A. Keyes📚Book Coach & Editor
@abigailrkeyes.bsky.social
Writer, editor, book coach, teacher, dancer, scholar. Former CIA intelligence analyst. Dance is a radical act. Wear a mask. Care about other people. (she/her) akeyeswriting.com
You've heard it before: Write what you know.
Well, as a girl who never grew out of her ancient Egyptian phase, has strong justice sensitivity, and who worked at the CIA as a political analyst on Iraq right after the US invasion...
Well, as a girl who never grew out of her ancient Egyptian phase, has strong justice sensitivity, and who worked at the CIA as a political analyst on Iraq right after the US invasion...
September 26, 2025 at 6:07 PM
You've heard it before: Write what you know.
Well, as a girl who never grew out of her ancient Egyptian phase, has strong justice sensitivity, and who worked at the CIA as a political analyst on Iraq right after the US invasion...
Well, as a girl who never grew out of her ancient Egyptian phase, has strong justice sensitivity, and who worked at the CIA as a political analyst on Iraq right after the US invasion...
If you love stories about righteous feminine rage, ancient Egyptian mythology, and coming of age struggles, you'll LOVE my Daughter of Sekhmet series.
I'm looking for *volunteer* beta readers for Book 2. Head to the link in my bio to apply!
I'm looking for *volunteer* beta readers for Book 2. Head to the link in my bio to apply!
September 21, 2025 at 5:12 PM
If you love stories about righteous feminine rage, ancient Egyptian mythology, and coming of age struggles, you'll LOVE my Daughter of Sekhmet series.
I'm looking for *volunteer* beta readers for Book 2. Head to the link in my bio to apply!
I'm looking for *volunteer* beta readers for Book 2. Head to the link in my bio to apply!
If you're not working on your book because you're just trying to survive...
I've been there. And you're not alone.
Your book will be there when you're ready to return. I promise.
💖
I've been there. And you're not alone.
Your book will be there when you're ready to return. I promise.
💖
May 27, 2025 at 5:14 PM
If you're not working on your book because you're just trying to survive...
I've been there. And you're not alone.
Your book will be there when you're ready to return. I promise.
💖
I've been there. And you're not alone.
Your book will be there when you're ready to return. I promise.
💖
Every time I craft a new course, I'm always a little nervous. Do I have enough material? Will it be valuable for participants?
Well, I'm working on the material for CIA Secrets to Kickstart Your Book, and y'all: I'm so excited!
Well, I'm working on the material for CIA Secrets to Kickstart Your Book, and y'all: I'm so excited!
May 6, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Every time I craft a new course, I'm always a little nervous. Do I have enough material? Will it be valuable for participants?
Well, I'm working on the material for CIA Secrets to Kickstart Your Book, and y'all: I'm so excited!
Well, I'm working on the material for CIA Secrets to Kickstart Your Book, and y'all: I'm so excited!
There is no "correct" timeline for writing and finishing your novel.
But having experienced support like a book coach can help you finish your draft faster.
And the sooner you finish, the sooner you can hold your book in your hands and share it with your readers.
But having experienced support like a book coach can help you finish your draft faster.
And the sooner you finish, the sooner you can hold your book in your hands and share it with your readers.
April 16, 2025 at 6:04 PM
There is no "correct" timeline for writing and finishing your novel.
But having experienced support like a book coach can help you finish your draft faster.
And the sooner you finish, the sooner you can hold your book in your hands and share it with your readers.
But having experienced support like a book coach can help you finish your draft faster.
And the sooner you finish, the sooner you can hold your book in your hands and share it with your readers.
This weekend is all about working on my slides for my "CIA nonfiction writing secrets" class. There's going to be some real talk, and a lot of my pet peeves, all so you can get to the point and keep your reader's needs at the forefront.
April 12, 2025 at 6:23 PM
This weekend is all about working on my slides for my "CIA nonfiction writing secrets" class. There's going to be some real talk, and a lot of my pet peeves, all so you can get to the point and keep your reader's needs at the forefront.
Hey writer! It's perfectly fine to edit while you write. Personally, I like to read what I've written previously, and sometimes I'll *gasp quelle horreur!* edit that writing before continuing on.👇
April 10, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Hey writer! It's perfectly fine to edit while you write. Personally, I like to read what I've written previously, and sometimes I'll *gasp quelle horreur!* edit that writing before continuing on.👇
We're already at 11 people for my upcoming FREE class where you'll learn the CIA's secrets to writing for some of the busiest and toughest readers. You'll serve your target readers with clarity, accuracy, and precision—two qualities we definitely want in our nonfiction books!
April 8, 2025 at 6:33 PM
We're already at 11 people for my upcoming FREE class where you'll learn the CIA's secrets to writing for some of the busiest and toughest readers. You'll serve your target readers with clarity, accuracy, and precision—two qualities we definitely want in our nonfiction books!
🕵🏻 (Almost) everything I needed to know about writing nonfiction I learned at the CIA.
So I'm giving a FREE class to share the most invaluable writing skills I developed as an analyst so YOU can write more effective nonfiction.
👉April 15th @ 2pm Pacific Time. Replay available.
Link in bio.
So I'm giving a FREE class to share the most invaluable writing skills I developed as an analyst so YOU can write more effective nonfiction.
👉April 15th @ 2pm Pacific Time. Replay available.
Link in bio.
April 7, 2025 at 5:22 PM
🕵🏻 (Almost) everything I needed to know about writing nonfiction I learned at the CIA.
So I'm giving a FREE class to share the most invaluable writing skills I developed as an analyst so YOU can write more effective nonfiction.
👉April 15th @ 2pm Pacific Time. Replay available.
Link in bio.
So I'm giving a FREE class to share the most invaluable writing skills I developed as an analyst so YOU can write more effective nonfiction.
👉April 15th @ 2pm Pacific Time. Replay available.
Link in bio.
Avoid these 6 nonfiction writing mistakes and write your book faster!
And, TBH, some of these mistakes are good problems to have... like having too much to say for one book.
Read more at my Substack, Inside the Inkhorn. You know where the link is. 😉
And, TBH, some of these mistakes are good problems to have... like having too much to say for one book.
Read more at my Substack, Inside the Inkhorn. You know where the link is. 😉
April 2, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Avoid these 6 nonfiction writing mistakes and write your book faster!
And, TBH, some of these mistakes are good problems to have... like having too much to say for one book.
Read more at my Substack, Inside the Inkhorn. You know where the link is. 😉
And, TBH, some of these mistakes are good problems to have... like having too much to say for one book.
Read more at my Substack, Inside the Inkhorn. You know where the link is. 😉
I spent most of yesterday afternoon mapping out my upcoming free class: CIA secrets for writing effective nonfiction.
Unlike some our top policy makers today, however, I won't be divulging *actual* classified secrets. 1/2
Unlike some our top policy makers today, however, I won't be divulging *actual* classified secrets. 1/2
March 28, 2025 at 7:25 PM
I spent most of yesterday afternoon mapping out my upcoming free class: CIA secrets for writing effective nonfiction.
Unlike some our top policy makers today, however, I won't be divulging *actual* classified secrets. 1/2
Unlike some our top policy makers today, however, I won't be divulging *actual* classified secrets. 1/2
Nonfiction authors! Save lots of time and avoid unnecessary frustration in your writing process by addressing a common mistake I see again and again.
Check it out on my Substack, Inside the Inkhorn. Subscribe and share!
http://inkhorn.substack.com
Check it out on my Substack, Inside the Inkhorn. Subscribe and share!
http://inkhorn.substack.com
March 27, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Nonfiction authors! Save lots of time and avoid unnecessary frustration in your writing process by addressing a common mistake I see again and again.
Check it out on my Substack, Inside the Inkhorn. Subscribe and share!
http://inkhorn.substack.com
Check it out on my Substack, Inside the Inkhorn. Subscribe and share!
http://inkhorn.substack.com
Nonfiction authors! Are you writing your first chapters before you've really determined who your book is for?
Make sure to define your target reader before you start drafting. Why?
Read my article on Inside the Inkhorn.
inkhorn.substack.com/p/your-ideal-nonfiction-reader
Make sure to define your target reader before you start drafting. Why?
Read my article on Inside the Inkhorn.
inkhorn.substack.com/p/your-ideal-nonfiction-reader
March 26, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Nonfiction authors! Are you writing your first chapters before you've really determined who your book is for?
Make sure to define your target reader before you start drafting. Why?
Read my article on Inside the Inkhorn.
inkhorn.substack.com/p/your-ideal-nonfiction-reader
Make sure to define your target reader before you start drafting. Why?
Read my article on Inside the Inkhorn.
inkhorn.substack.com/p/your-ideal-nonfiction-reader
Hot take: Asking people in the US "Why aren't you doing more?" is a bit like asking an abused partner why they don't just leave. 1/
March 5, 2025 at 11:38 PM
Hot take: Asking people in the US "Why aren't you doing more?" is a bit like asking an abused partner why they don't just leave. 1/
Any book coaches or editors out there who specialize in comics? I've got a potential referral for you!
March 5, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Any book coaches or editors out there who specialize in comics? I've got a potential referral for you!
Why, yes, I will sound the alarm while we continue to practice passive eugenics against disabled people, while we ignore the cumulative damage from multiple infections, while we ignore the pleas of vulnerable people to care about them.
It's alarming. You should be alarmed.
It's alarming. You should be alarmed.
Cool, can you pls stop referring to us as alarmists then, @nytimes.com?
February 28, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Why, yes, I will sound the alarm while we continue to practice passive eugenics against disabled people, while we ignore the cumulative damage from multiple infections, while we ignore the pleas of vulnerable people to care about them.
It's alarming. You should be alarmed.
It's alarming. You should be alarmed.
Would be a shame if we flooded this Heritage Foundation survey on what's happening in the USG.
Beware the propagandistic questions about where US aid money should go.
Full name and email address required, so use a burner and an alias.
Beware the propagandistic questions about where US aid money should go.
Full name and email address required, so use a burner and an alias.
I’m somehow on a Heritage Foundation mailing list (😂) and they sent a survey to see what we think of DOGE.
Who wants to offer some m-fing feedback?!?
secured.heritage.org/the-heritage...
Please share with a friend or a thousand :)
Who wants to offer some m-fing feedback?!?
secured.heritage.org/the-heritage...
Please share with a friend or a thousand :)
secured.heritage.org
February 27, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Would be a shame if we flooded this Heritage Foundation survey on what's happening in the USG.
Beware the propagandistic questions about where US aid money should go.
Full name and email address required, so use a burner and an alias.
Beware the propagandistic questions about where US aid money should go.
Full name and email address required, so use a burner and an alias.
Look at my little book baby out in the world! I wish I could tell 16-year-old me that we did it. We finished it, and it's published!
...and now we're writing the sequels.
...and now we're writing the sequels.
Journey to ancient Egypt with @abigailrkeyes.bsky.social for the first in a 3 part epic YA historical fantasy. This ticked all my nerd boxes, history, female power, diverse characters. #booksky
#TheDaughterofSekhmet #BookTour #KateRockBookTours #YA #AncientEgypt #DebutAuthor
#TheDaughterofSekhmet #BookTour #KateRockBookTours #YA #AncientEgypt #DebutAuthor
February 27, 2025 at 2:58 AM
Look at my little book baby out in the world! I wish I could tell 16-year-old me that we did it. We finished it, and it's published!
...and now we're writing the sequels.
...and now we're writing the sequels.
Villains are having a moment right now.
For this blog post on writing villains, I pull from fiction and real life in this time of bro-llionaires and broligarchs.
Read on my website or at Inside the Inkhorn on Substack. More below!
For this blog post on writing villains, I pull from fiction and real life in this time of bro-llionaires and broligarchs.
Read on my website or at Inside the Inkhorn on Substack. More below!
February 26, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Villains are having a moment right now.
For this blog post on writing villains, I pull from fiction and real life in this time of bro-llionaires and broligarchs.
Read on my website or at Inside the Inkhorn on Substack. More below!
For this blog post on writing villains, I pull from fiction and real life in this time of bro-llionaires and broligarchs.
Read on my website or at Inside the Inkhorn on Substack. More below!
Basically this. Covid-cautious people are tired, y’all.
If you want to fight fascism? Wear a mask.
If you want to show solidarity with disabled people? Wear a mask.
If you want to protect your own health? Wear a mask.
If you recognize that no one is coming to save us? Wear a mask.
My ultimate guide to respirators:
If you want to show solidarity with disabled people? Wear a mask.
If you want to protect your own health? Wear a mask.
If you recognize that no one is coming to save us? Wear a mask.
My ultimate guide to respirators:
We’re Witnessing the Fall of Public Health… and Your Best Tool is a Mask
Measles in Texas, bird flu in Louisiana, tuberculosis in Kansas and Covid everywhere. Public health has been dying a slow death for years, we can’t count on it anymore. What can we count on? A mask!
www.disabledginger.com
February 23, 2025 at 8:46 AM
Basically this. Covid-cautious people are tired, y’all.
movies you've watched more than 6 times, gifs only
February 23, 2025 at 8:44 AM
movies you've watched more than 6 times, gifs only
Reposted by A. Keyes📚Book Coach & Editor
Are you bored tonight? Send your five accomplishments, maybe your shopping list, or your five thoughts on Elon from the past week to OPM at [email protected].
February 23, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Are you bored tonight? Send your five accomplishments, maybe your shopping list, or your five thoughts on Elon from the past week to OPM at [email protected].
Does anyone else feel a little sense of smug satisfaction every time they successfully complete a CAPTCHA? Like, ha! That's right: I'm NOT a robot!
February 22, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Does anyone else feel a little sense of smug satisfaction every time they successfully complete a CAPTCHA? Like, ha! That's right: I'm NOT a robot!
This right here. I wrote about how we must reduce our consumption of animal products in my recent Substack post (on there for now until I can find an alternative)
cassandrasquill.substack.com
cassandrasquill.substack.com
February 22, 2025 at 6:34 PM
This right here. I wrote about how we must reduce our consumption of animal products in my recent Substack post (on there for now until I can find an alternative)
cassandrasquill.substack.com
cassandrasquill.substack.com
For real though. I need to finish my blog post about "sympathetic" fictional villains.
Fictional villains: my motivation involves a complex backstory around lost love and a deep yearning to be understood
Real life villains: being cruel makes me feel like a big strong man
Real life villains: being cruel makes me feel like a big strong man
February 21, 2025 at 2:29 AM
For real though. I need to finish my blog post about "sympathetic" fictional villains.