Jakob Lingaas 📚 Querying Writer
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jlingaas.bsky.social
Jakob Lingaas 📚 Querying Writer
@jlingaas.bsky.social
140 followers 97 following 160 posts
Aspiring fantasy author currently working on a Whalepunk heist novel inspired by some ungodly mix of Lies of Locke Lamora, Dishonored, and Six of Crows.
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Jakob Lingaas 📚 Querying Writer @jlingaas.bsky.social · 26d
SIX OF CROWS x DISHONORED x LIES OF LOCKE LAMORA

Magical whale oil, exploitative capitalists -- and one legendary thief who decides to rob the safest oil vault in the city.

But he can't do it alone.

🐳 Victorian whalepunk
🐳 Fantasy heist
🐳 Star-crossed lovers
🐳 Found family

#Bluepit 📖 #A #F #Q
Moodboard of a grimy, whalepunk fantasy heist novel called Wavewaker. Wavewaker Tropes & Themes: - Underdog MC - Socioeconomic disillusionment - Morally grey characters - Found family - Star-crossed lovers - Grounded magic system - Undercover heist Excerpt from Wavewaker, from the character Alean: Al remembered scampering to his first shift, lost in the sea of day-dresses and overcoats. He’d been nine, his parents bedridden with rattling coughs and burning fevers. Stage one of the Rot, common in their line of work. They had been whalers—still were, presumably—and time ashore without work was brutal. Time sick was even worse. They had cut the heating to keep food on the table. To protect him. They had thought Al hadn’t understood what was happening, but he had. The factory foreman had made him crawl under the roaring boiler to stick his hand between the cogs and clear up jamming. He’d had to exhale fully to fit under the tightest spots, bumping his head when he turned. It had only been for a month, but he’d had nightmares of being buried alive ever since. That was part of why he’d eventually gone to the public church schools, studying for the University’s Apprentice exam, learning reading, reasoning, rhetoric. He had been nothing back then. Just another idiot with a dream, barely seventeen and flush with pride. He had told his parents he wouldn’t go on that last whaling tour, had shown them his acceptance letter. The proudest day of his life. The most shameful day of theirs. “Don’t think you’re better than us,” mother had said. “We fed you, clothed you, and put a roof over your head, and you piss your life away on pride?” Al picked up his pace.
jlingaas.bsky.social
Cleaning out old notebooks and...

My "Write A Book In 30 Days"-plan when I was 15 is unintentionally absolutely hilarious.
A notebook with a teenager's handwriting: Day one Three reasons why I want to write a book. 1. To be able to show my perspective and opinions with the world 2. The longing to feel pride because of something I did. 3. To feel closure by finishing something in my life Day two
January 25, 2026 at 12:18 AM
jlingaas.bsky.social
I think emotional depth for characters. Alean's struggle with the guilt, shame, and self-loathing that comes with poverty mirrored by Priscilla's struggle with the intersection of privilege and disability is really strong.

That, and I've heard my dialogue is good 😊 I'm no Scott Lynch, but 🤣
alejandrapinal.bsky.social Alejandra Pinal @alejandrapinal.bsky.social · 25d
Artists, I think we're all too comfortable sharing our imposter syndrome.

I would love to see you step out of your comfort zone and confidently state what you think you're actually really good at.

No self deprecation, just what you think you're the strongest at

Is anyone brave eniough? 👀
January 14, 2026 at 3:22 PM
jlingaas.bsky.social
SIX OF CROWS x DISHONORED x LIES OF LOCKE LAMORA

Magical whale oil, exploitative capitalists -- and one legendary thief who decides to rob the safest oil vault in the city.

But he can't do it alone.

🐳 Victorian whalepunk
🐳 Fantasy heist
🐳 Star-crossed lovers
🐳 Found family

#Bluepit 📖 #A #F #Q
Moodboard of a grimy, whalepunk fantasy heist novel called Wavewaker. Wavewaker Tropes & Themes: - Underdog MC - Socioeconomic disillusionment - Morally grey characters - Found family - Star-crossed lovers - Grounded magic system - Undercover heist Excerpt from Wavewaker, from the character Alean: Al remembered scampering to his first shift, lost in the sea of day-dresses and overcoats. He’d been nine, his parents bedridden with rattling coughs and burning fevers. Stage one of the Rot, common in their line of work. They had been whalers—still were, presumably—and time ashore without work was brutal. Time sick was even worse. They had cut the heating to keep food on the table. To protect him. They had thought Al hadn’t understood what was happening, but he had. The factory foreman had made him crawl under the roaring boiler to stick his hand between the cogs and clear up jamming. He’d had to exhale fully to fit under the tightest spots, bumping his head when he turned. It had only been for a month, but he’d had nightmares of being buried alive ever since. That was part of why he’d eventually gone to the public church schools, studying for the University’s Apprentice exam, learning reading, reasoning, rhetoric. He had been nothing back then. Just another idiot with a dream, barely seventeen and flush with pride. He had told his parents he wouldn’t go on that last whaling tour, had shown them his acceptance letter. The proudest day of his life. The most shameful day of theirs. “Don’t think you’re better than us,” mother had said. “We fed you, clothed you, and put a roof over your head, and you piss your life away on pride?” Al picked up his pace.
January 13, 2026 at 11:55 AM
jlingaas.bsky.social
You cannot be fucking serious.
eurogamer.bsky.social Eurogamer @eurogamer.bsky.social · Jan 6
Sony has patented an AI gaming ghost that will play PlayStation games for you when you get stuck www.eurogamer.net/sony-has-pat...
Screenshot from Horizon Forbidden West showing Aloy firing an arrow at a large snake-like machine
January 7, 2026 at 12:50 PM
jlingaas.bsky.social
My (hopefully) debut novel is getting incredible feedback from beta readers 😊

Draft four edits will be tricky but super manageable. In a few months I'll be querying this Victorian Whalepunk fantasy heist novel, inspired by Six of Crows and Lies or Locke Lamora 🐳❤️
December 25, 2025 at 7:23 PM
jlingaas.bsky.social
What does it mean when your editor says she loves the book and beta readers are staying up late to read, then gushing? Is it an ill omen?
November 4, 2025 at 6:46 PM
jlingaas.bsky.social
Good editors are a blessing. It's magical to see someone read your story and with surgical precision elevate it to something far better.
September 11, 2025 at 12:54 PM
jlingaas.bsky.social
This email from my editor is in my "for a rainy day"-folder. Been feeling a bit disheartened about my chances of becoming traditionally published and writing full-time, but it's really special to have someone who knows the industry truly believe in you.

Going to keep editing my inciting incident.
Screenshot of editor's email to me: I strongly disagree that Al is the only really well-written character, especially as you've moved through rounds of revisions. I think there was a time when it was mostly the Al show, but you've moved past that. The good news is, this feeling is normal. You're tinkering with teeny, tiny details and you're focusing on those details rather than the book as a holistic whole. This work is necessary and important and will pay off in the end, but remember that the *whole book* is what really matters. You're doing the work of making sure emotional throughlines show up in each scene, that every character has a real motivation and arc, and that those motivations and arcs are demonstrated (at least a little) on the page. That's good and I'm impressed by the progress you've made. BUT. Just because you've made progress doesn't mean the previous version was bad. A professional athlete continues to train to improve their performance, but they were already a professional athlete. Same goes for musicians. They can keep practicing and refining, but you would never say that they were bad just because they were a violinist with the second best orchestra in the world. You're a good writer. You have a good story. You have the ability to make a career of this. Of course you will continue to improve your craft and refine the product as you go. But that does not mean the previous drafts were poorly done.
September 7, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Reposted by Jakob Lingaas 📚 Querying Writer
writersblockds.bsky.social
Fight For Your Write returns! We previously hosted #FFYW in June and we'll be hosting on again this September! Details in the poster below. This event is perfect for anyone hoping to fill the hole left behind by #campnano & #nanowrimo! #writingcommunity #amwriting #writesky

See you soon!
Fight For Your Write is a month-long customizable writing challenge which takes place during September. The goal? Whatever you'd like! 25K words of your novel, thirty pages of script, five short stories, or just to write everyday—however you prefer to track your progress! All you have to do is write! You can keep us updated on your progress using the #FFYW tag, follow @writersblockds for tips, questions, check-ins, and fun events, or join our Discord server at: discord.gg/writingcommunity.
August 23, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Reposted by Jakob Lingaas 📚 Querying Writer
writersblockds.bsky.social
Six days left until our August Competition ends--the theme is "Resistance."

The challenge is to write a short story in 1000 words or under. It's friendly--the winner gets bragging rights and chooses the next theme!

If you're up for it, come join us below!

#writingcommunity #amwriting #writesky
Join the Writer's Block Discord Server!
Writer's Block is an on-topic writing server that focuses on fiction, including fanfiction, short stories, novels, scripts, and screenplays. | 849 members
discord.gg
August 9, 2025 at 9:23 PM
jlingaas.bsky.social
Wavewaker's query letter is finally done. Stupidly difficult to pull off, but one step closer to querying.

Now... All the act 2 edits 😭😭😭
August 9, 2025 at 2:01 PM
jlingaas.bsky.social
You know, I've don't believe in manifesting, but I imagine there's a chance I'll become an author one day and think back on this slog not fondly, but proudly.

Besides, the world needs a Whalepunk fantasy heist novel with a star-crossed lovers romance. I think.

🐳

#amwriting #booksky
August 5, 2025 at 3:51 PM
jlingaas.bsky.social
I'm writing an amazing book. It'll take a long time to get it ready, but man... I've never felt like so many threads coming together.

It's hard. It's *brutally* hard. But the Victorian Whalepunk fantasy heist is coming together. This might end up being my debut.

#booksky #amwriting
July 27, 2025 at 11:21 PM
jlingaas.bsky.social
Main character's best friend is flirting with the evil sword lady villain.

Things are going well.

#amwriting #booksky
July 18, 2025 at 5:33 PM
jlingaas.bsky.social
Homesick ;__;

For all the fantasy writing about traveling, I would be a terrible protagonist because I just want to build a nest. Can't quite settle down and feel safe when traveling (hostels, etc).
June 30, 2025 at 5:17 PM
jlingaas.bsky.social
If I could learn to write while the sun is up I'd be unstoppable.

#amwriting #booksky
June 26, 2025 at 7:55 AM
jlingaas.bsky.social
Editing. Discovering weaknesses. Cannot fix them because the story, setting, characters are all getting cemented, and some weaknesses just can't be fixed.

Writing hard 😭 but this book is getting better!

Victorian Whalepunk fantasy heist remains a killer concept 🐳
June 25, 2025 at 2:07 PM
jlingaas.bsky.social
Writer's block hitting hard today (day job and bad sleep being the prime suspects. And laziness)

Probably still a few months until Wavewaker is fully edited and I can try querying.

Need to set a real schedule for the weekend 😤 a few chapters edited is the goal.

#amwriting
June 18, 2025 at 7:20 PM
jlingaas.bsky.social
Imagine a reader you've never met reading your book and entering a world you created.

Absolutely nuts.

Aaaahhh, I want to be a full-time fantasy writer one day 😊 I'll keep working hard, editor thinks I'm close to querying this Whalepunk heist.

#booksky
June 18, 2025 at 9:47 AM
jlingaas.bsky.social
Rereading Name of the Wind and I'm swept away in the magical prose again. The best fantasy book I've ever read, I think.

Hoping to one day write something this good 😊

#booksky
June 13, 2025 at 1:50 PM
jlingaas.bsky.social
This remains the funniest feedback editor has given me on Wavewaker (we were talking about romance plotlines).

AL has cartoon Robin Hood appeal.
Editor's feedback on Wavewaker: "I think you can rely on the appeal of the tortured bad boy trope. He has the same appeal as Robin Hood--and girls are attracted to him even when he's a literal cartoon fox."
June 4, 2025 at 1:49 PM
jlingaas.bsky.social
The next book I write will be one single POV. **One**.

Editing is never-ending 😭
May 29, 2025 at 9:11 AM
jlingaas.bsky.social
I'm at the stage of editing where I'm worrying about every structural decision.

Bleh. This'll be a good book eventually.
May 14, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Reposted by Jakob Lingaas 📚 Querying Writer
indesii.bsky.social
Hey #amwriting and #writingcommunity! Fight For Your Write–a month-long challenge in June on Writer’s Block! The goal is whatever you’d like–25k words, thirty pages, five short stories, or to write everyday. It is our community’s replacement for #nanowrimo and #campnano.

discord.gg/writersblock
Join the Writer's Block Discord Server!
Check out the Writer's Block community on Discord - hang out with 708 other members and enjoy free voice and text chat.
discord.gg
May 7, 2025 at 11:34 PM