Tag: Indie Author

Writers on Writing

It Had to Happen: Time, grief, and the illusion of control

Mandy Webster

It Had to Happen begins with a devastating, almost clean fracture in a man’s life: Jack Utley loses his daughter just as his business is finally about to take off. In that moment, success and loss become entangled in a way that feels almost transactional—like one has been traded for the other. Jack is left doing what many grieving parents do in fiction and in life: trying to assign meaning to something that refuses to make sense. Then the story shifts into something far less predictable.

On the eve of his daughter Callie’s funeral, Jack encounters a mysterious woman. After that meeting, he wakes to find that time has somehow rewound itself to the morning of the accident. Suddenly, he is given what grief never allows in reality: a second chance. He saves his daughter’s life. But the novel is not interested in treating that as a simple gift.

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Writers on Writing

Occult satire, unreliable men, and a very bad cat: A deep view inside the novel, One Bad Cat

Mandy Webster

One Bad Cat is a novel that grew out of a simple premise and ended up somewhere far stranger, funnier, and more psychologically tangled than it first appeared. At its core, it’s an occult satire built around two intersecting storylines: a psychology professor who is turned into a cat by members of his coven, and a man trying to keep his life from falling apart after he lets a persistent stray cat into his apartment.

Dr. Stephen Scott begins the story in a position of intellectual authority. He’s a psychology professor with an interest in the occult, someone who believes he understands systems and people well enough to stay a step ahead. That control collapses when a group of female coven members cast a spell that transforms him into a cat. From there, his storyline tightens into something immediate and claustrophobic: a mind trapped in a body that no longer obeys it, focused on revenge, survival, and the recovery of a charm bag that contains the source of his power.

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Writers on Writing

If You Didn’t See It Coming: A psychological novel about family violence and the warning signs we ignore

Mandy Webster

A powerful psychological novel about domestic violence, generational trauma, and the warning signs we ignore. Amanda L. Webster shares the personal experiences behind If You Didn’t See It Coming and why fiction can reveal what statistics cannot.

If You Didn’t See It Coming is a psychological novel that explores domestic abuse, generational trauma, and the quiet warning signs that too often go unnoticed until it’s too late. Told through three interconnected perspectives, the story builds tension around a single, haunting certainty: someone is going to die. This isn’t a traditional mystery. It’s not about who did it. It’s about who will—and why.

Graphic that includes the book cover and a list of the following tropes: Multi-generational story, Domestic violence, Coercive Control, talks about the red flags we ignore. "You know someone is going to die-- you just don't know who-- or why."

The novel follows three generations of women—Marilou, Carrie, and Emma—each navigating her own version of control, fear, and survival. Marilou appears to have built the perfect life, but behind the façade is a marriage that has slowly eroded her sense of self. Carrie, her daughter, is doing everything she can to hold her life together after escaping an abusive relationship, only to have her ex forced back into her life through the legal system. And Emma, Carrie’s thirteen-year-old daughter, is caught in the middle—trying to make sense of attention, danger, and the complicated legacy she’s inheriting.

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Author Interview

Author interview with Johanny Ortega

Mandy Webster

Author Johanny Ortega weaves her Dominican roots, love of classical music, and fascination with the supernatural into stories that explore identity, heritage, and the complexities of family. Her upcoming novel, The Ordinary Bruja—releasing November 4, 2025—invites readers into a world of dark magic and self-discovery, where one woman must face the haunting legacy of her ancestors. In this interview, Ortega shares how her grandmother’s influence shaped her storytelling, why representation remains central to her work, and how she balances creativity with the realities of indie publishing.

Get your copy of The Ordinary Bruja from my independent online bookstore today!

Q: What/who were your early literary influences, and how do you think their writing has shaped you as a storyteller today?
A: I was born and raised in the Dominican Republic, and my grandmother raised me. She was a big advocate of literature and education. She believed that it was a way out of poverty. While I resisted at first, once I got a hand on reading, it opened a whole new world for me, and I hadn’t left that world ever since. My grandmother was not an author, but she influences tremendously what I write about and how I write. I proudly represent my background in my book as an ode to her and my beginnings.

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Author Interview

Author interview with fantasy writer Kristin D. Jackson

Mandy Webster

Fantasy author Kristin D. Jackson knows the power of a good story—not just to entertain, but to evoke real, visceral emotion. From late-night Stephen King marathons as a teenager to building rich, immersive worlds of her own, Kristin’s path to becoming a writer is one paved with curiosity, creativity, and a deep love for connection. In this interview, she opens up about her writing journey, the themes that guide her work, and the messy, magical process behind crafting stories that resonate. Whether you’re a fellow writer or an avid reader, Kristin’s thoughtful reflections are sure to inspire.

In Lost Souls: The Caves of Oriana, a mismatched group of outcasts—including a godless cleric, a shamed ranger, a haunted rogue, an elderly sorceress, and a nameless bard—unites to face the darkness stirring beneath a quiet village. As they descend into danger, they discover that the greatest quest may be finding a sense of belonging in one another.

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Q: What’s a memory of a story or book that made you realize you wanted to be a writer?
A: Over the summer of my sophomore to junior year of high school, I was up until about 2:30 AM most nights reading a Stephen King novel called, It. My twin sister and I had to share a room growing up, so it wasn’t unusual for one of us to be up when the other went to sleep. One specific night, though, I was so scared out of my mind, even with my reading light on, that I had to wake her up so I didn’t feel alone. (She was actually nice about it, too!) I was surprised by the visceral reactions and deep emotions I’ve experienced while reading a good story. I remember that night, just as a passing thought, wondering if I would ever be able to create something that evokes emotion the way I’ve experienced from other writers.

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Author Interview

Author interview with romantasy writer Rebecca Parcha

Mandy Webster

From retelling Little Red Riding Hood in a childhood writing class to crafting fierce, magic-wielding heroines who defy the patriarchy, romantasy author Rebecca Parcha has always known the power of a good story. Inspired by literary icons like Virginia Woolf and modern romantasy trailblazers like Sarah J. Maas, Rebecca blends old-world symbolism with bold, emotionally rich narratives that champion strong female leads and challenge societal norms. In this interview, she opens up about her writing rituals, literary influences, and what it means to create work that not only entertains, but empowers.

In Fangs of Fate, Tate Aaralyn walks a dangerous line between predator and prey—an executioner of justice in the human realm and a conflicted vampire in the Glenn, where her hunger feels like a curse. When a disciplinary hearing forces her into service with the guara, Tate must confront dark truths, a mysterious bond with a powerful vampire named Aether, and her own evolving power. Meanwhile, Chance Dale, the president’s son and her former lover, uncovers a sinister threat rising within the vampire world. As their paths cross again, both must decide whether love is their salvation—or their undoing.

Q: What/who were your early literary influences, and how do you think their writing has shaped you as a storyteller today?
A: I love Virginia Woolf. I’m a huge fan of A Room of One’s Own. Her short stories are also amazing. To me, getting to study her and her life in college was one of my favorite parts of various literature classes. Beyond her, I’d say Hemingway, Poe, and George Lillo would also be up there as far as influential favorites within cherished prose and plays. There’s also the Brothers Grimm and Anne Saxton who I also have a great appreciation for.

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Book Reviews, Find Your Next Read

Midlife, magic, & saying “Screw it”: Why Magical Midlife Madness is the book every woman needs to read

Mandy Webster

What if your midlife crisis turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to you? In Magical Midlife Madness, bestselling indie author K.F. Breene hands the reins of power to a 40-year-old woman who’s finally had enough—and the result is a hilarious, empowering, and refreshingly real fantasy adventure.

Get your copy of Magical Midlife Madness by K.F. Breene from my independent online bookstore today!

Jacinta, who prefers Jess (or Jessie, depending on who’s talking), doesn’t crumble when her husband of 20 years announces he’s leaving her. In fact, she breathes a sigh of relief—and I cheered right along with her. Their relationship, more habit than love, was the kind that too many women stay in because it feels “easier.” But not Jess. She sees the exit as a second chance, and with her son off to college, she packs up and heads to a strange old house in a quiet Sierra foothills town that has tugged at her memory since childhood.

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Author Interview

Author interview with fantasy and contemporary adult fiction writer, Abby Lattanzio

Mandy Webster

Hello, and welcome to this week’s featured author, Abby Lattanzio! Her work includes fantasy (The Elementals) and contemporary adult fiction (Remember Me Tomorrow).

Abby Lattanzio hails from central Illinois and has been writing since junior high, when she learned the stories in her head could become something more. She graduated from Northland College with a degree in writing and is a cellist in her local orchestra. She can often be found hiking, reading, watching New Girl, or crafting, and is owned by two cats who barely tolerate each other.

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Book Reviews, Find Your Next Read

The Witch of Wall Street by M.J. Etkind: A Magical Romp with Heart

Mandy Webster

From the very first page, The Witch of Wall Street sweeps readers into a whirlwind adventure that is equal parts high-stakes magic, romantic comedy, and social commentary. M.J. Etkind delivers a fast-paced, spellbinding romp through New York City, brimming with supernatural charm and delightful chaos.

Get your copy of The Witch of Wall Street by M.J. Etkind from my online bookstore today!

At its center are Miriam Blum, a fiercely independent finance witch who has worked very hard to keep her chaos magic in control, and Nelson Copperfield, her high school rival whose magic is a bit more on the altruistic side. When a chance encounter and one reckless night of passion lead to an unexpected magical mishap, the two are thrown into a supernatural scavenger hunt filled with enchanting oddities. From an enchanted dumpling house to a Jinn-run CPA firm and a venomous leather shop in Little Italy, their journey is as unpredictable as it is thrilling.

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Book Reviews, Find Your Next Read

The Truth About Gracie by Sarah Dawson Powell: A haunting tale of love, loss, and secrets

Mandy Webster

Some books wrap around your heart and squeeze, leaving an imprint long after you’ve turned the last page—The Truth About Gracie by Sarah Dawson Powell is one of those books.

Cover of The Truth About Gracie by Sarah Dawson Powell
Get your copy of The Truth About Gracie by Sarah Dawson Powell from my online bookstore today!

Grief is rarely neat, and it’s never simple—especially for a teenager who believed he had his future figured out. In The Truth About Gracie, Sarah Dawson Powell takes readers on an emotional journey through Tanner’s heartache as he grapples with the sudden and tragic loss of his girlfriend, Gracie. But the novel doesn’t just explore the pain of losing a loved one; it unravels the complexities of secrets, betrayal, and the uncomfortable reality that sometimes, we don’t truly know the people closest to us.

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