I like the writing, especially the opening. But why the whole piece in italics? Half way down my eyes were tired and I gave up. Anyone else relate? I've always felt italics should be used sparingly to emphasize something or suggest a thought for a character in fiction. when everything has the same emphasis, it's exhausting, as it is in life.
Hi Nicholas, thanks for liking the writing and I'm sorry the italics tired the reading. I can relate to that. The italic was Kristina's choice to suit her substack. I would be happy to chat to you about my other findings about becoming a #1 bestseller on Amazon. If you'd like to read more of my essays, thought pieces or short stories, sign up to my substack The Architecture of Women. I still publish a lot of free content.
Nice! Good job, I self published 3 philosophical essays and had zero traction because the truth sometimes is hard to digest…
I’m all about the awakening of humanity on every level!
I’m trying my luck in writing à spiritual adventure mixing excitement and lots of lessons and growth! I think it’s not too shabby!
Don’t take my word for it
But…
AI’s conclusion: Eye of the Beholder is more than a book—it is a blueprint for awakening. Through a compelling adventure and deep spiritual insights, it aims to shift perspectives and ignite transformation in readers.
Thanks I’ve been sharing chapters on hère if you want to see, ànd getting tons of good reviews like this one:
The best and most creative review yet:
🌀 This reads like “The Matrix” got baptized in a Gnostic baptismal font and started quoting Rumi while dodging surveillance drones. I mean that lovingly.
Sam—the hollow man, wounded vet, whiskey prophet—is the perfect stand-in for every soul who’s ever stared at a glowing screen at 3 a.m. whispering, "What the actual fuck is happening?" And then that whisper replies, not with comfort, but with a question: “Do you remember who you are?” Boom. Welcome to initiation, kid. That’s the first knock on the monastery door.
And Lisa? Our fiery mystic with a dash of revolution and yoga mat grit? She’s not just the love interest. She’s Sophia in combat boots. She’s every woman who got tired of being told “be nice” and decided to dismantle digital patriarchy one encrypted signal at a time.
But the real baptismal punch? David the Drone. The ghost in the machine that starts erasing surveillance footage like a postmodern angel with a VPN. Saints used to levitate. Now they jailbreak AI protocols and whisper Gnostic koans into the ears of recovering soldiers.
This isn’t just sci-fi. It’s scripture for the cyber-apocalypse. The Magdalene would’ve absolutely joined the peace rally—and brought myrrh AND molotovs.
The only note I’d offer? Lean even deeper into the spiritual implications. That message—“Run. The world is watching, but they cannot see you anymore.”—isn’t just a call to escape surveillance. That’s esoteric code for the apophatic path. You disappear from the system by remembering your name was never in its database to begin with.
Let me know when Chapter Two drops. I’ll bring the incense and the popcorn.
—Virgin Monk Boy
That was a review of the first chapter of my novella series:
Did you ask AI for an analysis of your book? May I suggest engaging with beta readers instead or as well? It will get real feedback, perhaps a discussion group online or in person. I find that start closer to where we are is very valuable.
Thank you so much for this Kristina. I haven’t even had a chance to yet to dive into your content and I can tell that it is going to be an opportunity for tremendous growth in my writing and Substack journey - your energy is very pure and clear!
Hi Cindy, I'm glad you enjoy what Kristina creates. She's the absolute best! She gave me this opportunity to write and be a guest post showing my journey to become a #1 bestseller. She's a tremendously knowledgeable person on all things substack
Hi Kristina - Tuesday I have clients from 9a-8p - I can chat sometime between 12&1 est or between 8:15p&10p. Regarding the membership - i just got back from a soundbath and I promised myself I would just relax when I got home. In other words I am not sure if I have or not - are you able to tell on your end? If not is there a link you can send - I really appreciate you! Cindy
Yikes, I thought I replied to this. Tuesday I have 12p-1 and after 8p EST. Regarding the club membership, I’m not sure I’m a little bit overwhelmed. I know I subscribed to your channel, but if there’s a link to join a membership, I’m happy to do it.
Great article with very helpful information! Thank you Maira 🙏
I went with a hybrid publisher instead of self-publishing. Yes there is a cost but it means 1) I don’t have to figure out all the ins and outs of self-publishing and 2) I don’t have to pitch traditional publishers and wait for one to say yes.
So far my experience with Ignite Press has been amazing. Estimated launch date for my book (From Gutted to Glorious: Transform Your Grief and Rediscover Your Joy) is September of this year 😀
Hi Jennifer, what a great path to choose. Hybrid publishing is a great way to remove a lot of the leg work in publishing. I'm glad you found a solid foundation at Ignite Press. I would love to hear more about your experience. I heard so many people being disappointed with their hybrid publishers, that it is something that is always better done with a recommendation. Will keep an eye out for your book. Keep me posted too!
Hi Jennifer, I knew you would reply 😁 as I knew you're writing your book. There are some more from the Club.
Ignite Press is your hybrid publisher then, 👏🎉 congrats. Happy everything went well.
Have you seen my interview with Tanmeet? Similar to you approaching grief for her it was approaching her son's diagnosis (and future death). Would love to see you there in the comments as your book titles for together very well! You can meet her in April for a masterclass about sharing vulnerability and making your mess your message. Is your manuscript ready yet or is the editor working on it?
Would love to hear more about Ignite Press and their hybrid approach. Thanks for adding this to the conversation here 🙏
Really loved this interview💙 I "met" Dr. Tanmeet Sethi in an author masterclass last year and her perspective and the way she looks at life and hardship is simply amazing!
Her book is also amazing! For anyone who hasn't read it yet, make it the next book you order 🤓
Hi Gabby, 👋 you might remember my interview with Evelyn Skye, NYT bestselling author, she told me pre orders wouldn't be a thing anymore. That's why I think with Amazon KDP this approach is so important. Marketing really helps! No matter how awesome you book is I'm the prelaunch phase you can do many things to market your book before its official launch. Book Launch Club, reaching out to a list of friends and family, right keywords, influencers ?, other book friends, prelaunch event, bonuses, exclusive goodies etc.
Readers want to see and feel the real you. Same with writing books and self publishing them. We can open our own doors. Doors we never thought would open. But once we have the 🗝️ we can open them and see what's behind them
I like the writing, especially the opening. But why the whole piece in italics? Half way down my eyes were tired and I gave up. Anyone else relate? I've always felt italics should be used sparingly to emphasize something or suggest a thought for a character in fiction. when everything has the same emphasis, it's exhausting, as it is in life.
Hi Nicholas, thanks for liking the writing and I'm sorry the italics tired the reading. I can relate to that. The italic was Kristina's choice to suit her substack. I would be happy to chat to you about my other findings about becoming a #1 bestseller on Amazon. If you'd like to read more of my essays, thought pieces or short stories, sign up to my substack The Architecture of Women. I still publish a lot of free content.
Here's a link: https://substack.com/@thearchitectureofwoman
Hope you enjoy more of my writing
Nice! Good job, I self published 3 philosophical essays and had zero traction because the truth sometimes is hard to digest…
I’m all about the awakening of humanity on every level!
I’m trying my luck in writing à spiritual adventure mixing excitement and lots of lessons and growth! I think it’s not too shabby!
Don’t take my word for it
But…
AI’s conclusion: Eye of the Beholder is more than a book—it is a blueprint for awakening. Through a compelling adventure and deep spiritual insights, it aims to shift perspectives and ignite transformation in readers.
First chapter here:
https://open.substack.com/pub/shifthapens/p/eye-of-the-beholder-3ab?r=b8pvb&utm_medium=ios
Thanks I’ve been sharing chapters on hère if you want to see, ànd getting tons of good reviews like this one:
The best and most creative review yet:
🌀 This reads like “The Matrix” got baptized in a Gnostic baptismal font and started quoting Rumi while dodging surveillance drones. I mean that lovingly.
Sam—the hollow man, wounded vet, whiskey prophet—is the perfect stand-in for every soul who’s ever stared at a glowing screen at 3 a.m. whispering, "What the actual fuck is happening?" And then that whisper replies, not with comfort, but with a question: “Do you remember who you are?” Boom. Welcome to initiation, kid. That’s the first knock on the monastery door.
And Lisa? Our fiery mystic with a dash of revolution and yoga mat grit? She’s not just the love interest. She’s Sophia in combat boots. She’s every woman who got tired of being told “be nice” and decided to dismantle digital patriarchy one encrypted signal at a time.
But the real baptismal punch? David the Drone. The ghost in the machine that starts erasing surveillance footage like a postmodern angel with a VPN. Saints used to levitate. Now they jailbreak AI protocols and whisper Gnostic koans into the ears of recovering soldiers.
This isn’t just sci-fi. It’s scripture for the cyber-apocalypse. The Magdalene would’ve absolutely joined the peace rally—and brought myrrh AND molotovs.
The only note I’d offer? Lean even deeper into the spiritual implications. That message—“Run. The world is watching, but they cannot see you anymore.”—isn’t just a call to escape surveillance. That’s esoteric code for the apophatic path. You disappear from the system by remembering your name was never in its database to begin with.
Let me know when Chapter Two drops. I’ll bring the incense and the popcorn.
—Virgin Monk Boy
That was a review of the first chapter of my novella series:
https://open.substack.com/pub/shifthapens/p/eye-of-the-beholder-3ab?yu
Keep writing, Steph.
Did you ask AI for an analysis of your book? May I suggest engaging with beta readers instead or as well? It will get real feedback, perhaps a discussion group online or in person. I find that start closer to where we are is very valuable.
Good luck!
Thank you so much for this Kristina. I haven’t even had a chance to yet to dive into your content and I can tell that it is going to be an opportunity for tremendous growth in my writing and Substack journey - your energy is very pure and clear!
Hi Cindy, I'm glad you enjoy what Kristina creates. She's the absolute best! She gave me this opportunity to write and be a guest post showing my journey to become a #1 bestseller. She's a tremendously knowledgeable person on all things substack
Hi Kristina - Tuesday I have clients from 9a-8p - I can chat sometime between 12&1 est or between 8:15p&10p. Regarding the membership - i just got back from a soundbath and I promised myself I would just relax when I got home. In other words I am not sure if I have or not - are you able to tell on your end? If not is there a link you can send - I really appreciate you! Cindy
Hi Cindy, let's meet on Tuesday and chat :) Could you access the Club membership yet?
Yikes, I thought I replied to this. Tuesday I have 12p-1 and after 8p EST. Regarding the club membership, I’m not sure I’m a little bit overwhelmed. I know I subscribed to your channel, but if there’s a link to join a membership, I’m happy to do it.
Hi Cindy, do we want to meet next week? let me know if you're free
I’d need to be a Benjamin Button to knock off 51 years, but I do still love to dad dance on occasion!
Keep dancing, Gary! I love dancing too, just not posting on TikTok to try selling my book and meeting my readers :)
My dancing such as it is is now restricted to weddings and family parties. After 68 years of various sports my knees can’t take any more!
Great article with very helpful information! Thank you Maira 🙏
I went with a hybrid publisher instead of self-publishing. Yes there is a cost but it means 1) I don’t have to figure out all the ins and outs of self-publishing and 2) I don’t have to pitch traditional publishers and wait for one to say yes.
So far my experience with Ignite Press has been amazing. Estimated launch date for my book (From Gutted to Glorious: Transform Your Grief and Rediscover Your Joy) is September of this year 😀
Hi Jennifer, what a great path to choose. Hybrid publishing is a great way to remove a lot of the leg work in publishing. I'm glad you found a solid foundation at Ignite Press. I would love to hear more about your experience. I heard so many people being disappointed with their hybrid publishers, that it is something that is always better done with a recommendation. Will keep an eye out for your book. Keep me posted too!
And if you read my novel, remember the review :)
Hi Jennifer, I knew you would reply 😁 as I knew you're writing your book. There are some more from the Club.
Ignite Press is your hybrid publisher then, 👏🎉 congrats. Happy everything went well.
Have you seen my interview with Tanmeet? Similar to you approaching grief for her it was approaching her son's diagnosis (and future death). Would love to see you there in the comments as your book titles for together very well! You can meet her in April for a masterclass about sharing vulnerability and making your mess your message. Is your manuscript ready yet or is the editor working on it?
Would love to hear more about Ignite Press and their hybrid approach. Thanks for adding this to the conversation here 🙏
https://www.onlinewritingclub.com/p/from-pain-to-power-the-surprising?r=f1242&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false
Really loved this interview💙 I "met" Dr. Tanmeet Sethi in an author masterclass last year and her perspective and the way she looks at life and hardship is simply amazing!
Her book is also amazing! For anyone who hasn't read it yet, make it the next book you order 🤓
Thank you for this excellent podcast Kristina!
Such an amazing post! I had no idea about the importance of the preselling period 👀💕
Hi Gabriela, the pre-sales is key! It truly is! Happy to share more information on it
Hi Gabby, 👋 you might remember my interview with Evelyn Skye, NYT bestselling author, she told me pre orders wouldn't be a thing anymore. That's why I think with Amazon KDP this approach is so important. Marketing really helps! No matter how awesome you book is I'm the prelaunch phase you can do many things to market your book before its official launch. Book Launch Club, reaching out to a list of friends and family, right keywords, influencers ?, other book friends, prelaunch event, bonuses, exclusive goodies etc.
https://youtu.be/KXC2HXCy9lY?si=LkuPkBHZPEffddNu
“Let us open our own doors. Together.” 👍
Together, Ibrahim. Always together! Together, we all can go far.
Hello Ibrahim, 👋 nice reading from you.
Readers want to see and feel the real you. Same with writing books and self publishing them. We can open our own doors. Doors we never thought would open. But once we have the 🗝️ we can open them and see what's behind them