In this episode of Author Express, host Kristi Leonard sits down with Croatian novelist and certified book coach Lidija Hilje for a rich conversation filled with unique insights. Discover what makes Croatia’s laid-back “pomalo” lifestyle so memorable, and get a glimpse of how Lidija’s coastal upbringing shaped her creative voice. Lidija shares the intriguing premise of her literary novel, inviting listeners to explore themes of longing, complicated relationships, and the nuanced lines between personal preference and craft in fiction. Plus, get a sneak peek into her innovative craft-focused book club that’s become a haven for nearly a hundred writers.

If you’re passionate about literary fiction, book coaching, and understanding a writer’s journey from courtroom to the written page, this episode is a must-listen.

Lidija Hilje is a Croatian writer and certified book coach. After earning a law degree, she spent a decade practicing in Croatian courts before transitioning to book coaching and writing in English as her second language. She lives in Zadar, Croatia, with her husband and two daughters. Slanting Towards the Sea is her first novel.

You can connect with her at https://lidijahilje.com or on Instagram @lidijahilje.

Support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of Slanting Towards the Sea  at Bookshop.org

A little about today's host-

Kristi Leonard is a writer, community builder, and former president of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. Since co-hosting on the Author Express Podcast, she has started her own podcast, Pop Culture Plot Lab, where guest authors to turn viral pop culture moments into story sparks and give listeners a peek inside the creative process. Through her writing retreats and volunteer leadership, she’s dedicated to helping other writers find their voice and stay connected to the craft.

A former audiobook narrator, Kristi now spends most of her creative energy on her own fiction and on shaping programs that support women’s voices in publishing. When she isn’t writing or leading, she’s likely hiking Florida trails with her writer-hiker pals or reading with her Golden Retriever, Charlie, at her side. She’s currently at work on her next novel and building the kind of author career she’s long championed for others.

Link to follow me https://linktr.ee/kristileonardwrites

Be sure to follow or subscribe to Author Express wherever you listen to podcasts and to follow us on Instagram @AuthorExpressPodcast

Learn more about our hosts, the guests we've had, and their books -

https://linktr.ee/AuthorExpressPodcast