Hey all! Today I am interviewing Isabel Marie—teen author who is publishing her debut novel! I’ll be asking her questions about her book, the publishing process, and more! Alright, let’s dive in!

Willow: First of all: tell us a little bit about yourself!

Isabel Marie: Hi, I’m Isabel Marie! Fifth Fjord is my debut novel, with dragons, romance, and danger. I’ve loved to read and write as long as she can remember, and plan to do it for as long as she can. Expect my stories to always include magic, romance, and a completely unfair cliffhanger. In addition to writing, I also enjoy listening to music, drawing, photography, and watching epic movies! (interstellar, LotR, Inception, and Dark Knight are some of my faves)

W: What inspired this book? Is it a standalone or part of a series?

I.M: It’s the first in a trilogy! It’s inspired off of my love of dragons, academic settings, and dealing with themes like fear, which I feel like is often shunned in fantasy books.

W: How long did it take to finish this project to publication?

I.M: The book took me just under two months to write… then a year to edit. 🤣

W: How has this experience changed your ideas or expectations on the publishing/writing journey?

I.M: I expected to learn a lot, since this was my first book, and I certainly have! I’ve enjoyed the journey of learning so much about publishing and writing in this book.

W: And you’re still a teenager: was this whole experience different than what you thought it would be? (At least for teens specifically.)

I.M: Yeah, for sure 🤣There was a lot of stuff I needed my parents help for, being younger, and as a teen, I also had to work on balancing school, work, and other life things.

W: What was your favorite part of writing the book? Do you have a least favorite part of the process?

I.M: I love and hate every part of the writing process, which is a bit of a roudabout answer, but I think it just depends on the day and my mood. Some days I love the words I write, and others, I wonder why I’m even trying. It’s all part of the process, though!

W: How are you publishing your book? (Traditionally, indie publishing, self-publishing) What were some pros and cons of doing it that way?

I.M: I’m self-publishing! The main con with it is how terrible and old a lot of the self-publishing sites are. They have the features, but all of it feels very half done. On another note, I love the freedom of self-publishing!

W: As you were writing, what helped you stick to your project and not procrastinate or get sidetracked?

I.M: This is hard! I like to go on assassin mode, where I listen to instrumental music that gives me pure vibes and bar myself from wasting my time on Pinterest or Goodreads.

W: Agh, that’s so real! (I may or may not waste all my time on Pinterest…) Could you describe your ideal writing setting? (Time, place, music or no, candles, clothes, on a computer or in a notebook, etc)

I.M: My couch is my favorite place to write, or my grandparents farm. <3

W: Do you have any projects you are working on or about to begin working on? Are there any that will be somehow connected to Fifth Fjord?

I.M: Right now I’m working on a standalone I might publish between Fifth Fjord books one and two, simply to give myself a mental break and so I don’t burn out and lose inspiration for Fifth Fjord.

W: That’s smart—pacing yourself wisely! What advice would you give to teens and young adults who are looking to complete and publish their novel?

I.M: My advice to young writers is simply to write as much as possible. A lot of learning happens who you write, and to get your writing to a high standard worthy of publishing, I recommend having several WIPs (even unfinished!) under your belt to help you just figure out plot, characters, setting, and style.

W: And finally, where can we get updates on you, your writing, and Fifth Fjord?

I.M: You can find me @isabel.m.author on Instagram!

Well, I hope y’all learned as much as I did! Congrats, Isabel, on your debut novel and I’m so excited for you! Everybody—be sure to check out and follow Isabel on Instagram for more updates on Fifth Fjord!

Thanks for letting me interview you, Isabel!

Have a great day and I hope y’all enjoyed this post!
~Willow

Buy Fifth Fjord now!

Read Fifth Fjords synopsis:

“The dragons are waiting. Go and get one.”

In Norchar, dragon mages are the elite. They are the ones who bond with dragons and hone powers untouchable to any normal man. But to become a mage, one must sacrifice everything.

Enter the school where only the strongest survive.

At the deadly academy for dragon mages known as the Fifth Fjord, eighteen-year-old Fiora Volar is sent to spy, lie, and die. With her brother’s life hanging in a balance, Fiora enters the place where her enemies are forged- even though she knows the dragons will kill her. Just as they killed her parents.

And that won’t be the only danger.

One wrong move, and she could be executed, start a war, cost her brother’s life, and doom her soul. And still, the hardest battle may not be for her life, not for her mind– but for her own heart.

Fifth Fjord is a searing dark academia fantasy debut full of magic, betrayal, espionage, and a slow-burning enemies romance, perfect for readers craving to hit the spot of a lush, darker fantasy with dragons.