iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

exists after a virus called the Red Clover killed most of the world population. It’s a wonderfully intimate and emotional story. (*It is very graphic). Wonderfully well done, Patric! Peace and love, Winter #Booksky #BookTok #BookReview #IndieAuthor #Author #SciFi #Virus

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 17/02/2025

Indie Book Review 7 of 54! This week, I read A PLACE WHERE THE FLOWERS BLOOM by Patric Mauzy. This is a book that leaves an impact. The genre is apocalyptic, and the story centers around two young brothers who are trying to navigate a world that no longer…

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 07/02/2025

“Do you really think I’ll like MURDER INFERNO?” am unnamed Indie reader asks. “Do you like ‘Knives Out?’” The unnamed individual nods. “Do you like ‘Ready Player One?’” The unnamed individual nods evermore vigorously. “You’ll like MURDER INFERNO,” the named (it is me, I am named) author says.

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Reposted by Stephen Winter

Governor Tim Walz @governorwalz.mn.gov · 03/02/2025

Elon Musk is a terrible president.

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

The writing was polished and vivid. I particularly enjoyed the dialect, and caught myself speaking it aloud. Bravo! Wonderfully well done, Chantel! (Also, I hate public speaking so please go easy on me ❤️) #Booksky #BookReviews #IndieAuthor #Fantasy #Folklore #Scotland

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 03/02/2025

Indie Book Review 5 of 54! This week, I read MAGIC FEARED AND FURIOUS by Chantel Burnham. I loved this story! I haven’t read much folklore fantasy, but I was immediately drawn into this immersive Scottish world of myths and fables and fears. 1/2

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 30/01/2025

If you're reading this post, you've made it to the end. You conquered the internet. I applaud you. Now, stop doomscrolling and get back to writing. #BookSky #WriterSky #AuthorSky #Indie #WriterCommunity

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

surrounded by a richly diverse cast of characters. The political hierarchy and the wonderfully strange conversations between species—so different yet so similar—were captivating. Bookthreads

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 27/01/2025

Indie Book Review 4 of 54! This week, I read CELADON by Katie Silverwings (@katiesilverwings) I thoroughly enjoyed this book! As someone who loves space novels that dive deep into culture and world-building, this story nails it. I could easily picture myself living in this fascinating alien world…

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

I really, really can’t stand what social media has become. #SocialMedia #Threads #X #AI

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

I just read a post from a social media expert whose advice was to write posts using ChatGPT (AI) so that it’s properly written for the Algorithm (AI) and reaches more of your target community (which, they estimate 20-40% of social media accounts are bots or AI).

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Reposted by Stephen Winter

Blue Fox Moon @bluefoxmoon.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

• Get a library card • Use your library card • Support indie booksellers • Read banned books • Read diverse authors • Resist • Repeat #booksky #resist

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 23/01/2025

A close friend helped me sketch out some cover designs for my debut MURDER INFERNO (imagine Knives Out meets Ready Player One). Anyway, even though this is super rough, I’m already enamored That is all. Proceed with your day :) #Booksky #MurderMystery #IndieAuthor #Writer

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

I have a murder mystery coming out soon that’s like a mix between Ready Player One and Knives Out. Maybe you’d enjoy it!

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

Same! Author looking for friends, specially sci-fi, fantasy, and mystery. Follow for follow ❤️

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

Coolio! Would love to check it out :)

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

Lol. Like, literally though. Existentially sci-fi speculative fiction. We nailed it

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

Yeah! I think you’re right.

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

I was thinking of going more towards a smaller, independent publisher. The story certainly has a core (Elliott’s life in this strange dystopia) but then about halfway it shifts into more of an exploration of purpose/what it means to be human. I think you’re right though

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

I need help qualifying the genre of my book. It’s sci-fi (dystopian); cli-fi; lit. fic. (exploration of what it means to be human); romance; environmental; and theological. The comp. titles would be like Fahrenheit 451 meets the Martian Chronicles. Any suggestions? #Booksky #Author #Writer

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

evocative and emotional in others. I was also especially captivated by the magic system, this concept of Xhen, a malleable, inner spiritual energy. Loved it. Wildly inspired. Incredible job! #Booksky #IndieAuthors #BookReviews #WritersofBluesky #Writer #Book

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 20/01/2025

Indie Book Review 3 of 54! This week I read CHAOS CALLING by E. M. Williams. If you enjoy fantasy—especially with an Eastern flare—do yourself a favor and grab a copy of this book. The writing is exceptional: sharp and visceral in some moments, while…1/2

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

Yeah, this is very true. I think writing something you’d want to read is the best way to think about it.

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

I love this advice. It’s exactly what I needed to hear. I’ve worked so hard, and I’ll keep doing so. Good things will come :)

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

Yes, I queried about 90 agents who were accepting submissions in my genre. Maybe my pitch was just a bit off, but I still think it’s strong. Gonna go the self-publishing route

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

I love this news because I’ve heard a few different times that self-publishing a book pretty much ruins the future of it/the series. It’s nice to hear something different, that options still exist.

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

terribly wrong. That I’m going to permanently publish something that could have been spectacular if I had just stayed patient and kept holding out for a lucky break with a traditional agent/publisher. Does this ever go away? #Booksky #WritingCommunity #Writer #Author #SelfPublish #Indie

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 16/01/2025

Finished a manuscript I love and it’s finally polished and professionally edited. I thought the pitch was strong enough to land an agent, but after quite a bit of querying I don’t know if that’s going to happen. I’ve decided to self-publish, but I’m terrified something is…1/2

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

Because that story: it’s you, it’s me, it’s us—gathering the quiet, seemingly unremarkable moments of our lives and spinning them into something extraordinary. And there’s something undeniably beautiful about that. Literary agent or not. #Writer #Booksky #SillyGoose #Tehe

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 15/01/2025

I’m sorry. I lied to you. I shouldn’t have. I have no idea how to get a literary agent. I just wanted you to join me in the Void—a place where we can shout together, maybe forever, about a book we wrote that we love that we feel has a place in the world.

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

That’s a beautifully done cover!

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

these wonderfully quirky colloquisms used throughout the narrative. The mystery also unfolded from multiple angles, keeping me on my toes. Excellent job to the author! You should be proud! #Booksky #BookReview #Mystery #IndieAuthor #Writer #Love #Author #Indie

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 13/01/2025

Indie Book Review 2 of 54! This week I read A DANGEROUS FOSSIL by John J. Delaney. I was blown away at how professionally written and polished the story was. In particular, I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s world building of this fossil-hunting small England town as well as…1/2

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

(the sun eventually expanding until it collapses in 5+ billion years). I thought the authors take on how to solve this was wonderfully novel. Lovely book! #Writer #Review #BookReview #Indie #IndieBooks #SciFi #CliFi #Author

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 12/01/2025

2025 Indie Book Review 1 of 54! I started off the year with IGNITE EARTH RED GIANT by Wanda Vargas. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! I thought both the story and setting were wildly creative, and I loved reading this apocalyptic scenario we’ve all heard about… 1/2

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

And connecting with other writers was such a wonderful surprise. At first I thought it was just everyone trying to sell their own stuff and get their own bread, but it’s not. You really meet some wonderful people and find some incredible stories. Couldn’t be struggling more. Couldn’t be happier.

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

The writing journey has been…a journey. I took some time from the law to write three very different books, and it’s been almost two years but I’ve got three manuscripts I couldn’t be more proud of, and I’m so excited to try and get them out there.

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

Lol. Savage you are, young Jedi. (And I’m all about it 😂)

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

I don’t understand how, psychologically, we’ve gotten to many of the places we’ve gotten too lately. 😂 but also 🥲

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 11/01/2025

Love this and love people who have bizarre dreams. I’ve written a few shorts out of them, and they are some of my favorites

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

Thank you! I love my little musings

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

But a better answer is I go through a cycle. Writing something new is wonderful until I’m at 80% and need to bring it together. Then it’s work. Editing is such a nice break from creating until I’m at 80% and so over dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s. It’s a savage cycle.

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

I get to work! (And then cry).

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

I don’t really feel like there can ever be “too” much world building. However, I do think people can tend to sit there and describe something for far too long instead of weaving that world into different perspectives, for example, dialogue, actions, plot, history, etc. My take anyway

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

Thank you! Yes, I’m actually have that, but still, getting an evacuation alert on my phone at 1:30am and then my wife’s at 4am was pretty jarring. Hard to fall back asleep after OKAY WHAT DO WE NEED AND WHERE DO WE GO.

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Stephen Winter @spwinter.bsky.social · 10/01/2025

Thank you! I still am not super savvy with social media, but that does seem a little different (and in senses better) than X and Threads, where you just kind of speak in the void and if the algorithm randomly decides to amplify your voice you get seen. Lol

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