Indie Support Sunday: Bindi Kennedy

I know they say don’t judge a book by its cover, but when they’re as pretty as Bindi Kennedy’s covers, it’s hard not to be sucked in because of that! I will be honest and say I haven’t read the books yet, but that doesn’t take away from the fact that I want to or the fact that the covers are stunning.

Bindi might have struggled when she was in school, but her love and passion for creative writing didn’t stop her. In fact, she was suggested to keep going and wrote fanfiction for Outlander! And that’s not all, her debut was inspired by a mashup she wrote of Outlander and Taylor Swift and if that’s not the most interesting combination ever, I don’t know what is!

In her books, you’ll be treated to Bindi’s Australianness, fart jokes included, along with a heap of fun tropes. You can find them all in Kindle Unlimited!

BEING AN AUTHOR

Who or what inspired you to write?

I loved creative writing at school, but struggled with my literacy. I went on to be diagnosed with a form of dyslexia and an OT I was working with suggested I start writing again to improve my skills. I was obsessed with the TV show Outlander, so I began writing fan fic, and fell in love. 

What’s the best and worst part about being an indie author? 

Having control is the best and the worst part. You have the creative control, own your own work and can market it as you like, but the cost and responsibility is very overwhelming at times. It’s exhausting, especially when working and balancing a family. But it is so, so worth it. 

Why did you choose to self-publish instead of going the traditional route?

Honestly, fear and embarrassment. I didn’t think I could take the rejection and truly thought I wasn’t good enough. I was so worried they would see the literacy issues I had and just reject me on that alone. 

When you’re not writing, what do you do to get the creative juices flowing?

I love reading. I love music. Especially Taylor Swift. She is so inspirational and a woman, businesswoman and artist. I adore her lyrics. How she can take the tiny insignificant things that only someone truly in love would notice and build a whole world around it. 

If you were to recommend books to me (in any genre), what would they be?

I would recommend mainly romcoms, MM and Hockey, because I love and am obsessed. I adore Tessa Bailey and JJ Mulder. They would be my favourites: But I also love Tarah Dewitt, BK Borison and Lucy Score and an incredible English MM author Zarah Detand. Amazing. 

What are your top 5 tips or pieces of advice for aspiring authors?

1. Try and listen to your gut. I am a very anxious person and sometimes find it hard to do that because I’m never quite sure if it’s my gut or my anxiety talking. It’s something I really need to work on. 

2. Reviews are for readers. Not authors. Don’t read them. 

3. Don’t be afraid to build relationships with your readers. I was told to distance myself, almost to remain aloof, but I can’t.

4. Be yourself. People want authenticity.

5. Write what you like. My style is never going to be everyone's cup of tea. But, I enjoy writing it and I also make myself laugh. That’s what is important to me. Again, this self acceptance is something I am working on. 

ROMANCE AS A GENRE

Why did you choose romance as the genre to write in? What is your favorite thing about the genre?

Because I love it and that’s what I enjoy reading. 

If not romance/subgenres of romance, what genre would you like to write in?

I honestly don’t know. I am the parent of children with ASD and one with epilepsy, so maybe something involving that.

What are your most and least favorite tropes?

Favorite: Friends to lovers, Enemies to lovers. Grumpy sunshine. Brother’s best friend/ best friend’s brother.  

Least favorite: Bully. Miscommunication. Cheating. Maybe billionaire…is that a trope? I dunno, but I generally haven’t loved any I’ve read. Give me a hot plumber or fireman any day. Oh, and I don’t really like big age gaps. 

What are some tropes you want to write in the future?

This might sound really conceited, but I’m more of a character driven writer rather than a trope writer. 

Not that I don’t think about that too, but when an idea comes to me, the tropes aren’t the main thing I focus on.  Having said that, I really do love Grumpy/Sunshine so would love to do some more of that.

What are some topics (sensitive and otherwise) that you think should exist more in romance?

I think we have come a long way towards inclusivity, but I really would like to see more people with disabilities, mental health and chronic health conditions included in romance. 

If you write open door romance, why did you choose that and what inspires your sex scenes? 

I chose to include it as I think it’s part of the human experience. I was not brought up that way. Sex was not discussed and I felt ashamed of my sexuality for a long time. I am working hard to change that.

YOUR BOOKS

What inspired your published stories? How and when did you come up with these stories and plots?

My debut, Rules in Love was taken from a fan fiction I wrote. It was an Outlander/Taylor Swift Mashup. Honestly, I couldn’t tell you where the ideas come from. As crazy as it sounds, the characters speak to me as I write them and the story evolves as I write. I am not a planner. 

Can you briefly tell me about your books?

My first series was called the West Village, and was made up of Rules in Love, Secrets in Love, Lost in Love and Trouble in Love. This series follows four couples and is set between Australia and the States, New York’s West Village in particular. I freaking love this series. I love the characters, their faults and their interwoven relationships. These books are camp, kitsch, and I hope, lots of fun. 

Then we have my latest release, Bunny Season. It’s a college hockey romance, and book one in the Green Line Ice series. I’m really proud of this story. It’s inclusive, cute and spicy. I just love it.

Do you already have a favorite character from the stories you’ve written?

Teddy, one of the MMC’s in Lost in Love—I freaking love him. The fact that he’s not real, and not my IRL bestie breaks my heart every day. I really do adore them all though. I also adore Lotte, from Bunny Season. She’s just adorable.

If you were to cast your book for a movie/television show, who would you cast in the lead roles?

West Village wise I’d say:

Book 1—Madeline Petsch for Scarlett, and Matthew Nozka for Finn. (BUT If I had a time machine this would change to a younger Sam Heughan.)

Book 2—Margot Robbie for Evie and again, if I had the time machine, 20 something Zac Efron. Would be Nate. 

Book 3—Harry Styles would be Teddy and Charles Melton for Asher. 

Book 4—I honestly don’t know. Maybe Camila Mendes for Polly and Cooper Koch for Luca. 

Bunny Season—Sydney Sweeney for Lotte and Jacob Elordi for Noah. 

How much of yourself do you put into these characters?

Quite a bit. There are elements of me in each of them. Especially the mental health issues they face. Definitely my humor too.  

What is a story/stories that you really want to tell?

I really want to write more about people living with disabilities, and have a few ideas knocking around upstairs. Also one regarding a mother and daughter reunited after adoption.

Is there one common element that readers can find in all your stories?

I think my humor and my Australian-ness. Even if I try to be serious, a fart joke will work its way in. Or out. 

What’s next on the bookshelf for you? Anything you can tell us about a future project?

I’m currently writing book 2 of the Green Line Ice Series. They are three very different characters to what I’m used to, with a completely new-to-me dynamic. Lots of research. Lots of fun. Lots of nerves.

I just hope I can pull it off. (that’s what he said)

When you write these stories, what are you hoping your readers will feel?

Happy. I want to move people and I want them to feel many emotions, but overall, happiness. If you are smiling and laughing, I’ve done my job.

AUTHOR’S CHOICE

• Paperbacks, hardbacks, ebooks or audiobooks

• Contemporary, fantasy, historical or romantic suspense—Adding romcom.

• Single or Dual POV

• Standalones, series or standalones in a series

• Open door, ajar door or closed door romances—Open, but no issues with the others.

• Music or silence when writing—Depends on mood.

• Plotter, pantser or plantser—Definite Pantser with a touch of Planster. That is my goal. 

• Water, tea, coffee or….wine?—Water, but really Pepsi Max. 

• Cold or warm weather

• Write better in the morning, afternoon or night?—Anytime. 

• Illustrated or photo cover?—Happy with both but I really do love illustrated. 

Bindi can be found on Instagram, TikTok and Threads. For all her books check out Goodreads too! Make sure you’re subscribed to her newsletter as well.