AmericanMutt Studios

Producer + Director + Writer= Creative Soul

[S.Z. Estavillo @szestavillo]

I’m 71% through my latest revision pass, on my #WIP and one thing this process has taught me is that you have to 100% love your story. You’re going to read it, reread it, revise it, and then read it again. If the story still excites you after all those passes, you’re on the right track.

#MondayMotivation: Fall in love with the process, not just the finish line.

#WritingCommunity

[S.Z. Estavillo @szestavillo]

My book The Serpent’s Bridge hit #1 in Amazon’s entire free store and #1 in all 3 categories during its May 22–26 promo.

But I completely missed my chance to screenshot the public bestseller pages when it was #1 because I didn’t even know where to look 😂 Apparently it works much better on desktop than phone.

A fellow crime thriller author later spotted my book in a crime readers/authors FB group and sent me the screenshot. But then by then it slipped to #3.

#ThursdayMotivation: If you’re running promos or ads, learn where to find the public rankings ahead of time. These moments move fast, and you’ll want screenshots to remember the milestones you worked so hard to reach.

#WritingCommunity

[S.Z. Estavillo @szestavillo]

Motherhood didn’t stop me from being creative. It made me fight harder for it while raising kids, building an author career & surviving the ups & downs of publishing.

#SundayMotivation: To all author mom still chasing her dreams, #HappyMothersDay!💝

#WritingCommunity

[S.Z. Estavillo @szestavillo]

Imposter syndrome as an author is brutal because you can hit milestones, publish books, grow an audience, & still feel like you’re behind or not good enough.

#WednesdayMotivation: Don’t let self-doubt erase how far you’ve already come.

#WritingCommunity

[S.Z. Estavillo @szestavillo]

The hardest part isn’t finishing the book, it’s everything that comes after, the marketing, the reviews, and the constant roadblocks.

#WednesdayMotivation: it’s easier to quit than to keep going, so don’t.

#WritingCommunity

[S.Z. Estavillo @szestavillo]

This publishing industry will frustrate you before it rewards you, whether you’re a writer just starting out or an author who’s been in the grind for years. The ones who keep going are the ones who make it.

#MondayMotivation Don’t stop now.

#WritingCommunity

[S.Z. Estavillo @szestavillo]

When you offer your book for free, remember you’re still asking for someone’s time. Ask if they want it and if they’d actually read it before handing it over.

#MondayMotivation: The right reader will always matter more than a forced yes.

#WritingCommunity

[S.Z. Estavillo @szestavillo]

People say to start with your friends and family to support your book. That’s not always who shows up.

#SundayMotivation: Quite often the readers and future fans who connect the most aren’t who you expect. Sometimes, they’re strangers.

#WritingCommunity

[S.Z. Estavillo @szestavillo]

Most readers don’t see what happens after they finish a book. The waiting & the wondering if it meant something to anyone at all.

For indie authors, that silence is the hardest part.

#SaturdayMotivation: If a story stayed with you, leave a quick review. A few words can make all the difference.

#WritingCommunity

[S.Z. Estavillo @szestavillo]

Not every chapter feels powerful while you’re writing it.

Some only reveal what they were building toward at the end.

#FridayMotivation: trust the process before you see the payoff.

#WritingCommunity

[S.Z. Estavillo @szestavillo]

Every draft has a point where your brain goes quiet and your body just feels…done. That’s not failure. That’s the work catching up to you.

#TuesdayMotivation: rest when you need to. don’t rush the ending. it’ll land when it’s ready.

#WritingCommunity

[S.Z. Estavillo @szestavillo]

Every book I release feels like letting go of something I carried for months.

#MondayMotivation: write it. finish it. let it go.

#WritingCommunity

[S.Z. Estavillo @szestavillo]

Roses from my front yard.

A reminder to pause. To step outside the work for a moment & practice mindfulness.

We spend so much time chasing word count, deadlines, progress. Not enough time just being present.

Slowing down is part of the writing journey too.

#WritingCommunity

[S.Z. Estavillo @szestavillo]

The Serpent’s Bridge is $0.99 now through March 25. The thriller follows a serial killer targeting vulnerable immigrants—and the detectives determined to stop them. If you haven’t started the series yet, now’s the perfect time to begin.

Thanks for supporting a small press author.

#WritingCommunity #BookLover #ThrillerBooks

https://t.co/0px3ctlFLR

[S.Z. Estavillo @szestavillo]

The Serpent’s Order is officially out now.

In honor of International Women’s Day, I’ll be signing copies at Bookish in Fresno from 12–4 PM.

If you can’t make it, you can still support by grabbing a copy if you’re into assassin crime thrillers with strong female leads.

As a BIPOC author, representing international women in this genre matters to me. I hope we continue to see more diverse voices rise.

https://t.co/Ohx9cjpyFV

#InternationalWomensDay #WritingCommunity #booktwt #thrillerbooks

[S.Z. Estavillo @szestavillo]

Today my 4 book in The Serpent Series is officially out: The Serpent’s Order.

I’m really excited about this one—it might be my favorite yet & the book I’m most proud of.

If you’re into assassin thrillers, high stakes, & strong female characters, this one might be for you. I’d love the support.

https://t.co/U132DR3b3B

#WritingCommunity #ReadingCommunity #KindleBooks

[S.Z. Estavillo @szestavillo]

#TikTok needs to get it together. The platform is off to a rough start in this new year.

Posted a video on my personal account and another one on my company's account. Both videos are stuck at zero views. One video I boosted recently is showing 4k views & 400+ link clicks, but is only showing 175 views.

Found several articles indicating that this is a widespread glitch linked to the new management/50% sale of TikTok to the U.S. So frustrating. Hope they fix this glitch quickly or they will lose many content creators.

#TikTokDown

[S.Z. Estavillo @szestavillo]

You can win a free copy of The Serpent’s Order on Goodreads!

We’re giving away 100 copies, and entries are open until Feb 10. Thank you for the continued support. If you love thrillers, the first 3 books are on Amazon.

#WritingCommunity #ReadingCommunity

https://t.co/QTydOEAq7W

[S.Z. Estavillo @szestavillo]

The Serpent's Bridge is $.99 January 8 - 14th.

📚 Strong Female Lead
�� Detective Thriller
📚 Police Procedural
📚 BIPOC Characters
📚 Social Justice
📚 A Touch of Romance

Start the series today!

https://t.co/BNW97bjIcb

#WritingCommunity #ReadingCommunity #booktwt

[S.Z. Estavillo @szestavillo]

Calling all thriller book lovers!

Excited to share that The Serpent’s Order is now 25% off in paperback when you order through Tertulia.

If you love vigilante justice, morally gray characters, strong women & assassin crime thrillers, this one’s for you.

Thank you for supporting a small-press author.

#WritingCommunity #ReadingCommunity #BookLovers #booktwt

https://t.co/W5EZ9UOcX3