Isla Winter had me at witches and demons and a sexy man with long hair. When I first heard about With This Witch, I was instantly obsessed and I hadn’t even read the book yet. Then I read it and let me just say that my obsession is justified. Isla’s writing is fantastic (yay fellow 3rd person writer!) and the world she’s created in Leeside had me hooked. I was at the edge of my seat the whole way through!
I was so lucky to get an early copy of Pushing Daisy and let me just tell you right now, this book is going to blow you away. If you weren’t a fan of Isla before, you will be now. The tension and banter, the humor and heart, and don’t even get me started on the spice—it was all so wonderful. Daisy and Sloan are the most perfectly matched people in the world and Isla gave them the perfect story ever.
One of the things I always love about paranormal romances is the magic and the legends that are created through the story, Isla did that so well that I am looking forward to what the other characters have to say!
Make sure you preorder Pushing Daisy, which will be available on October 25th. And in the meantime, you can get With This Witch at your preferred retailer right this minute—including on audio!
BEING AN AUTHOR
Who or what inspired you to write?
I’ve had the desire to write for as long as I can remember. I always enjoyed creating stories and just kind of having fun with it. But I also didn’t think I could actually write a full novel. It seems like such a huge feat (and it is!), and I didn’t see myself as ‘creative enough’... until I read Not the Witch You Wed by April Asher. I was absolutely enthralled and was like—I want to do this! So that book was my inspiration, I guess. I started kind of playing around with and writing what would become With This Witch shortly after reading that book, and here I am!
What’s the best and worst part about being an indie author?
The worst, hands down, the marketing. I’m busy with my full-time work, and trying to find the time and energy to be creative in that way to try and entice people to take a chance on my book is draining.
The best, having people I don’t know so excited after reading and sharing that excitement. It’s scary putting something you’ve worked so hard on out into the world and to have it received well and to see people loving on your characters like you love them, the feeling is really indescribable.
Why did you choose to self-publish instead of going the traditional route?
Part of it is just being unsure of my ability and if I had ‘what it takes’ to be an author. And part of it is just being impatient (querying takes a long time, let alone getting to the publish point after!), and wanting the control that comes with self-publishing.
When you’re not writing, what do you do to get the creative juices flowing?
I read or just take time away and let the ideas kind of simmer. I process through things in my head first and see if I like the idea or what I want to come from it. It helps to do things that aren’t book-related, like playing some video games.
If you were to recommend books to me (in any genre), what would they be?
I mean I guess I have to say Not the Witch You Wed because that’s what started it all for me. But others I’ve loved are The Jigsaw Man by Nadine Matheson, The Measure by Nikki Erlick, Olive Branch by Hannah Jay, and The Undertaking of Hart and Mercy by Megan Bannen
What are your top 5 tips or pieces of advice for aspiring authors?
Believe in yourself—it’s going to be hard, but you need to believe that you can finish and that you are capable of crafting the story you want to tell.
Invest in your project where you can—I would say especially in an editor. They are worth every penny.
Take breaks—it’s okay to step away from your manuscript for days, or weeks. Come back to it when you’re ready. But come back to it.
Try not to let comparison ruin your experience—you’re going to see others doing better than you and you’re going to judge your ability and success next to theirs. You are not them. They are not you.
Enjoy the process—as challenging as it can be, finally seeing the end product out in the world is worth it all.
ROMANCE AS A GENRE
Why did you choose romance as the genre to write in? What is your favorite thing about the genre?
I think I chose it because I wanted something to give hope. Which is really why I enjoy romances. Despite life’s challenges, there is love, and hope, and companionship.
If not romance/subgenres of romance, what genre would you like to write in?
I would either do something in the thriller or more fantasy realm. I may currently be dabbling in a thriller story…
What are your most and least favorite tropes?
Most: Enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience, and brother’s best friend.
Least: infidelity, surprise pregnancy.
What are some tropes you want to write in the future?
That’s a good question. At this point, I’m not sure.
What are some topics (sensitive and otherwise) that you think should exist more in romance?
There are so many. I think romance in general, is a good place where topics can be explored in a safe way as it often has the characters working through the issues, if not together, then at least on their own to improve their character. I’ve read a few books that handle past sexual assaults really well and the trauma that comes with it. I think consent is important to show in the stories and it’s wonderful when that is modeled. Grief is one that comes up a lot in my own writing, as well as crappy family experiences—it’s okay that things aren’t all rosy.
If you write open door romance, why did you choose that and what inspires your sex scenes?
I write open-door romance, and I love it. I love seeing the characters connect in that way and seeing them give into their desires. What inspires me to write those scenes is I think the characters themselves. It’s their feelings coming out, and I’m just the messenger. I will say the sex scenes are not autobiographical.
YOUR BOOKS
What inspired your published stories? How and when did you come up with these stories and plots?
Aside from what was discussed above about Not the Wich You Wed, I think my inspiration really comes from two things: my lengthy interest in magical things—I’ve loved witchy books and movies for a long time; and finding love myself. I was never the popular girl and was picked on quite a bit growing up. I didn’t have the boys interested in me, so that definitely led me to believe I wasn’t worthy of love or finding someone who cared for me. So, wanting to create stories that share that you are worthy of love and that love also comes in different forms (friends, family, community, etc) was important.
Can you briefly tell me about your books?
Well, I technically only have the one out for now, with the second coming out in mere days, but With This Witch, to me, is really a story about community and connection. It explores the idea that family comes in all sorts of shapes and sizes, that familial expectations/obligations aren’t necessarily a bad thing, and that sometimes the one we are meant for has been right in front of us the entire time. It has some fun banter, a male who is head over heels for her, some great spice, and a friendship that is integral to their relationship.
Pushing Daisy is the second book in the Leeside Witches series, and again, to me, this is a story about finding yourself (value, worth, etc), and learning to trust. Both Daisy and Sloan have some stuff to work through, whether it be family issues or their connected past, and for them to do so, it requires them to learn who they are and to trust themselves and others (particularly for Daisy!).
Do you already have a favorite character from the stories you’ve written?
Would it be bad to say the cat? Ha! I do love Morris. But for human characters, I think either Lachlan or Sloan are my faves. He’s just so gooey, and Sloan is so sharp and fun to write.
If you were to cast your book for a movie/television show, who would you cast in the lead roles?
I feel like the go-to answer is Henry Cavill and I think he would make a great Lachlan. For Petra, I think maybe Bryce Dallas Howard would be great.
How much of yourself do you put into these characters?
There’s quite a bit of me in Petra—write what you know, right? Lol There are some parts of me (and my husband) in Lachlan as well.
What is a story/stories that you really want to tell?
I don’t know. I have a few ideas I’m bouncing around and I’m still all so new to this and have no idea where it will all take me.
Is there one common element that readers can find in all your stories?
Probably grief. Like love, grief comes in different forms, and I think it’s just been such a big element in my life that I don’t really know what life is like without it. It’s always there—sometimes stronger, sometimes less so—but it’s there, and it presents in different ways, and little reminders of it (and of the loss associated) appear in so many varied ways as well.
What’s next on the bookshelf for you? Anything you can tell us about a future project?
Top secret news I’ll share here! There is a 3rd book in this series that I’ve started. Declan (Lachlan’s brother from With This Witch) is getting his own book too! It’s looking like best friend’s sister and maybe some forced proximity… It’s still in the really early stages, but this is how it seems to be playing out right now.
I also have another book in another potential series started, with a witch and a witch hunter.
When you write these stories, what are you hoping your readers will feel?
I just want people to enjoy the story. So I hope they feel fun for them!
AUTHOR’S CHOICE
Paperbacks, hardbacks, ebooks or audiobooks
Contemporary, fantasy, historical or romantic suspense
Single or Dual POV
Standalones, series or standalones in a series
Open door, ajar door or closed door romances
Music or silence when writing
Plotter, pantser or plantser
Water, tea, coffee or….wine?
Cold or warm weather
Write better in the morning, afternoon or night?
Illustrated or photo cover?
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