A Love Letter to Independent Bookstores on Right Here Write Queer

A roundtable of indie authors chat about why we love independent bookstores, the perfect match between indie authors and indie bookshops, and what NOT to do as an indie author who wants to work with independent bookshops.

Carolina Cruz (they/them) is the author of the vampire horror romance Blood in the Water and the queer fantasy series The Creed of Gethin (beginning with The Unwanted Prophet). You can connect with them on instagram @ninawolverina

Noah Hawthorn (they/them), also writing as Aelina Isaacs, is the author of the queer cozy fantasy series Adventures in Levena, beginning with Phantom and Rook, and the solarpunk novel The Rebel Foxes, amongst other titles. You can connect with them at their website: neshamapublishing.com

RK Ashwick (she/her) is the author of the cozy fantasy A Rival Most Vial and its sequel A Captured Cauldron, as well as the Lutesong trilogy beginning with The Stray Spirit. You can connect with her at her website: rkashwick.com

Tess Carletta (she/her) is the author of Kit & Basie, a queer cozy fantasy romance, its sequel collection Patchwork, and the forthcoming fantasy novel Goldheart. You can connect with her at her website: tesscarletta.com

Cozy Fantasy with Meg’s Tea Room on Right Here Write Queer!

There’s a new episode of Right Here Write Queer waiting for you in your favorite podcast app!

Meg (she/her) of Meg’s Tea Room joins cozy fantasy authors Noah Hawthorne (he/they), RK Ashwick (she/her), and Sarah Wallace (they/them) for a roundtable discussion on the subgenre’s growing popularity, what they’d like to experience in cozy stories going forward, and how to cope with cozy burnout—plus, all the cozy recs you could ever dream of.

Meg (she/her) is a fantasy bookish influencer creating cozy books through Bindery. You can follow along with the publishing journey for Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife and get cozy on instagram @megs.tea.room, on TikTok @megstearoom, and on Bindery at cozyquill.binderybooks.com

Noah Hawthorne (he/they), also writing as Aelina Isaacs, is the author of the queer cozy fantasy series Adventures in Levena, beginning with Phantom and Rook. You can connect with him at their website: neshamapublishing.com

Sarah Wallace (they/them) is the author of the cozy Regency romantasy series Meddle & Mend beginning with Letters to Half Moon Street and coauthor with S.O. Callahan of the Fae & Human Relations series beginning with Breeze Spells and Bridegrooms. You can connect with them on instagram @sarah.wallace.writer

Rivals to Lovers – Trope Talk on Right Here Write Queer

There’s a new episode of Right Here Write Queer waiting for you in your favorite podcast app!

What is it about rivals-to-lovers that makes readers ravenous for it? Five indie authors form a roundtable to discuss a favorite trope.

RK Ashwick (she/her) is the author of the cozy fantasy A Rival Most Vial and its sequel A Captured Cauldron, as well as the Lutesong trilogy beginning with The Stray Spirit. You can connect with her at her website: rkashwick.com

S.O. Callahan (she/her) is the author of the Fella Enchanted cozy fantasy duology and co-author of the Fae and Human Relations series beginning with Breeze Spells and Bridegrooms. You can connect with her on instagram @s.o.callahan

Luna Daye (she/her) is the author of the epic fantasy Thoraius Saga beginning with Swords and Seers and the romantasy series Fated Fae beginning with Fae’s Mate. You can connect with her at her website: lunadaye.com

Noah Hawthorne (he/they), also writing as Aelina Isaacs, is the author of the cozy fantasy series Adventures in Levena beginning with Phantom and Rook. You can connect with him at their website: neshamapublishing.com

Sarah Wallace (they/them) is the author of the cozy fantasy series Meddle and Mend beginning with Letters to Half Moon Street and co-author of the Fae and Human Relations series beginning with Breeze Spells and Bridegrooms. You can connect with them on instagram @sarah.wallace.writer

Beta Reading on Right Here Write Queer

There’s a new episode of Right Here Write Queer waiting for you in your favorite podcast app!

What is beta reading? How do you become a beta reader? And how do you get the most out of the feedback you receive from beta readers? Three indie authors come together for a rousing discussion, including some wild stories.

RK Ashwick (she/her) is the cozy fantasy author of the Lutesong series (beginning with The Stray Spirit) and the Side Quest Row series (beginning with A Rival Most Vial). You can connect with her at her website: rkashwick.com

Tess Carletta (she/her) is the author of Kit & Basie, a queer cozy romance, and its sequel, Patchwork. You can connect with her at her website: tesscarletta.com

Noah Hawthorne (he/they) is the author of the queer fantasy series Adventures in Levena, beginning with Phantom and Rook. You can connect with him at their website: neshamapublishing.com

Cozy Kidnapping with RK Ashwick on Right Here Write Queer

There’s a new episode of Right Here Write Queer waiting for you in your favorite podcast app!

I interviewed RK Ashwick about her upcoming novel A Captured Cauldron, a cozy fantasy sequel to A Rival Most Vial—featuring a potion-brewing convention, a cozy kidnapping, and a brand new sapphic romance for a returning fan favorite.

RK Ashwick (she/her) is the cozy fantasy author of the Lutesong series (beginning with The Stray Spirit) and the Side Quest Row series (beginning with A Rival Most Vial). The second book of Side Quest Row, A Captured Cauldron, comes out October 7th! You can learn more at rkashwick.com

Series vs. Stand Alone on Right Here Write Queer

Listen wherever you find your favorite podcasts!

Five indie authors weigh the benefits of writing interconnected books as a series or specializing in telling single stories, including the shiny lure of a fresh story idea, getting to know intriguing new characters compared to settling in for another adventure with old friends, the challenge of crafting a sequel as compelling as its predecessor, and whether readers are more willing to follow an author into a bold new direction or return to familiar ground.

RK Ashwick (she/her) is the author of the Sidequest Row series (beginning with A Rival Most Vial) and the Lutesong series (beginning with The Stray Spirit). You can connect with her at her website: rkashwick.com

Noah Hawthorne (he/they), also writing as Aelina Isaacs, is the author of the Adventures in Levena series (beginning with Phantom and Rook) and the stand alone novel The Rebel Foxes. You can connect with him at their website: neshamapublishing.com

S. O. Callahan (she/her) is the author of the Fella Enchanted duology and co-author of the Fae & Human Relations series (beginning with Breeze Spells and Bridegrooms). You can connect with her on Instagram @s.o.callahan

Sarah Wallace (they/she) is the author of the Meddle & Mend series (beginning with Letters to Half Moon Street) and co-author of the Fae & Human Relations series (beginning with Breeze Spells and Bridegrooms). You can connect with them at their website: sarahwallacewriter.com

Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) is the author of the Aubrey & Lindsey series (beginning with Mr Warren’s Profession), the Oak King Holly King series (beginning with Oak King Holly King), and the stand alone novels Hold Fast, Fiorenzo, and The Haunting of Heatherhurst Hall. You can connect with him at his website: sebastiannothwell.com

Newsletters on Right Here Write Queer

A new episode of Right Here Write Queer just dropped! You can listen in your favorite podcast app.

On today’s episode, four indie authors discuss author newsletters, why every author should have one, and what treasures readers can expect to find when they sign up.

R.K. Ashwick (she/her) is the author of A Rival Most Vial: Potioneering for Love and Profit and The Stray Spirit. You can sign up for her newsletter at her website: rkashwick.com

Noah Hawthorne (he/they), also writing as Aelina Isaacs, is the author of Phantom and Rook: When An Immortal Falls In Love With A Witch and The Rebel Foxes: The Sirione Chronicles: The Dome. You can sign up for his newsletter at their website: neshamapublishing.com

Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) is the author of Oak King Holly King and Fiorenzo. You can sign up for his newsletter at his website: sebastiannothwell.com

What is Cozy Fantasy? Right Here Write Queer

On today’s episode of Right Here, Write Queer, we ask the question: What is Cozy Fantasy? Six authors attempt to define the genre. Featuring an extremely scientific hurt/comfort formula, manual labor, found family, connecting to nature, and an unforgivable betrayal.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts!

Our panel:
• R.K. Ashwick (she/her), author of A Rival Most Vial: Potioneering for Love and Profit and The Stray Spirit.
• Noah Hawthorne (he/they), (also writing as Aelina Isaacs), author of Phantom and Rook: When An Immortal Falls In Love With A Witch and Matsdotter and Adrastus.
• Sarah Wallace (they/she), author of Letters to Half Moon Street and co-author of Breeze Spells and Bridegrooms.
• S.O. Callahan (she/her), author of Fella Enchanted and co-author of Breeze Spells and Bridegrooms.
• Tess Carletta (she/her), author of Kit & Basie and Patchwork.
• Sebastian Nothwell (he/him), author of Oak King Holly King and Fiorenzo.

RK Ashwick on Right Here Write Queer

A new episode of Right Here, Write Queer just dropped! You can listen in your favorite podcast app.

Today’s episode features R.K. Ashwick, fantasy author of the Lutesong series and A Rival Most Vial: Potioneering for Love and Profit. We chat about catharsis through character development, building stories around your passions, and cozy inspiration.

Our other episodes will introduce you to…

• S.O. Callahan, author of the historical fantasy novel Fella Enchanted and co-author of Breeze Spells and Bridegrooms.
• Tess Carletta, cozy magical-realism author of Kit & Basie and its recently-released sequel, Patchwork.
• Sarah Wallace, author of the Regency fantasy novel Letters to Half Moon Street and co-author of Breeze Spells and Bridegrooms.
• Noah Hawthorne (also writing as Aelina Isaacs), author of the fantasy novel Phantom and Rook: When An Immortal Falls In Love With A Witch as well as The Rebel Foxes: The Sirione Chronicles: The Dome.
• Luna Daye, author of the epic high fantasy series The Thoraius Saga and the romantasy series The Fated Fae.
• Carolina Cruz, author of the gothic horror romance Blood in the Water and the fantasy series The Creed of Gethin.
• Sarah Whalen, author of the contemporary ace romance novel This Doesn’t Mean Anything.
• and me, Sebastian Nothwell!

Our intro episodes will be rapid-releasing every Monday-Wednesday-Friday, and our regular topic episodes will come out every week after that.

This project has been many months in the making and I’m so thrilled to finally be able to share it with you – thank you for listening!