An interview with Leani Lopez
Share
This week, we had the pleasure of interviewing Leani Lopez!
A little bit about you and your life, your hobbies, your interests, etc.
"I’m an indie author who likes to work on many different things. I read tarot cards, ghostwrite romance novels, write my own novels, and produce podcasts. I’m also an author coach and love helping people write their own stories. I live in northern New Hampshire with my husband, son, and black cat."
Info about your latest book and/or the book you'd most like to promote
"It’s been some time since I released a book but that’s because for the last two years, I’ve been writing and producing a fantasy audio drama called Battle Cry. It premiered on May 30, 2025, and I am incredibly proud of it. The story is one that’s been on my mind for the last decade and to finally be able to listen to it from start to finish is a literal dream come true."
Any details you'd like to share about what you're currently working on
"I am currently working on another dream project. It’s called Phoenix’s Call and it’s the first book of a new queer romance series called Voices on the Sea. The series follows pirate captain Phoenix and her crew as they navigate the fictional Linestrider Ocean. Each book focuses on a different crew member and different romance tropes."
What inspired you to get into writing and what keeps you motivated?
"I don’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be a writer. I’ve been writing ever since I was a kid. What keeps me motivated is the fact that writing is as important to me as eating and sleeping. I write to get the stories out of my head and onto the page."
Your opinions on indie vs trad publishing and why you chose the route you did
"I made the choice to indie publish many years ago, before it became as prominent as it is now. It was a conscious choice because I wanted to keep my characters. I didn’t want to be at the mercy of or have my stories owned by someone else."
What challenges have you faced during your writing and publishing journey?
"Phoenix’s Call is a book I’ve been trying to write since 2016. For some reason, I couldn’t make it work so I had to put it away for a few years. When I was finally ready to work on it, I realized the parts of the book I liked were the romance aspects. As a romance ghostwriter, I had wanted to try something different but it’s such an important part of the story that I changed my mind and decided to lean into it.
I see many writers churning out books quickly and I work much slower. Also, marketing is the hardest challenge. Even with some marketing knowledge it’s my least favourite part of the process."
What advice would you give to someone beginning their writing journey?
"Don’t judge yourself based on what other people are doing. You don’t have to fit yourself into the mould you think readers want. Not everyone can produce finished products every year. Also, as an author coach, I often meet writers who don’t think people want to read their work because it’s 'been done already'. That may be the case, but it hasn’t been done by YOU. Your voice and your ideas matter."
Name an author that inspired you to write and why
"I’ve always loved Nora Roberts and how she crafts relationships and mysteries. After I left my full-time job to write in 2018, the imposter syndrome was strong and I found it hard balancing a new career, home life, and motherhood.
There was a quote from Roberts that really stuck with me and I repeat all the time: “The key to juggling is to know that some of the balls you have in the air are made of plastic and some are made of glass.” Meaning, if you drop some they bounce with no harm done, yet others will shatter. Now when I’m overwhelmed, I ask myself, “Is this a plastic or glass situation?”"
Anything else you’d like to discuss in terms of being a writer, self-publishing, a fun fact about yourself, anything.
"It can be the most frustrating yet rewarding experience. Sometimes it feels like you’re stumbling in the dark but eventually you find a flashlight. The indie author community has become such a welcoming space and it’s wonderful to know we’re all stumbling in the dark together, sharing light whenever they can.
A fun fact about myself is that for my fantasy audio drama, I am a one-person production team. I do everything from writing, to directing, to casting, to editing, and marketing. If it wasn’t for matcha lattes, I’d be a zombie most days.
I have my own Patreon where patrons gain access to my Discord server, special clips of BC, and podcast episodes up to two days earlier than the general public."