Zulu8Davis
@zulu8davis.bsky.social
#Amwriting author of Speculative Fiction
Pinned
Zulu8Davis
@zulu8davis.bsky.social
· Nov 12
First, forget inspiration.
Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you're inspired or not.
Habit will help you finish and polish your stories. Inspiration won't.
Habit is persistence in practice. ~ Octavia Butler 🌻
Habit is more dependable. Habit will sustain you whether you're inspired or not.
Habit will help you finish and polish your stories. Inspiration won't.
Habit is persistence in practice. ~ Octavia Butler 🌻
Good afternoon, Sky writing crew ☻
About to start my writing session.
Need to pick up the pace w/ my revisions as I’d like to begin querying in December.
With that in mind, my 2nd draft revisions are working out splendidly.
Feels like a different book 👨🏿🚀
#HorrorWriter 🦋 #BlackBookSky 🐺 #Writing
About to start my writing session.
Need to pick up the pace w/ my revisions as I’d like to begin querying in December.
With that in mind, my 2nd draft revisions are working out splendidly.
Feels like a different book 👨🏿🚀
#HorrorWriter 🦋 #BlackBookSky 🐺 #Writing
November 17, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Good afternoon, Sky writing crew ☻
About to start my writing session.
Need to pick up the pace w/ my revisions as I’d like to begin querying in December.
With that in mind, my 2nd draft revisions are working out splendidly.
Feels like a different book 👨🏿🚀
#HorrorWriter 🦋 #BlackBookSky 🐺 #Writing
About to start my writing session.
Need to pick up the pace w/ my revisions as I’d like to begin querying in December.
With that in mind, my 2nd draft revisions are working out splendidly.
Feels like a different book 👨🏿🚀
#HorrorWriter 🦋 #BlackBookSky 🐺 #Writing
Watching Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein, & I’m quite disapointed.
His aesthetic is dull, which is uncharactristic of his filmography.
Worse, it feels lazy.
The movie is passionless & trite, hitting plot points at predictable moments.
#Netflix
His aesthetic is dull, which is uncharactristic of his filmography.
Worse, it feels lazy.
The movie is passionless & trite, hitting plot points at predictable moments.
#Netflix
November 16, 2025 at 5:36 AM
Watching Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein, & I’m quite disapointed.
His aesthetic is dull, which is uncharactristic of his filmography.
Worse, it feels lazy.
The movie is passionless & trite, hitting plot points at predictable moments.
#Netflix
His aesthetic is dull, which is uncharactristic of his filmography.
Worse, it feels lazy.
The movie is passionless & trite, hitting plot points at predictable moments.
#Netflix
Reposted by Zulu8Davis
Conflict is the fuel to your story's plot engine. Without enough conflict, the story will slow to a stop. 🛑
But how can you tell if you have enough conflict in your story?
Here are three keys to writing effective conflict that keeps readers turning the pages:
But how can you tell if you have enough conflict in your story?
Here are three keys to writing effective conflict that keeps readers turning the pages:
November 13, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Conflict is the fuel to your story's plot engine. Without enough conflict, the story will slow to a stop. 🛑
But how can you tell if you have enough conflict in your story?
Here are three keys to writing effective conflict that keeps readers turning the pages:
But how can you tell if you have enough conflict in your story?
Here are three keys to writing effective conflict that keeps readers turning the pages:
Top of the morning, Sky writing crew ☻
Close to finishing CH21 of my werewolf manuscript.
The 2nd draft has allowed me to expand the roll of a character who empathizes with the protagonist's lycanthropy.
👉🏿 I anticipate finishing my line edits by tonight.
#HorrorWriter 🦋 #BlackBookSky 🐺 #Writing
Close to finishing CH21 of my werewolf manuscript.
The 2nd draft has allowed me to expand the roll of a character who empathizes with the protagonist's lycanthropy.
👉🏿 I anticipate finishing my line edits by tonight.
#HorrorWriter 🦋 #BlackBookSky 🐺 #Writing
November 11, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Top of the morning, Sky writing crew ☻
Close to finishing CH21 of my werewolf manuscript.
The 2nd draft has allowed me to expand the roll of a character who empathizes with the protagonist's lycanthropy.
👉🏿 I anticipate finishing my line edits by tonight.
#HorrorWriter 🦋 #BlackBookSky 🐺 #Writing
Close to finishing CH21 of my werewolf manuscript.
The 2nd draft has allowed me to expand the roll of a character who empathizes with the protagonist's lycanthropy.
👉🏿 I anticipate finishing my line edits by tonight.
#HorrorWriter 🦋 #BlackBookSky 🐺 #Writing
Reposted by Zulu8Davis
Lots of folks on Threads are talking about the staggering amount of scammer emails from people pretending to be book clubs, reviewers, and more.
Seems like the endgame is eventually getting you to pay a good chunk of money for promotions and readers that likely don’t exist.
Be careful out there.
Seems like the endgame is eventually getting you to pay a good chunk of money for promotions and readers that likely don’t exist.
Be careful out there.
November 11, 2025 at 3:29 PM
Lots of folks on Threads are talking about the staggering amount of scammer emails from people pretending to be book clubs, reviewers, and more.
Seems like the endgame is eventually getting you to pay a good chunk of money for promotions and readers that likely don’t exist.
Be careful out there.
Seems like the endgame is eventually getting you to pay a good chunk of money for promotions and readers that likely don’t exist.
Be careful out there.
Reposted by Zulu8Davis
Reposted by Zulu8Davis
For those who are interested in rediscovering the joys of reading, I wrote a step-by-step guide:
bibliollcollege.substack.com/p/how-to-rek...
bibliollcollege.substack.com/p/how-to-rek...
How to Rekindle Your Love of Reading
I read 186 books in six months. Here's how.
bibliollcollege.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:14 AM
For those who are interested in rediscovering the joys of reading, I wrote a step-by-step guide:
bibliollcollege.substack.com/p/how-to-rek...
bibliollcollege.substack.com/p/how-to-rek...
Reposted by Zulu8Davis
Too many people have resigned themselves to not reading because they fear they no longer have the focus for it. You only need to limit your screen time for a few days to begin feeling the effects on your brain. I promise you, you are capable of reading books again.
November 10, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Too many people have resigned themselves to not reading because they fear they no longer have the focus for it. You only need to limit your screen time for a few days to begin feeling the effects on your brain. I promise you, you are capable of reading books again.
Reposted by Zulu8Davis
November 8, 1963: Twilight Zone's "The Old Man in the Cave" airs. A town living in the aftermath of a nuclear war relies on an unseen "old man" to survive—until some outsiders question their loyalty.
Stars John Anderson & James Coburn. Serling adapted: thenightgallery.wordpress.com/2021/04/09/s...
Stars John Anderson & James Coburn. Serling adapted: thenightgallery.wordpress.com/2021/04/09/s...
November 8, 2025 at 10:16 PM
November 8, 1963: Twilight Zone's "The Old Man in the Cave" airs. A town living in the aftermath of a nuclear war relies on an unseen "old man" to survive—until some outsiders question their loyalty.
Stars John Anderson & James Coburn. Serling adapted: thenightgallery.wordpress.com/2021/04/09/s...
Stars John Anderson & James Coburn. Serling adapted: thenightgallery.wordpress.com/2021/04/09/s...
Reposted by Zulu8Davis
Whoever wants music instead of noise, joy instead of pleasure, soul instead of gold, creative work instead of business, passion instead of foolery, finds no home in this trivial world of ours.
Hermann Hesse
Hermann Hesse
November 8, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Whoever wants music instead of noise, joy instead of pleasure, soul instead of gold, creative work instead of business, passion instead of foolery, finds no home in this trivial world of ours.
Hermann Hesse
Hermann Hesse
Reposted by Zulu8Davis
Warning to the #WritingCommunity
There's a new and quite convincing SCAM going around. Watch out for an email offering to include your book in some fancy BOOK CLUB.
I've now seen these from the "Toronto Public Library" and the "Paris Anglophone Book Club."
Block and ignore! And please share 💙
There's a new and quite convincing SCAM going around. Watch out for an email offering to include your book in some fancy BOOK CLUB.
I've now seen these from the "Toronto Public Library" and the "Paris Anglophone Book Club."
Block and ignore! And please share 💙
a fraud alert sign with a red light on it
Alt: a fraud alert sign with a red light on it
media.tenor.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:00 AM
Warning to the #WritingCommunity
There's a new and quite convincing SCAM going around. Watch out for an email offering to include your book in some fancy BOOK CLUB.
I've now seen these from the "Toronto Public Library" and the "Paris Anglophone Book Club."
Block and ignore! And please share 💙
There's a new and quite convincing SCAM going around. Watch out for an email offering to include your book in some fancy BOOK CLUB.
I've now seen these from the "Toronto Public Library" and the "Paris Anglophone Book Club."
Block and ignore! And please share 💙
Reposted by Zulu8Davis
Reposted by Zulu8Davis
I LEARNED THE ANSWER TO THIS
Chris's Steakhouse was a New Orleans landmark
Chris Matulich periodically got bored, sold it, waited for the new owner to fail, and bought it back cheap
The sale conditions: Can't move it, can't change the name
He did this six times
Then he sold it to Ruth Fertel
Chris's Steakhouse was a New Orleans landmark
Chris Matulich periodically got bored, sold it, waited for the new owner to fail, and bought it back cheap
The sale conditions: Can't move it, can't change the name
He did this six times
Then he sold it to Ruth Fertel
what did ruth mean when she said her steakhouse was "chris"
November 7, 2025 at 5:33 PM
I LEARNED THE ANSWER TO THIS
Chris's Steakhouse was a New Orleans landmark
Chris Matulich periodically got bored, sold it, waited for the new owner to fail, and bought it back cheap
The sale conditions: Can't move it, can't change the name
He did this six times
Then he sold it to Ruth Fertel
Chris's Steakhouse was a New Orleans landmark
Chris Matulich periodically got bored, sold it, waited for the new owner to fail, and bought it back cheap
The sale conditions: Can't move it, can't change the name
He did this six times
Then he sold it to Ruth Fertel
Reposted by Zulu8Davis
New #WriterBeware blog post: the minute the humongous Anthropic copyright settlement was announced, it became inevitable that unrelated third parties would seek to benefit...in this case, by convincing authors to opt out writerbeware.blog/2025/11/07/p...
Predatory Opt-Outs: The Speculators Come for the Anthropic Copyright Settlement - Writer Beware
The enormous, $1.5 billion Anthropic copyright class action settlement is reputedly the biggest copyright infringement recovery in history. With such a high-profile case, it’s inevitable that eligible...
writerbeware.blog
November 7, 2025 at 6:43 PM
New #WriterBeware blog post: the minute the humongous Anthropic copyright settlement was announced, it became inevitable that unrelated third parties would seek to benefit...in this case, by convincing authors to opt out writerbeware.blog/2025/11/07/p...
Reposted by Zulu8Davis
So many now-published authors were in your exact shoes.
From author Amy Rossi: "I continued to receive rejection after rejection—at least 70—and by the time I signed with [my agent], it was January 2020—almost 3 and a half years into the journey."
From author Amy Rossi: "I continued to receive rejection after rejection—at least 70—and by the time I signed with [my agent], it was January 2020—almost 3 and a half years into the journey."
November 6, 2025 at 5:03 PM
So many now-published authors were in your exact shoes.
From author Amy Rossi: "I continued to receive rejection after rejection—at least 70—and by the time I signed with [my agent], it was January 2020—almost 3 and a half years into the journey."
From author Amy Rossi: "I continued to receive rejection after rejection—at least 70—and by the time I signed with [my agent], it was January 2020—almost 3 and a half years into the journey."
Reposted by Zulu8Davis
The introduction of the AEW National Championship, the too many belts complaint, legitimate criticisms of AEW's handling of their titles, and who could be the first Natty Champion.
Too Much Gold? on #GrapPro
#wrestlesky 🤼
grappro.com/profeatures/...
Too Much Gold? on #GrapPro
#wrestlesky 🤼
grappro.com/profeatures/...
Too Much Gold? - GrapPro
All Elite Wrestling has announced a new championship to be decided at Full Gear on November 22: the AEW National Championship.
grappro.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:04 PM
The introduction of the AEW National Championship, the too many belts complaint, legitimate criticisms of AEW's handling of their titles, and who could be the first Natty Champion.
Too Much Gold? on #GrapPro
#wrestlesky 🤼
grappro.com/profeatures/...
Too Much Gold? on #GrapPro
#wrestlesky 🤼
grappro.com/profeatures/...
Reposted by Zulu8Davis
✨️trad pub transparency update✨️
2nd royalty check for THE POISONS WE DRINK (for January 2025-June 2025): $2.2K
To go from a $12K royalty check to a $2K royalty check is an adjustment, I'll admit. It changes a few plans I had in mind for 2026 as an indie author.
1/6
2nd royalty check for THE POISONS WE DRINK (for January 2025-June 2025): $2.2K
To go from a $12K royalty check to a $2K royalty check is an adjustment, I'll admit. It changes a few plans I had in mind for 2026 as an indie author.
1/6
✨TRANSPARENCY TIME✨
Buckle up!
Finally got paid for my IP gig. So, officially, I no longer have trad pub work. So, I'll break down my trad pub career from 2020-2025 ($ before agent fees):
MONEY STUFF:
Wrote 3 books (PB, MG, YA)
The PB and MG were IP.
YA had a $15K advance.
MG had $15K.
1/10
Buckle up!
Finally got paid for my IP gig. So, officially, I no longer have trad pub work. So, I'll break down my trad pub career from 2020-2025 ($ before agent fees):
MONEY STUFF:
Wrote 3 books (PB, MG, YA)
The PB and MG were IP.
YA had a $15K advance.
MG had $15K.
1/10
November 4, 2025 at 9:38 PM
✨️trad pub transparency update✨️
2nd royalty check for THE POISONS WE DRINK (for January 2025-June 2025): $2.2K
To go from a $12K royalty check to a $2K royalty check is an adjustment, I'll admit. It changes a few plans I had in mind for 2026 as an indie author.
1/6
2nd royalty check for THE POISONS WE DRINK (for January 2025-June 2025): $2.2K
To go from a $12K royalty check to a $2K royalty check is an adjustment, I'll admit. It changes a few plans I had in mind for 2026 as an indie author.
1/6
Reposted by Zulu8Davis
Minor writing tip: Using alliteration and assonance will make your adjectives and adverbs hit a little harder. Making sounds that don't mix can make the detail feel lighter or ironic.
Smarmy smile hits harder than creepy smile.
Shorter words also hit faster.
#WritingCommunity #WritingTheory
Smarmy smile hits harder than creepy smile.
Shorter words also hit faster.
#WritingCommunity #WritingTheory
November 4, 2025 at 5:23 AM
Minor writing tip: Using alliteration and assonance will make your adjectives and adverbs hit a little harder. Making sounds that don't mix can make the detail feel lighter or ironic.
Smarmy smile hits harder than creepy smile.
Shorter words also hit faster.
#WritingCommunity #WritingTheory
Smarmy smile hits harder than creepy smile.
Shorter words also hit faster.
#WritingCommunity #WritingTheory
Reposted by Zulu8Davis
UPDATE: Success
Two very different wips are fully drafted and ready for revision.
AND a clean house! Win-win! 💙📚📝
Two very different wips are fully drafted and ready for revision.
AND a clean house! Win-win! 💙📚📝
Today’s writing plan:
Alternate between a little house cleaning and writing sprints all day. Hopefully get a lot done.
💙📚📝
Alternate between a little house cleaning and writing sprints all day. Hopefully get a lot done.
💙📚📝
November 4, 2025 at 1:03 AM
UPDATE: Success
Two very different wips are fully drafted and ready for revision.
AND a clean house! Win-win! 💙📚📝
Two very different wips are fully drafted and ready for revision.
AND a clean house! Win-win! 💙📚📝
Reposted by Zulu8Davis
Hey Bluesky peeps, could you help spread the word?
My Shirley Jackson Award-nominated gothic fiction book THE ATROCITIES is on sale today for $1.99 on Kindle.
www.amazon.com/Atrocities-J...
My Shirley Jackson Award-nominated gothic fiction book THE ATROCITIES is on sale today for $1.99 on Kindle.
www.amazon.com/Atrocities-J...
October 31, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Hey Bluesky peeps, could you help spread the word?
My Shirley Jackson Award-nominated gothic fiction book THE ATROCITIES is on sale today for $1.99 on Kindle.
www.amazon.com/Atrocities-J...
My Shirley Jackson Award-nominated gothic fiction book THE ATROCITIES is on sale today for $1.99 on Kindle.
www.amazon.com/Atrocities-J...
Reposted by Zulu8Davis
del Toro does it again!(makes a movie I should love but leave the theater going “why do I feel so empty?”)
boxd.it/bzIxzT
boxd.it/bzIxzT
November 2, 2025 at 2:20 PM
del Toro does it again!(makes a movie I should love but leave the theater going “why do I feel so empty?”)
boxd.it/bzIxzT
boxd.it/bzIxzT
Reposted by Zulu8Davis
As Barack Obama stumps for other Democrats, the party gets to see what it lost
As Barack Obama stumps for other Democrats, the party gets to see what it lost
The wit and wisdom of the superstar ex-US president make him the best candidate – too bad he can’t run
www.theguardian.com
November 2, 2025 at 12:45 AM
As Barack Obama stumps for other Democrats, the party gets to see what it lost
Top of the morning, Sky writing Crew ☻
Today’s goal is to finish CH20 before the clock strikes midnight.
👉🏿 For my 2nd draft, it’s been imperative for me to clean up transitions, & composition.
The main beats are fine, & the gore is a joy to re-read. 😎
#HorrorWriter 🦋 #BlackBookSky 🐺 #Writing
Today’s goal is to finish CH20 before the clock strikes midnight.
👉🏿 For my 2nd draft, it’s been imperative for me to clean up transitions, & composition.
The main beats are fine, & the gore is a joy to re-read. 😎
#HorrorWriter 🦋 #BlackBookSky 🐺 #Writing
October 30, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Top of the morning, Sky writing Crew ☻
Today’s goal is to finish CH20 before the clock strikes midnight.
👉🏿 For my 2nd draft, it’s been imperative for me to clean up transitions, & composition.
The main beats are fine, & the gore is a joy to re-read. 😎
#HorrorWriter 🦋 #BlackBookSky 🐺 #Writing
Today’s goal is to finish CH20 before the clock strikes midnight.
👉🏿 For my 2nd draft, it’s been imperative for me to clean up transitions, & composition.
The main beats are fine, & the gore is a joy to re-read. 😎
#HorrorWriter 🦋 #BlackBookSky 🐺 #Writing
Reposted by Zulu8Davis
To appreciate the alchemy of the Muppets in their prime it helps to get a sense of the unseen craft that went in to making every bit you’ve seen... The timing and synergy of a group of creative folk working toward common purpose and genuinely enjoying that process and each other...
October 28, 2025 at 3:51 AM
To appreciate the alchemy of the Muppets in their prime it helps to get a sense of the unseen craft that went in to making every bit you’ve seen... The timing and synergy of a group of creative folk working toward common purpose and genuinely enjoying that process and each other...
Reposted by Zulu8Davis
Just got my first email from a market to hold my story. I'm so proud of this little tale and would be over the moon if this market gave it a home. Fingers crossed. 💙📚📝
#WritingCommunity #WriteSky #SFFH
#WritingCommunity #WriteSky #SFFH
October 26, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Just got my first email from a market to hold my story. I'm so proud of this little tale and would be over the moon if this market gave it a home. Fingers crossed. 💙📚📝
#WritingCommunity #WriteSky #SFFH
#WritingCommunity #WriteSky #SFFH