Lynn M. Kristopher's Blog

October Thoughts, Reader Reactions, and a $0.99 Deal

Happy Halloween Everyone! 🎃

I know it’s not actually Halloween yet, but October always feels like a fall Halloween vibe!

So, my debut psychological thriller, Fixed Point, will be on sale for $0.99 from October 17 through Halloween. If you’ve been thinking about picking it up, this is the perfect time to dive in.

I also wanted to mention that I got a review of Fixed Point recently that ended with:

“And maybe a few shivers from memories of trying to complete your own PhD programs.”

I can’t tell you how much I love that line, because that is a huge subset of readers who I exactly wrote the book for. People who have lived through that dark, academic world. People who get the pressure, the politics, the quiet unraveling that happens under the weight of impossible expectations (and possibly misconduct!).

The second book that’s in editing right now? A lot of it is written for veterinarians. There are aspects that veterinarians will absolutely relate to, and they might even recognize themselves in those pages. And the third book that I’m just starting to write? That one’s for anyone who’s had a miserable, disempowering experience in a hospital.

Because I’m an indie author, I’ve gotten pushback from editors about this. I’ve gotten comments like “this is not realistic” or “maybe broaden the focus” or they simply don’t get it. But the truth is, these things are realistic for the ones who’ve lived them. For the ones who see themselves in the story. For the ones traditional publishing sometimes overlooks. And honestly? I think it makes the story better, regardless of what the professional editors say!

So if you’re a graduate student, or someone who holds a PhD and you’ve been in the trenches — and you love speculative thrillers — then Fixed Point might resonate with you!

Thank you, as always, for reading, reviewing, recommending, and supporting indie books. It means more than I can say.

— Lynn M. Kristopher

September Check-In: A Giveaway and What’s Next

September always feels like a reset. Cooler mornings, back-to-school energy, and for me, a shift from drafting to revising.

📘 First, a quick reminder: Fixed Point is part of a thriller e-book giveaway running through September 30. You can enter to win 25 thrillers (including mine) plus a new Kindle. It’s free to enter and a great way to discover new reads. Enter Here: https://www.bargainbooksy.com/thrille...

🌀 As for what’s next — The Conference Conundrum is out of my hands (for now) and in the middle of a manuscript assessment. It’s the stage where an editor gives feedback on what’s working, what isn’t, and what needs tightening. It’s one of the most useful (and humbling) parts of the process, and essential before the line edits start.

Thanks, as always, for reading and for supporting indie authors. Your reviews, shares, and word-of-mouth make a bigger difference than most people realize. I’m grateful every time Fixed Point finds its way onto someone’s shelf.

— Lynn M. Kristopher

Labor Day! And a Little Something New

Labor Day always makes me think about what we carry. You know... the visible work, and the kind no one sees.

The novella, The One Who Smiles, is out now and free on my website. It picks up right after Fixed Point and Rachel is working to look fine. Smile, blend in, move on.

But when a street preacher starts warning her about a murder that hasn’t happened yet, “fine” gets harder to fake.

So whether you're taking a well-earned break today or (like me) letting fictional people ruin your plans for rest — thank you, as always, for reading, reviewing, and supporting indie authors.

— Lynn M. Kristopher

Seven Weeks, Reader Reactions, and What’s Next

It’s been just over seven weeks since my debut psychological thriller, Fixed Point, came out.

Since then:

- Readers have actually said “mind-bending” and “kept me guessing” This is exactly what I was aiming for, but indie authors always think that what we write fails!

- Rachel and Olivia have sparked strong opinions about who was the real hero of the story.

- I’ve been following the details people catch, especially the ones I had hoped wouldn't slide by unnoticed.

Next up is a free novella in September. It follows Rachel, still off balance after Fixed Point, trying to act normal until a street preacher starts giving her cryptic warnings about a murder that hasn’t happened yet.

Thanks to everyone who’s read, rated, or reviewed. It really does matter.

— Lynn M. Kristopher

A Quick Thank You!

The giveaway for Fixed Point just wrapped up last week and it really surprised me just how many people entered. If you were one of them, Thank You!

I also want to say a big Thank You to everyone who’s already left a review or rating. As an indie author, it really makes a difference, not just in visibility, but in reminding me that the book is out there doing what stories are meant to do.

Writing Fixed Point was genuinely fun. Twisty timelines, stubborn characters, and the slow unraveling of fate. It was a puzzle I enjoyed putting together. Seeing readers pick up on the details has been one of the best parts!

If you’ve read the book and have thoughts, I’d love to hear them. And if you’re one of the new readers from the giveaway, Welcome! And Thank You for giving this story a spot on your shelf.

And one quick update before I go: a free novella is coming in September. It picks up with Rachel after Fixed Point — bruised, haunted, and doing her best to pretend none of it happened. But a new mystery pulls her into unfamiliar territory.

Thanks again for reading — and for supporting indie books.

— Lynn M. Kristopher

Five Things You Might Not Know About Fixed Point

I wanted to share a few behind-the-scenes truths about Fixed Point — some of the strange, surprising, and personal pieces that helped shape it.

1. Olivia was always the main character — but somewhere along the way, Rachel took over a few scenes and never gave them back. Now she’s sticking around for more.

2. The “fixed point” title came late. I had a different working title all through editing — Causal Determinism — but once Fixed Point clicked, it felt inevitable.

3. At least three scenes were inspired by real events. Slightly fictionalized, but yes… the academic politics, the weird tension, the awful professor stories? Let’s just say I didn’t make all of it up.

4. The prequel short story (Offset) was written after the novel. But it quickly became essential — and Rachel, who wasn’t meant to continue beyond Fixed Point, just kept growing into something more. Now she’s all over the upcoming novella and the next book, The Conference Conundrum (And no — unlike Causal Determinism, I don’t think I’ll be changing that title.)

5. I was told not to use the ending. An editor actually said it might hurt the book’s chances to sell. I didn’t agree, so I left it exactly the way I wanted.

Thanks for reading — and for supporting indie authors.

— Lynn M. Kristopher

Fate vs Free Will

Since today is July 4th, I’ve been thinking a lot about freedom – not just in the patriotic sense, but in the sense of free will.

Fixed Point is really a story about that tension between fate and choice. How much of our lives are decided for us before we even act? And what happens if we try to break free of what’s “supposed” to happen?

I’ve always been fascinated by that question, and writing this book let me explore it in the darkest, twistiest way I could imagine.

Thanks for reading, and for supporting indie authors. Wishing you a day with a little extra freedom of your own.

— Lynn M. Kristopher

The Inspiration Behind Fixed Point

My own difficult experience with toxic academia planted the first seed. Writing Fixed Point gave me a way to explore some very real frustrations through fiction. I’ve always been drawn to stories about changing your fate, so weaving it into the story let me play with the idea of changing your fate, or facing the consequences of trying.

Thanks for reading. If you’d like to keep up with my books, feel free to follow my profile. I appreciate your support!

— Lynn M. Kristopher