Aiko Aslanian
@aiko-aslanian.bsky.social
I've been writing all my life but it took me 40 years to have a project. Working on my first book. To what end? We'll see.
This account to connect with writers, book lovers, readers, and all things literary.
This account to connect with writers, book lovers, readers, and all things literary.
Pinned
I'm going to pin this post for editing updates. I like the accountability of public sharing, but it's not very interesting. Feel free to mute it.
Skim a blurb, then read or skim the first several pages of the book. Sometimes reviews if I'm on the fence or the rec came from someone I don't know
Sometimes a strong recommendation will make me buy it without previewing
Occasionally a title alone will make me smash that buy button
Sometimes a strong recommendation will make me buy it without previewing
Occasionally a title alone will make me smash that buy button
December 5, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Skim a blurb, then read or skim the first several pages of the book. Sometimes reviews if I'm on the fence or the rec came from someone I don't know
Sometimes a strong recommendation will make me buy it without previewing
Occasionally a title alone will make me smash that buy button
Sometimes a strong recommendation will make me buy it without previewing
Occasionally a title alone will make me smash that buy button
I kind of already did it by revising my goal down to be very manageable. Basically if I write 30-45 minutes a day I'll likely hit it. And writing sprints help a ton.
#weeknightwriters
#weeknightwriters
Q4: What can you do in the next three days to make the next week of #FirstDraftFall easier for yourself? #WeeknightWriters
December 5, 2025 at 1:27 AM
I kind of already did it by revising my goal down to be very manageable. Basically if I write 30-45 minutes a day I'll likely hit it. And writing sprints help a ton.
#weeknightwriters
#weeknightwriters
Basically the camaraderie! I think the fact that I'm letting myself run with a totally ridiculous premise and just have fun and also tell other people I'm doing it. Like, just making it real after working solo for so long and not showing anyone. Scary but also fun.
#weeknightwriters
#weeknightwriters
Q3: Let’s cheer things up a bit! What’s your favourite part of #FirstDraftFall so far? #WeeknightWriters
December 5, 2025 at 12:58 AM
Basically the camaraderie! I think the fact that I'm letting myself run with a totally ridiculous premise and just have fun and also tell other people I'm doing it. Like, just making it real after working solo for so long and not showing anyone. Scary but also fun.
#weeknightwriters
#weeknightwriters
I am not struggling with this yet bc I'm not there yet but, uh, I have not really even blocked in the heist part of my heist 😬 At the same time, a heist is mostly in the set up right? I've got a pretty good handle on the double crosses but...that blank spot makes me a bit nervous
#weeknightwriters
#weeknightwriters
Q2: Are you struggling with anything specific in your #FirstDraftFall project? Tell us about it and we’ll see how we can help! #WeeknightWriters
December 5, 2025 at 12:35 AM
I am not struggling with this yet bc I'm not there yet but, uh, I have not really even blocked in the heist part of my heist 😬 At the same time, a heist is mostly in the set up right? I've got a pretty good handle on the double crosses but...that blank spot makes me a bit nervous
#weeknightwriters
#weeknightwriters
Hi I'm Aiko and I'm working on "The Atlantis Job," a fantasy heist set in the San Francisco Bay Area where vampires and mermaids team up to free the original vampire sire who is stashed in the bowels of Atlantis.
#weeknightwriters
#weeknightwriters
Hello #WeeknightWriters! Come on in, introduce yourself and your WIP, and let us know how your #FirstDraftFall project is going!
December 5, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Hi I'm Aiko and I'm working on "The Atlantis Job," a fantasy heist set in the San Francisco Bay Area where vampires and mermaids team up to free the original vampire sire who is stashed in the bowels of Atlantis.
#weeknightwriters
#weeknightwriters
I started my project 9/24 and have almost 40k words. I work full time and have 2 small kids so you know what, I'm pretty impressed with 20k words a month & feeling like I see the vision for the book
The support of #weeknightwriters & all our sprints has been so helpful!!
The support of #weeknightwriters & all our sprints has been so helpful!!
Q1: How are you feeling about your #FirstDraftFall progress so far? Excited? Disheartened? #WeeknightWriters
December 5, 2025 at 12:18 AM
I started my project 9/24 and have almost 40k words. I work full time and have 2 small kids so you know what, I'm pretty impressed with 20k words a month & feeling like I see the vision for the book
The support of #weeknightwriters & all our sprints has been so helpful!!
The support of #weeknightwriters & all our sprints has been so helpful!!
Reposted by Aiko Aslanian
Stop comparing yourself to other authors.
Start collaborating with other authors.
Start celebrating other authors.
Start taking community seriously.
Start collaborating with other authors.
Start celebrating other authors.
Start taking community seriously.
December 3, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Stop comparing yourself to other authors.
Start collaborating with other authors.
Start celebrating other authors.
Start taking community seriously.
Start collaborating with other authors.
Start celebrating other authors.
Start taking community seriously.
Reposted by Aiko Aslanian
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
November 29, 2025 at 4:43 AM
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH
Reposted by Aiko Aslanian
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
Picked up "The Hallows" by @hollytinsl3y.bsky.social on a random bsky recommendation & WOW! Mystery is not my usual genre at all, and I had an absolute blast with this fantasy noir murder mystery
Noir-perfect prose & a masterclass in world building under 300 pages
💙📚
Noir-perfect prose & a masterclass in world building under 300 pages
💙📚
Review by aikoa - The Hallows
People like to say that indie books can be just as good as traditionally published books, and ...
app.thestorygraph.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Picked up "The Hallows" by @hollytinsl3y.bsky.social on a random bsky recommendation & WOW! Mystery is not my usual genre at all, and I had an absolute blast with this fantasy noir murder mystery
Noir-perfect prose & a masterclass in world building under 300 pages
💙📚
Noir-perfect prose & a masterclass in world building under 300 pages
💙📚
Reposted by Aiko Aslanian
youtube.com/shorts/ygIJl...
Let's print some books!
Let's print some books!
How Books are Made
YouTube video by Daily Dose Of Internet
youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:00 AM
youtube.com/shorts/ygIJl...
Let's print some books!
Let's print some books!
I've been a little scarce on Bsky just with busyness and writing and also been enjoying making videos on Instagram I hate to admit 🫣
But also needed to give my wallet and creaking TBR shelves a break bc I find books I want to buy basically every time I'm one here, it's an embarrassment of riches 📚💙
But also needed to give my wallet and creaking TBR shelves a break bc I find books I want to buy basically every time I'm one here, it's an embarrassment of riches 📚💙
November 25, 2025 at 7:21 AM
I've been a little scarce on Bsky just with busyness and writing and also been enjoying making videos on Instagram I hate to admit 🫣
But also needed to give my wallet and creaking TBR shelves a break bc I find books I want to buy basically every time I'm one here, it's an embarrassment of riches 📚💙
But also needed to give my wallet and creaking TBR shelves a break bc I find books I want to buy basically every time I'm one here, it's an embarrassment of riches 📚💙
I will never write a romance where the current romance negates any past relationships the people have had. They'll have pasts and relationships that were real and matter, I refuse to retcon to show why a previous relationship didn't "actually" count. Basically, I don't believe in "The One"
#Novmemeber 25
Anti-tropes: what are some tropes that you've purposefully avoided in your WIP? OR, are there any tropes that you've put a twist on?
Anti-tropes: what are some tropes that you've purposefully avoided in your WIP? OR, are there any tropes that you've put a twist on?
November 25, 2025 at 7:15 AM
I will never write a romance where the current romance negates any past relationships the people have had. They'll have pasts and relationships that were real and matter, I refuse to retcon to show why a previous relationship didn't "actually" count. Basically, I don't believe in "The One"
Before I came up with "The Atlantis Job," I was just calling it "Mermaids and Vampires Do a Heist Together" and was rather seriously considering that for the title. Now that might just be the tagline.
#writingcommunity
#writingcommunity
#Novmemeber 19
Give us an alternate title to your WIP. Another title you considered, your working title, or a joke title.
Potential examples:
Of Mice and Men was originally Something That Happened
The Da Vinci Code might've been ScavengerHuntWIP
Frankenstein could be How to Make a Guy in 10 Days
Give us an alternate title to your WIP. Another title you considered, your working title, or a joke title.
Potential examples:
Of Mice and Men was originally Something That Happened
The Da Vinci Code might've been ScavengerHuntWIP
Frankenstein could be How to Make a Guy in 10 Days
November 19, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Before I came up with "The Atlantis Job," I was just calling it "Mermaids and Vampires Do a Heist Together" and was rather seriously considering that for the title. Now that might just be the tagline.
#writingcommunity
#writingcommunity
Reposted by Aiko Aslanian
You say bsky is dead, I say you're not doing the work to create a community for yourself and expect an algorithm to do it for you.
November 18, 2025 at 2:36 PM
You say bsky is dead, I say you're not doing the work to create a community for yourself and expect an algorithm to do it for you.
Reposted by Aiko Aslanian
This is a good article, worth reading.
Gigantic SUVs are a public health threat. Why don’t we treat them like one?
The anti-smoking playbook is worth studying and learning from, and is completely applicable to oversized cars.
Via @davidzipper.bsky.social in @vox.com #CarBloat
Gigantic SUVs are a public health threat. Why don’t we treat them like one?
The anti-smoking playbook is worth studying and learning from, and is completely applicable to oversized cars.
Via @davidzipper.bsky.social in @vox.com #CarBloat
Gigantic SUVs are a public health threat. Why don’t we treat them like one?
The anti-tobacco playbook could help turn the US public against their beloved oversized cars.
www.vox.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:48 PM
This is a good article, worth reading.
Gigantic SUVs are a public health threat. Why don’t we treat them like one?
The anti-smoking playbook is worth studying and learning from, and is completely applicable to oversized cars.
Via @davidzipper.bsky.social in @vox.com #CarBloat
Gigantic SUVs are a public health threat. Why don’t we treat them like one?
The anti-smoking playbook is worth studying and learning from, and is completely applicable to oversized cars.
Via @davidzipper.bsky.social in @vox.com #CarBloat
Started strong then got sick midweek. But I was able to tighten up my outline, so I think that will make the next phase go more smoothly.
My daughter inspires me; this time she brought home drawings of mermaids and vampires and I was like...hm. What if those two creatures teamed up in some way?
My daughter inspires me; this time she brought home drawings of mermaids and vampires and I was like...hm. What if those two creatures teamed up in some way?
#Writevember Week 2
How's your progress on your WIP? Give us an update by quoting this post. The bonus question is optional but encouraged.
#WritingCommunity #WritingPrompt #WriteSky
How's your progress on your WIP? Give us an update by quoting this post. The bonus question is optional but encouraged.
#WritingCommunity #WritingPrompt #WriteSky
November 8, 2025 at 5:59 AM
Started strong then got sick midweek. But I was able to tighten up my outline, so I think that will make the next phase go more smoothly.
My daughter inspires me; this time she brought home drawings of mermaids and vampires and I was like...hm. What if those two creatures teamed up in some way?
My daughter inspires me; this time she brought home drawings of mermaids and vampires and I was like...hm. What if those two creatures teamed up in some way?
Reposted by Aiko Aslanian
Feelings don't care about your facts!
November 6, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Feelings don't care about your facts!
I already did it, I'm taking tomorrow off!! I need a mental health day. And I'm going to relax and write
#weeknightwriters
#weeknightwriters
Q4: What can you do in the next three days to make the next week of #FirstDraftFall easier for yourself? #WeeknightWriters
November 7, 2025 at 1:18 AM
I already did it, I'm taking tomorrow off!! I need a mental health day. And I'm going to relax and write
#weeknightwriters
#weeknightwriters
Hi #weeknightwriters, I'm Aiko. For #firstdraftfall I'm working on The Atlantis Job, a fantasy heist involving vampires and mermaids and the end of the world as we know it.
I've got the beats plotted, mostly outlines, and about 20k words so far. My goal is 50k by the end of the month.
I've got the beats plotted, mostly outlines, and about 20k words so far. My goal is 50k by the end of the month.
Hello #WeeknightWriters! Come on in, introduce yourself and your WIP, and let us know how your #FirstDraftFall project is going!
November 7, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Hi #weeknightwriters, I'm Aiko. For #firstdraftfall I'm working on The Atlantis Job, a fantasy heist involving vampires and mermaids and the end of the world as we know it.
I've got the beats plotted, mostly outlines, and about 20k words so far. My goal is 50k by the end of the month.
I've got the beats plotted, mostly outlines, and about 20k words so far. My goal is 50k by the end of the month.
We have fun! Tonight I wrote 780 words instead of the 0 that was looking likely because someone was doing a sprint.
If you can't think of anyone & you're realizing you need writing community, now is the perfect time to join our Pro Discord, where we have:
- Brainstorming areas
- Nightly check-ins
- Writing sprints most weeknight
- Weekly virtual write-ins
And more - starting at just $5 per month!
- Brainstorming areas
- Nightly check-ins
- Writing sprints most weeknight
- Weekly virtual write-ins
And more - starting at just $5 per month!
November 6, 2025 at 5:37 AM
We have fun! Tonight I wrote 780 words instead of the 0 that was looking likely because someone was doing a sprint.
Reposted by Aiko Aslanian
Today we're hosting a recommendation of Hidden Indie SFF Gems, including underrated fantasy and sci-fi, written by @nicksnapeauthor.bsky.social
www.readindiefantasy.com/amorar-recom...
www.readindiefantasy.com/amorar-recom...
November 4, 2025 at 10:31 AM
Today we're hosting a recommendation of Hidden Indie SFF Gems, including underrated fantasy and sci-fi, written by @nicksnapeauthor.bsky.social
www.readindiefantasy.com/amorar-recom...
www.readindiefantasy.com/amorar-recom...
Reposted by Aiko Aslanian
Loved The Dragon Next Door and want to see more of Tollar, Beenala and Bale getting into trouble? You’re going to love this one! What happens when the world’s best aquamancer meets the world’s best pyromancers? Big magic and chaos! 🌈📚
books2read.com/u/mqxAa8
books2read.com/u/mqxAa8
October 30, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Loved The Dragon Next Door and want to see more of Tollar, Beenala and Bale getting into trouble? You’re going to love this one! What happens when the world’s best aquamancer meets the world’s best pyromancers? Big magic and chaos! 🌈📚
books2read.com/u/mqxAa8
books2read.com/u/mqxAa8