Tao Wong
@taowong.bsky.social
Scifi and fantasy author with works in the LitRPG, xianxia and cozy fantasy sub-genres as well as anything else that catches his eye. :) Located in Toronto, Canada. Learn more: https://linktr.ee/taowong
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Tao Wong
@taowong.bsky.social
· Dec 30
A quick reminder that Ace Books is republishing The First Step in 2026!
There are currently two preorder campaigns running, depending on where you’re located:
🇺🇸 US readers can preorder through Yu & Me Books
🇨🇦 Canadian readers can preorder through Bakka-Phoenix Books
Learn more via the link in my
There are currently two preorder campaigns running, depending on where you’re located:
🇺🇸 US readers can preorder through Yu & Me Books
🇨🇦 Canadian readers can preorder through Bakka-Phoenix Books
Learn more via the link in my
Realising I messed up by not letting fans know that there's an exclusive short story in all the A Thousand Li re-releases means we're scrambling to update images and otherwise focus on that, hoping to drive more pre-orders.
So, expect to see a bunch of new graphics soon.
So, expect to see a bunch of new graphics soon.
February 9, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Realising I messed up by not letting fans know that there's an exclusive short story in all the A Thousand Li re-releases means we're scrambling to update images and otherwise focus on that, hoping to drive more pre-orders.
So, expect to see a bunch of new graphics soon.
So, expect to see a bunch of new graphics soon.
Meet Tou He. A balding monk in bright orange robes, kicked out “for liking meat too much.” Naturally talented, supremely lazy, and surprisingly loyal, he becomes Wu Ying’s first true friend and proves strength isn’t always what you expect.
📖 The First Step releasing March 10th
Preorder in my b1o!
📖 The First Step releasing March 10th
Preorder in my b1o!
February 9, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Meet Tou He. A balding monk in bright orange robes, kicked out “for liking meat too much.” Naturally talented, supremely lazy, and surprisingly loyal, he becomes Wu Ying’s first true friend and proves strength isn’t always what you expect.
📖 The First Step releasing March 10th
Preorder in my b1o!
📖 The First Step releasing March 10th
Preorder in my b1o!
Hahahaha. I should have you write these for me.
February 7, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Hahahaha. I should have you write these for me.
In the end, the short story ends up not being so short. The first one is just under 9k words, adding nearly 10% to the size of the book itself. Let's just say that there's a lot of story to be told, with Fa Yuan, across all three books.
February 7, 2026 at 3:25 PM
In the end, the short story ends up not being so short. The first one is just under 9k words, adding nearly 10% to the size of the book itself. Let's just say that there's a lot of story to be told, with Fa Yuan, across all three books.
For the first short, I wanted to do something a little different too. So it ends up meshing with a different genre entirely - a murder mystery. I've written a few before, and it's a fun genre to play with.
February 7, 2026 at 3:25 PM
For the first short, I wanted to do something a little different too. So it ends up meshing with a different genre entirely - a murder mystery. I've written a few before, and it's a fun genre to play with.
After that, the question was what. I knew the general topic. Her investigations and actions against the dark sect that lead to some massive changes we see reaching across the entire series. Fa Yuan is a protagonist character too, though her actions rarely mesh with Wu Ying's journey.
February 7, 2026 at 3:25 PM
After that, the question was what. I knew the general topic. Her investigations and actions against the dark sect that lead to some massive changes we see reaching across the entire series. Fa Yuan is a protagonist character too, though her actions rarely mesh with Wu Ying's journey.
Luckily, there were two obvious choices - either Fa Yuan (Fairy Yang) or Tou He (the best friend). Both would give different perspectives, but as Fa Yuan was an Elder, writing about her gives us a different perspective of the Verdant Green Waters sect.
February 7, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Luckily, there were two obvious choices - either Fa Yuan (Fairy Yang) or Tou He (the best friend). Both would give different perspectives, but as Fa Yuan was an Elder, writing about her gives us a different perspective of the Verdant Green Waters sect.
Thinking about the exclusive short stories we wrote for Ace Books the First Step print editions, it was a balance finding not only who and what to write about, but in giving real value.
Writing the short story about a secondary character allowed me to flesh out the world more. The question was who?
Writing the short story about a secondary character allowed me to flesh out the world more. The question was who?
February 7, 2026 at 3:25 PM
Thinking about the exclusive short stories we wrote for Ace Books the First Step print editions, it was a balance finding not only who and what to write about, but in giving real value.
Writing the short story about a secondary character allowed me to flesh out the world more. The question was who?
Writing the short story about a secondary character allowed me to flesh out the world more. The question was who?
Direct link for those curious about grabbing the pre-order books in the US & Canada. For existing fans, there's nearly 10k new words in this book via a 'short story' featuring Fa Yuan. - www.mylifemytao.com/the-first-st...
February 6, 2026 at 5:18 PM
Direct link for those curious about grabbing the pre-order books in the US & Canada. For existing fans, there's nearly 10k new words in this book via a 'short story' featuring Fa Yuan. - www.mylifemytao.com/the-first-st...
Meet Wu Ying. An ordinary kid from a small village who steps onto the road of cultivation with stubborn determination and zero shortcuts. No destiny. No hidden lineage. Just hard work, mistakes, and growth.
📖 The First Step re-releases March 10 with Ace Books.
Preorder through my bio.
📖 The First Step re-releases March 10 with Ace Books.
Preorder through my bio.
February 6, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Meet Wu Ying. An ordinary kid from a small village who steps onto the road of cultivation with stubborn determination and zero shortcuts. No destiny. No hidden lineage. Just hard work, mistakes, and growth.
📖 The First Step re-releases March 10 with Ace Books.
Preorder through my bio.
📖 The First Step re-releases March 10 with Ace Books.
Preorder through my bio.
For all my friends in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, Leveled Up Love is part of a Kobo deal!
You can grab it for $0.99. Find the sale here: www.champlinks.com/sl/MTk5ODE=/
You can grab it for $0.99. Find the sale here: www.champlinks.com/sl/MTk5ODE=/
February 5, 2026 at 4:01 PM
For all my friends in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, Leveled Up Love is part of a Kobo deal!
You can grab it for $0.99. Find the sale here: www.champlinks.com/sl/MTk5ODE=/
You can grab it for $0.99. Find the sale here: www.champlinks.com/sl/MTk5ODE=/
Had a relatively relaxed day. Didn't do as much work as I should have, but that's okay I think.
Can't push all the time
Can't push all the time
February 5, 2026 at 4:56 AM
Had a relatively relaxed day. Didn't do as much work as I should have, but that's okay I think.
Can't push all the time
Can't push all the time
Awww! Hope you like it
February 5, 2026 at 4:53 AM
Awww! Hope you like it
Thank you so much for the kind words!
February 5, 2026 at 4:53 AM
Thank you so much for the kind words!
From now until February 8th, The Nameless Restaurant is on sale through Barnes and Noble! Grab the ebook while you can and get cozy in this cold weather.
Shop the sale here: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-namele...
Shop the sale here: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-namele...
February 4, 2026 at 4:02 PM
From now until February 8th, The Nameless Restaurant is on sale through Barnes and Noble! Grab the ebook while you can and get cozy in this cold weather.
Shop the sale here: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-namele...
Shop the sale here: www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-namele...
Just a reminder for my Canadian friends! A special preorder campaign for The First Step is available through Bakka Phoenix Books!
Preorder your copy to receive a signed bookplate and a free bookmark, and help support an amazing indie bookstore.
Find it in my bio.
Preorder your copy to receive a signed bookplate and a free bookmark, and help support an amazing indie bookstore.
Find it in my bio.
February 3, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Just a reminder for my Canadian friends! A special preorder campaign for The First Step is available through Bakka Phoenix Books!
Preorder your copy to receive a signed bookplate and a free bookmark, and help support an amazing indie bookstore.
Find it in my bio.
Preorder your copy to receive a signed bookplate and a free bookmark, and help support an amazing indie bookstore.
Find it in my bio.
Busy week, this week. Got a call to do for the Youtube channel, a training sssion, my writing group, the Indie Authors of Canada board meeting, and then a three day writing retreat starting on Friday with a dinner on the Saturday.
February 3, 2026 at 12:29 AM
Busy week, this week. Got a call to do for the Youtube channel, a training sssion, my writing group, the Indie Authors of Canada board meeting, and then a three day writing retreat starting on Friday with a dinner on the Saturday.
I’m so excited to announce The First Step launch tour with stops at Powell’s Books in Portland, Oregon and Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego, California! Come hang out, chat about books, and get your copy signed. Can’t wait to see you there!
Find more information in my bio
Find more information in my bio
February 2, 2026 at 4:00 PM
I’m so excited to announce The First Step launch tour with stops at Powell’s Books in Portland, Oregon and Mysterious Galaxy in San Diego, California! Come hang out, chat about books, and get your copy signed. Can’t wait to see you there!
Find more information in my bio
Find more information in my bio
No idea what 'hard' became Stevia
February 2, 2026 at 12:37 PM
No idea what 'hard' became Stevia
Difference between how stevia different martial arts are on this body.
Could only do half a class of judo before I had to sit out.
Went though a full sword class and had a couple of spars.
HEMA is so much easier.
Could only do half a class of judo before I had to sit out.
Went though a full sword class and had a couple of spars.
HEMA is so much easier.
February 2, 2026 at 4:03 AM
Difference between how stevia different martial arts are on this body.
Could only do half a class of judo before I had to sit out.
Went though a full sword class and had a couple of spars.
HEMA is so much easier.
Could only do half a class of judo before I had to sit out.
Went though a full sword class and had a couple of spars.
HEMA is so much easier.
I have a chronic injury in my hips. Some days are worse than others
February 1, 2026 at 1:41 PM
I have a chronic injury in my hips. Some days are worse than others
Annoyed. Between being in pain and getting distracted and running errands, didn't get much words done. So not going to hit my 3k today.
Bah!
Bah!
January 31, 2026 at 9:53 PM
Annoyed. Between being in pain and getting distracted and running errands, didn't get much words done. So not going to hit my 3k today.
Bah!
Bah!
Anyway, this and actual analysis coming in the Patreon post; but figured this might be of interest to others.
January 31, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Anyway, this and actual analysis coming in the Patreon post; but figured this might be of interest to others.
Pledge popularity is another interesting one, with higher value pledges driving total higher Kickstarter revenue. Then, on top of that, is the pledge speed level at the first 48 and last 48 hours of a Kickstarter, with the first and final 24 being the most important.
January 31, 2026 at 5:11 PM
Pledge popularity is another interesting one, with higher value pledges driving total higher Kickstarter revenue. Then, on top of that, is the pledge speed level at the first 48 and last 48 hours of a Kickstarter, with the first and final 24 being the most important.
This is the Kickstarter graphic of where our pledges came from. My own calculations is very different, only allocating about 28% to Kickstarter's efforts. Still a decent number, at 64 backers.
Best promo methods? Newsletters at 31% of our total backers (67) while socials were (<5% at 10).
Best promo methods? Newsletters at 31% of our total backers (67) while socials were (<5% at 10).
January 31, 2026 at 5:11 PM
This is the Kickstarter graphic of where our pledges came from. My own calculations is very different, only allocating about 28% to Kickstarter's efforts. Still a decent number, at 64 backers.
Best promo methods? Newsletters at 31% of our total backers (67) while socials were (<5% at 10).
Best promo methods? Newsletters at 31% of our total backers (67) while socials were (<5% at 10).