M.G. Hunt's Blog, page 2
June 26, 2025
What it's REALLY like being an Indie book editor (and why Laura from Hummingbird Editing loves it)
In this episode of Indie Author Life, Laura and I discuss everything from ideal morning routines as a self-employed editor, to trusting your gut. Laura’s editing process is not only super professional but remarkably personable. She is her client’s biggest ‘hype person’ and it is clear she deeply cares about every person she works with.
Hummingbird Editing was born out of a desire for a change. Laura, who had spent over ten years in the education sector, found the demands of full-time teaching increasingly exhausting. After experiencing the challenges of the COVID-19 lockdowns, she realized that returning to teaching had diminished her resolve to stay on that path. Trusting her inner guidance, she decided to pursue her true passion: books!
And so, Hummingbird Editing was created, and Laura has not looked back. Enjoy this special episode of Indie Author Life.
Hummingbird Editing links:Indie Author Network Support Group (Facebook)
MG Hunt’s links:Where to purchase Still Waters Run Deep:Thanks for visiting Indie Author Life! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
June 12, 2025
A chat with artist Ashley Nobes
It is hard to believe fantasy artist Ashley Nobes is only 25 years of age, as she has already carved an incredible career for herself. Operating as a sole trader, she works with indie and traditionally published authors alike.
As someone who also adores admiring and creating character art, Ashley’s work ethic and passion inspires me deeply. Chatting with her was an absolute delight, and she is so knowledgeable with her approach to her art business.
I am excited to see how Ashley’s career and art practice develops, as it will no doubt continue going strength to strength for many years to come.
Ashley Nobe’s artwork discussed in the episodeHere’s a list of artwork discussed in our chat, as well as images and links accompanied below:
Basgiath War College, Etsy
Feyre and Rhysand during Starfall, Etsy
Auren and Rip, Gild Fanart, Etsy
Violet & Xaden Sparring, Etsy
Poppy and Hawke, Characters from the book From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L Armentrout, Instagram
Violet & Xaden Kiss, Etsy
The North Wind Special Edition Cover, Simon & Schuster
Henry and Halle (and Joy) from Daydream by Hannah Grace, Ashley Nobes Art
H.M Hogdson x Haus of Fables Vella, Ashley Nobes Art
Ashley Nobe’s Links:MG Hunt’s links:Where to purchase Still Waters Run Deep:Thanks for reading Indie Author Life! This post is public so feel free to share it.
May 29, 2025
Author Chat with S.K. Stapar
Sanja’s (S. K. Stapar) writing specialises in tales of cursed magic, secrets and agonising romance. After diving into her debut novel Midnight Gate, and attending her fabulous book launch in February 2025, I was dying to get to know the author behind this gripping story.
What impressed me most about Sanja was her dedication to writing and her commitment to pursuing her passion for storytelling. The way she weaves elements of her Slavic heritage into the fantasy worlds created is both distinctive and meaningful, making her story all the more worth sharing.
Check out S. K. Stapar’s incredible debut novel Midnight Gate, for a romantasy journey you’ll curse yourself for not reading sooner.
S. K. Stapar’s links:MG Hunt’s links:Where to purchase Still Waters Run Deep:May 15, 2025
Author Chat with Abigail Mader
My guest on this episode of Author Chat has many titles: podcast host, bookshop owner, PA and teacher. Oh, and did I mention she writes fantastic fantasy books as well?
It seems like there is nothing Abigail Mader cannot do, and she is a force in the indie publishing world. She is willing to help anyone on the ‘Bookstagram’ community, and is a an endless source of wisdom.
Her series titled ‘The Crystal Dynasty’ is a tale of ‘A great treachery. A kingdom torn asunder. A dethroned queen seeking justice.’ Abigail’s latest release in the series is book 2, ‘The Quest Begins’. Please check out her social media to read more about this incredible series!
Abigail Mader’s links:MG Hunt’s links:Where to purchase Still Waters Run Deep:Thanks for reading Indie Author Life! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
May 1, 2025
The Still Waters Run Deep Book Launch
I was thrilled to see so many happy and familiar faces at the launch, and I am touched by the enthusiasm shown for this book that means so much to me. I was able to film the book launch presentation, so if you would like to watch the video, visit this link.
Watch the Still Waters Run Deep Book Launch presentation
Thanks for reading Indie Author Life! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.
Otherwise, keep reading to learn about the journey to publish Still Waters Run Deep.
This has been a project six years in the making. To be honest it feels surreal that it is out into the world, and the story of elemental magik and breaking down barriers is being read and enjoyed by people.
Humble beginnings
Picture of me at around aged 2. I was always mad about drawing, since 1997! In order to paint a greater picture of the development of my book, let’s take a trip down memory lane together. When I was a child, I was obsessed with drawing and creating stories. The drawing part was a physical expression, but the story creation was mostly in my head. My parents will agree that I was fixated on drawing cartoon characters from a young age, and some of my favourite sources of inspiration were: Pokemon, Sailor Moon, Harry Potter and Star Wars. All grand stories with rich arrays of characters and visuals, which inspired my drawings.
As I got a bit older, I started creating my own stories in my head - which were often great epics following strong female protagonists with magical powers. But I never felt I had the ability to capture my exact ideas with words, so, I preferred to express these tales through drawings. It was such a cathartic experience for me, and throughout my teenage years I turned to drawing and art as a great source of inspiration, escapism and comfort.
Still, the need for me to put my story ideas onto paper could not be fully realised through drawing, no matter how hard I tried.
Growing upWhen I approached the end of my high school years, I considered what I wanted to do for my tertiary education. I couldn’t shake the desire to create stories, but I didn’t think that a creative writing degree was for me.
Also, for context, I am a very slow reader. So, I felt inadequate to be able to participate in literary discussions if I felt like a book like ‘War and Peace’ would take me two entire lifetimes to read.
I knew I wanted to work in an area where I could be creative. And, I wondered whether the compulsion to create stories would fade away when I entered my twenties and started Uni; that I would “grow out of this phase”.
Spoiler alert: I did not.
My university days, doing a Bacherlor of Arts/Visual Arts. It was a wonderful course, but I knew I wanted to delve more into storytelling through writing.I threw myself into a Bachelor of Arts and Visual Arts, which was a rewarding degree, but wasn’t sure where my future headed. I enjoyed making art, and I enjoyed learning sociology, but also did not know what career options were available out there. I eventually found myself doing a diploma of Graphic Design to satisfy an urge to continue nurturing my desire to express myself visually, and turn that desire into a stable career.
And as I worked as a graphic designer, I thought I would be so busy in this career that I would have absolutely no time to think about writing stories. I would be satisfied with that career choice. And that is true, I was/and am very pleased with that choice to do graphic design as my full time job.
But the urge to create remained, and I wanted to explore more of it alongside designing.
Turning point circa 2020For all of us, the year 2020 was historic. It threw our routine and comfort in a spin, and most of us sought new forms of entertainment and habits. Work had changed, socialising had changed, and seclusion became easier to attain.
That seclusion was the catalyst for me to spend more time with my mind, and to talk to the voice begging me to write the stories I had in my head.
To backtrack a little, I had begun toying the idea of what would become Still Waters Run Deep in October of 2019. My mind had wandered to a scene I kept replaying, of a girl swimming in boiling water. It was inspired by a trip I took to Iceland in 2017, which inspired me in so many ways. All the glaciers and geysers we visited painted a new world in my head, more landscapes for my characters to traverse. And I continued to replay a story of a girl with blood red hair controlling water magik. It came from Iceland.
So, I gave writing a go. I started with a chapter, and it lived alone as a short story about a girl swimming in boiling water, but the water would not burn her.
Alas, my lack of confidence in story writing got the better of me, and I abandoned the story. Instead, I tried my hand at a graphic novel. But, I soon realised how hard it was to create this.
These are some pictures of my attempt at this. Bonus points if you know which chapter in Still Waters Run Deep these panels relate to!The concept for the short story was there - a very icy world, based on Icelandic terrain. But it wasn’t fulfilling how I wanted the story to take shape. Deep down I knew writing was the best way to formulate this idea, but I felt so inadequate to attempt it.
I wasn’t a “reader” like some of my friends were. As I said before, my reading pace is laughable. But as the world started to slow down in March of 2020, I felt the time was right to spend some time on this project, and write.
And writing is what I did. Every morning before I started work, I spent 30 minutes or so working on whatever came into my head. It started as stand alone short stories of characters that would eventually intersect, which then formed into chapters of my book.
While I was proud of the work I was doing internally, I felt so shy to reveal this new passion project of mine. I was not known as a “reader”, so how could I enter a world I felt as being so impenetrable and prestigious; in my mind, the only books worth reading were crafted by wordsmith experts. But, every person has to start somewhere. And I was determined to get through my fear of not being good enough to write, by slowly introducing my project to some select friends, and of course my mum.
Mum was the first person who read my first draft of SWRD. She did not judge, and in fact, engaged with the story critically and offered amazing feedback. She always prefaced her feedback as something not to take to heart, but I always did - in the best way possible. I always joke to her and others that I have done a Visual Arts degree, so if that doesn’t prepare you to receive gut wrenching critique on your heartfelt artwork, nothing else would!
Still, she helped me formulate the first draft of SWRD, and by end of 2021, I was ready to start querying traditional publishers.
The publishing journeyFrom the advice I gleaned from countless hours spent online, it seemed that people advocated that as a debut author, I should try my hardest to get published traditionally. For those who might not be aware, there is a difference between being traditionally published versus self-published. Traditional publishing involves a publishing house handling editing, design, distribution, and marketing - but often with more gatekeeping and longer timelines. Self-publishing gives authors full control and higher royalties but requires them to manage all aspects of publishing themselves.
So, I studied query letters, ensured my query emails to publishers. I endured this process for about two years, with lots of unanswered emails. When I received a rejection email, it was treated as a bit of a success - as at least I had been considered in some way shape or form!
Finally, my hopes and dreams were answered when a publisher finally accepted my query offer in September 2023. Or so I thought this was my answer to success.
Unfortunately, after much internal investigation and moral questioning, I had to make the difficult decision to part ways with this particular publisher. Their business model did not align with my values.
This was one of the hardest parts in my journey to publishing SWRD. It was a decision I did not make lightly, but eventually I pivoted to self publishing SWRD. I knew what I wanted the book to look like, and although I was new to the publishing world, little did I know the door would open to a world of like minded writers and creatives, all on a special community online - the Bookstagram!
The bookstagram community
As the title suggests, bookstagram is a combination of two works - books and Instagram. Say what you will about social media, but if you find the right people, you can find your online community. I was introduced to many other Aussie and international indie authors that were on the same self publishing journey together, and I am thankful enough to call some of them close friends.
As I started to form connections with others online, I started to ask more questions about how other people published their books. Amazon and Ingram Spark were two companies that were frequently suggested to me. When I investigated these platforms myself, I realised how accessible it was for me, and others, to create publications. Though these platforms would take commissions, and arguably too much out of the price in my opinion, it was still a fantastically accessible way to get my work out there.
Before formally publishing my full length novel SWRD, I started my self publishing journey with a short story, titled Elara and the Passing. This 44 page book is part of the same universe as SWRD, but also served as a test into the self publishing world of sorts. And it was an incredible test. I learned so much, and was blown away with the support it received. I have a lot of people in this room to thank for that.
So when it came to SWRD, I was ready to “fire on all cylinders” to get this book out there. I knew the cover design was going to be one of the most important elements for getting eyes on my book. With my professional graphic design experience, and getting the help of an Aussie printer based in Sydney, the silver foiled cover of SWRD was created. It really did emulate the magik within the story.
I also had to honour my passion for drawing. So along with the book, I created portraits of the main characters in the book as well, with some illustrations turning into merch as well.
Finally, what is my book about:Well, let me quote some of the blurb for you
“In a world where elemental magik is forbidden, Asta has a secret.”
Living in the peaceful village of Laugar, she keeps her water affinity hidden from everyone. Including the people closest to her. Asta’s life changes forever when she is forced to leave her home and is kidnapped by a hidden group of elemental affinities, known as Velum.
In Velum, Asta encounters other young people like herself. Rather than hiding their elemental powers, they embrace them. For better or worse.
Asta soon learns that things at Velum aren’t as they seem. She has to endure the domineering ways of Gatira, Velum’s creator. Gatira is a curious, undead scholar, who seeks not only to enhance the elemental powers of the affinities she looks after, but to serve her own controlling self interests. And she is a force Asta must choose to serve under, or to reckon with.
Final thoughtsThe main thing I have learned from this journey, With the risk of sounding clique, is that it is now more accessible than ever to bring the book of your dreams to life. You are no longer at the mercy of the traditional publishers. Publishing has never been a money making idea for me. I have always only wanted to tell this magikal story that has been lying dormant in my brain for many years.
And to quote artist Yayoi Kusama “if there's a chance than in 100 years time there will be just one person who will look at my work and be touched by it, then I must continue to create art (or in my case writing) for that one person.”
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April 17, 2025
Author Chat with my Mum
In this special edition of Author Chat, I speak with someone who is a massive influence in my writing and creative process - my Mum. Mum was the first person who ever read my debut fantasy YA novel 'Still Waters Run Deep'. She saw it at its raw, draft stage, and did not judge! Hope you enjoy this interview where we chat about the creation of 'Still Waters Run Deep'.
MG Hunt’s links:
April 11, 2025
Life Update - Debut YA Novel, the future of Indie Author Life show, Clunes Booktown Festival
Hi everyone! This episode of the Indie Author Life is centred around some updates to do with my writing life, importantly, the debut of my YA fantasy novel, Still Waters Run Deep. I also chat about the Author Chat series and the future plans for that. Finally, I take you all along with me on my trip to Clunes Booktown Festival, where I got a chance to catch up with some incredible indie authors. I will list all I encountered below:
MG Hunt’s links:
April 3, 2025
Author Chat with Danielle D. Drummond
We dive deep into her creative journey, discussing her debut novel, A Kingdom of Curses: The Emergence, and how she brought this story to life.
Danielle shares her writing process, the challenges and triumphs of self-publishing, and the undeniable calling that led her to embrace a creative lifestyle. Through her passion for storytelling, she reveals how writing has profoundly changed her life for the better.
Watch or listen to peek into the mind of a talented author who is just getting started.
Please note the following disclaimer: This episode discusses topics related to mental health and serious physical illness. We understand these subjects can be sensitive and potentially triggering. Please take care or yourself and feel free to pause or skip ahead if needed.
📚 Danielle D. Drummond’s links:
📚 MG Hunt’s links:
March 27, 2025
I painted my own book edges, and you can do it too!
Here I am creating my own painted edges on a hardcover book I had never read. Maybe I will pick it up now!Sprayed edges or ‘spredges’ as they are sometimes known as, are the outer sides of a book's pages that have been painted or printed with colour and/or patterns.
I have been curious about designing my own painted edges, special edition for my own books. So when I saw an event at Grace and Louie Booksellers pop up on my Instagram feed, I knew I had to check it out.
The event was a sip-and-paint gathering, where you’re typically provided with alcoholic beverages (or soft drinks) to help loosen up your creative mind. It took place at their bookshop in Emerald, VIC, which was transformed into an art studio for the evening. It was a cozy experience, sitting at a long table surrounded by books and fellow book enthusiasts.
Local artist, Anna St Clair, lead the session. Armed with a selection of acrylic paints, round cotton pads and glittery gel pens, St Clair instructed us on how to paint our book edges. All credit for these instructions goes to artist Anna St Clair.
InstructionsFrom the best of my ability and memory, here were her instructions to create your own special edition:
Paint only on hardcover books, as they are easier to work with than paperbacks. New hardcover books are ideal for painting, since the pages of old hardcover books are less smooth and harder to work with.
Choose a base color for the edges and pour a small amount of acrylic paint into a container or plate. If the book has a dust jacket, be sure to remove it before you start painting.
With a round cotton pad, dip lightly into the paint. Start lightly so you can build up. Gently paint onto the sides of your book, while firmly gripping the sides.
Once the edges are completely covered with acrylic paint, let it dry for 10-15 minutes. Then, gently flip through the pages to avoid the pages sticking together.
Using a gel pen, draw your design straight onto the edges. The best kind of pens are the gold and silver gel pens. You can improvise patterns and shapes or make it related to the book contents, whatever you like!
The finished design of my painted edges. Black acrylic paint and silver gel pen.Most of the attendees did not have an artistic background but all created eye-catching designs. What I took from this event is that the simple combination of acrylic paint and glittery or gold/silver gel pens create a stunning result. And improvising the design yielded some even more wondrous creations. Thank you to Grace and Louie Booksellers for a thoroughly enjoyable event!
Below is a selection of images I took at the event.
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March 20, 2025
Author Chat with Kristen Dovnik
Enjoy this episode of Author Chat with Kristen Dovnik! For people watching: please note that due to internet issues there may be sections where the audio doesn’t match up with the video.
Where to find Kristen Dovnik:Where to find MG Hunt:
