature labeled 'Toto.' The background includes a cozy, eclectic room with bookshelves, decorative items, and warm lighting.

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

One of my current #WIP is a "prequel" of sorts, going over the teenage years of one of my protagonists. He was a teenager at the same time I was, and he absolutely was in the same type of scene I was (pictured). While nostalgia bombing myself, I decided I really missed that "Dear Dorothy" shirt.

A triptych of three photos from the early 2000s featuring a young woman with long dark hair, glasses, and an alt-kid aesthetic. She wears oversized flared jeans with contrast stitching, layered bracelets, and graphic T-shirts with sarcastic text. One shirt reads, 'If I throw a stick, will you go away?' while another features a faux 'letter from Toto' that says, 'Dear Dorothy: Hate Oz, took the shoes, find your own way home!' Her accessories include a studded choker and multiple blue bracelets. The images capture a nostalgic, early 2000s alternative fashion vibe.

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

I mean, I feel that! I’m just hoping that this desire doesn’t fade out after I get a rejection. 😅 The odds of finding the right agent when I’ve barely hit a double digit of submissions are so waiting to crush my spirit. 🫠 BUT YOU CAN DO IT TOO!!

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

I want my imaginary friends to bother other people sometimes. This is why I’ve finally started to #query and deal with the rejection. 😂

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

I miss the #WritingCommunity that I had on the old bird site! I think I finally found how to follow here. But for any #writers out there, hello! Anyone else currently living the #AmQuerying stress to combat the general societal stress? 😅

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

That’s a good number to pause at until I hear back from a couple of them, so I can figure out which letters seemed to work best & then try another batch. My imaginary friends bring *me* joy, & I hope to get them out there bringing other folks joy in this messed up world. 🤞💖 #writer #writingcommunity

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

The world is a mess right now, & to distract myself, I finally bit the bullet and seriously devoted time to #querying. Since 2018, I had done maybe 7 queries at random, but between yesterday and today, I actively searched for compatible agents & submitted 5–each with their own personal query letter.

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 18/09/2024

Bluesky now has over 10 million users, and I was #512,753! But I’m never on here, so does it really count?

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 23/10/2023

In the meantime, I hope there’s a writing community here that I can figure out here! But for anyone new that stumbles upon my account, hello! Welcome! I hope you enjoy sharing my writing journey with me. For now, here’s the pet tax with my boys Neelix (orange Maine Coon) and Lupin (grey shorthair).

Two cats sitting in front of a glass door on a rug covered in their fur. The orange Maine Coon is curled up in a box napping, and the grey American shorthair is sitting upright beside him.

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 23/10/2023

If you’re interested in my cosplay stuff, just look for Alkrea (maybe LadyAlkrea, depending on the site). While I still do that hobby, it’s less frequent now a days. I probably won’t post much of it here, but maybe!

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 23/10/2023

Once upon a time, I aspired to be a cartoonist rather than a novelist! But I am glad I eventually traded drawing for sewing and cosplay, and eventually revisited my storytelling with novels. I find substantially more joy in writing! 🥰

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 23/10/2023

If I actually start utilizing this, I will likely use this platform for my writing! I write urban fantasy with a touch of historical fiction, and while currently unpublished, I’m working on it! I’ve been a story teller my whole life, but I started seriously writing for NaNoWriMo 2017.

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 23/10/2023

I suppose I should start by introducing myself to this new world! Even though my currently minuscule friends list all know me. lol I am an elder Millennial who you may have seen around with the handle Alkrea. I have that here too, but don’t know I’ll use it. But it’s been my alias since I was 15. 😅

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A.K. Stephens @akstephens.bsky.social · 23/10/2023

Ah, thank you! I will definitely read through this. 🥰

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