Tag Archives: indie publishing

Interview with Phoenix McDonald: Writing Stories That Represent and Inspire

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Phoenix McDonald is a fantasy author, publisher, and advocate for queer and disabled representation in literature. In this interview, Phoenix shares their creative process, inspiration, and challenges in the publishing world—and what they’re working on next.

How do you approach writing and developing your characters and stories?

I am absolutely a “pantser” when it comes to writing. I will get inspiration for a story, and I just start writing. I liken it to telling the story to myself, because often a twist or sudden incident will come as a surprise to me, just as it will to a reader.

When it comes to world building, I take that initial idea and expand it with all the richness and uniqueness in a fantasy world that I want to see in another world. Right down to the food, I want my worlds to be as original as possible.

What inspired you to write A Discovery of Talents?

My grandson was born in July of 2018, when I was still living in Wisconsin, and my son was living in Portland. I flew out to visit several times a year. During one of those visits, we were talking about if I were to write a children’s book, what it might be about.

My younger child, who is nonbinary, is married to a man who is an artist. His art is dark and sometimes frightening. I thought about a child having a nightmare and based that nightmare on that scary art. As I developed that in my mind, I realized it would be too frightening for a younger children’s story, and decided it would work better as a YA fantasy, which is great, since I have been a YA fantasy fan for a long time.

I knew that if I were going to write this book, I wanted the main character to be disabled, because there aren’t very many stories with disabled characters in them, much less the main character. I wanted to show disabled people that we could be the main character, the hero, the one who has the fantasy adventure and develops the power and has the romance.

How have your identity and lived experiences influenced your storytelling?

Being disabled was always going to be a part of the story, as I explained in the previous question. Being a transgenderman, that’s a more complex part of the story. Before moving to Portland, I was living a very closeted life, and had been for a very long time. I was able to start emerging from that darkness here, first by coming out as nonbinary, and then with a lot of work and therapy, finally coming out as a transgender man.

The steps are very visible in these books (The Crystal Island, the second book in the series, just released May 9). A Discovery of Talents is my “baby steps” book, because as I learned more about myself, I wrote about the nonbinary community in the book, and the other communities as well, and their different ways of expressing not just gender, but sexuality as well.

That’s going to be a common theme as my writing continues, because I want to continue to make representation for disability and the queer community a big part of the stories I tell.

What publishing challenges have you faced, and how did you handle them?

Oof! I had a small press that was going to publish my book, and even gave me a three-book contract, including publishing in ebook and physical forms, and audiobook. I learned after the fact that they were using publishing my book and some other authors as a means to use their press to publish their family members’ books. When they tried to break the contracts they had with me, I needed a lawyer to get the rights to my book back.

I’m very glad I did, for more than one reason. I know now that my book wasn’t ready for publishing. I’ve rewritten it since then, and I hired a professional editor to work on it with me. That press didn’t have it professionally edited, and it definitely needed that. Unfortunately, they’re out of business now, which means the authors they did publish, their books are out of print.

Then when I did start to query, I got rejection after rejection from agents and publishers who claimed to want to publish marginalized authors, including disabled and LGBTQ writers. It was discouraging, so I decided that I would become a publisher myself, but in an honest way.

I’m an LLC, Real Phoenix Rises Publishing, and I’m starting off with my own books, openly. I’m hoping to be able to make enough at some point to be able to start accepting submissions from other authors. I want to actually publish books written by other marginalized authors; that’s my primary goal.

How have readers responded to your work?

Almost everyone who has read my book has told me they’ve really enjoyed it and especially people who are disabled or LGBTQIA. I’ve had a couple of veterans tell me how much it meant to them just to see a character on the cover with a prosthetic, which made me feel really good. That’s been my goal from the beginning.

What advice would you give to other writers starting out?

Just keep writing, and keep reading. I’ve never had any kind of formal writing training. While I do have a college degree, it’s in Management for Health Care! Everything I learned about writing, I learned by reading other people’s books.

If your dream is to be a writer, then write. Start small, write some short stories, and submit to anthologies or literary magazines. Many of them will offer feedback, and that can be invaluable. There are quite a few authors now who are offering writing mentorships or writing courses.

What hobbies or interests fuel your creativity?

I play Magic the Gathering at least once a week. It’s a fun card game, but there’s a lot of storytelling behind the characters and the actions in the game too. I’m a huge Marvel fan, and Star Trek and Star Wars. Lord of the Rings is an influence, so as you can imagine, the movies are one of my favorite places.

I also read every day, mostly indie writers, because it’s so important to support our fellow indie writers, and I truly believe that the best writing is coming from the indie community.

Which authors or books have influenced your work the most?

Anne McCaffrey was probably one of my very first fantasy influences, and why I fell in love with dragons. She was a true pioneer as a woman writer in the field of sci fi and fantasy, and while she had some issues with consent at the start that she learned from and fixed, she was writing about homosexuality before many others were.

Maggie Stiefvater is a damn fine YA author. Her book The Scorpio Races is my absolute favorite book I’ve ever read. I refer back to The Wolves of Mercy Falls series when it comes to starting out in YA, and The Raven Cycle and The Dreamer Trilogy when it comes to shifting toward more coming of age and grown up writing in the field.

Patrick Ness is another major influence, who has written a lot of LGBTQIA books.

What are you writing next?

I need to finish The Talent Continuum, and I will do that this year, but I got sidetracked by a photograph! A friend of mine was hiking and took a very interesting picture he shared. At first I thought it just gave me a short story idea, but it turns out it’s going to be a book. It’s a Cryptid story—and since I live in the PNW, it’s probably not too hard to figure out which one!

A heartfelt thank you to Phoenix McDonald for sharing their time, insights, and deeply personal journey with us. Your passion for inclusive storytelling and commitment to uplifting marginalized voices is not only inspiring—it’s essential. We can’t wait to see where your writing takes us next.

If you enjoyed this interview and would like to see more indie authors featured, drop us a comment or message with your suggestions. We love discovering new voices and celebrating the incredible talent in the indie writing community!

Find Phoenix’s Books on Amazon here

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Phoenix’s website: https://www.therealphoenixrises.com/

Seeds in the Soul Garden

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Recently, I stumbled on a social media post talking about how you shouldn’t tear out seeds before they are given a chance to grow. This struck a chord with me. The idea is so simple and the thought of new endeavors as seeds so perfect that I wanted to spend more time with it.

Photo by Behzad Ghaffarian on Unsplash

Have you ever taken a moment to look at a truly beautiful garden? Flowers and plants grow together in ways that both surprise and delight. Accent pieces and sculptures glisten among the flowers, drawing the eye and telling their own stories. There’s a magic flowing through the space that invites the viewer to slow down and breathe.

Now I want you to imagine all your hopes, dreams, and goals; all your accomplishments; and all your failures are represented as a garden. What does your garden look like? Are the various flowerbeds of your different interests and passions alive and well? Are there hobbies that are overgrown and taking over more space than they should? Are there personal care areas that have shriveled and grown weeds from lack of attention?

Just as a gorgeous garden requires consistent time, effort, and love from a gardener with both skill and experience, your soul garden requires the same. All areas of your life deserve the attention they need to thrive without overwhelming the others. Take time to prune back unruly pursuits (Diner Dash, I’m looking at you) and devote more time to growing the things that bring you joy.

Personally, my soul garden probably looks more like a zoo right now. There are errant sentient plants wandering around and messing up flowerbeds. One is trying to build a shed using toothpicks and chewing gum. The few nice flowers I’ve managed to curate must be kept under bulletproof glass domes to protect them from the roving hoards of plot bunnies that munch on literally everything. There’s a treehouse in there somewhere. It’s chaos, but it’s my chaos, and there’s beauty in that too.

I see you there plot bunny. Don’t you dare eat my petunias.
Photo by Diana Măceşanu on Unsplash

This whole authoring business has encouraged me to plant new seeds while continuing to care for for the ones that are starting to sprout. These seeds represent skills and connections that need to be built and strengthened. It might be a while before I see real growth, but I know the possibility is out there. I trust that with proper care and attention they will grow into something beautiful. And where skill is lacking, thankfully there’s always Google, YouTube, and fellow indies I can randomly text on random Tuesday nights with my questions.

I raise my glass to those amazing indie authors out there with gorgeous gardens – thank you for sharing the fruit of your experience. It’s not an easy road, but it’s easier because I have you trailblazers to follow and learn from.

Tell me, dear reader, how does your garden grow?

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Interview with Kathryn Elizabeth Jones

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Joining us today is one of my favorite indie press authors. Kathryn has taught at my local writing chapter meetings about the perks of being your own creative boss and also how to make the most of a small marketing budget. She’s made a name for herself in the Utah writing community and is amazingly friendly and generous with her time and talent.

On to the interview!

Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash

Let’s kick things off with a getting to know you question. What are the three most unique things about you most people know, and one thing they don’t?

I love to read, take long walks on the beach, and enjoy interior decorating. One thing others may not know is that I just got hired on as a kindergarten teacher for American Preparatory Academy. I love children, but I never thought I’d be teaching. That goes to show you want a freelance writer can do at age 58!

How much of you ends up in your characters, are there certain traits that you tend to include?

That depends on the book. When I wrote “The Parables of Virginia Bean” – especially the first book in the series called, “Conquering Your Goliaths: A Parable of the Five Stones” much of my spiritual heart went into writing about the character. The journey she takes is much like my journey, and, from what I hear, many a reader relates to her story because it connects with their own.

Of the many books you’ve created, which one has been the most rewarding and why?

I have a new book coming out entitled, “Enlightened”. It’s a nonfiction book that speaks to scripture journaling and prayer. I have been on this particular journey for over 20 years and share my insights in connecting with God.

Tell us about your creative process. What does it take for you to create one of your books?

The creative process is always different. When I began “LightShade”, a science-fantasy for middle readers, it began as a prompt from my grandson. He wanted a ‘boy’ book, and previous to that time I’d only written the ‘girl’ variety. For this book, I had to do a little scientific research before beginning, and I found as I continued to write, that there were other opportunities to make the story real by doing even more research. I am usually a by the seat of my pants sort of writer or a “pantster”, but there are many times when I feel the need to research to make the plots I come up with plausible. With some research under my belt, I head forward, allowing the characters to sort of introduce themselves to me. I usually have a pretty good idea of the main character, but the others come as I write, sort of like a visit from new friends.

I ask this question to everyone – what’s the most interesting item you have in your writing space and what’s the story behind it?

The most interesting thing in my writing space is a cup with the words, “I Write, What’s Your Super Power?” We all have a superpower! It may be writing. And it might even be teaching kindergarten. I guess I’ll find out 😊

What’s next? What are you working on?

“Enlightened: My Personal Journey with Christ Through Scripture Journaling” will be released in September. The second book in The Space Adventures of Aaden Prescott series, “LightDescending”, will be out in the fall of this year. I also have a third book in the Brianne James Mystery series, “Slipped Up,” coming out next year. With my now extra busy schedule, these books should keep me ahead of the game until I get to another new book during the summer. Still wondering what that will be.

About today’s guest:

Kathryn is a lover of words and a bearer of mood swings. When she is feeling the need to inspire, she writes a Christian fiction book. If a mystery is waiting to be uncovered, she finds it. If something otherworldly is finding its way through her fingertips, she travels to it.

Kathryn has been a reader since she was a young child. Although she took classes in writing as a teen, it wasn’t something she really thought would become her career until she was married. And even then, it took a few more years for something worthy enough to publish to manifest itself.

Kathryn’s first book was published in 2002. Since then, many other books have found their way out of her head depending on the sort of day she is having. Kathryn is a journalist, a teacher, a mentor, an editor, a publisher, and a marketer.

Her greatest joy, other than writing her next book, is meeting with readers and authors who enjoy the craft of writing as much as she does.

Connect with Kathryn:

Did you know Kathryn can help you fulfill your dream of being published? If you’d like to know more, be sure to head over to her business website at: Ideacreationspress.com!

Excerpt from LightShade

“There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.”

Leonard E. Cohen

Beginning of the End

You’ll probably hate me but I don’t care. Most people on Earth hate me already, and if you’re reading this book you are one of the few who escaped. Wait, that can’t be right. I wrote this book long after the Earth was hit.

But I’m getting a head of myself.

It all started with the newscast. I don’t usually listen to the news, but there it was that day like fire. My Mom was making dinner and I was playing with Lego’s. If you remember how Lego’s used to be, you’ll be surprised that I heard anything, but that day, that day I’ll never forget, we were told the horrifying truth.

Mercury was on its way to Earth. Not to visit, if you get my drift, but to crash land. At first, I laughed it off, but then I remembered it wasn’t April Fool’s Day. It was August 1. It was hotter outside than the heater running, or fire lighting up a swimming pool.  If I told you I wasn’t scared, I’d be lying.

Mom hadn’t heard it. But I blinked at the projected flat screen in shock. Sure enough, the words repeated themselves. “Prepare yourselves” the man said. He had fake hair on the top of his head to look real and a frown on his face that was so wide I knew that if he could be tipped upside down, the smile I’d get would be as big as anyone would give if they’d received what they wanted for Christmas.

Except – this wasn’t Christmas. It felt like the stuff I’d learned in Sunday school about the Earth ending and the apocalypse. Except, it wasn’t that, was it?

I dropped the Lego I was holding. It was green. I still remember the color because of what happened afterwards. If you don’t believe in little green men, you should.  And you should believe in UFOs, patches in the grass in the shape of circles, and the movie ET.

But I’m forgetting already.

My Mom looked at me in shock. “What?” she asked, even though I’d told her the truth as calmly as possible. My hands were shaking, but I hid them in my jean pockets so she wouldn’t know the complete truth.

Some things are better for a mom not to know.

So, I told her again.

She laughed.

I got mad.

She laughed harder. And then she looked into my eyes. Really looked, you know the way moms do when they think their boy has messed up or told a lie to their brother. I don’t have a brother, but I know these things.

She said, “Really, Aaden.”

I’d been told about my ‘imagination’ since the time I knew what people were saying. And I knew something else; something so terrible, that, up until that night and the newscast, I thought was the most horrifying thing I would ever hear.

“Aaden… really. What fire are you going to start now?”

I’d been told about the meaning of my name for years, and now that I was ten, I was beyond tired of hearing it. I suppose you want to know what it means, as if you really care, but maybe it will be of some interest to you after you hear what the newscaster told us next. For, after I got Mom to leave the kitchen and come into the living room – which took some effort I can tell you – she stood with her mouth open, as if I’d told her I was going to leave home or something.

But then again, we were all going to have to leave home – and soon – or we’d be scorched.

So, here it is. Two years ago, when I was bored and really had to know the truth for myself, I went to Mom’s computer, and put in the spoken password I wasn’t supposed to know.

I shouldn’t have been surprised, but I was. “Someone like fire,” the computer said.

I looked into my Mom’s eyes now, and the television was still blaring the news of Mercury. We had only two weeks to find safety.

Find this and all of Kathryn’s books on Amazon.

Do you love audiobooks? Kathryn has tons of them! Go find out more on Audible.

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