Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️

@emmysteinwriter

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Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· Jun 1

First draft of my cover! I need to work on making the can less vector-looking and matching the lighting but I’m getting there! Feedback? #writingcommunity #selfpublishing

Book cover for SEEKING IN THE DARKNESS a novel by Emmy Stein
“Why says you can’t stalk your stalker?”

Pebble strewn floor in the background with a white and red tipped cane

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· May 29

This is one of my favorite parts too! #writingcommunity #selfpublishing

Casey’s acrylic fingernails were tapping wildly on her phone next to me on the sofa as she placed the pizza order. “Another spam call?”

“Yeah.” Abandoning the idea of watching Mister Roger’s for a bit, I replaced my earbuds in their charging box, setting it and my phone down on the side table.

“Why do you bother to answer those? I always decline them.”

“I never know if it’s going to be someone from work or not, so I always answer. Besides it’s always just silent on the other end anyway, so at least it’s not annoying.” Casey’s tapping paused.

“What do you mean it’s always silent?”

“You know, it’s a spam call, so it’s silent. Like a live call with no sound on the other end.”

“Sans, that’s not what a spam call is. You know that right? That sounds more like a prank call or like some creeper calling you.”

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· May 28

I don’t have “insect” exactly but I do have a bug reference! 😅 #writingcommunity

Three things I heard:
My friends laughing at a terrible joke Riley just told.
The scrape of silverware on plates echoing through the restaurant.
A new round of the metallic ping of the front door bell I had just come through. Oh gods. Did they follow me inside the restaurant?
The feeling of a beetle burrowing into the back of my skull resumed, as if the person who followed me on my walk from work was standing right behind me. I suppose I could have added that to the list of things I felt.

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· May 13

Where is everyone getting beta readers these days? I have a 73k-word thriller I'd love to get feedback on. #writingcommunity #selfpublishing

A reader's guide to SEEKING IN THE DARKNESS
Adult thriller by Emmy Stein

Themes
Survival and Resilience
Overcoming Abuse and Trauma
Independence vs Connection
Fear and Paranoia
Identity and Self-discovery
Empowerment and agency
Digital Age Vulnerability

Tropes
A Threatening Message
An Unseen Enemy
Playing the Long Game
Cat-and-Mouse Game
Paranoia
No Escape
An Abandoned Place

Comps
Conversational First-person tone of EVERYONE IN MY FAMILY HAS KILLED SOMEONE

Pervasive psychological suspense of NEVER LET YOU GO

Pitch: Blind programmer Sandy uses her digital skills to track down her stalker ex-gf in a tech-driven pursuit. She’ll have to decide how many laws she’s willing to break and how much danger she’s willing to face to be free from her ex’s reign of terror.

First Lines
It was the fourth time I’d felt someone watching me.

The metal doorbell was still ringing from my chaotic entrance as I half-fell into the booth at the back of the restaurant. My two coworkers and my best friend, Riley, had been waiting for me there in our usual spot, and were already sharing their corporate tales of woe.

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· May 13

Welp, this took several more attempts at a rewrite, but here are the new opening lines from SEEKING IN THE DARKNESS! #amwriting #writingcommunity #selfpublishing

It was the fourth time I’d felt someone watching me.
The metal doorbell was still ringing from my chaotic entrance as I half-fell into the booth at the back of the restaurant. My two coworkers and my best friend, Riley, had been waiting for me there in our usual spot, and were already sharing their corporate tales of woe.
My hammering pulse and ragged breaths nearly drowned out their greetings. I tried for a nonchalant, “Hey all,” and an approximation of a smile, hoping the combination masked the fact I’d just trekked across five city blocks in terror. It came out more like a two-syllable grunt than anything else. I’m sure the smile wasn’t much better.
It was hard to be cool, calm, and collected while hyperventilating.

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· May 11

I'm trying to balance the concept of adding the tension/hook and 'something normal in the MC's life' into my opening lines of Ch 1. It's not quite there yet, but I feel like I'm getting closer. Thoughts, critiques, suggestions? #amwriting #writingcommunity #selfpublishing

First lines:
The tinny doorbell was still announcing my chaotic entrance even as I threw myself into our typical restaurant booth where my two coworkers and my best friend had already gathered for our weekly sushi lunch.

Through my hammering pulse, I vaguely heard their warm greetings between their lingering chuckles, probably from a joke shared prior to my entrance. I tried to reciprocate with a “Hey all”, but with the lack of air moving through my terrified lungs it came out more as a two-syllable grunt than anything friendly. It was hard to be cool, calm, and collected when you were hyperventilating.

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· May 6

I was playing with cover designs last night and my tween son got really invested in it. He really wants me to use his design. Think anyone will buy a book with this as the cover of an adult psychology thriller? 😅 #writingcommunity #selfpublishing

Child’s drawing of a person walking with a can and someone walking behind them in a 2d drawing

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· May 4

Admittedly self-publishing without a big stamp of approval from someone important is a bit nerve wrecking. I have to remind myself of the positive praise I've gotten from agents I've queried so I don't back out of this. So, welcome to my cringe self-pump post. 💪 #writingcommunity #selfpublishing

We really enjoyed this and can see the potential in your writing. The premise is fantastic.
Your dedication and passion for storytelling are evident
This appears to be a strong project
Having reviewed your query and the first three chapters, I found the premise intriguing
I really adore your premise -- you have such a cool idea here and *great* vibes in terms of character and worldbuilding.
I found great qualities within your query and synopsis, and I love the premise and the portrayal of blindness,
The premise is fantastic.

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· Feb 10

Fingers crossed for at least some constructive feedback on this query!!! I won't get my hopes up for a full, but I won't be mad if it happens. #amquerying #writingcommunity

Rejections in querytracker surrounding my submission which is not yet rejected

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· Jan 9

I'm surprised at the interest level of my Goodreads account based on click rates in my Linktree. #askagents what other info are you looking for from your querying writers? #writingcommunity

Screenshot of Linktree analytics, showing 0 clicks on Bluesky, 4 clicks on Goodreads, 1 click on X/Twitter, and 2 clicks on Instragram

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· Dec 15

GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO x NEVER LET YOU GO Blind programmer Sandy uses her digital skills to hunt her stalker ex-gf in a tech-driven pursuit. She’ll have to decide how many laws she'll break and how much danger she’s willing to face to be free from her ex’s reign of terror. #HoliPit #A #Q #T

Mood board showing snapshots of a park bench overlooking the water, a woman using, a smart phone, a simple wardrobe, a fuzzy blanket with cookies and tea, a mysterious handwritten letter, a woman crossing a sidewalk with a white cane, a person following a woman walking down the street, SEEKING IN THE DARKNESS written in Braille, a city sidewalk, a refreshable braille display, a dark abandoned subway tunnel and subway car.

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· Dec 15

Agent’s Guide to SEEKING IN THE DARKNESS adult thriller by M.E. Brownstein Complete at 72,000 words.

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· Dec 4

I decided to review the feedback from my past queries for SITD. Anything that wasn't a form reply was actually quite helpful. I've already integrated the improvements suggested, so today I decided to focus on the positive feedback to keep me motivated as I #amquerying. #writingcommunity

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· Dec 4

This book was so impactful and it changed my work & personal life for the better. Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. Day 20! 🎉 #BookSky #Books #BookChallenge #Writingcommunity

Book cover for Thanks for the Feedback: The science and art of receiving feedback well by Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· Dec 3

I'm looking forward to the film adaptation with Ryan Gosling! Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. Day 19! Penultimate book! #BookSky #Books #BookChallenge #Writingcommunity

Book cover of Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, author of The Martian

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· Dec 3

#LateNightWrite I come from a long line of story tellers, so <6 yo seems the wisest answer here. But my first moment of pride in writing was high school English class reading my description of the stench of meat my family acquired from a local farm. The reactions were priceless. #writingcommunity

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· Dec 2

#WIPSnips for the word "lift". May you always be able to lift yourself up, while avoiding licking your own arm. 🧘‍♀️ #writesky #writingcommunity #writingprompts #authors

Screenshot from manuscript "SEEKING IN THE DARKNESS":
I lifted my head enough to stick my tongue out at her without licking my own arm and then put my head back down on my forearms. Trying to steady myself, I took a deep breath and immediately regretted the stench emanating from every pore of my body. I half-wondered if that’s what ‘fear sweat’ smells like and I made loose plans to shower later.

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· Dec 2

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. Day 18! #BookSky #Books #BookChallenge #Writingcommunity

Book cover for Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· Dec 1

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. Day 17! #BookSky #Books #BookChallenge #Writingcommunity

Book cover for The Ling Way to a Small Angry Planet

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· Nov 30

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. Day 16! #BookSky #Books #BookChallenge #Writingcommunity

Book cover for Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· Nov 30

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. Day 15! #BookSky #Books #BookChallenge #Writingcommunity

Book cover of Rebecca by Daphne Du Maurier

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· Nov 28

Used this book’s quirky voice as inspo for my 1st-person pov thriller. Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. Day 14! #BookSky #Books #BookChallenge #Writingcommunity

Book cover of Happy Place by Emily Henry

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· Nov 28

A few months ago a friend passed away unexpectedly. It was especially hard to take given how much he loved life every day. Since then, I always get a little choked up reading this passage in my MS. I had written it years before he passed, but it hits hard every time now. #writingcommunity

This is one of the hardest things you will face in your life. And it sucks. There is no way around it, no sugar coating it. The only way past it is through it. But you will be ok. The grief and the pain of loss doesn’t get easier, but we learn to carry it better over time. So, feel the full weight of the loss now. Let yourself grieve fully. Then when you feel you can, remember the amazing [blacked out gender] that [blacked out character name] was and how much she loved you. And know that she would not have wanted you to be sad forever. Then you can start to learn to carry that loss more easily as time goes on.” She squeezed my hands and got up and padded to the door of my room quietly.

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· Nov 28

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. Lucky Day 13! #BookSky #Books #BookChallenge #Writingcommunity

Book cover of The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· Nov 26

I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to back into an IKEA again after this one. Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. Day 12! #BookSky #Books #BookChallenge #Writingcommunity

Book cover of Horrorstör: a novel by Grady Hendrix

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· Nov 25

I actually have this one! Huzzah! #writingcommunity

“Sushi outing with the crew?” We had the same lunch on the same day every week, so it wasn’t much of a guess.

“Yeah, unless you have other plans.” I took a second to grab my bag, thinking over my work schedule. My personal life was basically non-existent, so no conflicts there.

“No, that sounds great. I think I’ve got a meeting right after lunch though. Do you think you could drive me back afterwards so I don’t miss it?”

“Sure thing. Do you want a ride over there now?”

I considered it, but being alone in the car together on the way back from lunch already promised to be more alone time than we’ve had since I moved out of our apartment about a year ago. Riley had been basically the roommate equivalent of Mother Teresa, plus she cooked and cleaned. She was the perfect roommate for me, until our big fight when I realized she wasn’t healthy for me–or for herself for that matter. While we were on decent terms now, I was still a bit unsure how to act around her, and I assumed the feeling was mutual.

“I think I’ll walk over if that’s good with you. Gotta get those steps in!” I waited for her to push back, to insist that I needed help getting there. I played with the zipper on my bag while I braced for the oncoming lecture.

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· Nov 25

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. Day 11! #BookSky #Books #BookChallenge #Writingcommunity

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· Nov 25

I’d comp this for my current MS if it wasn’t so old. Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. Day 10! (A little late) #BookSky #Books #BookChallenge #Writingcommunity

Book cover: the girl with the dragon tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· Nov 23

Choose 20 books that have stayed with you or influenced you. One book per day for 20 days, in no particular order. No explanations, no reviews, just covers. Day 9! #BookSky #Books #BookChallenge #Writingcommunity

Book cover of Sanctum: guards of the shadowlands by Sarah Fine

Emmy Stein is self-publishing a thriller! 🕵️‍♀️@emmysteinwriter· Nov 22

I won't discuss how close I am to Tolkien's age, but it's a good reminder when we feel like we should have done more in our lives already that for many their successes started later in life. Keep writing. #writingcommunity