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After her first year of college, rather than taking the summer off and decompressing from the school year, Chloe Gong decided to write a book. That novel, These Violent Delights, would go on to become a New York Times bestseller.

These Violent Delights debuted on Nov. 17, 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic and Gong's senior year at the University of Pennsylvania. Despite not being able to tour the country to promote her book, her novel still debuted on the New York Times bestseller list in the weeks after its release because Gong took a different route: TikTok.

Gong created her TikTok leading up to the release of her book, promoting preorders and seeking early readers. While the approach then may have seemed untraditional, she was, in reality, ahead of the curve in modern book marketing. Her TikTok account now has 221.7K followers, and she has published seven books, with two more coming in the second half of 2026.

SEE ALSO: The 10 best e-readers to buy: Comparing Kindles, Kobos, iPads, and more

What Gong tapped into was BookTok, a corner of TikTok where readers could connect and enthusiastically share their latest reads. As of 2026, the #BookTok hashtag on the app has surpassed 78.7 million posts. The platform's influence is hard to overstate. In 2021, the World Economic Forum reported that readers purchased a record-breaking 821 million books, a surge widely attributed to BookTok. Its impact has reshaped bookselling, with both physical and online stores routinely featuring dedicated BookTok sections. The publishing industry has had to adapt, and for authors, that shift increasingly means active participation in online communities.

Today, authors are expected to take on an additional role: creator. Authors, who used to be known by name alone and maybe an author photo on the back cover, have taken a front-facing role. Author Victoria Aveyard (Red Queen) has amassed 501.5K followers on TikTok, and Jodi Picoult (My Sister's Keeper) has 478.5K followers.

On BookTok, alongside readers posting monthly reading wrap-ups, you'll find bestselling and indie authors alike, pitching their books in less than 60 seconds. Authors are using the platform to engage with fans, and also just have fun, participating in trends and embracing lifestyle content.

Gong, whom I spoke with at BookCon 2026 in New York City, said, "Social media feels as though it has become an essential tool for authors who want to level the playing field, especially if they don’t have the backing of a lead title." In publishing, books generally fall into three categories: lead titles, midlist, and quiet books. As the name suggests, lead titles — often written by established or highly anticipated authors — receive the bulk of a publisher's time, resources, and marketing budget. Midlist and quiet titles, by contrast, receive progressively less support, placing more of the burden of promotion on the authors themselves.

Even with hundreds of thousands of followers, however, viral success does not guarantee book sales. Gong cautions that relying on social media remains a gamble. "It has worked for many people, but at the end of the day, it is still like gambling," she said. "There's no denying how powerful [social media] is, but when I'm giving advice to new authors, I always want to tell them, 'Look, you can roll the dice, but you can't beat yourself up for not winning.' The odds are just stacked against you. The algorithm is very specific about what types of books that it likes."

Emma Noyes is one author who took that gamble. In a Substack post titled "Once, I had a book deal for half a million dollars. Now, I'm back to self-publishing," she recounts her path to a traditional publishing deal. After years of trying to break in, Noyes joined TikTok in 2021 as BookTok gained momentum. By 2022, she had built a following of more than 150K, which helped her secure her dream agent. In July 2022, she signed a multi-book deal with Berkley Publishing, followed by another with Wednesday Books in May 2023. Combined, those advances totaled more than half a million dollars, she wrote.

But after the book deal, Noyes slowly learned a crucial lesson: "Followers do not equal book sales."

"People came to my page for the roommate who built my bookshelf, my Swedish boyfriend (now husband), my Vampire Diaries parodies and videos about the cast, and my older brother Henry, who the internet decided was hot (gross). All of those things were fun to film, but they had nothing to do with my writing," Noyes writes, "Which meant that, when I posted about my books, no one cared. And no one purchased." Now, she's taking a different route: self-publishing her next novel, Prince of the Sun.

SEE ALSO: I tested every Kindle to find the absolute best Amazon e-reader, and you can't beat the Paperwhite

For other authors, writing is built into their platform from the start. Katie Wu, who joined TikTok under the username @katiewuwrites, created her account the day after finishing her first novel. "I believed in myself, so I started my account in case it could help my author journey," Wu says when we spoke at BookCon.

Wu's debut novel, Madder Lake, is set to be published by Harper Voyager in 2027. As for whether her TikTok following helped her land the deal, she says it's possible. During the BookCon panel "Readers vs. Writers' Spaces," Wu shared that a "whole slew of factors" go into a publisher's decision to acquire a book — and she's unsure how much her platform ultimately mattered.

But with authors taking the gamble on content creation, there's another issue to contend with: navigating the boundaries between reader and writer spaces online. While Gong was early to TikTok, BookTok was originally, and still is, driven by readers sharing and reviewing books. While there are plenty of loyal fans of authors and book series, when a negative review rolls in, authors are now face-to-face with their critics.

"Just don't tag writers in negative reviews, right? That's just common courtesy," Wu said on her BookCon panel. Author Brooke Fast, who joined Wu on the same panel, also had insights. Like Wu, Fast was first a creator, primarily on Bookstagram (the equivalent of BookTok, but on Instagram), before HarperCollins published her debut novel, To Cage a Wild Bird.

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A post shared by Brooke Fast (@librarybrookes)

"If I'm tagged in positive content, I'll typically interact with it when I'm able, but I would never interact with negative content," said Fast. "I know sometimes it gets confusing. I've heard authors say that if someone comments negatively on my post, that's my space and I'm now entitled to fight back. But I just think nothing good comes from fighting."

“If I'm tagged in positive content, I'll usually interact with it when I can, but I never engage with negative content," Fast said. "I know that can be confusing. I've heard authors say that if someone comments negatively on my post, that's my space and I’m entitled to fight back. But I don’t think anything good comes from fighting."

With authors increasingly present on BookTok, the challenge isn't just proximity to audiences; content creation can become a full-time job, often at the expense of writing. Wu says social media can be useful in the early stages, helping her narrow down and refine ideas. By staying attuned to what readers are discussing, she can "use that lens to help [her] pick and refine ideas." But once drafting begins, she makes a point to tune it out.

Gong echoed that approach. "My job is writing. My job isn't being an influencer. I’ll post if I have something to share with my readers — behind-the-scenes insights or news about a new book — but I always remind myself that my goal is connection, not growth. Otherwise, my books get sidelined."

So while the author-as-content-creator line begins to blur in the era of self-promotion, especially when publishing resources aren't stacked in an author's favor, it remains true that it's a tool for connection and promotion, but it's not a second career.

TL;DR: Learn piano on your own time with a lifetime subscription to this AI-powered Skoove Premium Piano Lessons, $99.97 (reg. $299.99) through May 10.

Opens in a new window Credit: Skoove Skoove Premium Piano Lessons: Lifetime Subscription $99.97
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Think of Skoove as your AI piano tutor that listens as you play. It can recognize your notes and give you real-time feedback, no matter your skill level. Hop in as a beginner or start at a more advanced level — there are over 400 lessons and thousands of instructional videos to pick from.

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Looking for something great to watch at home? Streaming subscribers are spoiled for choice between Hulu, Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, Apple TV, Prime Video, Shudder, Paramount+, Peacock, and more. And that's before you even look at the vast libraries of movies and television programs within each streamer!

Don't be overwhelmed or waste an hour scrolling through your services to determine what to watch. We've got your back, whatever your mood. Mashable offers watch guides for all of the above, broken down by genre: comedy, thriller, horror, documentary, and animation, among others. But if you're seeking something brand new (or just new to streaming), we've got you covered there, too.

13. Worst Ex Ever, Season 2

If you ripped through Should I Marry a Murderer? and want more true crime stories about romances that turned toxic (and even deadly), then Blumhouse's second season of Worst Ex Ever is for you.

Four new episodes told from the perspective of the exes who survived them reveal stories of betrayal, robbery, assault, and murder. Some you may have heard about, like the 90 Day Fiancé star accused of decades of domestic violence. Or the "worst ex" that kicks off Season 2: Wade Wilson, aka "the Deadpool Killer." But even if you've heard of these bad boyfriends before, this series unearths shocking details that are sure to leave you rattled. — Kristy Puchko, Entertainment Editor

How to watch: Worst Ex Ever Season 2 is now streaming on Netflix.

12. Whistle

So you're a group of students who find a creepy skull-shaped pipe and decide the best course of action is to blow into it. You're the characters from Whistle, directed by Corin Hardy (The Nun) and written by Owen Egerton (Mercy Black). But folks, this ain't just any cursed object, it's an Aztec death whistle, which, if blown into, will summon your future demise. Sounds like Final Destination meets Ouija. Fun! Terrifying! Orchestral! This Fantastic Fest debut promises to freak you out and possibly deter you from ever picking up a wind instrument again.* — Shannon Connellan, Senior Editor

Starring: Sophie Nélisse, Nick Frost, Michelle Fairley, Dafne Keen, Sky Yang, Jhaleil Swaby, Ali Skovbye, and Percy Hynes White

How to watch: Whistle debuts on Shudder May 8.

11. Remarkably Bright Creatures

Shelby Van Pelt's bestselling novel Remarkably Bright Creatures comes to Netflix this May, bringing with it the sweet story of an unlikely friendship. On one side of the friendship? Tova Sullivan (Sally Field), a widow who works as a cleaner at a local aquarium. On the other side? Marcellus (voiced by Alfred Molina), a giant Pacific octopus whose tank Tova cleans. The pair's unlikely bond brings joy to Tova's life, as does her burgeoning connection with her younger coworker, Cameron (Lewis Pullman). Expect this one to tug at your heartstrings.* — B.E.

Starring: Sally Field, Lewis Pullman, Colm Meaney, Joan Chen, Kathy Baker, Beth Grant, Sofia Black-D’Elia, and Alfred Molina

How to watch: Remarkably Bright Creatures debuts on Netflix May 8.

10. Touch Me

Here's a comedy for those who've become addicted to a beau who's bad for you. This horror comedy from writer/director Addison Heimann begins with best friends Craig (Jordan Gavaris) and Joey (Olivia Taylor Dudley), who know that her ex is bad news. But even though he's cringe, he's irritably alluring. No, like, he's an extraterrestrial narcissist whose touch is like heroin.

Weird and wild, Touch Me is the kind of comedy that's perfect for a movie night in with friends. Well, as long as your friends are weirdos too. — K.P.

Starring: Olivia Taylor Dudley, Lou Taylor Pucci, Jordan Gavaris, Marlene Forte, Paget Brewster, Ashley Lauren Nedd, JJ Phillips, Yumarie Morales, and Eli Lucas

How to watch: Touch Me is now available for rent or purchase on Prime Video and Apple TV.

9. The Terror: Devil in Silver

AMC's supernatural horror anthology season returns with Season 3 in the form of The Terror: Devil in Silver.

Adapted from Victor LaValle's novel, The Devil in Silver this season stars Dan Stevens as Pepper, who once dreamed of rock star glory as a drummer for a heavy metal band called Rhino. But in middle age, he's a blue-collar nobody with violent outbursts, whose life is thrown into spin when he's wrongfully committed to an asylum called the New Hyde Psychiatric Hospital. There, he'll confront his own flaws, and an evil he can't explain. — K.P.

Starring: Dan Stevens, Judith Light, CCH Pounder, and Stephen Root

How to watch: The Terror: Devil in Silver is now streaming on AMC+ and Shudder.

8. Greenland 2: Migration

If you're in the mood for cold hard apocalyptic tension, hit the sequel to 2020 disaster movie Greenland. Gerard Butler returns as engineer and family man John Garrity, who must keep his loved ones safe as they travel from their once-secure bunker to what's rumored to be a promised land. With director Ric Roman Waugh returning, Greenland 2: Migration sees our planet a tempestuous wreck after the crashed comet of the first film. Earthquakes abound, radiation lingers, and tsunamis threaten the few bastions of safety.

"Brace yourself, because Greenland 2: Migration will have you gasping and crying before those credits roll," writes Mashable entertainment editor Kristy Puchko in her review. Make sure you watch Butler playing "Slash or Pass" with Mashable, as the man has experienced more real-life disasters than we expected. — Shannon Connellan, Senior Editor

Starring: Gerard Butler, Morena Baccarin, Roman Griffin Davis, Amber Rose Revah, and Gordon Alexander

How to watch: Greenland 2: Migration is now streaming on HBO Max.

7. The Bear, "Gary" Jon Bernthal and Ebon Moss-Bachrach in "The Bear." Credit: FX

While you wait for FX to serve up Season 5 of The Bear, which is due in June, take a nibble on "Gary," a surprise stand-alone episode that dropped May 5. Written by and starring Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Jon Bernthal, the flashback episode follows Mikey (Bernthal) and Richie (Moss-Bachrach) along on a work trip to Gary. 

SEE ALSO: 'The Bear's 'Gary' cliffhanger explained: What just happened to Richie?

The episode begins as a solid slice-of-life outing, full of pickup basketball trash talk and a sweet conversation with a hot dog restaurant owner. Quickly, though, it devolves into a self-indulgent trauma fest, complete with yet another unconvincing The Bear romance and a wild cliffhanger that sets up The Bear Season 5. — Belen Edwards, Entertainment Reporter

Starring: Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Jon Bernthal, Marin Ireland, and Gillian Jacobs

How to watch: "Gary" is now streaming on Hulu.

6. RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars, Season 11

Racers, start your engines, and gear up for the summer's most fabulous smackdown.

RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 11 pits 18 of Drag Race's fiercest queens against one another in the same battle bracket format that made Season 10 such a refreshing series reset. The cast mixes returning All Stars competitors with new blood, setting the stage for some juicy face-offs. Please, Drag Race gods, send me a lip sync between Kennedy Davenport and Morphine Love Dion! — B.E.

Starring: RuPaul, Michelle Visage, A'keria C. Davenport, Dawn, Lucky Starzzz, Morgan McMichaels, Morphine Love Dion, Mystique Summers, April Carrión, Crystal Methyd, Salina Estitties, Silky Nutmeg Ganache, Vivacious, Hershii LiqCour-Jeté, Joey Jay, Kennedy Davenport, Sam Star, and Shuga Cain

How to watch: RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars Season 11 premieres on Paramount+ on May 8.

5. The Drama

Between The Drama and Euphoria, it's a big year for Zendaya and disastrous onscreen weddings. One of the buzziest films of 2026 so far, The Drama pairs Zendaya and Robert Pattinson as a seemingly perfect engaged couple named Emma and Charlie. In the days leading up to their wedding, the couple — prompted by friends Rachel (Alana Haim) and Mike (Mamoudou Athie) — confess the worst things they've ever done. Emma's admission leaves jaws dropped, and Charlie in a spiral.

What follows is a harrowing interrogation of Emma and Charlie's relationship and how people perceive it. While Zendaya and Pattinson are tremendous, Mashable Entertainment Editor Kristy Puchko was less impressed with writer/director Kristoffer Borgli's execution, writing in her review (which, fair warning, contains spoilers should you want to go into the film blind), "But much like [Borgli's prior film] Dream Scenario, his actors give more than his undercooked script deserves." — B.E.

Starring: Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Mamoudou Athie, Alana Haim, Hailey Gates, and Zoë Winters

How to watch: The Drama is now available to rent or purchase on Prime Video.

4. Lord of the Flies

A new miniseries from Adolescence co-writer Jack Thorne, based on William Golding's legendary novel Lord of the Flies? Count us in. Following a group of school boys who are forced to survive on a deserted island after their plane crashes, this new adaptation is every bit as brutal as the 1954 book. Expect coming-of-age friendships, rivalries, and a piercing exploration of just how quickly society can fall apart when things enter life-or-death territory. — Sam Haysom, General Assignment Editor, UK

Starring: Winston Sawyers, Lox Pratt, David McKenna, and Ike Talbut

How to watch: Lord of the Flies is now streaming on Netflix.

SEE ALSO: 'Lord of the Flies' ending, explained: How does it compare to the book? 3. Ready or Not 2: Here I Come

In this direct sequel to Ready or Not, Samara Weaving reprises the the role of the Grace Le Domas (née MacCaullay), who was recently widowed when a deal with the devil went sideways for her in-laws. But they're not the only ultra-rich families who've struck such an agreement. And now, a new lot of affluent and armed antagonists are on the hunt for round two. At least this time, Grace gets a Player 2 in her estranged sister (Kathryn Newton).

In my review out of SXSW, I cheered the bonkers fun that the filmmaking team known as Radio Silence brings to this sequel. Particularly shouting out Sarah Michelle Gellar and Shawn Hatosy for bringing mesmerizing menace as a pair of toxic twins, I concluded, "Ready or Not 2: Here I Come is a winner when it comes to being a totally batshit good time." — K.P.

Starring: Samara Weaving, Kathryn Newton, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Shawn Hatosy, David Cronenberg, and Elijah Wood

How to watch: Ready or Not 2: Here I Come is now available to rent or purchase on Prime Video and Apple TV.

2. Send Help

Sam Raimi, the gnarly mind behind the Evil Dead trilogy, brings his distinctive brand of horror comedy to this sensational and gloppy survival thriller.

Rachel McAdams stars as a mild-mannered office worker who gets stranded on a desert island with her jerk of a boss, played by Dylan O'Brien. Lucky for him, she's obsessed with Survivor, and actually knows how to stay alive in such extreme circumstances. Lucky for us, she's got a mean streak that really blooms in this tropical paradise.

In my review for the film's theatrical release, I wrote, "This was an incredible viewing experience; Raimi took me back to being a kid again, watching Evil Dead 2 on VHS and squealing at the sheer outrageousness of it all. All these years later, I'm much harder to shock — and yet he did it again. Watching Send Help, my stomach churned, my jaw dropped, my eyes bulged, and I threw my hands over my face a few times to guard from the gross explosion on screen. Then I walked out cackling and giddy, because Send Help is not just one of the grossest movies I've seen in the last decade. It's also a rip-roaring, no-fucks-to-give good time." —K.P.

Starring: Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien

How to watch: Send Help is now streaming on Hulu and Disney+.

Best of streaming this week: The Other Bennet Sister

Jane Austen-adjacent series The Other Bennet Sister premiered in the UK earlier this year to acclaim. Now, U.S. audiences can catch it on BritBox — and if you love Pride and Prejudice, you absolutely should.

Based on Janice Hadlow's book of the same name, this sweet Regency romance reimagines Pride and Prejudice — and beyond — through Mary Bennet's (Ella Bruccoleri) eyes. Bookish and a bit of a know-it-all, Mary is always overlooked by her family and by suitors. However, when she gets a chance to visit London, she'll set off on an endearing journey of self-discovery. Boasting a charming lead performance from Bruccoleri, as well as a swoon-worthy new love interest in Dónal Finn's Tom Hayward, The Other Bennet Sister is a delectable spring TV treat. — B.E.

Starring: Ella Bruccoleri, Ruth Jones, Richard E. Grant, Maddie Close, Poppy Gilbert, Grace Hogg-Robinson, Molly Wright, Indira Varma, Richard Coyle, and Varada Sethu

How to watch: The Other Bennet Sister premieres on BritBox on May 6.

(*) denotes a blurb came from a prior list.

TL;DR: A refurbished 2020 MacBook Air for $289.99 (reg. $999) delivers solid everyday performance and seamless Apple ecosystem integration.

Opens in a new window Credit: Apple Apple MacBook Air 2020 (Refurbished) $289.99
$999 Save $709.01   Get Deal

Have you been thinking about getting a MacBook? This is the kind of sale price that makes you stop scrolling.

The Apple MacBook Air (2020) is going for $289.99 (reg. $999), and for most people, it checks the boxes that actually matter. Not maxed-out specs, but real-world usability.

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You’re getting a 10th-gen Intel Core i3, 8GB of RAM, and a fast 128GB SSD. That translates to smooth performance for everyday tasks — think browsing, email, Google Docs, streaming, and juggling multiple tabs without everything slowing to a crawl. It’s not built for heavy video editing or gaming, but that’s not what most people are buying a MacBook Air for anyway.

It also still shines in the overall experience. The 13.3-inch Retina display is sharp and easy on the eyes, with True Tone helping adjust to your environment. The Magic Keyboard is comfortable (and a big step up from older models), and Touch ID keeps logins quick and secure.

Battery life still holds up for a full day of light to moderate use, and the lightweight design makes it easy to carry around — whether you’re commuting, working from a coffee shop, or just moving from room to room.

And if you’re already using an iPhone or AirPods, this fits right in. AirDrop, iMessage, FaceTime — it all works seamlessly without any setup headaches.

It is refurbished (Grade B), so you might see minor cosmetic wear, but nothing that affects performance.

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Even though a single viral moment can seem like a fast track to fame, the internet's fickle nature rarely turns one video into a lasting career. Creator Kelsey Impicciche knows that "overnight success" is usually years in the making, with a little fun along the way.

"Everyone says overnight success takes 10 years, and that's 100 percent what happened with me," Impicciche said when we sat down with her at BookCon 2026. Impicciche, a creator with over 1 million YouTube subscribers, has also added author to her resume with the 2026 release of her debut novel, The Voice of the Ocean.

We sat down with Impicciche to talk about the video that started it all and balancing life as a creator and author.

Credit: Ian Moore/Mashable/Adobe Stock/Electronic Arts/Blackstone Publishing Mashable: What was your experience in gaining a following? Was there one video that took off, or was it a gradual incline?

Kelsey Impicciche: I started in content creation as a side thing because I was an actor in Los Angeles and wasn't getting a ton of auditions, especially ones that were challenging. So in the interim, I wanted something creative that I could own.

I just started posting online once a week to give myself something to do. I started from zero subscribers on YouTube and worked my way up, getting more opportunities until someone asked if I wanted to apply to be an intern at BuzzFeed. I gained a couple of thousand subscribers on my channel at that point, applied, and got it. Then I worked at BuzzFeed for a year and a half, and that's when my most viral video happened.

So I had been working on YouTube for like two, maybe even three years at that point, and had put out so many videos before I had this, like, mega-viral hit that everyone knows me from.

I remember the day it happened, too. It was the "100 Baby Challenge," where I played The Sims 4 and had one Sim who was supposed to have 100 babies [in one lifetime]. It was Christmas break, and I was on leave, but everyone at the office was texting me, like, "We've got to go back in and make more of these, because everyone's loving them." I had pitched the video as a joke because I was in between other projects, and I thought it would be funny. I really didn't think anyone would see it. That's always when magic happens, when you're having fun, you're not taking it too seriously, but you also really do know the audience. The cultivation of that title came from so many different videos that I had done up until that point that had done well, so this title has all the little ingredients that I know people gravitate toward. It happened to be this magical little concoction.

Was that the moment you felt like you had made it as a content creator?

There were so many moments along the way. The first audition was when they brought me in because I was a content creator, and I think I only had a couple of hundred subscribers at that point. And then when I first got the job at BuzzFeed, that really felt like I'd made it. Even just as an intern, I had my literal dream job making content.

Until the Sims video, I'd never put myself alone in a video. I'd always put myself surrounded by other people. I always felt like I wasn't funny or interesting enough to carry the whole video by myself. It felt like nobody knew who I was. But with that video, I was the only one who knew the challenge and knew the game well enough to play it, so I had to cast myself. It was a confidence booster, like, I don't need to be surrounded by funnier comics. I can stand alone here.

And when did writing a book come into your career?

With the internet, I feel like you have to just find your niche and stay there. kind of thing. So it's interesting that people think that [writing] came out of nowhere. But for me, I've been obsessed with books since I was a child, and that was actually my dream job. I went to college planning to write, but then took a swerve into acting. It's funny that you sometimes hide these pieces of yourself on the internet. At the end of the day, it's all storytelling.

When writing really kicked off was in the middle of COVID, and I was bored. I had so much downtime and felt really lonely. An email came across my desk from work, offering a creative writing workshop by one of the writers on staff. It was as if this dream deferred, bloomed inside of me.

So my first novel, Voice of the Ocean, was just me alone. It was a message in a bottle that I just flung into the universe, hoping someone would see it someday.

Over time, I realized BookTok was taking off, too, and my two worlds didn't have to be so separate. It's very similar to the plot of Voice of the Ocean, with the feeling of being pulled between two worlds. You can embody more than one thing online, so it was so exciting to start bringing books into my content and seeing how many girls who love games also love books.

Opens in a new window Credit: Blackstone Publishing 'The Voice of the Ocean' by Kelsey Impicciche $27.95 at Bookshop.org
$29.99 Save $2.04   Shop Now How are you balancing writing with content creation?

Not well. I wish there were magically more time. I always remind myself to try to do it even when I'm tired. Sometimes it is a job, and you have to show up. But I still feel like the luckiest gal in the world every time I feel a little down on my energy, or I feel like I don't have enough time. I have to be like, "Dude, you're pinching yourself. This is the coolest experience ever." But I think the big thing for me is segmenting writing into many to-do lists, making sure I break each task into smaller ones. That way, I keep everything moving.

Have you embraced being an author in your content?

I'm still trying to strike that balance of showing up for all the people who love the Sims, introducing a new world to everybody, and showing up for the people who really love the book. It's hard. A lot of people suggest making separate accounts for everything. And for some people, that works, but I'm balancing the two on one channel. I think it might be the harder path, but it's really rewarding.

How do you feel about readers being in writers' spaces and vice versa?

I definitely think readers deserve their space and the ability to talk comfortably about a book without being beholden to authors. When I first started reading, I never felt like I had to take care of the writer's feelings. The book is for the reader. It's not for me [as the author], right? Like it might have been once, right, when I was writing it, but once you put it out in the world, all art is for its consumer. That's a magical part of it; the consumer can have whatever experience they're having.

But I do think it is quite hard because I'm also a fan of books and authors, and I'm also a content creator. So I've tried to walk that line where I'm not gonna be here to review books. I might talk about what I'm enjoying, but I always keep a positive spin on it.

I think it makes sense for readers to keep their own space while also not inviting me into it. If you want to see something sassy about me, that's totally fine, but please don't tag me.

What's next for you as an author and a content creator?

I have some really exciting stuff coming up in both fields. I'm writing the sequel to my duology. The first book is in edits right now. Hopefully, a title and a release date are somewhere on the horizon. I'm just so excited to be able to share all of this with readers and viewers alike, and to engage with people who share my passions.

The Mini is a bite-sized version of The New York Times' revered daily crossword. While the crossword is a lengthier experience that requires both knowledge and patience to complete, The Mini is an entirely different vibe.

With only a handful of clues to answer, the daily puzzle doubles as a speed-running test for many who play it.

So, when a tricky clue disrupts a player's flow, it can be frustrating! If you find yourself stumped playing The Mini — much like with Wordle and Connections — we have you covered.

SEE ALSO: Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more: Play games on Mashable SEE ALSO: How to play Pips, the newest NYT game

Here are the clues and answers to NYT's The Mini for Thursday, May 7, 2026:

AcrossA-___ (top-quality)

• The answer is One.

B-___ (decent grade)

• The answer is Plus.

C-___ (group of execs)

• The answer is Suite.

Fails to be

• The answer is Isn't.

Nonbinary pronoun

• The answer is They.

DownThe center, guards and tackles on an N.F.L. team, for short

• The answer is Oline.

Like the taste of browned butter

• The answer is Nutty.

Language suffix

• The answer is Ese.

Helpful label by a door handle

• The answer is Push.

Get into a lotus pose, perhaps

• The answer is Sit.

If you're looking for more puzzles, Mashable's got games now! Check out our games hub for Mahjong, Sudoku, free crossword, and more.

Are you also playing NYT Strands? See hints and answers for today's Strands.

Not the day you're after? Here's the solution to the latest Mini Crossword.

Take the audio survey.

Here at Mashable, we’re always trying out the latest tech products to help our readers determine whether or not they’re worth it. But now, we want to hear from you about the products you use and love. In this edition of our Readers’ Choice Awards, we’re asking you about the audio gear you use in your daily life, including headphones and earbuds, speakers, and soundbars.

So, take a few minutes to fill out our audio survey. Your thoughts and feedback might just grant your favorite devices a Mashable Readers’ Choice Award — plus you could win a $250 Amazon gift card.

We’ll be running this survey until May 10, 2026, and then we’ll crunch the numbers to see which headphones/earbuds, speakers, and soundbars you all deem the best.

How to enter

There are two methods to enter the Sweepstakes: (1) fill out the online survey, or (2) enter by mail.

1. Survey Entry: To enter the Sweepstakes through the online survey, go to the survey page and complete the current survey during the Sweepstakes Period.

2. Mail Entry: To enter the Sweepstakes by mail, on a 3 x 5-inch card, print your first and last name, street address, city, state, zip code, phone number, and email address. Mail your completed entry to:

Readers' Choice Sweepstakes - Audio
c/o M. Kern
360 Park Ave South, Floor 17
New York, NY 10010

Mail Entries must be postmarked by May 11, 2026, and received by May 17, 2026. For official sweepstakes rules and promotion start and end dates, please click HERE.

Nintendo is remaking Star Fox 64, reviving the retro gaming classic for the Nintendo Switch 2. Announced during a surprise Nintendo Direct livestream on Wednesday, Star Fox will not only upgrade the graphics, but also add new features updating it for modern gamers.

Also known as Lylat Wars, Star Fox 64 is a 1997 rail shooter developed for Nintendo 64. Playing as humanoid fox Fox McCloud, players defend the fictional Lylat star system by shooting down enemies and dodging obstacles in his spaceship. Star Fox 64 was a significant hit that is still fondly remembered today — and also spawned the classic meme "do a barrel roll."

Now Fox McCloud is back in Star Fox, sporting "a more animal-like design" alongside fellow Star Fox team members Falco Lombardi, Peppy Hare, and Slippy Toad.

"Star Fox is based on the Nintendo 64 game Star Fox 64, but the visuals have been completely updated," said Nintendo senior executive officer Yoshiaki Koizumi, speaking via a translator during the prerecorded livestream. "All of the characters in the game have also been redesigned."

Nintendo states that level layouts will be the same as in Star Fox 64, and that the banter between the Star Fox team is returning. Star Fox 64's vehicles are back too, with players able to pilot the Landmaster land vehicle, Blue-Marine submersible, and Fox McCloud's trusty Arwing spaceship. And yes, it will be able to do a barrel roll.

Credit: Nintendo Credit: Nintendo

The remake does make a few changes though, with new mission briefing cutscenes placed between stages to flesh out the story. Star Fox will have online multiplayer and matchmaking too, allowing players to work in teams and compete against each other remotely. The game will still have local co-op, but rather than the split-screen days of yore, players will be able to share Star Fox from a Nintendo Switch 2 to other local Switch devices via the GameShare.

Interestingly, Star Fox will let players split pilot and gunner controls for a single vehicle if they so choose, which seems like a handy co-op option for getting younger children involved. Players can also use a Joy-Con 2 controller like a mouse for more precise targeting, or go completely old-school with a Nintendo 64 controller.

Star Fox offers character avatars in the Switch 2's GameChat as well. This feature tracks players' head and face movements via webcam, animating characters to match it in real time and displaying this to others using Nintendo's voice and video chat system.

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Reaction to Nintendo's announcement has been mixed. While some are excited about the prospect of a new game in the Star Fox franchise, others have criticised the hyperrealistic look of its anthropomorphic animal characters, or bemoaned the fact that it's a remake instead of a new original game in the series.

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This isn't Nintendo's first Star Fox 64 remake. The company previously remade the game for Nintendo 3DS in 2011, entitled Star Fox 64 3D. Then in 2016, the Japanese gaming giant released Wii U reboot Star Fox Zero. A decade later, a new version of Star Fox 64 is now on its way, and it won't be long to wait.

Star Fox launches on June 25 for $49.99, exclusively on Nintendo Switch 2. Pre-orders are open now.