To pursue my ultimate goal, to be "A Beloved Indie Author" ™, I am learning not only how to publish books, but how to build an Author Platform. I tell myself, this is a skillset I will only need to master this one time-ish, because the steps of finding potential readers is, in the words of Elle Woods, "simple and finite."

(Not sure if that is true. All I know is, like Chutney, my perm was a big mistake.)

To that end, I am combining my two author accounts, Lisa Loop (fiction, poetry, essays) and Thora Wolf (science ficiton-fantasy). I could try to masquerade as two different authors, but I've run into a huge snag. I'm learning that a nice, organic way to interact with readers is to post reviews here on Goodreads. I don't want to post the same thoughts under two different names-- that seems confusing and vaguely dishonest.

So, here I am, (aspiring) Beloved Indy Author™ Lisa Loop/Thora Wolf, standing in front of an electronic platform, begging it to help me reach my readers.

So, here's my "Ideal Reader" for the four books I have published so far. You will see how complicated this marketing job is, as the reader for each is slightly different. However, I genuinely want to connect. As time passes, I get more and more feedback that, despite my darkest moments of fretting, for the right person, these books are meaningful, relevant, and enjoyable. Like all works of art, they are not for everyone. But what if they're for you?

I must do my due diligence, and let you decide:

1. Empire of Stars and Opals. This epic tome contains tropes of exiled prince, rebellious fighter pilot, forbidden romance, alien overlords, chosen one, and all manner of quirky characters and top-gun, harem, and courtly intrigue situations. A reinvention of the Galactic Empire genre, this big book follows no formulas, but according to critics, draws the reader along. "I almost missed my subway stop twice because I was so immersed." -- Sarah H., reader and writer of Romance.

2. Vole in Paradise. A small, hardboiled thriller about a doctor in a dystopian timeline who must face her worst fear -- planetary life -- to find patient zero in a life-threatening potential pandemic. A satire of Burning Man bros, things get psychadelic as Vole dives into the unknown, finding the self she has tried so diliegently to forget. "I loved it." -- Susan D., teacher.

3. The Trip. A surreal campus thriller about prep school students in the 1980s who stumble on a missing girl the adults seem determined to ignore. With themes of licentiousness, loyalty, and authenticity, this small novel is for lovers of coming of age stories that pull no punches on grit or glitter. (contains sex, drugs, and fungi.) "A must read." -- Cara S., Amazon review

4. The Creative Loop. A workbook based on ten years as a trained, certified Creative Coach/Film School Lecturer, the Loop is a method of finding tyour best priactice. With case studies and exercises, The Loop dives deep, illustrating some of the internal voices that rise up to prevent us from doing tour best work. It's for anyone who wants to manage their creative life more consciously, and gain freer access to their gifts. "When Lisa Loop drops advice, you better know I'm sat." Loy W., playwright

I hope this clarifies what Lisa-Thora has to offer, and if it resonates with you.

Thanks. L-T