Leanne Shea Langdown

Indie Author Life is wildly fantastic. You get freedom, creative control, the ability to publish whatever your heart desires, whenever your caffeine levels allow. You get to build worlds, craft characters, and make readers feel things — all without waiting for a gatekeeper to give you permission. But let’s be honest: that freedom comes with a price. A hat collection so large it needs its own walk‑in wardrobe. Because being an Indie Author isn’t just “writing books”. Writing is the easy bit...

Every August, something magical happens in Australia. Book Week arrives, and with it comes a wave of colour, creativity, and pure childhood joy. This year’s theme, Symphony of Stories, feels especially fitting. Stories really do create their own music. They lift, soothe, energise, and empower. And for the past 14 years, I’ve been lucky enough to witness a very special melody within that symphony: the arrival of Book Week Cheer Chick Charlies. It starts with a ping on my phone. A tag on...

If you’ve ever met a house rabbit, you’ll know they’re not just pets. They’re tiny, furry anarchists with opinions, hobbies, and a surprising amount of athletic ability. Before I had children, I had one such creature: Gizmo Thumper Bunny Rabbit, my toilet‑trained, fridge‑obsessed, cable‑chewing, high‑jumping little mate. He wasn’t just a rabbit. He was a character. Gizmo had BIG zoomies. The kind that rattled furniture, startled visitors, and made me laugh until my stomach hurt. He’d tear...