Dito Abbott
@ditoabbott.bsky.social
Author, Illustrator, Adventurer, Lover of Cheese
Prepping, packaging, and relicing books and maps. The Fountain Hills Craft fair this weekend is my only Arizona show, so stop by if you can!
Today I finished art for Thugwallop’s book box. This thing is a ton of work. But it’s turning out killer.
Thugwallop paperbacks are in and look PHENOMENAL!
Today I finished art for Thugwallop’s book box. This thing is a ton of work. But it’s turning out killer.
Thugwallop paperbacks are in and look PHENOMENAL!
November 11, 2025 at 4:46 AM
Prepping, packaging, and relicing books and maps. The Fountain Hills Craft fair this weekend is my only Arizona show, so stop by if you can!
Today I finished art for Thugwallop’s book box. This thing is a ton of work. But it’s turning out killer.
Thugwallop paperbacks are in and look PHENOMENAL!
Today I finished art for Thugwallop’s book box. This thing is a ton of work. But it’s turning out killer.
Thugwallop paperbacks are in and look PHENOMENAL!
Back in Phoenix! Boxes of books and illustrations await, ready to be packaged and reliced.
I made a Spinal Tap Stonehenge error when I ordered Thugwallop’s desktop banner. This thing is so lightweight, if anyone sneezes, it’s going to fly off my table.
Super cute, though:)
I made a Spinal Tap Stonehenge error when I ordered Thugwallop’s desktop banner. This thing is so lightweight, if anyone sneezes, it’s going to fly off my table.
Super cute, though:)
November 8, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Back in Phoenix! Boxes of books and illustrations await, ready to be packaged and reliced.
I made a Spinal Tap Stonehenge error when I ordered Thugwallop’s desktop banner. This thing is so lightweight, if anyone sneezes, it’s going to fly off my table.
Super cute, though:)
I made a Spinal Tap Stonehenge error when I ordered Thugwallop’s desktop banner. This thing is so lightweight, if anyone sneezes, it’s going to fly off my table.
Super cute, though:)
New Stamp Day! With every new book in the series, I design new rubber stamps specific to the story for book packaging. Stoked with how these guys came out.
As always, the stamps make more sense when you’ve read the novel. The lady at the stamp shop had a lot of questions for me.
As always, the stamps make more sense when you’ve read the novel. The lady at the stamp shop had a lot of questions for me.
November 5, 2025 at 2:56 AM
New Stamp Day! With every new book in the series, I design new rubber stamps specific to the story for book packaging. Stoked with how these guys came out.
As always, the stamps make more sense when you’ve read the novel. The lady at the stamp shop had a lot of questions for me.
As always, the stamps make more sense when you’ve read the novel. The lady at the stamp shop had a lot of questions for me.
Halloween is a US-thing, but a few houses in Christchurch gave out candy. Grateful for a rad night with my ladies.
Z was Dr. Who. J was Mira from KPDH. I was Temu Spider-Man.
Z was Dr. Who. J was Mira from KPDH. I was Temu Spider-Man.
October 31, 2025 at 8:03 PM
Halloween is a US-thing, but a few houses in Christchurch gave out candy. Grateful for a rad night with my ladies.
Z was Dr. Who. J was Mira from KPDH. I was Temu Spider-Man.
Z was Dr. Who. J was Mira from KPDH. I was Temu Spider-Man.
Cover reveal for “Thugwallop; Volume Two of the Terravenum Chronicles”!
October 31, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Cover reveal for “Thugwallop; Volume Two of the Terravenum Chronicles”!
It's late and I'm going to bed, but I just want to say that today I saw the first draft of Thugwallop's cover and y'all aren't ready. Stoked.
October 17, 2025 at 12:15 PM
It's late and I'm going to bed, but I just want to say that today I saw the first draft of Thugwallop's cover and y'all aren't ready. Stoked.
I love following along on maps as I read. For Debunked, I drew a full Terravenum world map. For my follow up novel, Thugwallop, I wanted to zoom in for a close-up view of places in the story, including Easter eggs.
There's going to be a lot of coffee-staining in the near future!
There's going to be a lot of coffee-staining in the near future!
October 14, 2025 at 3:44 AM
I love following along on maps as I read. For Debunked, I drew a full Terravenum world map. For my follow up novel, Thugwallop, I wanted to zoom in for a close-up view of places in the story, including Easter eggs.
There's going to be a lot of coffee-staining in the near future!
There's going to be a lot of coffee-staining in the near future!
Formatting an interior map for Thugwallop. I'm always surprised at how much I need to pump the contrast up to look good in print.
The Terravenum world map took me a year to illustrate, but it's proved one of the most important creative efforts I've ever done.
The Terravenum world map took me a year to illustrate, but it's proved one of the most important creative efforts I've ever done.
October 8, 2025 at 4:41 AM
Formatting an interior map for Thugwallop. I'm always surprised at how much I need to pump the contrast up to look good in print.
The Terravenum world map took me a year to illustrate, but it's proved one of the most important creative efforts I've ever done.
The Terravenum world map took me a year to illustrate, but it's proved one of the most important creative efforts I've ever done.
Illustrating more potential cover art for Thugwallop. When I originally conceived of the Spires of Dubious Wisdom, the hermits lived in outhouse-sized shacks. When I wrote the scenes, I discovered they have a lot more room (and possibly hot tubs?).
September 30, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Illustrating more potential cover art for Thugwallop. When I originally conceived of the Spires of Dubious Wisdom, the hermits lived in outhouse-sized shacks. When I wrote the scenes, I discovered they have a lot more room (and possibly hot tubs?).
Editors have given me the green light to announce Book Two is titled: “Thugwallop”.
If that changes, this conversation never happened.
Finishing up artwork assets for Thugwallop’s cover. This is “Delver’, a submersible who plays a role in the story. Designed with a puffer fish in mind.
If that changes, this conversation never happened.
Finishing up artwork assets for Thugwallop’s cover. This is “Delver’, a submersible who plays a role in the story. Designed with a puffer fish in mind.
September 22, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Editors have given me the green light to announce Book Two is titled: “Thugwallop”.
If that changes, this conversation never happened.
Finishing up artwork assets for Thugwallop’s cover. This is “Delver’, a submersible who plays a role in the story. Designed with a puffer fish in mind.
If that changes, this conversation never happened.
Finishing up artwork assets for Thugwallop’s cover. This is “Delver’, a submersible who plays a role in the story. Designed with a puffer fish in mind.
Alpha readers are editing Book Two. I've already made a bunch of touch-ups, per my wife's suggestions. She has this strange need for stories to "make sense" and "be coherent".
Pshh. Whatever.
Meanwhile, I'm working on back matter for the book. Specifically, a character and terms glossary.
Pshh. Whatever.
Meanwhile, I'm working on back matter for the book. Specifically, a character and terms glossary.
September 7, 2025 at 7:43 PM
Alpha readers are editing Book Two. I've already made a bunch of touch-ups, per my wife's suggestions. She has this strange need for stories to "make sense" and "be coherent".
Pshh. Whatever.
Meanwhile, I'm working on back matter for the book. Specifically, a character and terms glossary.
Pshh. Whatever.
Meanwhile, I'm working on back matter for the book. Specifically, a character and terms glossary.
The title of this book alone earns a re-post.
The Art of Myth-Direction
Pre-Order the eBook Now
Available September 12th
https://a.co/d/5e4KFjr
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky #amwriting #debutnovel
Pre-Order the eBook Now
Available September 12th
https://a.co/d/5e4KFjr
#writing #writingcommunity #booksky #amwriting #debutnovel
September 4, 2025 at 8:48 PM
The title of this book alone earns a re-post.
It turns out I accidentally wrote two books instead of one. Book Two is out to alpha readers now (I need to add a few chapters to Book Three)!
My daughter is reading it and her gentle encouragements soothe my bruised ego.
My daughter is reading it and her gentle encouragements soothe my bruised ego.
September 4, 2025 at 2:51 AM
It turns out I accidentally wrote two books instead of one. Book Two is out to alpha readers now (I need to add a few chapters to Book Three)!
My daughter is reading it and her gentle encouragements soothe my bruised ego.
My daughter is reading it and her gentle encouragements soothe my bruised ego.
Confession: When I spell the word "queue", I just close my eyes and hope for the best.
Another word I hit with momentum so I don't end up questioning my sanity:
"occasionally"
Word that used to trip me up, but now I'm freaking amazing at spelling: "Annihilator".
Another word I hit with momentum so I don't end up questioning my sanity:
"occasionally"
Word that used to trip me up, but now I'm freaking amazing at spelling: "Annihilator".
September 1, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Confession: When I spell the word "queue", I just close my eyes and hope for the best.
Another word I hit with momentum so I don't end up questioning my sanity:
"occasionally"
Word that used to trip me up, but now I'm freaking amazing at spelling: "Annihilator".
Another word I hit with momentum so I don't end up questioning my sanity:
"occasionally"
Word that used to trip me up, but now I'm freaking amazing at spelling: "Annihilator".
Reposted by Dito Abbott
We’re celebrating our 200th (!!!) episode by talking about one of @lillyscribe.bsky.social’s favorite books: THE GREAT GATSBY by F. Scott Fitzgerald, featuring special guest @krystlematar.bsky.social !
Listen to our (very long) conversation here: linktr.ee/fictionfanspod
#booksky 💙📚
Listen to our (very long) conversation here: linktr.ee/fictionfanspod
#booksky 💙📚
Fiction Fans | Instagram, Facebook, TikTok | Linktree
View fictionfanspod’s Linktree to discover and stream music from top platforms like YouTube, Spotify here. Your next favorite track is just a click away!
linktr.ee
August 6, 2025 at 5:48 PM
We’re celebrating our 200th (!!!) episode by talking about one of @lillyscribe.bsky.social’s favorite books: THE GREAT GATSBY by F. Scott Fitzgerald, featuring special guest @krystlematar.bsky.social !
Listen to our (very long) conversation here: linktr.ee/fictionfanspod
#booksky 💙📚
Listen to our (very long) conversation here: linktr.ee/fictionfanspod
#booksky 💙📚
First draft of Book 2 is DONE at 149,113 words!
Book 1 started at 134,000 and ended at 104,500.
My goal is to have this book ready when I fly to the USA for a mini-tour in November. There's a lot of work in front of me. Revisions, beta readers, cover art, ARCs, and formatting. Time to level up.
Book 1 started at 134,000 and ended at 104,500.
My goal is to have this book ready when I fly to the USA for a mini-tour in November. There's a lot of work in front of me. Revisions, beta readers, cover art, ARCs, and formatting. Time to level up.
August 3, 2025 at 10:31 PM
First draft of Book 2 is DONE at 149,113 words!
Book 1 started at 134,000 and ended at 104,500.
My goal is to have this book ready when I fly to the USA for a mini-tour in November. There's a lot of work in front of me. Revisions, beta readers, cover art, ARCs, and formatting. Time to level up.
Book 1 started at 134,000 and ended at 104,500.
My goal is to have this book ready when I fly to the USA for a mini-tour in November. There's a lot of work in front of me. Revisions, beta readers, cover art, ARCs, and formatting. Time to level up.
Stumbled across the greatest Free Little (it's bigger on the inside) Library ever today in Hamner Springs.
July 27, 2025 at 10:18 AM
Stumbled across the greatest Free Little (it's bigger on the inside) Library ever today in Hamner Springs.
Checked my author dashboard and was delighted that a 10 year old and 44 year old both enjoyed Debunked.
Crossed 140,000 words on Book 2 today. Rounding third base and ready to slide into the basket for a touchdown. Did I sports right? Flying V! Knuckle Puck!
Crossed 140,000 words on Book 2 today. Rounding third base and ready to slide into the basket for a touchdown. Did I sports right? Flying V! Knuckle Puck!
July 24, 2025 at 11:46 AM
Checked my author dashboard and was delighted that a 10 year old and 44 year old both enjoyed Debunked.
Crossed 140,000 words on Book 2 today. Rounding third base and ready to slide into the basket for a touchdown. Did I sports right? Flying V! Knuckle Puck!
Crossed 140,000 words on Book 2 today. Rounding third base and ready to slide into the basket for a touchdown. Did I sports right? Flying V! Knuckle Puck!
Ten years ago, I wrote:
100% of chimichangas are ordered because people want to say the word "chimichanga".
This has never been more true than it is today.
100% of chimichangas are ordered because people want to say the word "chimichanga".
This has never been more true than it is today.
May 13, 2025 at 5:53 AM
Ten years ago, I wrote:
100% of chimichangas are ordered because people want to say the word "chimichanga".
This has never been more true than it is today.
100% of chimichangas are ordered because people want to say the word "chimichanga".
This has never been more true than it is today.
Me, at the start of every writing session: "Ugh, this is getting too complicated. No more POVs."
Me, five minutes later: "This washer woman's story MUST be told!"
Me, five minutes later: "This washer woman's story MUST be told!"
May 6, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Me, at the start of every writing session: "Ugh, this is getting too complicated. No more POVs."
Me, five minutes later: "This washer woman's story MUST be told!"
Me, five minutes later: "This washer woman's story MUST be told!"
Raptor in the Australia Museum. If I were in charge of posing an exhibit, I would make the raptor look as inept a hunter as possible, too.
Referencing clutz raptors is my secret Writing Side Quest. Did Garrillus the Unread lose money investing in a clutz raptor racing league? Why, yes he did.
Referencing clutz raptors is my secret Writing Side Quest. Did Garrillus the Unread lose money investing in a clutz raptor racing league? Why, yes he did.
April 5, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Raptor in the Australia Museum. If I were in charge of posing an exhibit, I would make the raptor look as inept a hunter as possible, too.
Referencing clutz raptors is my secret Writing Side Quest. Did Garrillus the Unread lose money investing in a clutz raptor racing league? Why, yes he did.
Referencing clutz raptors is my secret Writing Side Quest. Did Garrillus the Unread lose money investing in a clutz raptor racing league? Why, yes he did.
Reader art!
I love seeing how my characters look in other people’s minds. I try to leave room in my descriptions for readers to fill in the blanks. Nikos did an incredible job with Pascal and Layla.
He is writing and illustrating his own book, too, when he isn’t busy making my day. Cheers!
I love seeing how my characters look in other people’s minds. I try to leave room in my descriptions for readers to fill in the blanks. Nikos did an incredible job with Pascal and Layla.
He is writing and illustrating his own book, too, when he isn’t busy making my day. Cheers!
April 4, 2025 at 3:17 AM
Reader art!
I love seeing how my characters look in other people’s minds. I try to leave room in my descriptions for readers to fill in the blanks. Nikos did an incredible job with Pascal and Layla.
He is writing and illustrating his own book, too, when he isn’t busy making my day. Cheers!
I love seeing how my characters look in other people’s minds. I try to leave room in my descriptions for readers to fill in the blanks. Nikos did an incredible job with Pascal and Layla.
He is writing and illustrating his own book, too, when he isn’t busy making my day. Cheers!
Making audiobooks is hard work and expensive. I recorded my entire first book and haven't edited a second of it because the process burnt me out.
But holy smokes, I'm sick of AI. No thanks, ACX. Maybe someday as a cheap version AFTER I release a human one.
But holy smokes, I'm sick of AI. No thanks, ACX. Maybe someday as a cheap version AFTER I release a human one.
March 26, 2025 at 6:41 PM
Making audiobooks is hard work and expensive. I recorded my entire first book and haven't edited a second of it because the process burnt me out.
But holy smokes, I'm sick of AI. No thanks, ACX. Maybe someday as a cheap version AFTER I release a human one.
But holy smokes, I'm sick of AI. No thanks, ACX. Maybe someday as a cheap version AFTER I release a human one.
Terry didn't just astound me with his voice. He challenged me with his mind.
Granny Weatherwax and Mightily Oats arguing about faith.
Death, temporarily mortal, lamenting the passage of time.
Vimes' theory of socioeconomic unfairness.
Every story a life lesson.
Legend.
Granny Weatherwax and Mightily Oats arguing about faith.
Death, temporarily mortal, lamenting the passage of time.
Vimes' theory of socioeconomic unfairness.
Every story a life lesson.
Legend.
Ten years ago, Terry took a walk with Death.
We can only imagine what words Terry would have for the state of the world today, but to help us in that we can always head to our shelves and open a book, and for that we are so very fortunate.
Thank you, Terry.
We can only imagine what words Terry would have for the state of the world today, but to help us in that we can always head to our shelves and open a book, and for that we are so very fortunate.
Thank you, Terry.
March 12, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Terry didn't just astound me with his voice. He challenged me with his mind.
Granny Weatherwax and Mightily Oats arguing about faith.
Death, temporarily mortal, lamenting the passage of time.
Vimes' theory of socioeconomic unfairness.
Every story a life lesson.
Legend.
Granny Weatherwax and Mightily Oats arguing about faith.
Death, temporarily mortal, lamenting the passage of time.
Vimes' theory of socioeconomic unfairness.
Every story a life lesson.
Legend.
Stoked with how these posters came out! Poster Ninja did a fantastic job.
As an experiment, compared heavy card stock and a fascinating synthetic metallic paper. Ended up liking them both for different reasons (metallic paper has smoooooooth color gradient, card stock feels lovely in fingers).
As an experiment, compared heavy card stock and a fascinating synthetic metallic paper. Ended up liking them both for different reasons (metallic paper has smoooooooth color gradient, card stock feels lovely in fingers).
March 11, 2025 at 2:46 AM
Stoked with how these posters came out! Poster Ninja did a fantastic job.
As an experiment, compared heavy card stock and a fascinating synthetic metallic paper. Ended up liking them both for different reasons (metallic paper has smoooooooth color gradient, card stock feels lovely in fingers).
As an experiment, compared heavy card stock and a fascinating synthetic metallic paper. Ended up liking them both for different reasons (metallic paper has smoooooooth color gradient, card stock feels lovely in fingers).