Shay H-K Zayit

• Ko-fi
• Wattpad

• Inkitt
• Instagram
• Author Discord
• My Stories in Hebrew

Do you plan on publishing your stories?
— Yes, I'm currently working on that, but no worries, my stories will remain on Wattpad for free.Do you write for a living?
— No, I have a full-time job as a programmer.Do you make money as an author?
— Yes, but not as much as most people think. Definitely not enough to leave my full-time job, for now.How do you handle writer’s block?
— I usually take a break and do something different to clear my mind. Sometimes I read other books, or go for a walk. I also find it helpful to brainstorm with my wife.Do you have any advice for new writers on Wattpad?
— Write something unique, Wattpad is so saturated with the same stuff, it has become overwhelming. And sure, my most popular book is a TxS with humor which is currently one of the most popular genres, but back in 2015 Wattpad was all about sad, depressed, and abused teenagers with alcohol addictions. And I remember being so annoyed that I could not find a single, lighthearted, funny story with a hot, mean teacher, that I decided to write one.
Be consistent with your updates, and engage with your readers. Don't be afraid of constructive criticism, and most importantly, don't focus on the numbers. I know you might think it's easy for me to say this, but my stories have been up for nearly 10 years. It actually took me a couple of years for WSSME to reach 1 million reads, so be patient and keep going.How do you deal with negative feedback or criticism?
— I try to see negative feedback as an opportunity to grow. Not all criticism is constructive, but when it is, I take it to heart and use it to improve my writing. I also remind myself that not every story will resonate with every reader, and that's okay.Are your stories based on real-life experiences?
— Mostly no, a few things might be inspired by real life occurrences and experiences, but I blend these with a lot of fictional aspects as well. I believe that grounding certain aspects in reality can add authenticity to my stories, but ultimately, my characters and plots are strictly fictional.Can I suggest a story idea/theme request?
— While I love hearing from my readers and appreciate suggestions, I already have a vast list of stories I want to write, and growing because this head never stops coming up with new ways lesbians can lesbian. Also, I usually already have in mind how I want a story to go when I start it, and I'm not easily swayed. But I do take some things into consideration.How often do you update your stories?
— I try to update as frequently as I can (weekly, bi-weekly). Life can get busy, but I aim to stick to my schedule as closely as possible. So thank you for your patience and understanding.Why involve religion into your writing?
— My Judaism is a core part of who I am. I'm not incorporating religion into my writing, I'm incorporating myself and what I know. When an author writes about their characters hosting a Christmas party, you don't assume they are involving Christianity into their writing. Similarly, my inclusion of Jewish themes, customs, and perspectives is a natural extension of my identity and cultural background.
For me, storytelling is not only a way to celebrate my sexuality but also preserve my cultural heritage. Ultimately, my goal is to contribute to a more inclusive literary landscape where readers can see themselves reflected in stories that embrace the complexities of not only their identity but their faith.Don't you think it's greedy to put some of your short stories for sale instead of offering them for free like all your other books? Some people can't afford to pay for them. (Yes, this is a real question I get)
— While I understand that some people might not have the financial means to purchase my short stories, or are too young to do so, I don't really see it as me being "greedy". Writing for me involves a significant investment of time, effort, and resources, some of which I've had to take off my own pocket for the last near 10 years I've been writing for free.
The majority of my work remains free because I genuinely love sharing my stories with everyone. However, selling some of my short stories helps support my ability to continue writing and producing content while not taking away core parts of the main stories — these shorts are an extra to the story and never crucial to understanding the main plot.
If you enjoy my free content, that’s great, and I’m glad it brings you joy. Ultimately, if you can't or don't want to buy them, you still have access to a vast amount of my work without spending a dime. The choice to purchase is entirely up to you.