I’ve seen a lot of debate lately about whether authors truly need a developmental editor. In my experience, the answer is yes—but with nuance. In this post, I break down what developmental editing actually does, how it shaped my early books, when other editing options make sense, and why investing in editing is one of the most important steps an indie author can take.

I don’t believe in creative resolutions. They’re rigid, rooted in pressure, and built on motivation that rarely lasts. What I believe in is intention—setting goals with room for growth, grace, and consistency. In this post, I share how I’m defining success on my own terms, the steps I’m taking toward a sustainable author career, what I’m choosing to let go of, and why I’m not quitting when things get hard.

Writing through trauma doesn’t mean exposing every wound on the page. There is a difference between processing pain and trauma dumping, between honoring emotional truth and asking readers to carry what isn’t theirs. In this essay, I share how personal experiences can shape fiction without being recreated word for word, why some stories aren’t ready—or aren’t ours alone—to tell, and how writers can set boundaries while still creating honest, powerful work.

In this post, I’m sharing my big goals for 2026: publishing four books in the Ashenheart world (plus a hopeful Christmas novella), attending at least three author events, blogging twice a week, focusing on Instagram/TikTok, and growing both my author career and our family trash business—while taking my health, homeschooling, and money goals seriously.

I spent a week sick, traveled to Arizona for the holidays, and fell behind on my word count for Heart of a Hacker. In this post, I’m talking about writing through the seasons of life, letting thinking time “count,” finding inspiration in family and nostalgia, and giving yourself grace when real life derails your perfectly planned goals.

In this post, I’m sharing my words of the year—Growth, Intentional, and now Soar—and how vision boards, life chaos, motherhood, and mental readiness shaped my author journey. If you’re thinking about your word for 2026 and what you’re ready to focus on (and let go of), this is for you.

Trying to build an author business with ADHD, kids, a day job, and zero sense of time? In this post, I’m sharing how I’m redefining success, working with my “spicy” brain instead of against it, and using realistic habits to keep writing and publishing anyway.

Why do you write—and why do you publish? Those sound like the same question, but they’re not. In this post, indie author Shalana Battles unpacks the difference between loving the act of writing and choosing the messy, vulnerable reality of publishing, and invites you to ask yourself whether you’d still write even if the shiny milestones never came.

Heart of a Killer just wrapped on Kickstarter, and I’m still buzzing. What started as a $1,000 goal finished at $3,000 with only minutes left on the clock, and this third campaign taught me more than any webinar ever could—why you should have the book completely done, how to price for actual profit, and why simple formats and clear communication matter. In this post, I’m breaking down the real numbers, the chaos, and how it’s all shaping the next Ashenheart book, Heart of a Hacker.

Fresh off Author/Reader Nation in Las Vegas, I’m reflecting on James Patterson’s powerful “train” story—how he spent 17 years writing before bravely pivoting into a new life. This post dives into creative courage, manifestation, and the mindset shifts writers need to keep going, even with bills, kids, and day jobs. If you’ve ever wondered “Why not me?” as you chase your writing dreams, this is your reminder to stay resilient and choose your own direction.

Reader Nation 2025 was my first time signing as an author, and it was everything I hoped it would be—exciting, exhausting, and completely unforgettable. I met incredible readers, connected with fellow authors, and learned so much along the way. If you’re planning to sign next year, here are a few things I wish I’d known before I walked in.

“It’s not about replacing artists—it’s about expanding what’s possible.”

At Author Nation 2025, I was reminded that the future of publishing isn’t about fear—it’s about freedom. From embracing AI as an assistant to building authentic brands, letting go of what no longer serves us, and dreaming bigger than ever, this is a call to every author ready to shape what comes next.

It’s hard to believe it’s been almost five years since Soul Jumper made its way into the world. It was the first book I ever published—my leap into indie authorship—and for that reason alone, it will always hold a special place in my heart. But as I look ahead to Soul Jumper’s upcoming 5th anniversary, I find myself realizing that this story matters even more now than it did when I first wrote it.

I've been a dark romance reader for years. While I love many genres and have favorites scattered across all kinds of stories, there's something about dark romance that has always resonated with me on a level that's hard to explain. Maybe it's because, sometimes, the brightest places are found in the dark.

When I started writing Heart of a Killer, I knew I was stepping into the darkest world I've written yet. It's not "super dark" compared to the broader dark romance genre—it still leans mild by most standards—but for me, it was a personal leap. It was the first time I really pushed my own comfort zone as a writer. And it was scary.

The Grand Mesa Men series is a collection of stories near and dear to my heart. From second chances to found families, each book dives into different romantic tropes while weaving together the lives of characters who call Western Colorado home. I wanted to give you a sneak peek into each couple’s dynamic, what makes their story unique, and a few “behind the scenes” tidbits from my own life that inspired these books.

Today, we’re diving into how to build tension and chemistry between characters. If you’re a fellow writer, you’ll pick up tips to level up your craft. If you’re a romance reader, you’ll get an inside peek at how those swoon-worthy moments come to life on the page.

Any author out there knows that finishing a book and publishing it is the hardest part—well, that, and marketing the dang things. But writing? Writing is the fun part, the passion. That’s what we love. So, it’s no surprise that when I’m nearing the end of a project, my brain is already jumping to what’s next.

As an author, there’s something magical about holding a beautifully crafted book in your hands. Gorgeous covers, sprayed edges, foiled details, ribbons—it all adds to the joy of reading and turns a book into a treasure. I’ve been dreaming of creating these pretty books for the Grand Mesa Men series, but let me tell you, the journey to make them a reality is no easy feat—especially as an indie author based in the US.