IBF7 078 - Claire Butler Minisode

Release Date: 01/15/2026

S03E05-105 Lexy Delorme Interview Part 2 of 2

Finding Elara

Guest Bio: What are your Goals/aspirations/dreams going forward? About the Author Lexy Shaw Delorme (writing as LS Delorme) is the award-winning author of The Limerent Series, a genre-defying collection of emotionally charged novels which includes Caio, Bright Midnights, Fanning Fireflies, and Ghosting Academy. Her book Caio won a finalist spot in the International Book Awards for cross genre fiction. Bright Midnights was named a Publishers Weekly (BookLife) “Editors’ Choice Pick” and was a finalist Golden Wizard Award Competition in 2024. Fanning Fireflies won first place for paranormal...

S03E04-104 Lexy Delorme Interview Part 1 of 2

Finding Elara

Show Notes: Once a popstar - became a Lawyer - Became an Ex-pat and started writing Golden Wizard Award for YA Loves talking to people about the books. Always been interested in writing Started travel writing about travelling with Kids When at angus steak house - Told Hubby she wanted to write. He wasn’t convinced to start with. First book was a million words - good start point 5 years to build the world Has been meditating since young Boredom + cooking helps with creativity Does visualisation time Has movie dreams - in depth film score When you have kids - Bathroom...

S03E03-103 Cecelia de Gzell Interview Part 2 of 2

Finding Elara

Host: DL Nix Guest: Cecelia de Gzell Show Notes: Worldbuilding starts with the characters Returned to old haunts for research with the fam. There is a contemporary framework for the setting. Some of the characters have smatterings of people that she is familiar with. Medical terminology listed at the front and we talk about the different types. Relishes the opportunity to expand on the characters in later books. Character play: Poppy - Pirate ship, ballroom, dragon. Discovery writer during the plotting stage Needs to be really efficient with her time Biggest lesson: getting the first...

S03E02-102 Cecelia de Gzell Interview Part 1 of 2

Finding Elara

Host: Dianna Evans Guest: Cecelia De Gzell Show Notes: First Book June 2025 Second book March 10 2026. Lost count with the number od Drafts for the first draft. Used a self publishing service - The book Reality Always loved reading and writing but knew it wasn’t a career. Didn’t grow up in a medical family; had a strong personal drive. Loved science. Burnout in 2019 brought her back to the craft of writing. Writing the book was a chance to balance out experiences Her avatar was people like her. Limited writing time around her work, but writes notes when she is between sessions....

101 S03E01 Welcome

Finding Elara

Show Notes Solo show with Dianna so she can share the plan for the series. She gave updates on the podcast, Writing, BCP and Personal adventures. Contact Finding Elara Facebook Group: Instagram: Tiktok: Discord: Contact BCP Discord: BCP Website: BCP Instagram: BCP facebook:

100th Episode Special from host to guest with Dianna and Izzy

Finding Elara

Host: Izzy Guest: DL Nix Show Notes: Izzy steps up to the mike for the first time and interview Dianna about her creative journey and her plans for the future od Finding Elara and Bushland Castely Productions. Guest Bio: DL Nix (Dianna) is an Author, Podcaster and Publisher from the Wheatbelt of Western Australia. Starting her Podcast, Finding Elara, in 2018 to build connections while waiting to hear back from an agent, helped her develop her writing skill set. She is now actively working on her Elaran stories and several smaller fantasy tales. Additionally she has created...

IBF28 099 - Ian Hooper Minisode

Finding Elara

Show Notes: Interview: Dianna Ian Andrew for Fiction and Ian Hooper for memoirs and Poems Started the Indie Author Book fair has lots of help First book, a time to every purpose Was lucky to have book reviewed and sold well. Because of the coverage build confidence Ran a training course and then then was asked to help others Has helped over 120 books. Trad publishes under Leschenault press Didn’t understand the scope of self publishing until he tried it. Made all the mistakes on his ones and then knew for the others Describe 5 words: Detailed, Research Driven with...

IBF27 098 - Shannon Riley Minisode

Finding Elara

Show Notes: Interview: Dianna Has full romantasy trilogy 99% Romance with a little variety Inspired by Nan who was also an author Wanted to be an author since she was 10 Went for self publishing because she wanted creative control. Had an idea how hard small business was going to be but learning along the way. Audio Conversion: harder in Australia but Generally writes at night time with a glass of wine Spice is subjective but her stories are around 3-4 Describe: Original, writes for self, Sex positive Editing, formatting and Publishing. There is a lot of...

IBF26 097 - Vanessa Savundra Minisode

Finding Elara

Show Notes: Interview: Paul It is about a star (Baby) being Born The star is the person listening Baby board book. Deliberately black and white for focus Has rounded corners, thick cardboard and glossy features Designed for practical use Wrote 21 years ago when eldest son born Rhyming couplet poem Friend suggested the print and the kids helped illustrate Green hill publishing did the board printing Published 18 months ago. Ordered third print run Indie Experience. Greenhill made it easy. They helped put it all together. Describe: Creative, Educational, Fun, Playful and...

IBF25 096 - Vanessa Joyce Minisode

Finding Elara

Show Notes: Interview: Dianna Been writing since 16 - thriller and romance Sitting with Son Cayden who has kids books Describe: Outside box, big on merch, like big events, explore different genres Writes what she wants to read Plenty of books planned for both in the future Self pub: was more effort than she thought. Advice: Easy to get overwhelmed but take time and research. EDIT EDIT EDIT When you are happy with your story, be happy with your story. Merch: Book marks. Bags. Hats Pillows. Interview: Chris Blood of the Titan is more of a journey. Has war based...

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Show Notes:

Interview 1 - Dianna

Has awesome accent - mixed
Published first book in 2023
5 words Fantasy Romance, Romantasy, Indi, Addictive
First book to reclaim a Kingdom
Wrote during maternity leave - baby was good sleep
Took academic approach to self publishing so was aware of requirements
1 round of edits for each of her books
Tips: Do your research, treat it like a business, network with fellow Indie Authors and book stores.
So many great Indie book stores in perth
Next book in Feb is interconnected and late next year adding gothic to the repertoire
Ideal writing is silence
Not a plotter - writes on her couch scene by scene.

Where the Excerpt Came From:

First Chapter Of Sand and Silk

Guest Bio:

Claire wrote her first book before she knew how to write the alphabet. It consisted of scribbling on a page and having her sister illustrate the page next to it. She has since refined her books to include actual words. Claire has a background in Psychology. She loves writing fantasy romance books because it allows her to explore social themes in new worlds, intense emotions, the formation and shifting of identities, the power of love, and the enduring bonds of friendship. Claire lives in Australia with her husband and two children. She is obsessed with beaches, picnics, and sunshine. Often in combination with a good book. Her favourite authors include Sarah J Maas, Renee Ahdieh, Carissa Broadbent, and Tahereh Mafi.

Booklist: