Discovery Feed

Introductions
An idea for a novel can strike at any time, in any place. For award-winning fantasy author Shelby Oval, it was in Slovenia, in the middle of a particularly strenuous hike.

"Write that down," her partner said when she told him the idea. "It's actually good."

The novel it became, Out of Embers and Shadows, is the first of six in her Shadowfire series—a series that now includes a prequel set five hundred years before the events of the first book.

Soon after she started writing, Shelby realized it would be easier to use a computer rather than write everything ... Read more

Introductions
"My work has traveled far beyond my desk," says award-winning poet and author Yewande Akinse, "finding homes in a wide range of journals and magazines across continents."

This talented wordsmith is also a lawyer ("three times over," as Yewande puts it, referring to her three law degrees) who "somehow wandered—quite happily—into a life shaped by poetry and stories," and these two lives have more in common than you might think. ... Read more

Introductions
When talking about a polymath like England-born author Nik Steven—a true Renaissance man—it's hard to know exactly where to begin.

But since we're showcasing his work as an author, we'll start with his coming-of-age memoir, Naughty Thoughts & Crosses, which has been described as a collection of "darkly funny vignettes."

Nik "finds humor in the havoc of family life," as one reviewer put it, before adding: "The reader laughs, then winces, then laughs again."

Intrigued by the rich and fascinating life Nik seems to have led, I had some questions. ... Read more

Introductions
"I've never met a stranger," says memoir and fiction author Rebecca Wells Phillips, "and people tell me their stories all the time."

Many of these stories are accounts from survivors of Hurricane Helene, which ravaged Rebecca's home state of North Carolina in 2024. They're recounted in her book Hurricane Helene Resiliency After the Storm, a powerful narration of the devastating events.

Rebecca's latest project is Lift Our Voice: Abuse Survivors Speak Their Truth, a collection of stories told to her from abuse survivors. "I'm asking people to share their stories of abuse anonymously," Rebecca says. (Her contact information is listed after this interview.)

Here's Rebecca to talk a little about her life and work:

Welcome, Rebecca! Why did you choose to self-publish?

I write and publish on my own terms and timetable, without having to be rejected a hundred times. The only expectations are my own, and I only answer to myself and no one else. ... Read more

Introductions
"My best advice would be to learn how to keep showing up, even after rejection or when things take time," says author and poet Kalindi Kri.

Kalindi is the author of Sugar and Scars, a poetry book that was released just last month.

"My work is deeply rooted in emotional honesty," she says, "and often explores the inner landscapes of thought, memory, and feeling."

Here's Kalindi to talk a little about her life and work:

What does self-publishing offer that other methods of publishing may not?

I'm drawn to the world of self-publishing because of the creative freedom it offers and the attention given to authors. It allows ... Read more

Introductions
"I spent many evenings with an elderly friend watching movies," says science fiction author Michael J. Scharen. "After seeing several turkeys, I felt that I could write a better story than many making it into production."

So he did. And to his amazement, he learned just how focused he could be. "I got into a groove," he says, "where I would write for days, weeks, or months at a time. The first year I wrote a total of five books."

Yet it's not enough, Michael knows, to be prolific and publish lots of books—you have to make sure readers know your books are out there.

"I'm not doing any writing at the moment," he says. "One thing folks do not realize is that marketing is as important as writing. That's where I spend my time."

On that note, here's Michael to talk a little about his life and work:

Welcome, Michael! Why was self-publishing the way forward for you?

I believe getting drawn in by what folks feel the market expects makes for stale, cookie-cutter stories. They lose their individual flavor. The prime example of this is Hollywood making ... Read more

Introductions
"I don't have a perfect record," says debut indie thriller author Shivani Jai, "but I aim to write every day. On a good day, that can be a two- to four-hour stretch of good writing, but sometimes it's just twenty minutes, and I'm learning to be okay with that."

It's been working well, but Shivani will never stop growing as a writer. "Some days I feel like self-publishing my novel and actually selling copies of it is the greatest thing I've ever done," she says, "and other days I worry I'll never achieve any 'real' success as an author."

But when it comes to success, Shivani feels the journey is more about the people you meet along the way. "The thing that always feels like a win is the connections I've made in the bookish world," she says. "Great friends who can relate to what you're doing, understand the highs and lows, and that you can support and who will support you on your publishing journey."

Here's Shivani to talk a little about her life and work:

Welcome, Shivani! Why did you decide independent publishing was right for you?

I actually pursued traditional publishing at first, but after a year and a half of querying, then rewriting, then querying, then rewriting, then querying, then rewriting, then querying some more, I finally decided to just bet on ... Read more

Introductions
"To me, success has been measured in consistency and progress," says Utah-based fantasy author Makayla Nielson. "I think the key, honestly, is being excited for the success of others and being grateful when someone wants the same thing for you."

Makayla would know. "I am leaps and bounds ahead of where I was one year ago," she says, "and that's mostly had to do with the family, friends, and fellow authors and readers I've connected with."

A cornerstone of this success is her latest novel.

Imagine, for a moment, if Anne of Green Gables went on an Indiana Jones–style adventure—that's just how Makayla describes The Voyage of Clara Bowman, the first book in her Chronicle of the Seekers series that she co-wrote with Trenna McMullin.

Here's Makayla to talk a little about her life and work:

Welcome, Makayla! What drew you to self-publishing?

I am in a unique position because I self-published The Voyage of Clara Bowman, but I also have a publisher for another book, Chimera's Blood. What drew me to self-publishing was ... Read more

Introductions
"I hate winter and don't do much on all these lakes," says historical fiction author Will Tinkham.

For someone who lives in Minnesota, this may sound unusual. But Will spends his time in other ways, namely writing, reading, and watching old movies. "I live alone," he says, adding that he'll leave the house "only to catch some rock 'n' roll at local clubs."

He's a Twins fan, though, so you know he's the real deal.

Will's "offbeat" Americana series—now twelve novels strong—includes The Reluctant Nazi, the story of an escaped German POW who is haunted by his Nazi past.

Here's Will to share a little about his life and work:

Welcome, Will! How would you sum up your Americana series?

My Americana series consists of twelve novels of offbeat-literary-historical fiction. I generally pair my characters with real-life historical figures ... Read more

Introductions
"I love so many different things it's slightly alarming," says thriller author Magdalena Adic Turcin, "but that mix of curiosity, structure, chaos, and creativity is exactly where my best ideas come from."

Born and raised in Croatia, Magdalena draws inspiration from the natural beauty of her homeland. "I still think it's unfair how one country can fit forests, mountains, a clean sea, and islands tucked right beneath mountain peaks," she says.

It must be the perfect setting for writing, because Magdalena has received plenty of praise for her psychological thriller novel The Eye Collector, the first in the series of the same name. Currently, she's working on the second installment, The Mirror Collector. Stay tuned!

I interviewed Magdalena and asked her about life challenges, favorite authors, and what she loves about self-publishing.

Welcome, Magdalena! Why are you drawn to the world of indie/self-publishing?

I have a lot of respect for traditional publishing and the people behind it, but I slowly realized that indie and self-publishing fit me almost perfectly. I genuinely enjoy ... Read more

Introductions
"I don't plan, plot, or outline my books," says award-winning author Mark David Gerson. "Instead, I discover my stories as I write them."

Right now, Mark David is working on The Lost Horse of Bryn Doon, the fifth novel of his Legend of Q'ntana fantasy series. "I wish I could tell you what it's about," he says. "I really wish I could tell you what it's about!" But it sounds like he's just as in the dark as we are, so we'll have to wait to find out.

Mark David is also a photographer and host of a brand-new podcast called Stories & Reflections.

Welcome, Mark David. First of all, what inspired your award-winning Q'ntana series?

I like to joke that The MoonQuest snuck up on me, beat me over the head, and took me hostage before I was even aware of what was going on! I say that because this was not a book I ever planned to write.

It was a sort of "creative ambush," and it happened ... Read more

Introductions
"As an introvert," says memoir author Cora Ann Metz, "I prefer my own company, don't like crowds or noisy places and people, and work best in quiet or silence." Whether she speaks for most of us or not—and I believe she does—her temperament has helped her achieve quite a bit. "I am compiling stories I have written over the years. I will include some of them in my first book after dragging my feet for years. ChapterBuzz has provided me with an avenue to hone my writing skills and move forward with my first book."

After growing up in New Orleans, Cora's military career took her to Germany, where she now lives. "I joined the Army to escape an abusive husband and to take better care of my two daughters," she says. "Now, I am a retired U.S. Army veteran who served twenty-two years, mostly in Germany. I also retired from the DOD [Department of Defense] after ten years as a security professional. I still love PB&J sandwiches, candied apples, and bubble gum. The kid in me never left."

Now, Cora is writing about her experiences in her soon-to-be-published memoir, From Combat Boots to German Castles, and I jumped at the chance to interview her.

Welcome, Cora! Why are you drawn to the world of self-publishing?

As a fledgling writer, I don't have to navigate the dismissive and condescending publishing world to get my book published. I think the indie genre is more ... Read more

Introductions
"I am a lifelong learner who thoroughly enjoys reading everything I can get my hands on," says sci-fi author George Brad Million. "I have discovered a love for poetry that has been developing in me for several years; the power of prose in poetic form is something I am thankful for daily."

Welcome, Brad. Why are you drawn to the world of indie publishing?

I am inspired by the ability of authors to circumvent the status quo of the publishing world. To be unconcerned with rules on creative expression is ... Read more

Article
Ah, self-doubt.

It's like that "friend" we all have—we'll call him Jason—who is a nice enough guy, but then turns around and stabs you in the back just because you couldn't be the best man at his wedding even though he only gave you two days' notice but even after all these years still hasn't let it go, not that I'm bitter or anything.

Hoo boy. Er, where was I?

Oh yes, self-doubt.

Brace yourself, because I'm going to say something controversial ... Read more

Article
Today, we meet N.E. White, a fantasy and science fiction author who, according to her blog, is also a lover of books, bike rides, and bats.

What will you find when you visit her blog? "Stuff," Nila tells us. "Mostly just my fiction, updates on my progress writing said fiction, and maybe an errant post or two about life."

It's also packed with writing tips and information on some of the fantasy and sci-fi anthologies Nila has helped put together over the years.

"But be warned," she says ... Read more

Article
You may have heard of the active and passive voices in writing.

You may have also heard the passive voice is never to be used. Is that true? Let's find out.

To refresh your memory, here's the difference between the two voices ... Read more

Article
When Zuzana Velmovska encountered a difficult chapter in her life, she spent years searching for something that would bring meaning to her days.

"More than one person suggested I try writing," she says. "That maybe, just maybe, it could help me heal."

She decided to give it a try. She started a blog called Heal me Today, which she says is "a space I created to honor the healing of the soul."

It worked. Now, this writer and mother of one from Slovakia wants to ... Read more

Article
Ah, NaNoWriMo (real name National Novel Writing Month), the annual challenge where participants write 50,000 words during the month of November. If you're a writer, there's a good chance you've heard of it. Maybe you've even participated.

Well, it's gone. Done with. Belly up. Cooked, like the Thanksgiving turkey you missed out on every year because you were locked in your room, trying to write 50,000 words.

At its peak, the month-long event boasted over 400,000 participants and a ... Read more