Alexander Thomas
@alextomauthor.bsky.social
Author, science geek, and part-time baker.
https://www.alexanderthomasauthor.com/
https://www.alexanderthomasauthor.com/
My #NaNoWriQ4 idea is taking off like wildfire! Thanks to all who support! (both of you)
For my part, good progress so far. I'm projecting to complete on time, unless I write too much, in which case I'm going to slap myself with a wet noodle because I WANT A SHORTER BOOK.
#sff #WritingCommunity
For my part, good progress so far. I'm projecting to complete on time, unless I write too much, in which case I'm going to slap myself with a wet noodle because I WANT A SHORTER BOOK.
#sff #WritingCommunity
October 25, 2025 at 6:30 PM
My #NaNoWriQ4 idea is taking off like wildfire! Thanks to all who support! (both of you)
For my part, good progress so far. I'm projecting to complete on time, unless I write too much, in which case I'm going to slap myself with a wet noodle because I WANT A SHORTER BOOK.
#sff #WritingCommunity
For my part, good progress so far. I'm projecting to complete on time, unless I write too much, in which case I'm going to slap myself with a wet noodle because I WANT A SHORTER BOOK.
#sff #WritingCommunity
Got caught up with editing and planning passes. And now...
NEW GOAL: Complete the next book by the end of the year! I call it #NaNoWriQ4. (Like NaNoWriMo, but my day job means writing a book over all of Q4 rather than just November). Who's with me?
#sff #WritingCommunity #WriteSky
NEW GOAL: Complete the next book by the end of the year! I call it #NaNoWriQ4. (Like NaNoWriMo, but my day job means writing a book over all of Q4 rather than just November). Who's with me?
#sff #WritingCommunity #WriteSky
October 5, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Got caught up with editing and planning passes. And now...
NEW GOAL: Complete the next book by the end of the year! I call it #NaNoWriQ4. (Like NaNoWriMo, but my day job means writing a book over all of Q4 rather than just November). Who's with me?
#sff #WritingCommunity #WriteSky
NEW GOAL: Complete the next book by the end of the year! I call it #NaNoWriQ4. (Like NaNoWriMo, but my day job means writing a book over all of Q4 rather than just November). Who's with me?
#sff #WritingCommunity #WriteSky
I had a long slog through a revision. But suddenly, I'm done! I'm always surprised at how quickly the revision is completed, once the thorniest problems are solved.
On to Beta Readers! They'll tell me if anything I did was actually effective or not :)
#amwriting #sff #romantasy
On to Beta Readers! They'll tell me if anything I did was actually effective or not :)
#amwriting #sff #romantasy
September 14, 2025 at 2:10 AM
I had a long slog through a revision. But suddenly, I'm done! I'm always surprised at how quickly the revision is completed, once the thorniest problems are solved.
On to Beta Readers! They'll tell me if anything I did was actually effective or not :)
#amwriting #sff #romantasy
On to Beta Readers! They'll tell me if anything I did was actually effective or not :)
#amwriting #sff #romantasy
I re-read Ready Player One over the past few days.
It's #LitRPG, isn't it? Of course it is, but I didn't notice until I read it *after* reading Dungeon Crawler Carl. Then it was blindingly obvious.
Normally I don't read #LitRPG, but those two books were super fun.
#sff #WritingCommunity
It's #LitRPG, isn't it? Of course it is, but I didn't notice until I read it *after* reading Dungeon Crawler Carl. Then it was blindingly obvious.
Normally I don't read #LitRPG, but those two books were super fun.
#sff #WritingCommunity
August 12, 2025 at 8:17 PM
I re-read Ready Player One over the past few days.
It's #LitRPG, isn't it? Of course it is, but I didn't notice until I read it *after* reading Dungeon Crawler Carl. Then it was blindingly obvious.
Normally I don't read #LitRPG, but those two books were super fun.
#sff #WritingCommunity
It's #LitRPG, isn't it? Of course it is, but I didn't notice until I read it *after* reading Dungeon Crawler Carl. Then it was blindingly obvious.
Normally I don't read #LitRPG, but those two books were super fun.
#sff #WritingCommunity
#pretendpanel 8/2: How much wider do you read compared to what you write?
I mostly read outside of genre! I read in genre occasionally, both for fun and to stay current. But I read a LOT of non-fiction.
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
I mostly read outside of genre! I read in genre occasionally, both for fun and to stay current. But I read a LOT of non-fiction.
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
August 4, 2025 at 6:08 PM
#pretendpanel 8/2: How much wider do you read compared to what you write?
I mostly read outside of genre! I read in genre occasionally, both for fun and to stay current. But I read a LOT of non-fiction.
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
I mostly read outside of genre! I read in genre occasionally, both for fun and to stay current. But I read a LOT of non-fiction.
#WritingCommunity #Writers #Authors #WritingPrompts
Just submitted the first query for my 3rd book!
Maybe a bit early? But remaining edits are small, and this is an agent I love who closes to queries soon.
I've been planning on querying for months, but it's always eye-opening to actually submit. More to polish!
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
Maybe a bit early? But remaining edits are small, and this is an agent I love who closes to queries soon.
I've been planning on querying for months, but it's always eye-opening to actually submit. More to polish!
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
July 14, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Just submitted the first query for my 3rd book!
Maybe a bit early? But remaining edits are small, and this is an agent I love who closes to queries soon.
I've been planning on querying for months, but it's always eye-opening to actually submit. More to polish!
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
Maybe a bit early? But remaining edits are small, and this is an agent I love who closes to queries soon.
I've been planning on querying for months, but it's always eye-opening to actually submit. More to polish!
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
July/August newsletter just went out!
www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
If you'd like to sign up for the emails (very infrequent!) please subscribe to the mailing list on my website:
www.alexanderthomasauthor.com
#amwriting #sff #WritingCommunity
www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
If you'd like to sign up for the emails (very infrequent!) please subscribe to the mailing list on my website:
www.alexanderthomasauthor.com
#amwriting #sff #WritingCommunity
Alexander Thomas - Author
Alexander Thomas, author of Princess of Prophecy (fantasy book). Fantasy & Science Fiction author.
www.alexanderthomasauthor.com
July 12, 2025 at 6:35 PM
July/August newsletter just went out!
www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
If you'd like to sign up for the emails (very infrequent!) please subscribe to the mailing list on my website:
www.alexanderthomasauthor.com
#amwriting #sff #WritingCommunity
www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
If you'd like to sign up for the emails (very infrequent!) please subscribe to the mailing list on my website:
www.alexanderthomasauthor.com
#amwriting #sff #WritingCommunity
#WordWeavers 11/7: How is your current WIP going?
Just finished collecting a second round of beta reader feedback! Book feels close now, I'm hoping to query soon.
Good: readers love the pacing, romance, plot.
Bad: not enough empathy with the MC.
Onward to editing!
#WritingCommunity #amwriting
Just finished collecting a second round of beta reader feedback! Book feels close now, I'm hoping to query soon.
Good: readers love the pacing, romance, plot.
Bad: not enough empathy with the MC.
Onward to editing!
#WritingCommunity #amwriting
July 12, 2025 at 12:26 AM
#WordWeavers 11/7: How is your current WIP going?
Just finished collecting a second round of beta reader feedback! Book feels close now, I'm hoping to query soon.
Good: readers love the pacing, romance, plot.
Bad: not enough empathy with the MC.
Onward to editing!
#WritingCommunity #amwriting
Just finished collecting a second round of beta reader feedback! Book feels close now, I'm hoping to query soon.
Good: readers love the pacing, romance, plot.
Bad: not enough empathy with the MC.
Onward to editing!
#WritingCommunity #amwriting
#WritersCoffeeClub 6/26. How much of the finished work do you need to have in mind before you start writing?
"I would have written a shorter letter, but I didn't have time."
I want to write shorter books. And I've discovered that requires more planning. Egads!
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
"I would have written a shorter letter, but I didn't have time."
I want to write shorter books. And I've discovered that requires more planning. Egads!
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
June 28, 2025 at 2:42 PM
#WritersCoffeeClub 6/26. How much of the finished work do you need to have in mind before you start writing?
"I would have written a shorter letter, but I didn't have time."
I want to write shorter books. And I've discovered that requires more planning. Egads!
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
"I would have written a shorter letter, but I didn't have time."
I want to write shorter books. And I've discovered that requires more planning. Egads!
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
#WritersCoffeeClub 24/6: Do your characters value being well-dressed?
When I first started, readers complained I never described clothes. That got me thinking.
So my first book introduces a fashion-obsessed barbarian. In my latest book, a tailor helps save the day.
#amwriting #writingcommunity
When I first started, readers complained I never described clothes. That got me thinking.
So my first book introduces a fashion-obsessed barbarian. In my latest book, a tailor helps save the day.
#amwriting #writingcommunity
June 25, 2025 at 12:16 AM
#WritersCoffeeClub 24/6: Do your characters value being well-dressed?
When I first started, readers complained I never described clothes. That got me thinking.
So my first book introduces a fashion-obsessed barbarian. In my latest book, a tailor helps save the day.
#amwriting #writingcommunity
When I first started, readers complained I never described clothes. That got me thinking.
So my first book introduces a fashion-obsessed barbarian. In my latest book, a tailor helps save the day.
#amwriting #writingcommunity
Heat wave here in the PNW!
At the moment I'm editing a novel about a protagonist who leaves the heat for a heist in snow and ice.
Writing about the cold does help ride out the heatwave!
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
At the moment I'm editing a novel about a protagonist who leaves the heat for a heist in snow and ice.
Writing about the cold does help ride out the heatwave!
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
June 10, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Heat wave here in the PNW!
At the moment I'm editing a novel about a protagonist who leaves the heat for a heist in snow and ice.
Writing about the cold does help ride out the heatwave!
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
At the moment I'm editing a novel about a protagonist who leaves the heat for a heist in snow and ice.
Writing about the cold does help ride out the heatwave!
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
Writers: what do you call it when you finally find the perfect word to express a concept, but you can't use it because it doesn't match how the character talks?
Besides "annoying."
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
Besides "annoying."
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
June 9, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Writers: what do you call it when you finally find the perfect word to express a concept, but you can't use it because it doesn't match how the character talks?
Besides "annoying."
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
Besides "annoying."
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
Editing passes are INTERMINABLE. Always another thing to fix, always more beta feedback to consider. After a day on edits the to-do list is LONGER, and then...
...suddenly, it's done! Wow. Took a while, but the 2nd draft is now in the hands of Beta Readers. Whew!
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
...suddenly, it's done! Wow. Took a while, but the 2nd draft is now in the hands of Beta Readers. Whew!
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
June 7, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Editing passes are INTERMINABLE. Always another thing to fix, always more beta feedback to consider. After a day on edits the to-do list is LONGER, and then...
...suddenly, it's done! Wow. Took a while, but the 2nd draft is now in the hands of Beta Readers. Whew!
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
...suddenly, it's done! Wow. Took a while, but the 2nd draft is now in the hands of Beta Readers. Whew!
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
#WritersCoffeeClub June 2: Do you write linearly?
Definitely! I plot and outline in any order, but the writing is linear. For me, it's the only way to ensure the reader has a consistent experience.
And things change as I write! Characters have minds of their own.
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
Definitely! I plot and outline in any order, but the writing is linear. For me, it's the only way to ensure the reader has a consistent experience.
And things change as I write! Characters have minds of their own.
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
June 4, 2025 at 10:25 PM
#WritersCoffeeClub June 2: Do you write linearly?
Definitely! I plot and outline in any order, but the writing is linear. For me, it's the only way to ensure the reader has a consistent experience.
And things change as I write! Characters have minds of their own.
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
Definitely! I plot and outline in any order, but the writing is linear. For me, it's the only way to ensure the reader has a consistent experience.
And things change as I write! Characters have minds of their own.
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
Me: This book will be in close third person. Close third person is ideal for the MC.
[Writes the first three chapters, realizes afterward they're 100% first person. Huh.]
Me: This book will be in first person. First person is ideal for the MC.
#WritingCommunity #amwriting #sff
[Writes the first three chapters, realizes afterward they're 100% first person. Huh.]
Me: This book will be in first person. First person is ideal for the MC.
#WritingCommunity #amwriting #sff
May 27, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Me: This book will be in close third person. Close third person is ideal for the MC.
[Writes the first three chapters, realizes afterward they're 100% first person. Huh.]
Me: This book will be in first person. First person is ideal for the MC.
#WritingCommunity #amwriting #sff
[Writes the first three chapters, realizes afterward they're 100% first person. Huh.]
Me: This book will be in first person. First person is ideal for the MC.
#WritingCommunity #amwriting #sff
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 18: What do you do to actively avoid writer’s block?
Writer's block is my subconscious telling me it isn't ready for this scene or passage yet. If I hit writer's block, I journal about the scene+plot for a while. That reliably unblocks me.
#WritingCommunity #amwriting
Writer's block is my subconscious telling me it isn't ready for this scene or passage yet. If I hit writer's block, I journal about the scene+plot for a while. That reliably unblocks me.
#WritingCommunity #amwriting
May 19, 2025 at 5:01 PM
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 18: What do you do to actively avoid writer’s block?
Writer's block is my subconscious telling me it isn't ready for this scene or passage yet. If I hit writer's block, I journal about the scene+plot for a while. That reliably unblocks me.
#WritingCommunity #amwriting
Writer's block is my subconscious telling me it isn't ready for this scene or passage yet. If I hit writer's block, I journal about the scene+plot for a while. That reliably unblocks me.
#WritingCommunity #amwriting
#WritersCoffeeClub May 12. Weather or season influence on what you write?
In fantasy, seasons are a great way to ground the reader in the passage of time, without an alternate calendar.
And occasionally the weather will punch the heroes (and the reader?) in the face.
#WritingCommunity #amwriting
In fantasy, seasons are a great way to ground the reader in the passage of time, without an alternate calendar.
And occasionally the weather will punch the heroes (and the reader?) in the face.
#WritingCommunity #amwriting
May 14, 2025 at 10:30 PM
#WritersCoffeeClub May 12. Weather or season influence on what you write?
In fantasy, seasons are a great way to ground the reader in the passage of time, without an alternate calendar.
And occasionally the weather will punch the heroes (and the reader?) in the face.
#WritingCommunity #amwriting
In fantasy, seasons are a great way to ground the reader in the passage of time, without an alternate calendar.
And occasionally the weather will punch the heroes (and the reader?) in the face.
#WritingCommunity #amwriting
#WordWeavers May 11: Share an inspiration for one of your settings.
The Oregon coast! Famous for pinnacles, waves, storms, goblins, hired assassins, lost civilizations, and at least one very pissed-off Sumerian demon.
Also several lovely bakeries and restaurants.
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
The Oregon coast! Famous for pinnacles, waves, storms, goblins, hired assassins, lost civilizations, and at least one very pissed-off Sumerian demon.
Also several lovely bakeries and restaurants.
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
May 11, 2025 at 3:31 PM
#WordWeavers May 11: Share an inspiration for one of your settings.
The Oregon coast! Famous for pinnacles, waves, storms, goblins, hired assassins, lost civilizations, and at least one very pissed-off Sumerian demon.
Also several lovely bakeries and restaurants.
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
The Oregon coast! Famous for pinnacles, waves, storms, goblins, hired assassins, lost civilizations, and at least one very pissed-off Sumerian demon.
Also several lovely bakeries and restaurants.
#amwriting #WritingCommunity
#WordWeavers 5/9 Last book you’ve read? Anything you'd apply to your writing?
I'm re-reading Galbraith's The Great Crash (why read about stock market crashes these days?)
It's ultimately a tragic story about personalities. It hasn't aged perfectly, but he has some wicked prose in there.
#amwriting
I'm re-reading Galbraith's The Great Crash (why read about stock market crashes these days?)
It's ultimately a tragic story about personalities. It hasn't aged perfectly, but he has some wicked prose in there.
#amwriting
May 9, 2025 at 5:44 PM
#WordWeavers 5/9 Last book you’ve read? Anything you'd apply to your writing?
I'm re-reading Galbraith's The Great Crash (why read about stock market crashes these days?)
It's ultimately a tragic story about personalities. It hasn't aged perfectly, but he has some wicked prose in there.
#amwriting
I'm re-reading Galbraith's The Great Crash (why read about stock market crashes these days?)
It's ultimately a tragic story about personalities. It hasn't aged perfectly, but he has some wicked prose in there.
#amwriting
Emilia Leftraro must protect her abbey from forbidden magic.
So of course she would never fall for a warlock she convicted, not even if he breaks her out of prison, and not even if only they together can defeat the unholy creatures invading the country.
Right?
#QuestPit #F #RF #W #A #YA
So of course she would never fall for a warlock she convicted, not even if he breaks her out of prison, and not even if only they together can defeat the unholy creatures invading the country.
Right?
#QuestPit #F #RF #W #A #YA
May 7, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Master Thief Shinobu works alone.
Unless Morven asks him to join her, of course. Or if she invites two annoying kids.
The mismatched group has little hope of surviving the Cursed Kingdom and retrieving the famous Soul Stone, even though they were promised an easy heist.
#QuestPit #F #W #A #YA
Unless Morven asks him to join her, of course. Or if she invites two annoying kids.
The mismatched group has little hope of surviving the Cursed Kingdom and retrieving the famous Soul Stone, even though they were promised an easy heist.
#QuestPit #F #W #A #YA
May 7, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Emilia Leftraro is the pious prosecutor of a small-town abbey.
She certainly never expected to hide her identity in a performance troupe, or to act in a romantic comedy opposite a convicted warlock.
But she never expected to be hunted by marauding armies, either.
#QuestPit #F #RF #W #A #YA
She certainly never expected to hide her identity in a performance troupe, or to act in a romantic comedy opposite a convicted warlock.
But she never expected to be hunted by marauding armies, either.
#QuestPit #F #RF #W #A #YA
May 7, 2025 at 4:41 PM
A jaded thief treks through snow and ice along a northern shore to retrieve a valuable jewel from an empty palace.
But the cursed landscape isn’t as deserted as Shinobu was promised, and the jewel itself is tied to the downfall of a mighty empire, with a destiny of its own.
#QuestPit #F #W #A #YA
But the cursed landscape isn’t as deserted as Shinobu was promised, and the jewel itself is tied to the downfall of a mighty empire, with a destiny of its own.
#QuestPit #F #W #A #YA
May 7, 2025 at 4:33 PM
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 6: What does your usual workspace look like? Share a picture.
Coffee shops! This is one my my neighborhood favorites, great Turkish coffee.
I have a minimal kit I can take anywhere, and I pick clean, uncluttered spaces to focus.
#WritingCommunity #amwriting
Coffee shops! This is one my my neighborhood favorites, great Turkish coffee.
I have a minimal kit I can take anywhere, and I pick clean, uncluttered spaces to focus.
#WritingCommunity #amwriting
May 6, 2025 at 6:00 PM
#WritersCoffeeClub Day 6: What does your usual workspace look like? Share a picture.
Coffee shops! This is one my my neighborhood favorites, great Turkish coffee.
I have a minimal kit I can take anywhere, and I pick clean, uncluttered spaces to focus.
#WritingCommunity #amwriting
Coffee shops! This is one my my neighborhood favorites, great Turkish coffee.
I have a minimal kit I can take anywhere, and I pick clean, uncluttered spaces to focus.
#WritingCommunity #amwriting