iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 13/10/2026

That's smart. I've seen folks argue against comping books for theme and different books for tone as it might confuse an agent. It's all so subjective.

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 12/10/2026

Trying to find comps for my book is so frustrating. Not because my book is too niche or unmarketable, but because I never know how similar is the right amount of similar. "Just pick books from the same bookstore shelf." Sir, New Adult/Contemporary is a massive genre. #writing #querying #author

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

Maybe diet coke isn't addicted to me, maybe I'm addicted to diet coke. Ever thought of that? ...wait #dietcoke #genz

A close up of a can of Diet Coke beside a laptop.

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 07/10/2026

Seeing all these new movies coming out has me super bummed over theater ticket prices. I used to live in a college town with a dollar theater held together by duct tape. We just moved and now all I have is an overpriced AMC. I'm on a teacher's salary, man.

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

I love when animals come into our lives and redecorate our homes lol

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

This Halloween blanket is my cat's favorite place to sleep. Instant biscuit factory when she steps on it. I have nobidea what we're gonna do in a month when Halloween gets packed up. #cats #catmom #catlife

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Anyone else have a cave-diving cat? I learned the hard way this weekend that my dishwasher has approx. 4 inches if clearance and no kickplate. #cats #catmom #catlife

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

I just drove 3 hours to work this morning. If that ain't the most American thing I've ever done lol

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Opened a can of tuna for lunch and my cat woke up from a DEAD SLEEP on her heating pad to beg. Love my greedy lard of a cat.

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Recording and editing b-roll footage for Bookstagram (Authorgram?) is very annoying. Honestly, the need for a strong social media presence is probably my least favorite part of being an author. 3/10 ⭐️

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Thank you!! Holy crap, I've been thinking this too. It's why I don't get book recs from the internet anymore.

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Today marks 4 months of querying my debut novel!! I've only sent out ~40 submissions—I'm trying to be picky and only submit to folks I think would actually rep my work. Here's to, hopefully, not another 4 months 😂🥂

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I refuse to believe any propaganda against these cookies 🍪

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Why are you on Bluesky and not reading your book?

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Reposted by Sam Toale

Ted Jackins (They/Them) @killthethingyouluv.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Something that I have been seeing a lot recently that makes me happy is people in public reading books. As a writer myself I love to see it.

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Taquitos with chips and salsa is what she won't be getting from me tonight.

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Grandma would like to know what you're making for dinner and if she can have any?

Orange cat staring up at camera, licking her lips.

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Wizard101 is bad for my reading goals 📖 🪄

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Rae Radford @raeradford.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Yep, I'm up for that! Anybody else want to join me? #BookSky

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

I'm not usually one for sprayed edges or anything, but this little detail on the pages of Yolk is SO GOOD 👏👏👏 I love when artists know what they're doing. (Pardon the mess; we just moved and are still unpacking.)

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Trey McScarums @silenttscott.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

I don’t know. Maybe if they made a Reece’s cup the size of a pot pie people would finally be satisfied.

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

The hubs and I moved 10 days ago, so I've been using that as an excuse to avoid my TBR pile. But I just finished The Last Thing He Told Me! Pretty good book, I'm glad I clawed out of my reading slump long enough to pick it up. 4 ⭐️📚

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Maris Kreizman @maris.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

We really did lose one of the best advocates for books that there ever was.

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Suleikha Snyder @suleikhasnyder.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

I am aware that at least a quarter of this opinion comes from being a bitter hag, but many of the deluxe edition books coming out these days do not warrant a deluxe edition. Especially when publishers are deluxing books that don’t even have a regular edition.

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

I also love associating strong verbs with certain characters. A may "stride" through a room, but B will "power walk." Tightens the sentence AND adds to character.

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Agreed. But I at least gotta have my phone face down because I WILL get distracted if I see a notification pop up--even if it's a spam email, I'll find myself suddenly playing Sudoku lol

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Just finished reading Soul of the Deep by Natasha Bowen and y'all. 5 ⭐️ I dont usually read YA these days, but it was so good.

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 20/08/2026

I was recently reminded of this fabulous advice: When you fail (because you will at some point), be sure to *fail forward.* No rejection or mistake is a waste of time or potential if you choose to learn from it.

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

I feel like, in recent years, reading has become "trendy" and sensationalized. Which is great!! Buy books, loan books, read books!!! But as someone writing non-smutty, non-tropey fiction, I feel like I'm being left behind. #writing #authorlife #reading

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Just got my first pair of fabric scissors. I feel like a proper adult now. Forget that I've been, y'know, married for almost 2 years. The scissors are the real deal. #adulting #genz

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Querying a book is really great exposure therapy for people who hate to be perceived. But not me, I'm thriving. #writing #author

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Reposted by Sam Toale

Rawry Pach🦖💫 @rawrypach.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Make more art. I don’t care if you think it’s bad. I don’t care if you’ve been drawing for 20 years or 20 minutes. I don’t care if you choose to share it or keep it to yourself. I don’t even care if it’s literally just scribbling on paper in anger. Just make art. Don’t let anything stop you.

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Gotta respect the midnight grind 💪

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

Artists, what side hobby do you use to avoid your main hobby? I'm teaching myself embroidery so I don't have to work on draft 5 of my book. #writing #crafts

Embroidery hoop with canvas fabric; a dozen flowers are stitched on it.

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 31/07/2026

That's such good feedback!! Congrats! 🙌

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

For real! I post randomly, just enough to stay "present" online but promotion is so hard without real traction. Cinema production + English sounds like a super fun combo! Makes me wish I had a minor haha

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Any other writers or creatives hate that you basically have to be a professional social media manager and digital marketer for anyone to notice or care about your work? I have an English degree, gosh darn it 😭 #writing #author

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

Sometimes you just have to look at your beta reader's feedback and move on; she said one of the love interests is a "Wattpad boyfriend" 😭 Gutted and devastated

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Quill @quillloop.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

I want to live on your desk and judge your word count in person. One writer wins the full kit - a handmade plush, notebook, and mug. Follow + repost for entries. Full details at quillloop.com/win 🦔 #AmWriting #WritingCommunity #Giveaway

quillloop.com

Win Quill - QuillLoop Giveaway

Enter to win a handmade Quill plush, a branded notebook, and a mug. Free for writers.

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 17/06/2026

Having to do hours of reading for grad school really kills my desire to read for leisure. I just want to stare at my phone, not consume so many words!

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 15/06/2026

How soon do y'all DNF a book? I'm only 20 pages in and haven't picked it up in over a week. I can't get into the story but fear I haven't given the author a fair shot. Should I just cut bait and move on? Probably. Will I? Probably not until I agonize over it for another 2 weeks.

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Thank you cat YouTube for keeping her busy while I work on my writing ✍️

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

As a writer, New Adult is such a new and interesting genre to navigate. My FMC isn't in college, and she already has a job. "Georgia" is about mother-daughter drama and establishing healthy boundaries with family members in your 20s. Is there an audience for that?

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

This is why I love my beta readers. They can point out the issues lol I ain't got time for that

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Here's an excerpt from my short story "Broken Chapels," published in the Fall 2024 issue of Austur. This story is an allegory for failing marriages and is a personal favorite—let me know what you think :)

“Do you think they’ll rebuild the chapel, or just level it?” Walter asked as he glanced down at the coin in his hand and turned it over to look at the back side, admiring the eagle.
John paused and frowned at the question. “I suppose that depends on the integrity of the remaining foundation and the cost of rebuilding.”
Walter nodded towards the front pocket of John’s trousers where he’d been stowing all his collected glass. “You clearly think the chapel is worth rebuilding.”
“Why do you think that?”
“You’re collecting the window pieces.” He paused as one of the birds above them cawed again. He flipped the quarter, catching it Washington-side up. “You wouldn’t be holding onto something so broken if you didn’t want to try and fix it.”

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Sam Toale @s-toale-writes.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Just got my 5th query rejection 🎉

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