Does a special edition of a book make you more likely to buy it? It's a yes/no for me. I really love a pretty book, but I don't want to buy doubles of a book or buy a book just because it's pretty. #booksky

Do you prefer long or short book reviews? Both are honestly great and I appreciate and respect people who write any length of review. #booksky

I'll be signing at the Woodinville Barnes & Noble on 5/9 at 2pm. This is my first signing at a B&N and it's the one I grew up going to. Copies of my book, The Shield, will be available for purchase. The Shield is a YA supernatural romance. #bookevent #booksky #authorsky

Do you read nonfiction books? I LOVE a well written nonfiction book. If you can make learning fun and engaging, you have me hooked. What are your favorite nonfiction books? #booksky #authorsky #bookishquestions

Vending at events as is time consuming and can be stressful, even uncomfortable. Here are some tips and tricks to make things easier. Part 2 of this mini series focuses on ways to make things more comfortable for you. You want to make sure you're hydrated, fed, & physically comfortable. #authorsky

Vending at events as an author is time consuming and can be stressful, even uncomfortable at times. Here are some tips and tricks to make things easier on you. Part one of this mini series focuses on ways to make things easier in terms of prep/packing. #authorsky #indieauthor

Are you a night owl or morning person? I'm especially curious if you're a creative such as a fellow author or artist. I wonder if there's a trend amongst bookish people one way or the other? #authorsky

Do you prefer happily ever afters? I originally had a different ending in mind for The Shield, but I'm so committed to having things end happily (and I cried so hard just trying to write it), that I scrapped the idea. Give me a happily ever after any day of the week. #booksky

I don't know why people adapt books and make the story WORSE. If the story is good and well loved, KEEP THE MAIN PARTS. Why adapt a book but change everything? It's maddening. #booksky

Do you prefer handwriting or typing things? I prefer typing because it's soooo much easier to edit things. When I wrote my first "book," it was by hand and I never finished typing it up because it was the worst experience. #authorsky #writersky

If you've visited my Author Advice page at all, I've added more craft books I liked AND started a list of marketing/branding/sales books that I found useful. #authorsky alexashays.com/authoradvice

I love the niche of being a spice-free author but there are aspects of it I didn't expect. Spice is ESSENTIAL for some people, and that never even crossed my mind. I support it. But please don't insult spice-free. I don't insult spicy because both are valid and based entirely on personal preference.

This quote from Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell has been in my head the last few days

I made my 1,000th call to my representatives today using the @5calls.org app! Making our voices heard is more important than ever. Tomorrow will be a day off work to celebrate by shopping/eating locally and taking care of myself. #callyourreps

What's something you thought would be cool as a kid that turned out not to be? I DID get to use Daffy Duck return address labels on my graduation announcements, so I got to live out part of this incredibly mundane fantasy. I still don't understand why so many adults lack whimsy. #questionoftheday

Thanks to my author bestie Eloise Bahr, some of my wrapped books will have a fancy seal of my initials at the Spring Break Book Fair in Puyallup tomorrow! #booksky #authorsky

TOMORROW: Be a part of history! Show the world that the majority of Americans oppose the most corrupt, inept, criminal, orange "president" in U.S. History. NO KINGS. Also: NO SERIAL LIARS/CONVICTED FELONS/ADJUDICATED RAPISTS & NO ILLEGAL WAR IN IRAN Be there. Make your voices heard! 🇺🇸 ✊ #NO_KINGS

Please do not tag authors in critical reviews, it's unkind. Authors pour countless hours, our hearts, and a LOT of money into our books. It's rude to force us to see your unsolicited critiques of our work. Authors have cried, had breakdowns, or quit writing over this sort of behavior. (1/2) #booksky

I LOVED the book How to Break Up With Your Phone by Catherine Price! It was helpful in showing me why I have such a hard time putting down my phone and habits that lead to it becoming such a time suck. I'm donating my copy to the book swap at the Spring Book Fair this Staurday in Puyallup. #booksky

What bookish stereotypes do you fit? I wish there were less coffee themed bookish things because I dislike coffee. More plant and tea things thanks! I don't like cat stuff despite having cats but it's acceptable with books. #booksky #bookish

What do you think about trigger warning lists in books? Why do people care about triggers listed in a book?! If you consider it spoilers, don't read it. It isn't hard to turn the page. I take serious issue with anyone complaining about something so simple that can really help someone else out.

The Shield is available through the Libby App at Sno-Isle Libraries! When you request a book through your library, especially an indie author's book, you make their entire day. Supporting indies AND supporting your library is vital for the arts and much better than supporting big corporations. #book

If you're a member of Sno-Isle Libraries you can now check out my book on the Libby App! I was on the fence about joining Kindle Unlimited, but now that my lifelong dream of BEING IN A LIBRARY has come true, I'm not going to be joining. #booksky

Book bans like HR 7661 are ALWAYS about control and NEVER about protection. The only people who benefit from limiting access to information are those trying to oppress others. Speak out against the ban. Call your reps. Share information. Bookish people should NEVER support limiting access to books.

I just called my reps using @5calls.org to Oppose the Nationwide Book Ban Bill HR 6771and you should too. Book bans are NEVER about protecting anyone and always about controlling people. No book burning/book ban has ever been done for good reasons. 5calls.org/issue/federa... #booksky

Sent an extra postcard to all my reps yesterday because I was angry. I'm a YA author and feel compelled to speak for the children. Yes my handwriting is terrible.

Having a pen name as an author is wonderful. It protects your real identity and makes a space between you and your books (which is good if you ever end up with any unhinged fans/haters). #authorsky #booksky #indieauthor

How do you decide which books to keep/donate? I have a LOT of books, so pruning and carefully growing my library is essential. I try not to go too book buying crazy, but I'm weak for my fellow indies authors' books. #booksky #bookishthings #bookish

The book Everyday Activism by Rachel Noble is a wonderful tool if you're looking to get more involved in #activism, but don't have a lot of time on your hands or can't/don't want to attend protests. This book is an easy five star read. #booksky

Should I put my book, The Shield, on Kindle Unlimited? I currently sell it everywhere books are sold, but it isn't selling outside of in person events. My author friends said their reads went up after joining KU, so now I'm seriously considering switching. It appears that's where the readers are.

What do you want to feel when you read a book? Sometimes I get so lost in the story, I forget about what I'm trying to make people feel when I write. #booksky #authorsky

Do you like hate to love storyline? I don't have a forgiving nature, so it could never be me. I can't understand them at all, even when suspending disbelief for a book. #booksky #bookishquestions #authorsky

Do you prefer 1st or 3rd person point of view? The POV in a book is a powerful narration tool and has to be used correctly. I like a fun 1st person POV where it feels like the character is talking directly to me and I love a 3rd person POV where I can see things a bit differently. #booksky #author

A few reminders of who I am: 🟡 A spice-free YA author 🟡 Pro LGBTQIA+ rights 🟡 Pro women's rights 🟡 Anti MAGA/racism/xenophobia/homophobia/transphobia 🟡 Anti AI

It can feel overwhelming trying to keep up with all the bookish drama, hot takes, and general discourse. You don't have to and you don't have to post about it either. Just do what works for you and live your best bookish life! #booksky #authorsky

I sold my Harry Potter trading cards and donated the money to The Trevor Project. Screw you Rowling.

I love that readers want to know when the next book is out, it's very flattering. I do NOT like people being aggressive about it. Not everyone can crank out multiple books a year. These are just some of the pressures that authors face. #authorsky #booksky #indieauthor

To celebrate my 900th call, here are some ways to contact your reps: 1. Use @5calls.org or @indivisible.org. I like 5Calls for calls and Indivisible for emails. Each finds your reps' phone numbers and gives you scripts. 2. Send weekly post cards. I got mine from @signsofjustice.bsky.social

If you live in the USA and want less junk mail, you can sign up for DMA Choice ($8 one time fee): www.dmachoice.org/register.php If you want fewer spam calls, you can register your phone on the Do Not Call Registry (free): www.donotcall.gov

Thank you ECRW for this opportunity! A big event like a Comic Con is commitment in terms of cost, time, and effort. I'm glad I was able to experience a day of vending at one so I could learn more. Here's what I learned: #authorsky #comiccon #indieauthor

THE FIRST DRAFT OF BOOK TWO OF THE SHIELD SERIES IS DONE! Next steps are the self edits, the blurb, and getting beta readers before it goes to my editor. I am SO HAPPY. This book was a struggle and, while it's shorter than book 1, I think it really shows my growth and the growth of my characters.

What is the silliest way a book has impacted your life? If you recall this detail from a book, let me know in the comments because it has been bugging me for DECADES. I think maybe it was a Judy Blume book, but I barely remember those. #booksky

Would it bother you if book 2 in a duology was shorter than book 1? I ask cuz The Shield Series is a duology and I'm at the end of book 2. Book 1 is ~65k words and book 2 is looking to be closed to 45k. I don't have a relationship to build this time and I don't want to write a bunch of filler.

I just called my reps to Protect Trans Rights and Gender-Affirming Care — you should too: 5calls.org/issue/trans-...

I'm lucky to be attending some amazing events this year!: 💛Emerald City Comic Con as a guest of Emerald City Romance Writers 💛The Puyallup Book Fair by Bundok Books 💛Book'd & Tatt'd 💛Speaker at the SCBWI Conference 💛Emerald City Romance Author & Reader Event 💛A Midsummer's Night Dream Book Fair

This sale ends in TWO DAYS! Shop now with the code HAPPYBDAYALEXA at authoralexashay.gumroad.com #booksky #booksale

What was the most life changing book you've ever read? Mine led me to a self discovery. #booksky #authorsky #bookishquestions #asexuality

I'm nearing the end of book two. 😱 It's going to be quite a bit shorter than book one due to the story itself (I'd hate to write a bunch of garbage just to add word count), which is hope everyone is okay with. #booksky #authorsky

Don't compare yourself to others, especially people who have more experience. Just take notes, learn and grow, practice, and do what works for you. #booksky #authorsky #contentcreator

Why I'm glad I deleted TikTok. I enjoy posting regularly and am going to try to find a new rhythm that works for me. #booksky #authorsky #tiktok #tiktokban #socialmedia