Nathaniel Wonderful

Architect of dystopian satire. Breaking down the absurdity of the system, one chapter at a time. Author of 'And on the Eighth Day God Cried'. Out October 2026

[Nathaniel Wonderful @eighthdaybook]

Something feels wrong about this ad, doesn't it? 🐺🚬
Same manipulation, just wearing fur instead of a face we recognize.
Does that make it easier to see, or easier to ignore? (from my upcoming novel, And on the Eighth Day God Cried)
#satire #dystopia #advertising

[Nathaniel Wonderful @eighthdaybook]

I often hear "recommend books you love to support authors." I agree, but I'm curious about the next step: how do you find the right audience for a book? Goodreads reviews are helpful, but what else actually makes a difference?
#literature #reading

[Nathaniel Wonderful @eighthdaybook]

@scribblerhut I'm deciding whether to finish Death's Master by Tanith Lee or try something in my native language to give myself a break from English.

[Nathaniel Wonderful @eighthdaybook]

@ParsifalBooks So many books and so little time. Which title would you recommend, and why?

[Nathaniel Wonderful @eighthdaybook]

@ValerieSirenko I believe this can be very helpful for authors who work through drafts and don't start with a clear concept. 🙂In my case, though, it would probably be destructive, because I build my books the way an architect builds a city.

[Nathaniel Wonderful @eighthdaybook]

@Aeternis_on_X I usually look for books based on genre and themes first. Then I read the blurb and a sample of the writing. The biggest deciding factor for me is the writing style; and whether the book doesn't start with an action scene.

[Nathaniel Wonderful @eighthdaybook]

@ewhitmoreuk What do you think authors should do differently to find that gap?

[Nathaniel Wonderful @eighthdaybook]

It's interesting that "literary fiction" is not perceived the same way in every country.
In my native language, we use the term "beletrie" (from the French belles-lettres), which broadly covers fiction in general, from literary novels to fantasy and crime.

[S. Jack @SteffenJack84]

Literary fiction isn't a big trad conspiracy lol, it's a genre.
"Literary fiction prioritizes thematic depth, psychological exploration, and artistic prose over plot-driven storytelling."
That's it. That's all it is.

[Nathaniel Wonderful @eighthdaybook]

@SteffenJack84 For works focused more on artistic expression, we might use terms like "literary prose," but these distinctions are rarely used outside discussions of classic literature.

[Nathaniel Wonderful @eighthdaybook]

@SteffenJack84 It's interesting that "literary fiction" is not perceived the same way in every country.
In my native language, we use the term "beletrie" (from the French belles-lettres), which broadly covers fiction in general, from literary novels to fantasy and crime.

[Nathaniel Wonderful @eighthdaybook]

@DoriJeanDill Honestly, I don't really do drafts in the usual sense. My wife, though, has ADHD and sometimes sends me whatever comes to mind in whatever form feels natural at the time.

[Nathaniel Wonderful @eighthdaybook]

Readers often talk about the emotional impact of stories and seeing characters in their minds. I find that fascinating.

I have aphantasia, so I don't see anything when I read. What captivates me are unfamiliar words, ideas, and new perspectives.

What's reading like for you?

[Nathaniel Wonderful @eighthdaybook]

@StoryLovinEllen The connection I feel with books comes through ideas rather than mental images. They satisfy my curiosity by introducing me to unfamiliar words, concepts, and perspectives.

[Nathaniel Wonderful @eighthdaybook]

@StoryLovinEllen For me, reading is about searching for answers, discovering new ideas, and finding inspiration. I have aphantasia, so I don't visualize scenes when I read; or when I write. I also rarely watch films because of hearing damage.

[Nathaniel Wonderful @eighthdaybook]

@ValerieSirenko Some details appear in passing, some come through dialogue, and some are left for the reader to piece together alongside the characters.

[Nathaniel Wonderful @eighthdaybook]

@ValerieSirenko For me, it depends on the genre and the subject matter. I prefer to explain things naturally through the story itself; whether it's the worldbuilding or the historical setting.

[Nathaniel Wonderful @eighthdaybook]

@SDDonovan On X especially, I often find it hard to join conversations. Many people seem to broadcast rather than invite discussion, so there aren't many opportunities to genuinely engage.

[Nathaniel Wonderful @eighthdaybook]

@SDDonovan Most of the time, social media feels like shouting into the void. Just like in real life, I often feel like a damaged product on the conveyor belt of a factory that values perfection and conformity.

[Nathaniel Wonderful @eighthdaybook]

@IamSriSudharsan It depends on whether the bookstore actually has the books you are looking for. I have always wondered whether bookstores can be places where readers make new friends, or if they are more like quiet sanctuaries where everyone enjoys books alone.

[Nathaniel Wonderful @eighthdaybook]

@boldlyblue I agree that the most interesting dystopias often come from intentions that seem reasonable at first. Which specific works do you think demonstrate this best?

[Nathaniel Wonderful @eighthdaybook]

@Aeternis_on_X Primarily to himself, and then to those who pay him. Even in an allegory with anthropomorphic characters, you don't bite the hand that feeds you.