Ciara Blume Interview | Bestselling Cozy Fantasy Author on Midlife Creativity, Indie Publishing & Natural Magic.

When life feels overwhelming, we often reach for stories that make the world feel lighter, warmer, and a little more magical. That’s exactly what bestselling author Ciara Blume offers her readers and why she’s become one of the most talked-about voices in cozy fantasy today.Her Natural Magic Series didn’t just land well with readers, it exploded. In less than six months, her debut racked up over 2 million page reads and more than 1,000 glowing reviews, quickly climbing Amazon bestseller charts in multiple categories. That’s the kind of success many authors dream of… but Ciara did it while starting her author career at midlife.And that’s what makes her story so powerful.Midlife Magic: Reinvention & Creativity.While many people see midlife as a point of slowing down, Ciara saw it as the perfect moment to dive in. As her son left for college, she set out to build the author career she’d long imagined. With her background as a copywriter and a Creative Writing degree from Johns Hopkins, she brought a rare mix of storytelling skill and business savvy.But she also brought perspective. Instead of rushing to secure a traditional publishing deal, Ciara chose indie publishing as her first choice, a decision that gave her creative control, flexibility, and the ability to build her author business on her own terms.Why Cozy Fantasy Matters Right Now.Ciara’s books are uplifting, humorous, and occasionally magical — the very definition of cozy fantasy. But this isn’t just escapism. History shows that whimsical, enchanting fiction often thrives during times of division and stress. Alice in Wonderland and The Narnia Chronicles appeared during turbulent eras, offering readers something restorative.Ciara’s stories pick up that mantle. They feature themes of found family, second chances, and women reclaiming their inherent magic at any age. In a world where many of us feel disconnected, her novels remind us of the healing power of wonder.Watch Our Interview with Ciara Blume.This Friday on The Writing Community Chat Show, we’ll sit down with Ciara to talk about:* Why cozy fantasy is more radical than it looks.* How fiction can serve as self-care and reduce stress.* The challenges and triumphs of building a book business at midlife.* Why natural magic resonates so deeply with modern readers.Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a lover of fantasy, or someone who just needs a little spark of enchantment, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.💡 Support Authors, Support CreativityThe Writing Community Chat Show is now a registered CIC (Community Interest Company). That means we’re not-for-profit, and our mission is to support authors, creatives, and community projects. If you’d like to help us continue bringing you inspiring conversations like this one, you can donate here:👉 https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/TheWCCSAnd don’t forget — the Amazon Kindle Storyteller Award is open! If you’re an author, this is your chance to enter one of the most exciting competitions in publishing and win £20,000!:👉 http://amazon.co.uk/Storyteller This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thewccs.substack.com/subscribe Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.