Author Interview: LeAnn Kelley
- fridaynightwritesi
- Feb 13
- 12 min read
Hello, everyone! Welcome back to Friday Night Writes! As always, our goal is to shine a spotlight on members of the book community and introduce readers to awesome authors, narrators, event hosts, influencers, and more.
This week, we'd like to introduce our featured guest, author LeAnn Kelley!
Tell us a little bit about yourself. Who are you?
I am a fantasy fiction author of a series where the smallest spark of hope can change the world. I live in West Michigan and pull inspiration from all the little magical moments in life, whether it’s collecting sea glass and pretty stones with my daughter, working in my greenhouse, or enjoying a quiet sunrise with a notebook nearby to jot down any story ideas.
I’m also an advocate for CHD Awareness. My daughter Ivy was born with a rare heart condition called CC-TGA/L-TGA. Thankfully, we learned about it early, I was about 20 weeks pregnant, and that knowledge changed everything. Sharing our story has become a big part of my mission as a parent and as a writer. It's taught me to pay attention to what matters, and to always lead with empathy, something I hope comes through in the world of Iryvalya.
When I’m not writing, I love traveling, playing board or card games with my family and friends, growing fresh food, and encouraging others to follow their dreams. I believe in the power of kindness, the strength of found family, and that it is never too late to follow your dreams.
What are a few of your favorite things/least favorite things?
One of my favorite things as of late has been on family nights, listening to my husband and kids laugh and play games together. I am not great at video games, so just being there and seeing them happy together is one of my favorite things. Other favorites for me is Tejava ice tea, pens (all of the pens), pretty paper that I say I will use but typically do not because I don’t want to ruin it, getting meme’s/reels sent to me by my BFF to brighten the day, finally finding the ability to love myself and see that I am successful in life.
Least favorite things is more simple I think, hate.
Did you always want to be an author?
I have wanted to be an author since 2nd grade. I have always loved reading and in second grade we did a story contest, and I won an award for my story and since then I always loved coming up with stories and characters. As I grew up, I always had stories in my head and would try to write everything down, but typically after a few chapters I would lose interest… that is until the story of Nyrieve came to me and then the world of Iryvalya was born.
Besides writing, do you have any hobbies? Do any of your characters share the same
interests as you?
I do have many different hobbies, I think as a person with ADHD it is quite typical to have a bunch of hobbies and bounce around between them all. I enjoy ceramics (making & decorating), drawing/painting (mostly abstract things), playing World of Warcraft with my daughter, play my Switch with family, traveling, and more… I’d like to think a few of my characters would enjoy a lot of the things I enjoy doing, but not sure how well they would handle seeing electronic things!
Do you have anything that you’re truly passionate about outside of writing? (Could be a
cause, a project, etc.)
I am very passionate about CHD Awareness (Congenital Heart Defect). My daughter was born with a “backwards” heart, her arteries and ventricles are switched, it is called CCTGA or LTGA. I had a “high risk” pregnancy because I had a pulmonary embolism years prior, and because of that I was lucky enough that the doctors were able to see her unique heart early enough that we could prepare for her birth to be in a place that had the ability to treat her if it was needed. It is important to make sure people are aware the CHD’s happen in 1 in 100 people, so knowing about it and checking up on it is always important.
How long have you been writing?
In general since 2nd grade, however the writing I have worked on and completed started back in 2014 when the idea of Nyrieve and Iryvalya came to me. That year I went to see Michigan author Kim Harrison being interviewed by George RR Martin (Game of Thrones), and while waiting for them interview to start this character and world came to me. When I got home, I started to research the character and story to make sure this wasn’t something I had read somewhere before, and once I was sure I started writing and haven’t stopped yet.
Which genres do you write in?
Fantasy Fiction is what I have primarily written in, though I enjoy other genre’s as well.
Are you independently published or traditionally published? Why did you choose this route? What are the benefits/drawbacks?
I am an Indie Author. I chose this route because when I had talked to a couple possible literary agents, I didn’t like that they wanted to change the story and the overall message that I feel the story has, and I didn’t want it to be changed. Benefits I think are having more control over your stories and the messages you want them to have, but drawbacks would definitely be not having the support to help market our books to readers.
What do you enjoy most and least about being an author?
I love writing and sharing my worlds with others in hopes to help give someone an escape from daily life and maybe instill some hope and magic for the reader.
The thing I like least is marketing. I am not great at “selling” anything, let alone myself. I am great at talking about Iryvalya and my characters, but I have never been good at pushing someone to buy something.
Are you a plotter, a plantser, or a pantser?
I am a plantser for sure. I usually have an overall outline of where the story is going, and I know for the most part what I want my characters to do, but as I am writing, I open myself up to the possibility of everything changing depending on what my characters want. I find it amazing how sometimes it is almost impossible to force my characters to do something that is out of character for them, I have to find a reason or situation that would make the character do it.
Do you have any writing routines (things you do that help you write)?
For me it is tracking my progress for the week and having an over all monthly goal. I keep track of words written each day I write and put them in a physical calendar book and when I hit my goals, like finished a chapter, I put a sticker on the calendar. It is a small recognition to myself that I’m doing good and working hard.
How do you deal with writer’s block?
If I find I am struggling with what I am wanting to write, I change things up. Work in a different environment, listen to different music, and then I start writing down ideas. Not necessarily things that would 100% go into the stories, but things like maybe an event that happened to a character, or even figuring out what a new location in my books might look like. I have found doing that keeps me tied into my book world and usually helps bring me back to where I left off and am able to get going again. I find doing this helps me breakout of the pattern of what I am doing and helps bring new life
into my world and gets my brain on a more creative level.
How many WIPs do you have going right now? Can you tell us anything about them?
I do have a couple WIP’s I am working on. One is the next main book for my series of Iryvalya. It is a compendium for all the characters, creatures, places and more throughout Iryvalya. I am wanting to get indie and/or local artists to help with some of the artwork. Another is a couple of backstories about different characters in the world of Iryvalya that really didn’t have a spot in the series so far to have more of their life told. The last thing I have been working on is a memoir of sorts about my life and journey. I am not sure if that will ever be fully complete or released, but it has been very
therapeutic to work on.
How many books do you currently have published? Tell us about them.
I have three published books.
They are The Tales of Iryvalya: Bloodlines, Crossroads, and Horizons. These all follow the journey of Nyrieve, an orphaned Elf who was prophesied to unite her world in peace. It is her learning about herself, her world and learning how truth and hope are the keys to achieving this.
Where do you get the inspiration for your books? Do you insert pieces of yourself and people you know into your books?
For this series, the inspiration came when I was living in New Mexico and went to see one of my favorite Michigan authors, Kim Harrison, being interviewed by George RR Martin. While I was sitting in the audience waiting for the interview to start this idea came to me about an abandoned elf and the journey she would take to unite her world. I took out my Blackberry and wrote down as much of the ideas as I could before the interview started. After I got home I started to research to see if this story idea was something I had read before or if it was all mine, and once I realized it was all my idea, I started writing and couldn’t stop.
With the characters, I will say many of them have different aspects and personalities in them that reflects either me or someone I have known. None of them are 100% like one person, but different bits and pieces worked together.
Are there any other authors who have inspired you?
Kim Harrison - https://www.kimharrison.net/
George RR Martin - https://georgerrmartin.com/
Laurel K Hamilton - https://www.laurellkhamilton.com/
Susan Harris – Author of Phantom
JRR Tolkien - https://www.tolkienestate.com/
Do you prefer standalone books or book series?
I like to read both, but I enjoy writing series, because the characters I find so interesting and I want to share more of their stories.
Do you have a favorite and least favorite of your characters? Why?
While I enjoy all my characters for different reasons, Rowzey and Knarfy are two of my favorite because they in part represent my mother and father in law. I have different aspects of them woven into those characters and love getting to have moments to share them with the world.
For least favorite, I think it is the different characters that hurt or cause harm to my MC’s or just people/animals in general. I don’t have one specific that I hate, but there are a few that remind me of real people who hurt and harm others and makes me dislike them.
What is your most popular book?
As far as sales/reviews, it would my first novel in the series, The Tales of Iryvalya: Bloodlines. I have heard from readers that they really enjoyed the second and third book as well though.
Which of your books do you wish received more love than it does?
I would say my most recent one, but that is because it was only released in November and I am hoping my readers really love the stories continuation.
How do you handle the author/life balance? (i.e. writing/editing/graphic design/home life/etc.)
There is a balance??? I think for me I set goals for how much writing I want to do each week and then work that time in and around everything else going on.
What do you do for your mental health and to recharge your creativity?
I spend time with my family, hang out with my bestie, and try to do the things I love. Also spending time with my readers really helps give me a surge of creativity and desire to write more.
Do you have any advice for unpublished writers or people who hope to become authors?
Do not stop trying. There isn’t an age limit on following your dreams. I wanted to be a writer for so long and for the longest time I figured that was not possible because I didn’t do it when I was in my 20’s. For me, I had little story ideas that I would work on, but the stories didn’t haunt me so to speak. When you have a story your brain will not allow you to stop thinking about, then you need to listen and write it. Also, start your social media presence now! You need to have confidence in yourself and your writing, but it is great to have friends and readers help encourage you along the way. Plus, it is great to poll people for ideas or maybe traits they would think would work for a specific character.
What’s your favorite Dinosaur?
Apatosaurus. I always liked the long necks and that they were plant eaters.
What is the best gift you have been given?
As cliché as it sounds, my kids and husband. They all have really taught me what is the most important things in life and have made me want to be the best me I can be for them.
What's the most daring thing you've ever done?
Decided to actually love myself… it was honestly not something I ever thought I would. Growing up I never thought I was good or worthy of being liked, let alone loved. I allowed myself to be in different abusive relationships, be it partners or friends, because I didn’t think I deserved anything better. After years of therapy and watching my kids grow and teaching them to like and love themselves, I finally started to practice what I was preaching. It was honestly scary to stop hating on myself, and look at myself as someone with value.
Are you a clean or messy person?
I am messy… creativity for me can be messy, however with my ADHD, I am also weirdly organized. Such has I have a ton of writing things, because as a writer I of course collect all the pens and paper I can, and I have organizers to keep everything in, but the organizers are not always where they should be. I am not a dirty person, definitely clean, but messy with my stuff for sure!
Do you collect anything besides books?
Oh yeah, I am a collector of many things. I love everything Edgar Allan Poe, Rocky Horror Picture Show, Breaking Bad and more. I collect Funko Pops, crafting supplies, and all the pens and paper. I especially love glittery things, the sparkles always grab my ADHD attention!
Do you believe in aliens? Ghosts?
Kind of… while I do not think I have ever had an encounter with an alien, to think this planet is the only one to have life on it seems crazy and not very probable. With ghosts, I have had moments that felt like someone I had lost was trying to tell me something, but it could be just a hope that there is something that waits beyond this life to something more.
Where can we find you online?
Do you have any planned events?
I will be a vendor at Godwin Mercado Book Market on March 14th 9am-2pm in Wyoming, MI
I will also have a booth in November 2026 at the Grand Rapids Comic Con at Booth 1007
If I get more things this year (which I am hoping to do) I will keep it updated on my events page at
Is there anything else you would like us to know?
It is February, and February is CHD Awareness Month. My daughter is a Heart Warrior. "Her heart is backwards… but it’s never held her back.” When I was around 20 weeks pregnant with Ivy, we learned she had a rare congenital heart condition called CC-TGA/L-TGA — or more simply put, her heart is backwards. In Ivy’s case, her arteries and ventricles are both switched, which actually means the flow of blood through her heart still works — just through a very different route. Because of this unique reversal, she hasn’t needed surgery, but she is closely monitored every year to ensure everything continues to function well. The incredible part is: we knew before she was born!
Because of an ultrasound, we were able to prepare — delivering Ivy in a hospital equipped to care for her, and giving her the best start possible. Many children with this condition aren’t diagnosed until much later in life. Awareness and early detection truly matter. Before Ivy, I had never heard of CC-TGA. But now, it’s something I’m passionate about sharing — because you never know whose little heart might need a little extra watching over. Ivy is now a thriving, creative, hilarious, and determined kid — and we celebrate her every day. She’s our CHD Heart Warrior, and we are so
grateful to know her heart, inside and out.
If you are running a giveaway? What is it? What do readers need to do to participate?
Yes, I would like to offer 5 copies of my first novel and book in my The Tales of Iryvalya series, Bloodlines. I will also include a bookmark, sticker and some other Iryvalya-ish items! To win a physical copy of the signed book, you would need to like and share this post and tag me (where ever you are seeing this online (IE Facebook, Instagram, etc)),
join my Facebook Group (https://www.facebook.com/groups/thetalesofiryvalya ), and send me an email with a screen shot of the shared post and you can win one of the books. I will allow until the end of February for people to do those things to be entered to win. Then I will have 5 names drawn from all those who participated and announce the winners on my social medias and email the winners directly to get shipping information.
Are there any rules or exclusions?
Only rules are to share, join and email me at LeAnn@LeAnnKelley.com and has to be shipped to a location in the United States.
How can readers expect to hear from you?
I will email and post on my social medias.
Thank you so much for joining us, LeAnn! It's been a pleasure chatting with you!
To all of our readers, thanks for spending some time with our guest author this week! We hope you've enjoyed this interview! In the meantime, be sure to check out LeAnn's links so you can keep up to date with her journey. Building a better, stronger community is what Friday Night Writes is all about!
Be sure to join us next week when we talk to author JM Samland!
See you soon!
The Friday Night Writes Crew
Evie Black & Samantha Moran
Friday Night Writes would like to thank our amazing sponsors: Bobbie Isabel, Rebecca Jose, Eden Knox, Kris Mitchell, LeAnn Kelley and Sammantha Selwood. Through their contributions, we are able to host interviews on a dedicated site and reach new audiences through our newsletter. Thank you!
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