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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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: 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...
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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....
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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...
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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...
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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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Interview 1: Paul
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Tries not to buy chocolate too much
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Pediatric speech pathologist and literacy tutor
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Wanted to write a book that was fun for kids
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Wanted to inspire kids to eat vegies
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Only 9% of children eat enough vegies
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Created a learning experience. There is the book and a vegie bag.
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There is also an activity pack to help engage.
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Additional kitchen kit.
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There was a fair bit of research into the story
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The indie author component was a surprise.
Interview 2: Chris
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Helping reluctant readers to read.
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Lost job during Covid
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I’d rather eat chocolate
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Book has rhyme rhythm and repetitive text
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People are increasingly exposed to ultra processed foods.
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There are silly animals in the story
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There are complex issues regarding supplying food.
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This story is for support.
Where the Excerpt Came From:
Small excerpt provided
Guest Bio:
Narelle is a wife and a mum to four boys and a demanding rescue cat. Narelle's career as a paediatric speech pathologist spans more than 30 years. She completed a MA in Linguistics, focusing on reading development in young children, and has worked with thousands of children experiencing reading challenges, both as a speech pathologist and literacy tutor. During Covid, a change in career led Narelle to write several children's books, with I'd Rather Eat Chocolate being her first published children's picture book. I'd Rather Eat Chocolate is a fun rhyming book with rhythm and some repetitive text, designed to develop reading confidence in young children and reluctant readers. Narelle's keen interest in family health and nutrition, spurred her on to write a book that is not only fun to read, but is inspiring children to eat up their veggies.
Booklist:
I'd Rather Eat Chocolate
Best place to buy:
www.funreads4kids.com.au or you can request it from any book store.
Links
Contact
Website: www.funreads4kids.com.au
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092845363796
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fun_reads_4_kids/
Contact Finding Elara
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/FindingElara
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/findingelara/
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@findingelarapodcast
Contact BCP
Discord: https://discord.gg/Ap8EWpPn
BCP Website: www.bcpcreative.com.au
BCP Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bcp.creative/
BCP facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61577758720164
Contact Paul
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paul.van.der.mey.2025
Forrest.chat: http://forrest.chat/episodes
Contact Chris
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chris.ilsley.5
In Collaboration with:
This Event has been sponsored by the Australian Cultural Fund
Book Reality: https://bookreality.com/
Look for other Fairs: https://www.indieauthorbookfair.com/
Music by: @keysofmoonmusic
Name: The epic hero