In today's episode, we're diving into the power of storytelling shaped by identity, the emotional weight of writing through grief, and what it means to grow as a writer from a young age while navigating life's challenges.

Author Max Moreno Sastre joins the podcast to share his journey from publishing his first book at just 16 to winning the Literary Titan Silver Book Award for Ain't No Way This Is Real. We talk about how his multicultural identity influences his storytelling, the evolution of his voice over time, and the deeply personal experiences that shaped his most recent work. He opens up about writing through loss, honoring real-life emotions in fiction, and the balance between vulnerability and creative freedom. We also explore his current work-in-progress and how his passion for storytelling connects with his future goals in mental health.

In this episode, we cover:

• When his dream of becoming a writer began and how his journey has evolved
• How his cultural identity influences the stories he tells
• Publishing his first book, My Little Hannah-Marie, at just 16
• The inspiration behind Ain't No Way This Is Real and winning the Literary Titan Silver Book Award
• Writing through grief and processing the loss of a best friend
• Moments in the writing process that surprised him emotionally
• Balancing real-life experiences with creative storytelling
• The biggest challenges he faced while writing and publishing—and how he overcame them
• A look into his work-in-progress, What We Did To Survive
• How studying English Literature and pursuing a future in therapy shape his perspective
• Advice for writers struggling with self-doubt, writer's block, or telling difficult stories
• What he would tell his younger self about writing and publishing

Max's Links:

Website: https://maxmorenosastre.my.canva.site/

Facebook: Facebook Page

Instagram: Instagram Page

Don't forget to rate and review the show so I can continue bringing on amazing guests! If you'd like to be a guest or know someone who would be a perfect fit, email me at catdeanwrites@gmail.com.

Follow me for behind-the-scenes and the latest episode updates:

https://instagram.com/authorcatdean

https://www.instagram.com/thestorytellingsirenspod

In today's episode, we're diving into the realities of indie publishing, breaking genre expectations in fantasy, and what it looks like to build a creative career while balancing motherhood and storytelling.

Fantasy author Cassie Evans joins the podcast to share her journey from first discovering her love of writing to publishing her novel Blood and Pixies. We talk about creating a fantasy world filled with original creatures, why she chose to center a 32-year-old mother as her main character, and how she blends escapism with deeply relatable, real-life emotions. She also opens up about documenting her writing journey online, navigating indie publishing, and using Kickstarter as a launch platform—all while raising and homeschooling three kids.

In this episode, we cover:

• When she first realized she wanted to be a writer
• An introduction to Blood and Pixies and the fantasy world readers can expect
• Why she chose a mother in her 30's as her FMC and how readers have responded
• Her process for creating unique creatures and non-human characters
• What surprised her most about sharing her writing journey publicly on Bookstagram
• What a realistic writing schedule looks like as a homeschooling mom of three
• The biggest challenges and rewards of indie publishing
• Why she chose Kickstarter for her book launch and tips for other indie authors
• How ADHD influences her creativity and the systems that help her stay focused
• Encouragement for writers who feel overwhelmed, behind, or stuck

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cassieevansbooks

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@cassieevansbooks

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CassieEvansBooks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Cassie-Evans-Books/61579777217194/#

⭐ Don't forget to rate and review the show so I can continue bringing on amazing guests! If you'd like to be a guest or know someone who would be a perfect fit, email me at catdeanwrites@gmail.com.

Follow me for behind-the-scenes and the latest episode updates:

https://instagram.com/authorcatdean

https://www.instagram.com/thestorytellingsirenspod

In today's episode, we're diving into the creative freedom of indie publishing, the darker themes of storytelling, and how character-driven narratives shape powerful stories.

Dark fantasy and romance author J.C. Murphey joins the podcast to talk about her journey as a storyteller, her love for crafting haunting worlds, and how indie authors build careers through passion, persistence, and community. We also explore how stories evolve through the drafting process, the influence of anime and manga on darker storytelling, and how crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter allow authors to bring special projects directly to their readers.

In this episode, we cover:

• • How J.C.'s love for storytelling and dark fantasy first began
  • Writing character-driven stories and why characters are the heart of her worlds
  • The influence of anime and manga on darker storytelling elements
  • The creative freedom that comes with choosing the indie publishing path
  • Busting common myths about writing and the publishing industry
  • How stories can evolve during the drafting process
  • Overcoming writer's block and staying consistent through a long creative journey
  • Running a Kickstarter campaign and using crowdfunding to create special edition books
  • Winning the 2024 Indieverse Awards for Don't Fear the Reaper
  • Her upcoming dark romance release Fox Hunt and what readers can expect next
  
  

J.C.'s Website: https://www.authorjcmurphey.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorj.c.murphey

Threads: https://www.threads.com/@authorj.c.murphey

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/author.j.c.murphey

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@j_c_murphey

⭐ Don't forget to rate and review the show so I can continue bringing on amazing guests! If you'd like to be a guest or know someone who would be a perfect fit, email me at catdeanwrites@gmail.com.

🔗 Follow me for behind-the-scenes and the latest episode updates:

https://instagram.com/authorcatdean

https://www.instagram.com/thestorytellingsirenspod