iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Happy Saturday! Here, have a book video! This one talks about reality vs fiction, morally grey characters who are trying their best, and using distant emotions. youtu.be/6EmyG-M5zh0

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Review of "Help for the Haunted" by John Searles: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 18/07/2026

It's Saturday!!! Let me tell you about what I've been reading! Today's includes discussions of passive characters, complicated mutli-pov, and Lackeyism. 😄 youtu.be/AK6haQbnSew

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Review of "Reserved for the Cat" by Mercedes Lackey: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

It's Saturday! Which means I'm here to offer you a video about a book! Come hear me talk about the careful balancing act of a second book in a series, the comfort of settling into series, and heavy topics handled with a light hand. youtu.be/nmHToYlo1T4

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Review of "Strange Blood" by Azalea Crowley: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 04/07/2026

After a month off I have another video about a book for y'all! This one discusses the use of storytelling, likeable while terrible characters, and characters in absentia. youtu.be/bOdA1eH0Ruo

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Review of "A Conspiracy of Truths" by Alexandra Rowland: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

It's Saturday! Which means I'm over here talking about a book! Come join me as I babble about character voids, the weight of horror, and the unknowable! youtu.be/aoOEzoPkuso

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Review of "Hinterland" by Logan Spurgeon: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 16/05/2026

It's Saturday! Time for me to gush about a book! This one talks a lot about character growth, memory, and the right length of book for the right story. Also World-building! youtu.be/-0efIL8JRyU

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Review of "Platform Decay" by Martha Wells: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 09/05/2026

It's Saturday! Which means I get to gush about a book! Come hear me babble about a contrast of horror and sweetness, themes of feeling out of touch with cultural touchstones, and different kinds of tension! youtu.be/QXmTmOalM9I

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Review of "Odd Blood" by Azalea Crowley: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 02/05/2026

Happy Saturday! Let me tell you about a book! This one breaks so many of the "rules" and is still such a fun read. Come hear me babble about how pacing and focus shift the connection readers make to a story. And Fairy Tales youtu.be/4SAKzCierl0

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Review of "Spindle's End" by Robin McKinley: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

Happy Saturday!!! Come hear me talk about the complexity of world building in fantasy and the idea of "anachronism," but also complex characters and themes that really live in the story, world-building and characters arcs. youtu.be/b63HUg95grQ

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Review of "This Fatal Kiss" by Alicia Jasinska: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 11/04/2026

Happy Saturday! Let me offer you a book break-down! Come watch me babble about how one fully subjective preference can alter a reader's perception of a book and the rhythm of the plot, as well as CHARACTERS. youtu.be/_loXoiPL3qw

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Review of "Night Mares in the Hamptons" by Celia Jerome: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 04/04/2026

After a week off, it's new video about a book day! Come hear me babble about character driven messiness and how form can mirror themes. youtu.be/TtV-o3Ptkxw

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Review of "The Haunting of William Thorn" by Ben Alderson: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

It's Saturday! And I'm talking about a book! Come see me talk about unexpected Main characters, humor, and foils And my hair looks cute. youtu.be/BDdeFaYSFeQ

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Review of "Running Close to the Wind" by Alexandra Rowland: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 14/03/2026

It's Saturday, and I have a new video about a book for y'all! Come hear me chat about the glories of episodic story telling structure, the version of showing versus telling I love, and kitchen sink paranormals! youtu.be/DxEgFmB8aB4

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Review of "Sigils and Sushi" by Nia Quinn: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Somehow it's Saturday! Which means I have another video talking about a book. This one features discussions of rage, nuance, and chapter length! youtu.be/5Zcb41NUKhI

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Review of "The Hungry Deep" by J. L Murray: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 01/03/2026

Guess what? My new book is officially on sale! It's about a young woman named Rissa who has to fight in the Coliseum to earn her freedom. Luckily she is a damn good fighter. It's got a romance subplot, a bit of magic, and an empire teetering on the edge of imploding. You know, the good stuff.

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 28/02/2026

It's Saturday, So I'm here to babble about a book! This one features nuanced Religious trauma, complicated relationships, and all the moral grayness! But for Middle Grade! youtu.be/lZpZh2hIGQw

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Review of "Goldeline" by Jimmy Cajoleas: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 21/02/2026

Happy Saturday! Let me tell you about a book! This one features folklore, sweet creepiness, and things that FEEL anachronistic... youtu.be/jO0ZqfCgbGc

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Review of "The Faerie Hounds of York" by Arden Powell: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 14/02/2026

It's Saturday and I have thoughts on books! Check out my thoughts on Wuthering Heights, though I warn a lot of it is just ranting. But I also talk about unlikable characters, manipulating reader empathy, and framing devices! youtu.be/mIvR_2-1lKU

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Review of "Wuthering Heights" by Emily Bronte: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 07/02/2026

It's Saturday! And that means I get to gush about a book! Come listen to me talk about weaving history into fiction, choreographing drama, and Conflict youtu.be/fQml9VeAzcg

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Review of "When the Tides Held the Moon" by Venessa Vida Kelley: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 31/01/2026

It's Saturday. I have a book video for you If you need a break, come watch me talk about a horny ghost, balanced endings, and bald exposition. youtu.be/xbod7KW9apk

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Review of "Cinder House" by Freya Marske: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 24/01/2026

Happy Saturday!!! It's the day I babble about a book! Today's book is a pretty well known one, and if you want to hear me gush about themes, building characters who aren't on the page, and how simple writing can be the most complex thing ever, come on over! youtu.be/EitLdNkN35c

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Review of "Piranesi" by Susanna Clarke: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 18/01/2026

I swear I used to be able to write and record a video and still get other things done all in one night. Where did my productivity go?

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 18/01/2026

I am anxiety and cheese dip. Should not have eaten that cheese dip

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 17/01/2026

It's Saturday! And thank goodness I recorded this video before I got sick, because this cold will not let me go! But watch me talk about a light playful romance that reminded me of all the movies I loved to watch around Halloween as a kid, but told in a Pratchett-esque tone youtu.be/PICcdDpjwDU

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Review of "The Witch Doctor" by Carl R Jennings: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 10/01/2026

New Saturday! New video about a book! This one features trauma, blank check characters, some of my favorite themes of telling fate to f-off, and the desire for a trilogy. youtu.be/Ow3TvuxEtMw

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Review of "Fated Winds and Promising Seas" by Rose Black: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 03/01/2026

My first long-form video of the year is a vlog about my author's journey! I don't do a lot of these, but if you are curious about how my sales are going, what I've done marketing wise, and where I'm planning to go next, this one's for you! youtu.be/hKx2-bB9-Ck

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My Book's First 9 Months: Publishing Vlog

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 27/12/2025

Is it Saturday? That means I get to talk about a book! Let me tell you about one that I am not the target audience of, the setting was spectacular, and then babble about information flow for like ten minutes youtu.be/wUH5sSq8axU

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Review of "The Inn Between" by Marina Cohen: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 20/12/2025

Hey look! It's Saturday! Which means I get to tell y'all about what I've been reading! This one will talk about voice in prose, fairy tale vibes, and plot structures with multiple hills and valleys. youtu.be/Nb7RvyF5XVA

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Review of "Spinning Silver" by Naomi Novik: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

It's cold out, which means all I want to do is eat soup and be soup* *soak in a hot bath for hours

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 13/12/2025

Happy Saturday! Let me tell you about a book! This one will involve talk of structure, simple yet elegant prose, and the use of stories in stories! And dragons! youtu.be/9eU6roBTQzg

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Review of "To Shape a Dragon's Breath" by Moniquill Blackgoose: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 07/12/2025

I've been so out of it that I missed Saturday. Luckily, I had this recorded already. So, yeah, I have another book video up! Come see me talk about broad vs deep character building, reasons for staying, and claustrophobia! youtu.be/Uo_58diXCOw

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Review of "From Below" by Darcy Coates: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 29/11/2025

Happy Saturday bookish people! Let me tell you about another random book that I read. This one features a lot of interesting power dynamics, an almost too pertinent political landscape, and the fun of seeing characters from other perspectives. youtu.be/wFkvaqASAP0

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Review of "A Power Unbound" by Freya Marske: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

A friend tonight told me they finished my book and lent it to his wife and then another friend, which is 100000% the best thing ever. Fly little book! Fly!!!! Find the readers wherever they may be hiding!

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 23/11/2025

God I wish I could call out of work breakthrough. Like, what do you mean I have to go to work tomorrow when I JUST figured out the climax of this project I've been working on for YEARS???

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 22/11/2025

It's Saturday! Time for me to share my babbling about books! This one includes a discussion of different kinds of series, historical underwear, and the effort to be a good person! youtu.be/dBrRbgdYV-U

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Review of "A Restless Truth" by Freya Marske: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

An annoyingly large part of being an author is waiting. and I have the patience of a toddler at a desert buffet.

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 19/11/2025

Y'all! Ingram's reporting updated, and I have officially sold more than 100 copies of The Librarian and the Ghost!!!! 100 readers decided to spend a few hours with an introvert, a ghost, and a sassy teenager in a library in an old Victorian mansion on a sinking island off the coast of New England!

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 15/11/2025

I have a "getting to know you" period with every book I read. The first 20 to 50 pages are always much slower and harder to get through, not because they are too exposition heavy or confusing, but just because the author's voice hasn't settled into my mind yet.

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 15/11/2025

Happy Saturday! Let me tell you about a book! This time I'll be talking about dual timeline narratives, immortal character growth, and OMG World-building! youtu.be/XblAfrN7UjM

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Review of "Queen Demon" by Martha Wells: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 08/11/2025

It's Saturday! The day I babble about a book! I'm in a bit of a romantasy kick, but in this one I talk about clothing, how action is focused, and the need of epilogues! youtu.be/cRYrXzql7ak

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Review of "Kings Rising" by C. S. Pacat: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 04/11/2025

Hate/love it when i finish a book and am just left gasping "when does the next one come out???"

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 01/11/2025

It's Saturday! I have a video about a book! This one features a long discussion about what makes book the kind you read all in one sitting, relationship dynamics, and evolving characters. youtu.be/0g8Qgfb6TZI

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Review of "Prince's Gambit" by C. S. Pacat: Because I Have Opinions

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

God help me. I generally prefer threads, (I'm still on here basically for like three people) except for the fact that I can't post anything about my writing process without someone offering me advice on how to fix my "problem."

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Elaine Allen @lelaineallen.bsky.social · 29/10/2025

Out of curiosity: do any of my author friends also have those wips that will likely never be finished because there's doesn't seem to be a story in the story? Like there are interesting events. Interesting characters having some growth. But it's just not adding up to a STORY.

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