I just realized that while I was formatting my book that I somehow lost every italicized part of my story. That’s every inner thought my character has (which is a tense change) blending in with everything else. I want to cry 😭
#bookformatting #writersky #authorsky #writingcommunity

Fantastique Fiasco Dreamers & Readers Festival Canceled

I was truly devastated that my first book convention was cancelled only two weeks before I was set to go. But even out over 1k I lucked out compared to the authors and vendors who were set to sell at the festival!
#booksky #dreamersandreaders #bookconvention

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I’m formatting myself!

Book page with key illustration

I spent a whole day working on interior formatting for my serial novel Short Cuts! Since I completed the first season, I’ve craved being able to hold a physical copy in my hands!
#booksky #authorsky #writersky #bookillustration #bookformatting

Short Cuts: Valentine's Day Special Season 1.5: "Meat" Cute

Happy Valentine’s Day! Looking for a quick light hearted read? The Short Cuts Valentine’s Day Special is for you!

#valentinesday #booksky #paranormalromance #shifterromamce #slowburnromance
open.substack.com/pub/ashleytw...

Ashley T Writes | Ashley Toombs | Substack ✍🏽 Urban Fantasy Writer working on debut novel 📚 Avid reader of fantasy, sci-fi, and romance 🎨 Artist and graphic designer 👩🏽‍💻 @AshleyTWrites everywhere online. Click to read Ashley T Writes, by Ashl...

❤️ Have I spent the past couple of days writing a Valentine’s Day special that came to me in a dream?
💁🏽‍♀️ Yes!

The Subscriber only Short Cuts Valentine’s Day special releases tomorrow!
open.substack.com/pub/ashleytw...
#booksky #readercommunity #shifterromance #paranormalromance

Traditional audiobooks for sure!

Four mini paintings with used water color palette, three paint brushes, and murky paint water in but bowl.

I took a short break from book edits to dabble in ACEOs! I’ve made nine mini paintings so far and want to do more. I’m really rusty with watercolor as I’m primarily a digital artist and graphic designer but this was fun! #artthreads #aceo #atc #watercolor

Short cuts book cover screenshot

Going to be formatting my book interior today! I decided to get my serial novel printed into a physical copy with a bonus short story that I did as a collab! I already turned the cover into a full wrap.

January Wrapped and just like that its February

January was interesting…

#substack #writersky #authorsky #writingcommunity
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Happy Black History Month!

P.S. We should be reading books by Black authors year round, not just in February

#booksky #blackbooksky #bluesky

go.bsky.app/UF7S8ef

Thanks! I’ll be looking for beta readers in late March/early April!

AshleyTWrites, Ashley Toombs|urban fantasy writer, follow @ashleytwrites. Picture of Ashley wearing a ghost sweater. Picture of book cover “Bound in Blood and Darkness” status:editing. Picture of book cover “Short Cuts” read for free Ashley T Writes on Substack

Hi! I’m Ashley Toombs, urban fantasy and paranormal romance author! I pursued my life long dream of becoming an author in spring 2024! Since then, I’ve completed the first draft of my novel, multiple rounds of edits, and wrote and published a serial novel on Substack.

tinyurl.com/AshleyTWrites

Yes! Winter is a big factor in one of my stories (they get snowed into work). The other takes place in winter but isn’t as big of a factor though it does help the vampires get around.

Very curious over who’s come over from the clock app in recent days? Welcome to #booksky!

I’m number 26 in Rising Fiction on Substack 🎉! I didn’t know what that means but I’m excited! I hope people are enjoying my serial story!

open.substack.com/pub/ashleytw...

#substack #bookssky #writingcommunity #writersky #authorsky

Book cover that says “Short Cuts, Season One” by “Ashley Toombs” with chalk style drawings of meat, animal cuts, and stars. There are call outs around it “shifter romance”, cozy urban fantasy, slow burn, serial novel, and Grumpy x Sunshine which points to two characters. A male with a beard and chin length straight brown hair and grey eyes with crossed arms in a layer top with cream Henley and olive green button down with rolled sleeves. Grumpy points to him. Sunshine points to a petite red headed woman with pale skin and green eyes. She wears an off white cropped sweater over a plaid skirt.

My regular reminder that I wrote a serial novel! The whole first season finished in December and it’s my number one comfort read!
#readersofbluesky #booksky #cozyfantasy #paranormalromance #shifterromance

open.substack.com/pub/ashleytw...

Happy Substack Anniversary AshleyTWrites! One year on Substack

A full year ago today I started my Substack! I’ve enjoyed have a new way to write and share my journey to become a published author!

#writingcommunity #substack #writer #writersky #authorsky
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Thank you! This gives me a good direction to focus my energy towards! I have a tendency to over explain things.

I need to learn how to pitch my book. In a single sentence, a paragraph, and a page. The problem is that I really need work on being concise. What tips helped you to learn this skill?

#amwritingurbanfantasy #writingcommunity #authorsky #writersky #bookpitch

😂

Thanks so much 🥰

New Year New Writer I'm buckling down in 2026

My writing plans for 2026!

#writersofbluesky #writersky #authorsky #writingcommunity
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I just bought Scrivener with some money I got for Christmas! I feel like I just leveled up! It came highly recommended so I hope I enjoy it! #booksky #writingcommunity #authorcommunity #scrivener #writersky #authorsky

And all 62 books  #storygraph #readinggoals #booksky

StoryGraph wrap up: first book: Quicksilver, last book: the Knight and the Moth, longest book: Quicksilver, shortest book: Beautiful Nightmare; total books read: 63, total pages read 22,658; top genres: Romance, Fantasy, Contemporary, Short Stories, LGBTQIA+; top authors: Abby Jimenez, Ali Hazelwood, Meghan Quinn; 5 star reads: Peaches and Honey, Nettle and Bone, Part of your world; average rating: 4.05

I met and exceeded my 2025 reading goal of 52 books! I ended the year with 62 completed books though I did have a year heavy with DNFs otherwise it would be higher. I’m keeping the same goal of a book a week for 2026! What are your reading goals? #booksky #storygraph #readinggoal #readingwrapup

End of Year Writing Goals Coasting to 2026

Only two weeks left in 2025 and im going to my best to accomplish these writing goals

#writersofbluesky #writingcommunity #amwriting #authorsky #writersky
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That is a wonderful way of putting it! I’m sure getting back to your manuscript will be like visiting with your past self!

I’m supposed to get back to editing my manuscript tomorrow after the 3 month hiatus I took for my serial novel and I’m honestly so scared. I’ve changed so much as a writer from when I first started the project a year and a half ago.
#authorsky #writersky #amwriting #writingcommunity

What I Learned From My First Serial Novel And what I'd do differently!

I learned quite a lot from my first foray inter serial story telling! Here are my takeaways!
open.substack.com/pub/ashleytw...