Indie Support Sunday: Ellie White

Ellie White and I have been following each other on Instagram a while, but this is the first time I’m learning so much about her! And that’s just one of the many reasons why I absolutely love the indie community so much. I’ve also learned that while Ellie loves a HEA (who doesn’t?), she’s a fan of the third act break-up (me too!). I always think that a little conflict goes a long way.

Her decision to self-publish was rooted primarily in wanting to tell a story that was personal to her and I support that. There’s so much value in writing stories that are dear to you, because your heart comes out on the page. However, Ellie’s kids can’t read her sex positive books, so she might branch into writing YA one day! A dystopian novel? Yes, please!

Her latest, It’s Not Love, Actually, released at the beginning of the month and if you’re a spy like me, you’ll see the second one is already up for preorder! You can grab all of Ellie’s books in Kindle Unlimited.

BEING AN AUTHOR

Who or what inspired you to write?

I lost someone very close to me. It was very unexpected and I struggled with grief. I wrote Love and London as a way to process my own grief through a character instead of having to face the emotions as myself.

What’s the best and worst part about being an indie author? 

The best part is having complete control (I’m a millennial, eldest daughter it’s in my blood) the worst part is having to do everything myself. Marketing, accounting etc. It’s lonely sometimes.

Why did you choose to self-publish instead of going the traditional route?

I wrote my debut for me, and so I chose to self-publish it. It was also really important that I had that control considering how personal the story was to me.

When you’re not writing, what do you do to get the creative juices flowing?

Listen to music or go for a walk. Those things tend to get my brain thinking clearly.

If you were to recommend books to me (in any genre), what would they be?

Melissa Morgan has a great series. Book 1 is called Forget Me Not and it’s a romance with magical realism. It’s great and one of my all time favourite books. I also adore anything by Louise Hudson, Holly June Smith, Laura Rush, JR Jenner and Lyndsey Gallagher.

What are your top 5 tips or pieces of advice for aspiring authors?

1. Just write whatever is in your head—you can’t edit a blank page.

2. Don’t worry about your first draft. Most of us cringe when we read our first drafts back. The most important part is to just write and worry about the editing later.

3. Learn how to navigate social media—it’s a vital part of selling books.

4. Don’t get hung up on bad reviews. Not everyone is going to like your work and that’s okay. If you need to, don’t read them at all. Do what you need to do to protect your own mental health.

5. Enjoy yourself. Take things at your own pace and enjoy the ride.

ROMANCE AS A GENRE

Why did you choose romance as the genre to write in? What is your favorite thing about the genre?

I don’t think I consciously chose to write romance. As a reader 98% of the books I read are romance and so it just came naturally to me. I love a happily ever after. And as controversial as it may be… I love a third act break-up.

If not romance/subgenres of romance, what genre would you like to write in?

I often think about branching off into YA—my kids always ask to read my work (it is absolutely NOT kid-friendly) so I think I’d like to write something they can read. Maybe dystopian. 

What are your most and least favorite tropes?

I love reading and writing friends to lovers and second chance. I haven’t come across a trope I haven’t loved.

What are some tropes you want to write in the future?

I really want to write a YA love triangle romance.

What are some topics (sensitive and otherwise) that you think should exist more in romance?

That not every couple needs to get married and have kids they can be content as a couple.

If you write open door romance, why did you choose that and what inspires your sex scenes?

I grew up in a time where sex was taboo. Men could talk about it but women couldn’t. I like to think my books are ‘sex positive’ because it shows that it’s okay for women to enjoy sex which is not the message the media and society portrayed to me as I was growing up.

YOUR BOOKS

What inspired your published stories? How and when did you come up with these stories and plots?

My interests. I’ve written books about musical theatre, sports and Christmas because I love those things. I’ve also set them in my home town and in London because they are two of my favorite places.

Can you briefly tell me about your books?

My newest release is called It’s Not Love, Actually and is a rivals to lovers, forced proximity romance set in a Christmas market next to Tower Bridge in London and was inspired by a trip I took there last December with my mam. It’s also the spiciest book I’ve written.

My main series is a sports romance series called A Wearside Story where both the MMC and FMCs work in professional (English) football as either players, coach, or on the board. 

Love in the Wings, I adored writing because I had so much fun building this world of Musical Theatre including the fictional show within the book.

Love and London is my only book told from one POV (the rest are all dual) and that’s because the journey of writing it was my own journey of overcoming grief over losing a loved one.

A Romance For Christmas is a brother’s best friend romance but the main plot point is for the FMC rediscovering herself and her physical desires after a particularly hard divorce. It’s set at Christmas and has all the usual cosy festive vibes.

Do you already have a favorite character from the stories you’ve written?

I think my favourite character is always the one I'm writing. Because I’m in their head I just completely fall in love with them. There is no way I could pick a favourite of all time though.

If you were to cast your book for a movie/television show, who would you cast in the lead roles?

For It’s Not Love, Actually… probably someone like Daisy Edgar-Jones and Corey Mylchreest

How much of yourself do you put into these characters?

In Love and London I put a lot of myself into Maggie. But for the others, I include a little bit of myself and a little bit of what I wish I was.

What is a story/stories that you really want to tell?

I just love telling love stories. I’m a mood writer so try not to plan too much for future stories 

Is there one common element that readers can find in all your stories?

A good group of friends and sex positive conversations

What’s next on the bookshelf for you? Anything you can tell us about a future project?

I’m releasing the final 2 books in A Wearside Story and then I have no idea! We’ll have to see what 2026 has in store.

When you write these stories, what are you hoping your readers will feel?

I hope readers will feel love and friendship. I hope they come away with a nice warm fuzzy feeling in their hearts.

AUTHOR’S CHOICE

• Paperbacks, hardbacks, ebooks or audiobooks

• Contemporary, fantasy, historical or romantic suspense

• Single or Dual POV

• Standalones, series or standalones in a series

• Open door, ajar door or closed door romances

• Music or silence when writing

• Plotter, pantser or plantser

• Water, tea, coffee or….wine?—Dont make me choose haha

• Cold or warm weather

• Write better in the morning, afternoon or night?

• Illustrated or photo cover?

Ellie can be found on Instagram and her Facebook group. When you sign up for her newsletter, you also get a free book!