T.C. Shadowbrook successfully set up her Goodreads Author account, Amazon Author account, and the Discord server.

Hey there, fellow book lovers!

If you're reading this, you've just witnessed history in the making. Okay, maybe that's a little dramatic, but this is genuinely exciting for me, this is my very first blog post on my Goodreads Author Page!

I've been wanting to connect with readers in a more personal, ongoing way for some time. Social media is great and all, but there's something special about Goodreads. This is where the real book people hang out. You know what I mean, the people who have "just one more chapter" syndrome, who have a TBR pile that's less of a pile and more of a small mountain, and who get genuinely excited about a well-executed plot twist.

So, welcome to my little corner of Goodreads. Pull up a chair, grab your beverage of choice (mine's matcha, always matcha), and let's chat.

I'll be honest with you. I've been building my author platform piece by piece, and for a while, I wasn't sure where blogging fit into the picture. My website is live, and I wanted a place to talk directly to readers without the noise of algorithm-driven social media.

Then it hit me: Goodreads is literally built for readers and authors to connect. Why wasn't I using this already?

So here we are. I'm committing to sharing updates, behind-the-scenes peeks, what I'm reading, and all the little things that make this writing journey so wild and wonderful. Consider this your backstage pass.

Okay, let's get to the really exciting stuff. I recently got some news that genuinely made me do a little happy dance in my living room.

I've been selected as a Featured Author by AutoCrit!

For those who might not know, AutoCrit is a fantastic editing software that a lot of authors (myself included) use to polish their manuscripts. Being featured by them is such an honor, and honestly, it feels like a wonderful validation of all the hard work I've been putting into my craft.

I've been using AutoCrit as part of my writing process, and it's been a game-changer for catching those sneaky overused words and tightening up my prose. If you're a writer and you haven't checked it out, I definitely recommend giving it a look.

But yeah, Featured Author! Still pinching myself a little bit.

Now let's talk about what's consuming most of my creative energy these days.

Right now, my full focus is outlining Perfect? - and I already have the first line.

Without giving too much away (because where's the fun in that?), I can tell you that this trilogy is going to be a dark, twisty ride. We're talking secrets, manipulation, and that creeping sense of dread that makes you want to sleep with the lights on. You know, the good stuff.

Right now, I'm in the planning and outlining phase for all three books. Yes, all three. At the same time.

I know some authors are "pantsers" who write by the seat of their pants and let the story take them wherever it wants to go. I admire that, I really do. But for a trilogy with interconnected threads, hidden clues, and payoffs that span multiple books? I need a plan.

So my current setup looks like this: a giant spreadsheet with columns for each book, rows for major plot beats (inciting incident, midpoint, dark moment, climax, all that good stuff), and color-coded notes everywhere. It's chaotic, but it's my chaos.

And yes, there's always a cup of matcha beside me while I work. Always.

The goal is to make sure the tension builds across all three books, that every twist earns its place, and that by the time you finish Book 3, you'll want to immediately go back and reread Book 1 to catch all the things you missed.

No pressure, right?

I won't sugarcoat it, planning a trilogy is intense.

Every decision I make in Book 1 has ripple effects. Plant a clue too obviously? Readers will figure it out way too early. Bury it too deep? It won't land when it's supposed to. And don't even get me started on keeping track of character arcs across three books while also juggling my Master's degree studies.

But here's the thing: I love it.

There's something deeply satisfying about seeing the puzzle pieces come together. When I figure out how a seemingly small moment in Book 1 is going to explode into something massive in Book 3? Chef's kiss.

Quick question for you: Do you prefer your thrillers slow burn and creepy, or fast and twisty? I'm genuinely curious, drop a comment and let me know!

Between writing sessions and grad school, I always try to keep a book going. Reading is fuel for writing, after all, and it is relaxing, yet tense.

Right now, I'm reading The Man No One Believed by Joshua Sharpe.

It's an investigative retell, and it's definitely pulling me in. There's something about the way Sharpe unravels the story that keeps those thriller gears turning in my brain. It's the kind of book that makes me want to take notes, not because I'm studying it, but because I keep thinking, "Oh, that's clever. How did he do that?"

If you're looking for your next read and you enjoy investigative narratives with layers to unpack, I'd recommend giving this one a shot.

I'll try to share what I'm reading in future posts, too. Consider it a little book club moment between us.

Speaking of thrillers, if you haven't checked out my book The Silent Victim yet, this is your sign.
It's a fast, twisty thriller packed with secrets, danger, and that one question you can't stop asking: who can you trust?

If you enjoy stories that keep you guessing, where every character might be hiding something, and where the tension doesn't let up until the very last page: this one's for you.

You can find it on my Goodreads page, and I'd love to hear what you think if you've already read it. Reviews and ratings genuinely mean the world to indie authors like me. They help other readers discover the book, and they make my entire day when I read them.

No pressure though. Just, you know, mild encouragement. 😉

This is just the beginning. I'm planning to post here regularly with updates on the trilogy, more behind-the-scenes content, reading recommendations, and maybe some random thoughts about the writing life.

If you want even more updates and a chance to hang out with me and other readers, I also have a Discord community where we chat about books, writing, and life in general. It's casual, it's fun, and I'd love to see you there.

Thanks for being here for this very first Goodreads blog post. It means more than you know.

Now, back to my spreadsheet. Book 1 isn't going to write itself.

Talk soon,

T.C. Shadowbrook