iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 24/02/2026

P.L. Travers C.S. Lewis Douglas Preston/Lincoln Child Robert Jordan Susan Cooper

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

#wipsnips #writesky “Oh! Bode, quick question: has Archie always been totally oblivious to, like, any kind of hints?” “Yes,” Bode said immediately. “I’ve never seen anybody that spectacularly unable to understand subtlety. You have to be very direct, no matter how mundane the topic.”

040

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 22/01/2026

The Return of the King With Big Naturals.

020

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

#writingcommunity #writing #writesky My brain deigned to allow me to write this weekend, so I'm nearing the 10K words over the past 24 hours. I can live with that. Now, if I can just convince my brain to let me keep writing for the next week or two, I'll have the first draft finished.

030

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 19/01/2026

I actually wrote a post for my website about this a week or so ago. Many of the names in my trilogy were placeholders that just turned into the actual names. I don't put the same emphasis on names that many writers do. I really don't think the names are important at all to the story.

130

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 12/01/2026

Nothing. I only create what I need for the story as I write the story. If it doesn’t appear on page, it doesn’t exist in my head.

120

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

Archie is a human working in a magical library. His coworkers? An elf who always “knows a guy,” a dwarf who expects a good insult every chance you get, a lederhosen-loving Sasquatch, and a relentlessly cheerful pixie. Their boss? A tiny book dragon with an insatiable need to hoard books.

110

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

#wipsnips "That was impressive, Detective," Sharian said. "How did you know to look there?" "A benefit of being a comic book nerd. I loved Will Eisner's 'The Spirit' comics, from the 1940s. They taught me that the story is already present, and I just have to put the clues in order."

040

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

I prefer to not have the antagonist on page that much. In my trilogy, you don't meet the main antagonist until a few chapters into the second book. He then appears here and there in the second and third books, but not too much.

110

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 06/01/2026

Archie solves math problems to relax, but he has a Ph.D. in math and was a professor for almost two decades before switching careers. We haven't seen him doing it yet. Rowan, on the other hand, collects comic books. She mentions it in the first book, but we'll actually get to see it in the second.

010

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

#wipsnips "You're awfully calm about finally meeting your daughter's first real boyfriend," Rowan said. I shrugged. "I...um...already met him. By accident." She folded her arms and raised an eyebrow. "How?" "At the grocery store. He introduced himself." "And you didn't tell Ada?" "Um...no?"

050

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

"I was supposed to die yesterday. Unfortunately for those jerkwads, it didn't take."

091

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

#favlinefriday #writingcommunity #writesky “And don’t you DARE look inside!” she said, wagging a finger at me, her cheeks slightly pink. I rolled my eyes. “Yes, I’m SO bored this morning that I just want to go through my daughter’s purse and see what I can find.”

000

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 02/01/2026

#wipsnips "When I started dating, I made certain promises to myself. I told Aunt Helena about those promises, too. Why would she even ASK me that question?" Before I could reply, Rowan tapped her own shoulder, the signal we used in the Curiousium to mean "Let me handle this".

070

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 01/01/2026

#wipsnips "So how long do you think before your daughter begins to bug you about proposing?" the Sasquatch asked. "I figure less than three weeks," I said. "You?" He laughed. "Bro...she'll bring it up by Friday." "Today's Sunday," I said. "We've only been a couple since last night." "Exactly."

070

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 27/12/2025

Archie spent nearly 20 years as a math professor and just got sick of the whining and complaining and cheating. Since he loves books, he decided to work in a library. He hadn't expected a magical library to be the answer, but he loves his job and his coworkers.

120

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 27/12/2025

#writesky #writingcommunity #1 goal is to finish and publish the second book in my Curiousium series, and if I'm lucky, the third book as well. I somehow doubt I'll be THAT lucky, but fingers crossed! Secondary goal is to write a juvenile/middle grades novel. Haven't tried that before.

120

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 25/12/2025

And Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, but moved silently down through the centuries, living many secret lives, struggling to reach the time of the Gathering; when the few who remain will battle to the last.

010

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

The Faekind revere the Exalted Phoenix as a god, even though he’s not. He just has the ability to temporarily wield the power of creation to make things happen. He gets annoyed with all the bowing and deference.

140

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

Another great review! I love that people are falling in love with this story. #writesky #booksky

5/5 stars!

This book was one of the best November wraps ever!

When I started this book, I thought it was cute at first and very cozy and easy. The plot was nice to start with, the humor was close to home, the descriptions of people weren't vague at all. Then by page 80 on was a whirlwind of emotion and plot! I loved how quick paced it went and how action packed it was! The only thing is some of the emotional descriptions were a little repetitive but I still absolutely loved the plot twist and the ending was really satisfying. I actively screamed at the ending 5 pages! All in all, very good book. I would highly recommend for the fall just because of how cozy it got.

020

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

Well, that was fun. I was walking out to the van to get the last bag of groceries when my bad knee gave out—for no reason—and caused me to misjudge the 2-inch step down. Ended up crashing onto the concrete patio. My poor wife heard me crash and looked around the corner to see a single foot...

100

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

Someone told me that my debut novel was the first book they’d enjoyed in years, and that they were going to start reading again because of it. Three books later, they’re one of my biggest cheerleaders, always eagerly awaiting news of a new book.

160

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

Library run by book dragon.

031

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 16/11/2025

Survived my first Bookfest/convention as an author. I've been writing and publishing for 7 years, but had never tried anything like this before. Ended up selling 9 or 10 books total, I think, which is way more than I'd expected! My second one is only 6 days away. #booksky #writesky

020

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 08/11/2025

#wipsnips "Dad, you're 6'6"!" my daughter retorted. "You don't know what it's like being this short!" I chuckled. "Honey, I feel little every time I stand next to BT." "He's a Sasquatch! He's over 10 feet tall! He makes EVERYONE look tiny! That doesn't count!"

091

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

Actually, that's what happened with my latest novel. One of the side characters, who's part of the primary cast but not the lead, ended up with the biggest supporting part and kinda helped drive the story...

210

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

#wipsnips "Cute for a costume," my daughter said, folding her arms, "but not for a date." "Ada..." I sighed. "We're going bowling. I'm not dressing up for that." I held my phone up to face her. "And I came prepared." "Hey, girl!" Rowan said. "Let your dad off the hook, ok? I'm fine with it."

081

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 26/10/2025

#wipsnips "Dad, you've got to talk to him!" my daughter said. "He's insisting on wearing lederhosen on his date with Rainbow!" "BT always wears lederhosen," I said. "You know that." "Yeah, but they're orange and green, and he's wearing a yellow shirt! And a cowboy hat!" "Sounds normal for him."

092

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 20/10/2025

I'll be at the 2nd Annual Key West BookFest in a few weeks! Should be a lot of fun...and very terrifying for this introvert! LOL

Key West BookFest Saturday, November 15th at the Key West Library
The second annual Key West BookFest, recognizing the literary heritage of the community and featuring
local authors, will be held Saturday, November 15th from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the Key West Library
Palm Garden, 700 Fleming Street. This free event promises to appeal to all book lovers.
BookFest attendees will have a unique and exciting opportunity to meet and speak with local Florida
authors, many of whom write about Key West. Books will be available for autograph and purchase. This
year’s lineup of over 25 authors will include Lucy Burdette, Ralph DePalma, and SK Golden. Visit
www.keyslibraries.org for a full lineup of authors.
Kim Rinaldi, Senior Branch Manager of the Key West Library, and Betty Darst of the Friends of the Key
West Library had a vision of a festival-type event for book lovers. “Key West bursts with street fairs and
festivals throughout the year and we wanted to host something similar at the library where local authors
could showcase their work,“ says Rinaldi.

020

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 19/10/2025

#wipsnips "Ah, the trials and tribulations of being a teenager," Lady Aethlin said as she lifted the end of the couch with one hand. She raised it up to chest level effortlessly. "It's the same for us vampires as for you mortals, I'm afraid. We're as awkward as you are in those stages."

081

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 17/10/2025

#wipsnips "My dad's new girlfriend is a detective who's a lethal shot with pretty much any kind of projectile weapon, does martial arts for fun, and is both fit and hot," Ada said. "I totally love her." "Geez. What does she do to loaf around? Wrestle sharks?" "Nope. Collects comic books."

0101

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 12/10/2025

I'm a pantser. I've tried outlining, even just writing down basic plot points, but I end up staring at a blank page. My brain refuses to even consider coming up with anything. But once I start typing the story, everything flows. I may not know where it's going, I may not know how it's going to end.

021

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 12/10/2025

#wipsnips Everybody knew who she was. She'd been the lead in the school's spring musical, and had won the drama award. She was smart and funny and sweet and pretty and.. "Why are you sweating?" Leo asked, breaking my train of thought. "I hope you're not sick; I don't like when my friends are sick."

0111

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 11/10/2025

#wipsnips "You're always welcome to come hang out with Leo," Lady Aethlin said. "She doesn't leave the house very often. Sunlight is bad for us vampires, you understand." "I've, uh, heard that. I just wasn't sure if it was true." She smiled kindly. "We are more than happy to answer questions."

071

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

#wipsnips #writesky "Let's be honest," I said. "I'm the real prize for your future husband." Ada raised an eyebrow. "Dad...what?" she asked. "Any guy who marries you gets me as a father-in-law, right?" "That's how it works, yes." "There you go. He marries you and also gets me. I'm the prize!"

070

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 08/10/2025

#wipsnips "It's perfectly safe to have dinner with them," Dad said. "They're vampires." According to him, vampires were nothing like the fiction books we'd all read. Those stories were apparently a giant PR campaign by the vampires themselves to get humans to leave them alone. I get that.

0225

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 04/10/2025

#wipsnips "I've always hated dress hunting," Ada said, eyeing the racks next to her. "Especially for school dances. The restrictions make it nearly impossible to find a dress you like and look cute in. No skin, no metal spikes, no raven perched on your shoulder, ready to attack your enemies."

1191

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 29/09/2025

#FantasyIndiesSeptember 29 I'm 100% an introvert. Social interaction drives me crazy. (And I'm a teacher; go figure.) I will happily take a self-checkout line over having to talk to another human.

140

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

#FantasyIndiesSeptember 28 Very early drafting stages. I wrote the first book in the series in only 13 days, then spent a month editing and polishing before I published it after six weeks. I started this one immediately after, but have only managed a few chapters after almost two months.

020

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 28/09/2025

#wipsnips #writesky #fantasy She sniffed the paper. “Mmm. Standard twenty-pound paper. HP 12A laser toner. Very tasty. Much easier to digest than inkjet ink.” Rowan looked at me, her eyebrows up. “Book dragon,” I said, as if that explained everything.

0141

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 27/09/2025

#FantasyIndiesSeptember 27 “I’ll let you get back to work,” Rowan said. She kissed me again. “See you tonight.” Sharian watched her go with that smirk still plastered on her face. “You got something to say, Sharian?” I asked. “Yes," the elf said. "I believe the human phrase is 'get a room'.”

040

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 26/09/2025

#FantasyIndiesSeptember 26 I'm looking forward---and simultaneously dreading--attending my first book festival and comic convention as a vendor. I've been publishing for 7 years, but have never tried to put myself out there to sell my books. I'm an introvert who can't stand talking to strangers.

040

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

#FantasyIndiesSeptember 25 Archie has a Ph.D. in mathematics and spent nearly two decades as a math professor before becoming a library associate. Safe to say math was his favorite subject. Rowan wasn't the best student until college, when she figured out what she liked, which was criminology.

040

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

#FantasyIndiesSeptember 24 All the mythical fantasy races in the fantasy novels live amongst humans, and have for millennia. Some of them (like vampires) are alien refugees, while others are from Earth. Most humans didn't know about them until fairly recently.

040

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

#FantasyIndiesSeptember 23 None, really. I'm pretty good with grammar. I try to write with everyday language, not the style you'd see in "classics", though, so I don't necessarily have to worry about grammar rules. The one rule I will always break is "1 space after a period". It is 2, not 1.

061

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 22/09/2025

#FantasyIndiesSeptember 22 Archie would definitely write some kind of "Math for dummies" book. Rowan, even though she's a detective, would be writing something dealing with comic books, as she's a huge comic nerd.

030

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 21/09/2025

#FantasyIndiesSeptember 21 My advice is to seek out your people. who will mesh with you and support you on your journey. I had a couple of amazing critique partners on my first 2 books, but covid happened and they kinda vanished, which is totally understandable. I managed to find some more, though.

080

Ben Cass @bencass.bsky.social · 20/09/2025

#FantasyIndiesSeptember 20 "Sure," you say to yourself when you happen up a sword stuck in a stone in the middle of a hiking trail. "I'll grab the sword and take a picture. What could go wrong?" As it turns out...a whole lot.

060