Indie Support Sunday: Izabela Kamila

As a fellow feature and long-form writing lover, it’s only natural that Izabela Kamila took the leap and got into self-publishing. Another thing we have in common is starting out as a bookstagrammer and watching some of our favourites explore the world of publishing before take that step forward! And since then, Izabela has published two small town romances and is working on the third in her debut series.

In Golden Falls, you’re transported to a fictional small town in the Midwest, where Izabela is from. Her stories cover a great spectrum of tropes and characters that I’m very excited to dive into soon! As for one thing you can definitely find in her books? Strong female friendships where women empower and uplift each other. If that’s not enough of a draw, maybe you’d like to know that she’s working on an ex’s older brother, workplace romance that sounds so good!

The Summer for Us and All Your Midnights are available now in Kindle Unlimited.

BEING AN AUTHOR

Who or what inspired you to write?

I’ve been writing in one way or another for as long as I can remember. My background is in journalism, and I especially loved long-form or feature writing where I got to dive into a topic, talk with various sources and then figure out how to craft a compelling, informative and accurate story. When I switched careers a few years ago, I found myself writing less for work and had more time to pursue other writing projects—which is exactly how I got to writing my debut The Summer for Us.

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

The best part about being an indie author is the community. There are SO many different ways to do things and different approaches work for different authors. The indie authors I’ve reached out to with questions have been so helpful in sharing their approach or technique on a certain topic. I also love how I’ve got to meet so many new people through this author journey, both in person and online.

The most challenging part about being an indie author is that there is always something to do. We’re not just writing the next book. We’re marketing, networking, learning, working our day jobs, etc. It can be really easy to burn out, and something I’m working on this year is balance. As much as I love writing and being an author, I still want to have time to read and be with my family.

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

Before becoming an author, I had a bookstagram account, and my eyes were opened to the world of self-publishing. Before then, I really had no idea how any of this worked or that it was even possible. It made me realize that I actually could publish a book.

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

When I’m not writing, I’m either reading or watching TV. I’ve found that reading my favorite authors gets me inspired to get back to writing and have the creativity flowing. I also love making moodboards for my works in progress and usually have that up while I’m writing to help set the scene.

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

The Simple Wild is one of my all time favorite romance books. The love story is everything, but it’s so much more than that. There’s so much character growth and scene setting, and it makes me cry every time. Plus, who doesn’t love a grumpy hero?!

Some other favorites of mine are Things We Never Got Over, The Seven Year Slip and A Deal With The Devil.

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

1. Just start writing. Whether it’s a scene or a chapter, write and don’t put pressure on yourself. Just see where the story takes you.

2. Figure out your budget and what you’re comfortable spending before you start booking.

3. Invest in a quality cover artist and editor.

4. Ask questions.

5. Write what YOU want. Don’t feel like you have to write what is “popular.”

ROMANCE AS A GENRE

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

Emily Henry recently spoke about romance as a genre in her interview with The New York Times, and her words really stuck with me. She said, “The reason I love romance so much is because it takes the brightest parts of life and the darkest parts of life, and it puts them side by side in a way that feels safe because you have that safety net of a happy ending.”

That is one of my favorite things about the genre. Yes, romance books can be an escape, but they are so much more than that. They’re a way for people to feel seen or experience a perspective they otherwise wouldn’t have all the while getting a beautiful love story. 

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

I would love to write romantic suspense one day!

What are your most and least favorite tropes?

I love enemies to lovers. It gets me EVERY SINGLE TIME because of the banter, tension and build up. I also love fake dating/marriage of convenience, forced proximity, grumpy x sunshine, and single mom.

I can’t say I have a least favorite trope! 

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

I would love to write a fake dating or marriage of convenience. I love the “is this real? Or is it fake?” aspect of those romances, and the pay off when both characters admit it’s real is chefs kiss.

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

Mental health is a topic that is really important to me and a lot of other authors/readers. I hope we continue seeing more of that representation. 

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

I read primarily open door romance, so it made sense to me to write that. When it comes to writing sex scenes, I love finding that balance of it being fun and flirty but also emotional and pushing the story forward. For example, my current WIP is a “just once to get it out of systems” type of couple, and I’m excited for their sex scenes to build from fun, flirty, they’re attracted to each other to building emotional intimacy and feeling safe with one another.   

YOUR BOOKS

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

I’ve always loved reading, and when I fell back in love with it in 2021, I quickly realized that I’m obsessed with romance books, especially small town romance, grumpy heroes, and found family. When I was getting ready to write my debut, I knew it had to be a small town romance. I grew up and currently live in the Midwest, and while I’ve definitely read romance books set in the Midwest, we need more! I knew my debut had to be set in a fictional town and landed on Northern Wisconsin.

My second book is set in the same series but in a different season, so it was fun to revisit the town and characters in a different setting.

Can you briefly tell me about your books?

The Summer for Us is a grumpy x sunshine small town romance where the FMC got her heart broken on a reality dating show and wants to get away for the summer. She rents a cabin next to a grumpy local who hates tourists. They try to avoid each other, but of course, it’s never that simple.

All Your Midnights is a rivals to lovers holiday/winter romance. The FMC owns a cat café and wants to buy the building her business is housed in. The building’s owner has other plans… he has the two buyers (FMC and MMC) complete the FMC’s winter wish list before he decides who he will sell to. The forced proximity and rivals element in this story is my favorite!  

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

One of my favorite characters—and a reader favorite—is a character named Hal, who is a meddling grandfather. I love writing him because he is so wholesome and while he often knows what the other characters should do, he’s going to have them figure it out on their own…with a little meddling from him.

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

I’m going to need help from readers with fancasts! 

How much of yourself do you put into these characters?

I put little things of myself into these characters, but I try to keep them unique and separate from myself for the most part! When it comes to the setting, though, I’ve put in a lot of what I love most about living in the Midwest during each season. 

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

There’s a secret WIP that I can’t wait to dive into more that’s a second chance romance. I’ve left easter eggs in my first book, and that’s one I can’t wait to tell!

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

Strong female friendships. It’s so important for me to include that in all my stories and to write women supporting each other and being there for one another.

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

I’m currently working on book three in the Golden Falls series, which will be out early summer! It’s an ex’s older brother, workplace, chef x bartender, spicy romance, and I can’t wait to get it in reader’s hands. 

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

I hope readers find joy and belonging when they read my stories.

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—Instrumental music

• Plotter, pantser or plantser

• Water, tea, coffee or….wine?—Peppermint tea

• Cold or warm weather

• Write better in the morning, afternoon or night?

• Illustrated or photo cover?

Stay updated on everything going on Izabela’s life by following her on Instagram and TikTok. Sign up for her newsletter and check out her website for more!