IBF9 080 - Isabelle Fleay Minisode

Release Date: 01/17/2026

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...

IBF24 095 - Brett Cole Minisode

Finding Elara

Show Notes: Interview: Paul Narrative Nonfiction Dedication to His Daughter Second book is Fiction Writing journey between two books are different Type of Author: Colourful, Honest, Raw, Insightful Enjoyed English in school Has had quite a journey and have shared Lesson: Some good can come from mistakes You always have to keep moving forward Interview: Chris Life is about looking to chase passions and dreams Studies philosophy because he was yearning for understanding Male Primary teacher - rare breed When writing - was looking to see more than just what...

IBF23 094 - Murray Hall Minisode

Finding Elara

Show Notes: Interview 1: Dianna Stories learnt from 2 different directions When Mother passed away found 100 year old letters Prefers to write in silence. There is a lot of time spent in research. He loves the research part. First Book took 5 years and the second was 18 months because it brewed for 30 years May write a sequel to unlikely barons. Learnt a lot as he went along 5 word: Enthusiastic, passionate, connected Found Author Services to help print the book. Tip for starters: Everyone has a story. Do it. It’s not difficult or expensive any longer....

IBF22 093 - Gaye Mcbride Minisode

Finding Elara

Show Notes: Interview: Paul Started out down south and is widely travelled Started a charmed life after her Mum was born Both books are personal journey and conversations with spirit Published with the help of Ian Describe: Happy Enjoyed the process. Would encourage new people to give it a go Personal journey has provided a large amount of topics to write about. Interview: Chris Reiki teacher for more than 20 years Has done stage hypnosis Hypnosynergy is her unique form Books cover a very personal journey Trusts that everyone has their own opinion Her journey...

IBF21 092 - Heather Salter-Purves Minisode

Finding Elara

Show Notes: Interview 1: Dianna Part of BCP Creative Squire’s Always been creative Grew up with Old School Fantasy Pre-evolution of Cursed Cove was the first book. Writes Sapphic Dictates her stories - Started typing. Least favourite part is Editing Chose Indie to Dip toe in. Some stories that she can with publishers share but some are heart stories. Challenges that arise shift and change Tip: Take your time. Don’t rush. Find your own people. Crochet’s while dictating Interview 2: Chris Everyone has their own Journeys - how people approach...

IBF20 091 - Paul Hewer Minisode

Finding Elara

Show Notes: Interview 1: Paul Started in the 90s Started writing as an exercise Was inspired by Nanowrimo - Then kept on writing. Came from an IT Background Likes editing the best New, Economical, Cinematic Didn’t really know what he was in for a the start Assisted by Lescenault Press Found his book on a german book store Interview 2: Chris Always loved reading and going to the movies Writing is harder than you think Planner for his stories Learning the process as he went along Had to rewrite the last third Was lucky to have a friends to help with the editing....

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Episode Description 8

Show Notes:

Interview 1 - Paul

First Book fair.
Plans for the series to have 5 books
Never read growing up until about 17
Hobby while working FIFO
Wrote 2 book in a year while working
Great community in the fiction world
Went into publishing blind had so much support from authors and family
Used Arc Readers, friends and family before publishing.
5 words: Magical, Mysterious, Exciting, Adventurous and Familiar
Likes writing on the couch with the dog

Interview 2 - Chris

Complicated process
Inspiration - Lives in a modern world and wanted to write about what supernatural elements don’t have
Humans are inferior in her world
Writing process changed during the telling.
Has plot twist in the story that has surprised readers.

Where the Excerpt Came From:

Snippet from Chapter 1 of Mystic City Souls and Spirits

Guest Bio:

Isabelle Fleay is an Australian author with a passion for all things romantasy, supernatural intrigue, and epic worldbuilding. Obsessed with weaving cinematic stories onto the page, she draws inspiration from the films and shows that spark her imagination, bringing to life tales of gods, spirits, and star-crossed fates.

Her debut series, Mystic City, is a love letter to the genres she adores—blending dark urban fantasy, murder mystery, and slow-burn romance into a world where the line between the living and the dead is razor-thin.

When she’s not writing, you can find her brainstorming new stories with her partner and her dog at all hours of the day, sipping hot chocolate, travelling with friends or painting as she teaches art classes on the side!

Follow her writing journey on instragram, izzyfleaywrites and immerse yourself in the phantoms, Gods, and secrets of Mystic City.

Booklist:

Mystic City Souls and Spirits