Coffee Talk with The Bookish Besties

In this episode of Coffee Talk with the Bookish Besties, we sit down with indie author Camilla Huffman for a fascinating conversation about writing fearlessly, embracing the unconventional, and creating unforgettable characters. From growing up on The Lord of the Rings to writing horror, LGBTQ+ romance, romantasy, and psychological thrillers, Camilla shares the inspiration behind her diverse stories and why she believes every reader deserves a place to belong.

We talk about the realities of indie publishing, the importance of preserving your unique voice, building authentic friendships in fiction, and why trigger warnings matter. Camilla also gives us a sneak peek into her upcoming romantasy series featuring enemies-to-lovers, sassy dragons, unforgettable friendships, and morally complex characters you'll never forget.

If you love stories with heart, grit, found family, fantasy, romance, or characters who refuse to fit into a box, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

✨ In this episode:

• Camilla's journey from lifelong reader to published author
• The realities of indie publishing and self-publishing
• Writing across genres—from horror to romantasy
• Why authentic friendships belong in fiction
• The inspiration behind Candlelight Lounge, Bodyguard Boyfriend, and her upcoming romantasy series
• Advice for aspiring authors on protecting their creative vision
• The lasting influence of The Lord of the Rings and other favorite books

Check Out Camilla's Books https://www.foxsfablesllc.com/

In this episode of Coffee Talk with the Bookish Besties, we're joined by bestselling indie author Sarah Furlong Burr, the brilliant mind behind Evergreen—one of my favorite reads of 2025. We dive into her journey from writing stories as a child to becoming a published author, balancing life as a paralegal, wife, mom, and search-and-rescue dog handler while pursuing her passion for storytelling.

Sarah shares how she transitioned from dystopian fiction to romantic comedies and eventually found her niche writing dark romantic comedies. We chat about Evergreen, her upcoming novel Sacred, the realities of indie publishing, social media, writing advice for aspiring authors, and the books that shaped her as both a reader and writer.

Whether you're a fan of dark romance, rom-coms, or simply love hearing the stories behind your favorite authors, this conversation is full of laughter, heartfelt moments, and plenty of book recommendations.

✨ In this episode:

• Sarah's journey from dystopian fiction to dark romance
• Behind the inspiration for Evergreen and Sacred
• Balancing writing with family and a career
• The realities of indie publishing and marketing
• Favorite books that changed her life
• Advice for aspiring authors
• Why readers are the heart of every author's journey

Get Sara's Books https://linktr.ee/authorsarafurlongburr?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGnMV1m76F36H3laX4MKF5cnRKvOJeZ1qAGd5L323tMtiFG-P7c8GyY-WlQ01A_aem_vRWa7CIF2zLLwum7Nw4EWw

Step into another episode of Coffee Talk with the Bookish Bestie as we sit down with award-winning indie author Kristin Ward for an honest, inspiring conversation about storytelling, creativity, and the realities of being an independent author. From teaching science by day to building unforgettable worlds by night, Kristen shares the journey that led to publishing 11 novels, why she chooses originality over trends, and the passion that keeps her writing.

In this episode, Kristin also gives listeners an exclusive first-ever reading from her upcoming dystopian fantasy novel—a chilling opening scene no one has heard before. We discuss indie publishing, marketing, writing routines, favorite books, the importance of authenticity, and why readers are the true dream-makers behind every author.

Whether you're an avid reader, aspiring writer, or simply love hearing the stories behind the stories, this episode is packed with inspiration, laughter, and heartfelt moments.

✨ In this episode:

• Kristin Ward's journey from teacher to published author
• The challenges and rewards of indie publishing
• Why originality matters more than following trends
• An exclusive reading from her upcoming novel
• Writing advice for aspiring authors
• Book recommendations and favorite reads
• Why readers are the heart of the indie author community

Check out Kristin's books https://www.amazon.com/stores/Kristin-Ward/author/B07D5LC4CR?ref=ap_rdr&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=25b19ded-f8ec-4967-bd4a-9d3c275b7cd0

In this special episode of Coffee Talk with The Bookish Besties, Amy sits down with her daughter Sophia—the creative mind behind the original YBB idea. Together they share the story of how Your Bookish Bestie began, discuss their favorite books and genres, swap reading recommendations, and reflect on the teachers, stories, and experiences that helped shape who they are today.

Grab your favorite drink and join us for a heartfelt conversation about books, family, friendship, and finding connection through reading.

In this inspiring episode of Coffee Talk with the Bookish Besties, Amy sits down with indie fantasy author Astrid Rose to discuss her publishing journey, the stories that shaped her life, and the empowering messages woven throughout her books.

Astrid shares how a chance online gaming encounter led to meeting her husband, moving from the United Kingdom to New York, and eventually finding the courage to publish her debut novel, The Book Reader. Together, they dive into witches, demons, reincarnation, holiday-inspired romances, powerful female main characters, and the realities of writing as a dyslexic author in the indie publishing world.

The conversation explores creativity, self-belief, overcoming obstacles, and the importance of celebrating every victory—no matter how small. From Lord of the Rings and Jane Austen to writing advice for aspiring authors, this episode is packed with laughter, encouragement, book recommendations, and heartfelt reminders that you are stronger than you think.

Whether you're a reader, writer, dreamer, or someone needing a reminder to keep going, this episode is for you.

Grab Astrid"s Book https://www.amazon.com/stores/Astrid-Rose/author/B0FG89WB11?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1781325092&sr=8-1&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=8e1102b2-ff39-4200-9d61-d2fbaa792138

In this heartfelt Mental Health Monday episode of Coffee Talk with the Bookish Besties, Amy sits down with indie author Elaine to discuss her debut novel, Across the Screen: A Remote Office Romance, the healing power of writing, and the courage it takes to share your story with the world.

Together, they dive into topics such as childhood trauma, anxiety, self-discovery, creativity, therapy, and how writing can become both a coping tool and a path to healing. Elaine opens up about her writing journey, the inspiration behind her books, and the emotional process of transforming real-life experiences into meaningful fiction.

The conversation explores the importance of representation in stories, finding your audience as an author, overcoming self-doubt, and learning to move forward even when fear is present. Whether you're a reader, writer, mental health advocate, or someone navigating your own healing journey, this episode is filled with encouragement, authenticity, and hope.

Grab Elaine Lawrence's Book https://www.amazon.com/Across-Screen-Remote-Office-Romance-ebook/dp/B0GBYPJZXP/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1FN9P4PPT29ZF&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XP_W0pPTvvoXXfVnhNCFpQDqGRWI-mvybeEanRADqMP6YJi07bFlpHuiWijj3HyU&dibtag=se&keywords=across+the+screen+elaine+lawrence&qid=1781394000&sprefix=across+the+scre%2Caps%2C223&sr=8-1

In this heartfelt episode of Coffee Talk with the Bookish Besties, Amy sits down with YBB Moderator of the Week, Aubrey—nurse, wife, mom, fantasy lover, and one of the most supportive members of the YBB community. Together, they dive into the power of friendship, finding connection through books, and why reading doesn't have to be a lonely hobby.

From growing up with Harry Potter and The Hunger Games to falling in love with fantasy worlds, Aubrey shares the books and series that changed her life, her thoughts on DNFing books (or not!), and the stories she recommends again and again. The conversation also explores nursing, caregiving, mental health, motherhood, audiobook speeds, bookish quirks, and the importance of building community as adults.

If you've ever wondered what keeps readers coming back to YBB, what makes a book unforgettable, or why Aubrey is everyone's favorite book recommender, this episode is for you.

Grab your favorite drink, get cozy, and join us for a conversation full of laughter, friendship, and plenty of bookish tangents.

Facebook Group -https://www.facebook.com/share/g/18rfE5f9cG/

In this inspiring episode of Mental Health Monday, we sit down with neurodivergence coach Marie Donnelly to discuss ADHD, autism, executive functioning, confidence, and the power of embracing the way your brain is wired. Marie shares her personal journey from overcoming anxiety and self-doubt to helping neurodivergent individuals build structure, confidence, and systems that allow them to thrive.

Together, we explore the challenges neurodivergent people face in a world often designed for neurotypical minds, the importance of support and self-advocacy, and why awareness and acceptance matter more than ever. Whether you're neurodivergent yourself, love someone who is, or simply want to better understand different ways of thinking, this conversation is packed with insight, encouragement, and hope.

Join us as we celebrate the beauty of diverse minds, the value of community, and the belief that every brain deserves support, understanding, and the opportunity to shine. 💜✨

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Welcome back to Coffee Talk with The Bookish Besties, the cozy podcast where readers, writers, and book lovers come together for heartfelt conversations and plenty of bookish fun.

In this episode, Aims chats with debut author Chasity Lee about her journey from writing Harry Potter fan fiction on Wattpad as a teenager to publishing her own dark romance novels. Together, they discuss the realities of pursuing a writing career, overcoming imposter syndrome, balancing motherhood and creativity, and finding the courage to share your stories with the world.

Chasity also shares insights into her books His to Break and Season of Seduction, what inspired her love of dark romance, and the escapism that keeps readers coming back for more. Plus, she reveals one of her favorite book recommendations, Firebird by Juliette Cross.

Whether you're a romance reader, aspiring author, or love hearing the stories behind the books, this episode is filled with inspiration, laughter, and honest conversation.

This week, we're talking about one simple habit that has made a huge difference in my mental health: daily movement.

For years, I told myself I wasn't an athletic person. That story kept me stuck and sedentary for far too long. Then one morning, I decided to take a walk with my son, Atticus. What started as a simple one-mile stroll turned into an 8-day movement streak that has already improved my energy, sleep, anxiety levels, and overall mindset.

In this episode, we're chatting about:

✨ Why small, realistic goals often work better than all-or-nothing approaches ✨ The importance of encouragement, accountability, and being your own hype person ✨ How movement supports mental wellness and helps build resilience ✨ Navigating perimenopause, autoimmune challenges, and learning to work with your body instead of against it ✨ Ignoring outside opinions and focusing on what makes you feel your best

Plus, we share a special thank-you to our Patreon supporters, whose encouragement helps keep this community growing.

If you've ever struggled to get started, felt disconnected from your body, or believed you just weren't "the exercise type," this episode is for you.

📚 Follow us on Instagram & TikTok: @yourbestieames ☕ Support the podcast on Patreon 🎁 Join Patreon for 3 months and receive a free book!