Transforming Grief Into Art | Author Chat with S.K. May

How Travel and Spiritual Signs Influenced Julie Kay’s Writing Journey

Author Julie Kay has dived head first into the self-publishing world. Inspired by the places she’s visited, her family experiences and a nudge from a clairvoyant, she’s embraced her passion for writing. First seen with her debut novel, ‘Not My Father [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44098771-not-my-father]’ was inspired by Japanese travel and her father’s war time experiences. But she is not limited by genre, and her next few books have shifted in theme and age range. Crikey Roo and the Riddler, [https://www.amazon.com.au/Crikey-Roo-Riddler-Julie-Kay/dp/1763831329] her latest middle-grade publication, was a creation from her classroom. With the help of the brilliant minds of her primary school class, they helped her craft the story of the five children in Crikey Roo. It has now become a fixture in the local school library. We also talk about the importance of the book community. Julie both engages with others on social media, but also stresses the importance of in-person events, such as writing groups and supporting local libraries. Enjoy the episode! Timestamps 00:00 introduction 02:51 Julie Kay’s Background 09:13 About ‘Not My Father’ 10:43 Career changes and pivoting to self publishing 12:33 Julie’s writing routine 14:33 Clairvoyant message 17:04 Getting out of your comfort zone 22:50 Crikey Roo, Julie’s next book 24:50 On changing genres 25:52 Most enjoyable vs hardest parts of writing 31:42 Importance of writing communities 36:48 How travel has inspired Julie’s writing 41:45 Middle Grade writing 48:45 What’s next for Julie Kay Julie Kay Links * Instagram * Website MG Hunt Links * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mghunt.author] * Linktree [https://linktr.ee/Mghunt] * Threads [https://www.threads.com/@mghunt.author] * Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/51228189.M_G_Hunt] * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@mghunt.author] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/mghunt.author] * Website [http://mghunt.com] * Amazon [https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/MG-Hunt/author/B0DBQS869T] Thanks for tuning in to my segment on the Indie Author Life show! If you’d like to support my work, my Ko‑Fi author shop [https://ko-fi.com/mghunt/] has signed copies of my books and a range of bookish goodies, including pins, bookmarks, and art prints. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mghunt.substack.com [https://mghunt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

The Art of World-building, before your book is published | Author Chat with E.J. Riley

Growing up in rural Victoria, then spending time with First Nation’s communities in Central Australia, E.J. Riley [https://www.ejrileyauthor.com] has always carried a passion for storytelling close to her heart. Throughout her adolescence, her concept for her debut book series, The Seekers Guild, was a lifeline that carried her through multiple schools and ups and downs of tertiary education. E.J. Riley has always valued the art of storytelling. From her childhood immersing herself in the rich storytelling culture of First Nation Australian’s, to following her passion for archaeology at University - one thing that never left her was her deep desire to craft a story of her own. She even has the map of the world she made for her universe from when she was 13 still next to her on her desk! I adore the way E.J. Riley’s mind works, and with several anthology submissions [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/243939770-state-of-mind] under her belt, it won’t be long until her debut saga is released. Enjoy the episode! Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 03:30 The Botched State of Mind Girl Dinner Anthology 06:00 About E.J. Riley and her background 15:03 Life changing moment: deciding to write 20:55 Travel inspiring your story ideas 23:00 EJ Riley’s approach to writing 30:15 The Seekers Guild map 30:45 Developing unique stories 36:09 Unpacking the Romantasy term 43:50 All about The Seekers Guild 52:02 The plans to release The Seekers Guild 57:06 Where to connect with EJ Riley E.J. Riley Links * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/ejrileyauthor/] * Linktree [https://linktr.ee/ejrileyauthor?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnPL51KRF-DeUIT-MVIiIvF1SFOTywPykgeyh3KgIrtIbK_MAUwY8Lx_1b34k_aem_mK6dHT8TD2fHrhE2QjSE4A] * Threads [https://www.threads.com/@ejrileyauthor?xmt=AQG0wJ1-Do7OrFU2kLYeQiMgzGPgpiKsiPeCg7SqyShrU8U] * Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/61941217.E_J_Riley] * Website [https://www.ejrileyauthor.com] MG Hunt Links * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mghunt.author] * Linktree [https://linktr.ee/Mghunt] * Threads [https://www.threads.com/@mghunt.author] * Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/51228189.M_G_Hunt] * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@mghunt.author] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/mghunt.author] * Website [http://mghunt.com] * Amazon [https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/MG-Hunt/author/B0DBQS869T] Thanks for tuning in! If you’d like to support my work, my Ko‑Fi author shop [https://ko-fi.com/mghunt/] has signed copies of my books and a range of bookish goodies, including pins, bookmarks, and art prints. Thanks for reading Indie Author Life! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mghunt.substack.com [https://mghunt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

International Book Signings & Special Editions as an Indie Author | Author Chat with Rachel O'Rourke

Once again, I had the pleasure of chatting with MM romance author and friend of the show, Rachel O’Rourke [https://rachelorourke.com.au/pages/abouthttps://rachelorourke.com.au/pages/about]. From our first episode recorded together in 2025, it felt like Rachel had a clear vision for what she wanted her author career to look like: ambitious and always moving forward. Her dreams have become a reality and more, with the release of her light-hearted MM romance ‘Pretending in Paradise [https://rachelorourke.com.au/products/pretending-in-paradise]’, along with the spectacular special edition versions of some of her pivotal titles - please visit her website [https://rachelorourke.com.au/collections/shop-all?page=2] to check these gorgeous books out. With an international signing under her belt, Rachel is ready to embrace whatever comes next. Her attention to detail is clear in the curation of her social media accounts, as well as her in-person book events set ups. If you want to know how to sell yourself as an author, a self-published one at that, look no further than Rachel for inspiration. Enjoy the episode! Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 03:11 A look back at Rachel’s journey since we last chatted 04:55 Pretending in Paradise 10:19 Writing comedy 13:15 Rachel’s foray into the Omegaverse 24:11 Curating your social media 32:42 The differences between social media platforms and posting content 39:47 Special Editions of Rachel O’Rourke’s books 53:31 Book Signing Events - An international book signing 01:06:29 What is next for Rachel O’Rourke Rachel O’Rourke Links * Website [https://rachelorourke.com.au/pages/about] * Instagram [https://rachelorourke.com.au] * Linktree [https://linktr.ee/rachel.orourke] * Tiktok [https://www.tiktok.com/@authorrachelo] * Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/164481.Rachel_O_Rourke] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558444390970] * Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/stores/Rachel-ORourke/author/B0C32ZXHLL] * Threads [https://www.threads.com/@rachelo.rourke] MG Hunt Links * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mghunt.author] * Linktree [https://linktr.ee/Mghunt] * Threads [https://www.threads.com/@mghunt.author] * Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/51228189.M_G_Hunt] * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@mghunt.author] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/mghunt.author] * Website [http://mghunt.com] * Amazon [https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/MG-Hunt/author/B0DBQS869T] Thanks for tuning in! If you’d like to support my work, my Ko‑Fi author shop [https://ko-fi.com/mghunt/] has signed copies of my books and a range of bookish goodies, including pins, bookmarks, and art prints. Thanks for reading Indie Author Life! This post is public so feel free to share it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mghunt.substack.com [https://mghunt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Transforming Grief Into Art | Author Chat with S.K. May

I have powerhouse indie author SK May to thank for birthing the current format of the Indie Author Life Show. For she was the first author that took a chance on me. She was my first guest on the show! That was way back in October 2024, and it feels like so much has changed and evolved from then. If you’re curious, check out the first episode of Indie Author Life featuring SK May [https://open.substack.com/pub/mghunt/p/interview-with-romantasy-author-sk?r=4jlx1u&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web] For round two of Simone’s visit on the show, we got into the development of her new spicy romantasy series, ‘The Coven and the Marked’. I was intrigued to learn it featured themes of Christianity, and an exploration into Genesis, Eve, and delving into a witchy world akin to a matriarchy. The first book of this series, ‘His Inferno [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/242767271-his-inferno]’, is available now, with the second book in the series, ‘Her Ruin’, coming soon. We also talked about the rebirth of her debut series, The Hidden Heirs. [https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/250939102-the-hidden-heirs] This series was created out of a difficult time in Simone’s life, to which she turned to writing as a much needed outlet. What came out of this tough time was a fantasy filled with strong female characters and time-travel. Enjoy the episode! Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction 02:20 The Chronology of SK May’s publications 03:33 How SK May’s writing has developed 08:20 The Coven and the Marked Series 20:33 Writing in varied levels of spice 22:55 How writing helped SK May deal with grief 27:20 Managing chaotic inspiration 29:33 Her Ruin and dealing with grief 34:10 The Hidden Heirs rebirth 49:50 Dedication to SK May’s father 53:10 Where to find SK May SK May Links: * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/skmayauthor?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61572739973736&ref=PRODASH_UPSELL_xav_ig_profile_page_web#] * Threads [https://www.threads.com/@skmayauthor?xmt=AQF0qnYWzosif0edw2eeU5744V_oLfSzsZv74tKQgR0htJE] * Linktree [https://linktr.ee/skmay?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGn0AlFYtMXSG-BZH3cUbNGX7OFeoMKtPJLye6eqawilr7NvTKyOnyQF6rLF-c_aem_esuUnz31ZmnriX6rXoUuBA] * Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/51687984.S_K_May] MG Hunt Links * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mghunt.author] * Linktree [https://linktr.ee/Mghunt] * Threads [https://www.threads.com/@mghunt.author] * Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/51228189.M_G_Hunt] * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@mghunt.author] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/mghunt.author] * Website [http://mghunt.com] * Amazon [https://www.amazon.com.au/stores/MG-Hunt/author/B0DBQS869T] Thanks for tuning in to my segment on the Indie Author Life show! If you’d like to support my work, my Ko‑Fi author shop [https://ko-fi.com/mghunt/] has signed copies of my books and a range of bookish goodies, including pins, bookmarks, and art prints. Thanks for tuning into Indie Author Life! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mghunt.substack.com [https://mghunt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]

Writing about hope, and the magic of daydreaming | Author Chat with E.Solofoni

As a child, author E. Solofoni found solace in reading and the magic of being taken away into new fantasy worlds. It was also was a massive aid in improving her literacy skills. Chatting with E. Solofoni reminded me how powerful reading is and how daydreaming can boost your creativity. We’ve heard it so often now about the negative sides to overconsumption of social media, a tool that I am self confessed to be distracted by. But in this conversation, Ellie and I talk about a time where we didn’t have social media, and let our imaginations run wild. Being inpsired by the art of anime/manga has also similarly inspired our world building, so that was a shared interest between us. E. Solofoni is also an avid cosplayer, and you might see her dress up at her next book event, Supanova Melbourne. [https://www.supanova.com.au/events/melbourne-2026/event-home/] Enjoy the episode! Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 02:58 E.Solofoni’s background and where she grew up 07:28 Embracing your own solitude for creativity 15:05 E. Solofoni’s writing schedule 20:12 Getting out of writing ruts 25:23 Fanning over Anime/Manga 26:40 the power of fan fiction as a creative outlet 28:30 A yap about Popmart 31:06 Cosplaying! 33:19 E.Solofoni’s publications 36:54 Writing about hope in times of adversity 47:37 What’s next for E. Solofoni 52:35 Sharing your writing with friends and family 57:59 Supanova and book events 01:01:02 Where to get in contact with E. Solofoni E. Solofoni Links * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/esolofoni/] * Website [https://www.esolofoni.com.au/s/shop?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnX6wXEA7PV7wB3elBSbRNJ3cpRlxfDDFBZsy8cjigkifxn8sEajD_vyZReoc_aem_nfAV5jowIwkxl--F78hUCA] * Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CHN61XSG] * Linktree [https://linktr.ee/esolofoni?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGn8t_HHLXiU--Wndcmg3U0nZjSK24s5pHi46BV76VjC-xDw-4Qi8wDP7BYeYM_aem_02OQjgqTg7RL0xvGlonXOA] * Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/43709721.E_Solofoni?from_search=true&from_srp=true] M.G. Hunt Links * Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/mghunt.author] * Linktree [https://linktr.ee/Mghunt] * Threads [https://www.threads.com/@mghunt.author] * Goodreads [https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/51228189.M_G_Hunt] * TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@mghunt.author] * Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/mghunt.author] * Website [http://mghunt.com] Thanks for tuning in to my segment on the Indie Author Life show! If you’d like to support my work, my Ko‑Fi author shop [https://ko-fi.com/mghunt/] has signed copies of my books and a range of bookish goodies, including pins, bookmarks, and art prints. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mghunt.substack.com [https://mghunt.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_1]