Hello fellow book lovers,

Autumn feels like it’s upon us and I must admit I love this season. We lit our wood burner last night which really make it feel like autumn was here. There is something wonderful about the crackle of a fire, especially if you have a good book on the go and a cat snuggled on your lap!

In book news:

Introverted Indies will be attending Book Bonanza in May 2026. So keep your eyes peeled for more information coming soon. More here.

Earth and Bones and The Things We Left Behind are both with a small press publisher so fingers crossed. I have plans to self-publish The Things We Left Behind if this publisher does not offer representation as well as book 2 in my scifi series. I intend to have both books ready for the book fair in May.

My fellow Introverted Indies host, Lucy A. McLaren, has her gothic fantasy Echoes of the EtherStone being released on the 7th October and there is still time to pre-order to receive free character art. Find out more here

Indie Author Insights chats with Fia Sylvan
Author of Like A Red Wood Seed - Stronger than the Flames

Thank you for joining me at Indie Author Insight to chat about your book. Firstly, tell me a little bit about yourself. 

I’m originally from the East Coast, grew up all over, but spent the most of my childhood years in Buffalo, New York.

I’ve been writing since about ten years old, when an elementary school teacher had me keep a journal, and I discovered how much easier words flowed from me on paper, than from my mouth.

I initially began writing my story down as an act of self-therapy. I needed to get the chaos and madness down on paper and out of my head. Over the years, it turned into something much bigger than I anticipated. My book is a project of nearly twenty years in the making.

One big inspiration for writing my memoir was reading other stories like mine. The Glass Castle, Educated, What My Bones Know, I’m Glad My Mom Died — all resonated with me in a different way and made me believe there is an audience out there for these sorts of stories.

Writing is definitely theraputic. I have used my writing many times to process things. Could you tell me more about your writing?

I just have the one book, my first, it’s a memoir of my childhood and young adult years in a most unusual upbringing and coming of age journey. A deeply honest look at a true American family. Poor, dysfunctional, blended, biracial, and mentally ill. This story is different from other memoirs in this genre in that I did not go on to be highly successful, famous, or even educated. A story at times ugly, raw, emotional and messy, in the truths I share, and the wild extremes to which my family swung. It is also quirky, imaginative, and unusual, taking readers from the dark depths of my childhood experiences to the unique and exciting adventures of my young adulthood. A transition made possible by the chaos from whence I came.

From the cold and lonely streets of Buffalo, New York, to the wilderness of Montana and Alaska. Training Iditarod sled dogs, living among Latino immigrants, working construction in Texas summer, wildfire fighting in Idaho, and working my way across Scotland.

My life has been anything but predictable, even less what people expect from surface appearances. My experience is that most people exist in shades of grey-not a black-and-white system of absolutes where right and wrong, love and hate, are simple, uncomplicated, and self-evident. A middle-class, educated woman is not automatically a good mother. Biracial relationships are not always free of racial conflict and deep-seated bias, and all mothers are not necessarily fit to raise children. Parental mental illness leaves a lasting legacy on isolated children, and the systems intended to protect vulnerable populations fail, time and again.

 A story for anyone who appreciates journeys about personal transformation and the triumph of the human spirit, that stubborn, unexplainable spark that refuses to be quenched.  

Trigger warning for all of the things. If it’s bad, it probably happens in this book.

Thank you for sharing. Your book sounds like you have faced many things and come through it all stronger. Are you working on anything else at the moment?

Not working on any writing at the moment. Focused on my full time and volunteer work in addition to getting my book out into the world.

Being an author has its highs and lows. Can you tell me about the best moment in your author career and how you overcame any lows?

The best moments have been when I deemed the book finally worthy to release to the world, and the subsequent glowing reviews from strangers.

Personally, I find marketing the hardest part about being an author. Do you have any marketing tips you could share for other indie authors out there?

Marketing is by far the hardest thing for me as well. The best advice I can give is simply to try many different avenues, track what brings results and focus your efforts there. It takes a lot of patience, persistence, and trial and error!

If you could go back in time to the beginning of your writing career, what advice would you give your past self?

To be patient! I was discouraged at several points along the way, aware that the manuscript was not where it needed to be and struggling to figure out why. It just took time, other eyes, endless revisions, and large swaths of time stepping away and taking breaks to make a book worthy of publication.

When I'm not writing, I love crocheting or gaming. Do you have any other hobbies?

Gardening! Hiking, boating, camping, rock hounding, dog training, house projects (I have a construction background), reading, so many things!

Lastly, is there anything else you'd like to talk about?

Fun facts about me…I’m a passionate gardener and grow much of my own food on our 1/4 acre urban lot. I also have a number of rescue animals - currently two dogs and a cat who are alternately special needs and wildly entertaining. I’ve had a wide variety of occupations in my life, ranging from sled dog training, wildlife prevention, horticulture, construction, logging, retail, food service, and now healthcare!

So many passions. Amazing! And where can we buy your amazing books?

Follow Fia on Facebook here.

Thank you for joining me at Indie Author Insights.

Lydia x