when the blogging urge strikes

I had the urge to blog today.

It’s been a while since it raised its wordy head and I spent far longer than is probably reasonable debating whether or not to put together a blog post, a newsletter, something that falls in that middle space, or not bother at all.

So here we are, because I decided I couldn’t be bothered to format a post on WordPress 😅

the two sides of book hype

This past week I experienced two sides of the book hype coin. I witnessed the absolute amazing phenomenon of a tweet by Bigolas Dickolas turning This Is How You Lose the Time War viral.

Truly, the absolute best of the book community right there.

While in the instagram/tiktok space, I watched Rebecca Varros’ Fourth Wing take off and appear everywhere. Seriously, I swear it was in nearly every booktok video in my feed and all over my instagram Explore feed.

And yet while that tweet from an account I’d never heard of before had me eager to jump on the Time War train, I was put off by all the hype around Fourth Wing. It’s not a judgment about the book itself — I haven’t read it yet! Rather, I felt like the hype was being manufactured.

Maybe it wasn’t! I saw several people post honest thoughts about the book and genuinely enjoy it, yet the way it was coming off on social media seemed like every other attempt to make a book go viral and I was immediately turned off. I had to challenge that feeling (and did end up pre-ordering the book because dragons).

I think it speaks to a couple things:

1. We’re burned out on advertisements. They’re everywhere. Anything that feels like an ad immediately gives me that icky feeling and sends me in the opposite direction.

2. There’s something to be said for marketing books after release, the collective love for a story providing the foundation to take it to new readers, the ability to go out and grab it without waiting months for its release.

All the advertisement-style hype draws attention to a book for me but what really sells me are the personal comments from reviewers I trust, from readers shouting their love for a story from the rooftops. Give me that Bigolas Dickolas Energy!1

Though I suppose it’s unfair of me to expect others to do the hype work and not contribute myself.

The Tethered Mage by Melissa Caruso. Look I picked up these books based on the premise and the fact that the author has some of The Best writing craft threads on twitter. Yes, that sold me on these books (other than the fact that they’re fucking awesome?? because they are). Complex magic and political intrigue and the sort of worldbuilding you want to sink into. Recommend the whole series and the spin-offs.

The Invisible Library by Genevieve Cogman. Time-traveling. Dimension-jumping. Librarian. SPIES. It’s a little Sherlock and a little Doctor Who and sometimes steampunk and historical fantasy and a book about books. Also did I mention there are DRAGONS?!?! This series legit has everything a fantasy lover could want and I need everyone to pick it up Right Now.

The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell. Not gonna lie, this book gave me Sorcerer’s Apprentice vibes when I first picked it up and it’s been a while so that might be a horrible comparison but I’m standing by it! Thievery and time travel and early 1900s New York and fantasy gangs and I’m just listing things but really this chonker of a book is well worth the read. Plus, there are 3 more books after it so you have plenty of reading material ahead of you.

works in progress

I’ve been in the mood for mood boards (hah…) and figured it’s time I introduce you to some of the novels I have in the works.

The one I talk about the most online is Project Thistle, my Howl’s X Labyrinth mashup. In year 3 of that particular story but I have a good feeling that the draft will come together this time around. Some stories just need that extra time.

Project Song has been in my head since college, slowly brewing until it reached a point where it’s ready to be outlined (which is where I’m at now!). Currently, I’m describing it as The Mummy (1999) X Memoirs of Lady Trent but that might change as I dig further into the story.

The last I’m toying with is another longer standing project, Roadkill, which is where all my folklore fantasy/horror energy is going. Think Practical Magic X Flyaway vibes but also maybe not? Still brainstorming the details so hard to say what it’ll look like.

If you want to follow along with my progress, I’m mostly spending my days on instagram because I don’t trust the muskrat when it comes to the future/stability of the bird app.

And speaking of instagram, I shared a new book stack because…

…I am addicted to writing craft books

And I have embraced that addiction 😅

I have quite the stack of them on my shelves, a lot of ones on various story structures, some on specific aspects of writing, and slowly increasing my collection of books on publishing.

Craft books seem to be hit or miss with people and I’m firmly of the believe that you should only take the writing advice that works for you and toss the rest. I have yet to find a craft book (or other writing resource) that 100% works for me and that is okay. Take what works and ignore what doesn’t!

So. That said. Here are my 6 favorite craft books on my shelf in case you need some recommendations:

• Better Blurb Writing for Authors by Olivia Atwater

• Before and After the Book Deal: A Writer's Guide to Finishing, Publishing, Promoting, and Surviving Your First Book by Courtney Maum

• Story Genius: How to Use Brain Science to Go Beyond Outlining and Write a Riveting Novel by Lisa Cron

• Never Say You Can't Survive: How to Get Through Hard Times by Making Up Stories by Charlie Jane Anders

• Funny You Should Ask: Mostly Serious Answers to Mostly Serious Questions About the Book Publishing Industry by Barbara Poelle

• Craft in the Real World: Rethinking Fiction Writing and Workshopping by Matthew Salesses

And just a little bit of news… I’ve been invited to be part of Freewrite’s Ambassador program! I’ve talked about it here and there but the Freewrite Traveler changed the writing game for me and has been well worth the investment these last couple years. Very excited to be part of the program, and I now have a discount code to offer all of you! Use DECKER5 on your next Freewrite order to save!

currently

reading Flowerheart by Catherine Bakewell, a YA fantasy with cottagecore vibes and plant magic, very cozy so far

watching The Great on Hulu, and frankly this show has no reason to be so much fun, would recommend

listening to all things Eurovision because there are some real bops in the mix (I went from skipping over “Who the Hell is Edgar?” to totally vibing out)

Wishing you all a marvelous May!

💜 austine

(Jax is getting so big! And has decided that stealing my office chair is her new favorite game while I’m trying to work)

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