Indie Author Spotlight: Morgan Kielisch
If you’ve been hanging around Mom Needs a Chapter for a while, you might remember my review of The Awakening of Gods—the spellbinding debut novel by indie author Morgan Kielisch. Well, today I’m thrilled to shine a little more light on the creator behind the Astrellian Heirs series in this latest Indie Author Spotlight.
Morgan’s journey from a fever dream to a full-blown romantasy world is just as captivating as her storytelling. We talked about her creative process, indie publishing lessons, and what’s next for her series (and yes, the audiobook fans are in for a treat).
Grab your emotional support water bottle and dive in—because this one’s full of inspiration, heart, and a little bit of Nyquil magic.
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Where My Love for Astrellia Began
If you haven’t yet fallen under the spell of The Awakening of Gods, you can check out my full review here. It’s a lush romantasy debut that blends vivid worldbuilding, strong heroines, and emotional depth in a way that immediately hooked me.
Book two in the Astrellian Heirs series, The Reckoning of Gods is already on my TBR, so stay tuned for my thoughts once I dive back into Morgan’s magical world—because if her teaser about Aislinn’s character arc is any indication, we’re in for an emotional ride.
The Dream That Started It All
You’ve mentioned that the idea for The Awakening of Gods (and the entire Astrellian Heirs series) came from a fever dream. That’s such a fascinating origin story!
Can you walk us through what happened and how you captured that vivid dream before it slipped away? What was the moment when you knew this wasn’t just a dream—but a story worth writing?
Yes, the story did start as a fever dream! I've always been lucky enough to have incredibly vivid dreams, and even lucid dreams, so I've learned from a young age to keep a dream diary on my nightstand so I could capture the magic after waking up. This particular dream happened in fall 2023 when I was sick with the flu and had just taken a healthy dose of Nyquil. I dreamt most of the storyline of the first book from Elana's POV, along with the very ending of the trilogy. When I woke up the next morning, mostly cured from my fever, I immediately started writing. I typed out almost the entire first chapter of the first book that morning, and it felt more real than any of the other stories I'd written... I knew right away that this story was different.
But, because imposter syndrome is a real thing, I still wanted to be sure it was good enough to continue, so I sent the chapter to my best friend, Katie, and asked her to read it. She proceeded to tell me that I had to finish writing the book—or else. No more motivation needed!
From Dream to Draft
Once you had the idea, what was your process for shaping it into a full story? Did you outline, or did you discover the world as you wrote?
The dream was just the beginning. For most of the first book I didn’t really do much outlining. I had the key moments already in my head, so they just needed to be written down. For the second, and now third, books I’m outlining more so I don’t lose sight of the ending. It’s helping to keep me on track—but also, sometimes the characters tend to do what they want and derail the outlining!
Breathing Life Into Astrellia
The world of Astrellia feels so layered and alive. What was the most challenging (or rewarding) part of building that fantasy world?
Thank you! One thing I love in fantasy books is the feeling you get when you're fully immersed in a world. When you can completely escape the mundane and step into the shoes of another person. That’s what I wanted to create with Astrellia!
I quickly learned that worldbuilding is complex and requires a lot of brainstorming to make it feel realistic. I did a lot of research on different biomes and plant life, and even though some are from my imagination, peppering in real-life details helped make the world believable. The most rewarding part? Completing the map! It took about 14 hours to design (it’s actually the second version because the first was awful), but once it was finished, the whole story just came alive.
The Indie Journey
As an indie author, what has the publishing process been like for you? Were there any surprises—good or bad—along the way?
There was SO much to learn. I didn’t know any indie authors before starting, so everything was entirely new—and entirely on me to figure out. I made so many mistakes along the way, but I learned a lot and publishing my second book was much easier.
I lost count of how many “How to self-publish” articles I read and YouTube videos I watched, but the best thing about the book community is how forgiving readers are with indie authors. They don’t always care if you use white paper instead of cream (whoops) or forget your “About the Author” section on the first print run (again, whoops).
Recording the Audiobook
You mentioned you’re recording the audiobook for The Awakening of Gods! That’s such an exciting next step. Can you share what that process has been like and when listeners might expect to hear it?
It’s so exciting! It’s currently in production—my wonderful cousin Ava is narrating, and my other cousin Ryan is editing. I was lucky enough to crash one of their recording sessions, and it sounds amazing. I even got to record the dedication, so listeners will hear my voice in it too!
As far as a release date, I’d say sometime in 2026, but keep an eye on my socials for updates.
Community & Connection
What has your experience been like within the indie author community—especially the romance and romantasy circles? Have you found support or inspiration from fellow writers?
Everyone I’ve met in the romance/romantasy space has been incredibly supportive. I’ve made so many author and reader friends in the last year, and I’m so grateful to be a part of this community. I was worried there’d be a competitive spirit, but I really haven’t seen it. I love hyping up my fellow indie authors—and they do the same for me!
From Wisconsin With Love
As a fellow Wisconsinite, I love that I first discovered your book through a local bookstore. Can you tell us a little about your background?
I love Wisconsin! I grew up in Erin, which is mostly known for its big St. Patrick’s Day parade (and now, Erin Hills golf course). I moved to the Madison area about five years ago and love it here—there are so many great indie bookstores, like Chapter & Charm in Waterloo!
Fun fact: I actually struggled with reading in first and second grade. A teacher, Mrs. Hesprich, helped me learn to follow my finger along the page, and that changed everything. I became obsessed with reading—especially fantasy—and never looked back.
Reading Roots
What were some of the books or authors that inspired you growing up—or even now as a writer?
Growing up, I really enjoyed Christopher Paolini’s Eragon series and Tamora Pierce’s stories. Nowadays I’m a huge fan of Rachel Gillig, Carissa Broadbent, and Danielle L. Jensen.
The Future of the Astrellian Heirs Series
Do you envision the Astrellian Heirs series as a trilogy—or are there more stories waiting in that world?
Yes, it will be a trilogy! But there will also be a novella released sometime after the third book—it’ll cover the backstory of a character we meet in book two. The third book, the last of the trilogy, will be out in fall next year!
Characters We Can’t Forget
Of all the characters in The Awakening of Gods, which one was the most fun to explore and write? Was there anyone who surprised you along the way?
I really connected with Elana, but I think Aislinn was the most fun to write. She’s powerful, sassy, and strong-willed. Her arc in the second and third books is such a wild ride, especially as she faces things she’s never experienced before—like failure.
Other Projects on the Horizon
Do you have any other projects or ideas simmering beyond the Astrellian Heirs series?
Yes! I have two strong story ideas—one’s a slightly darker romantasy, and the other is more of a suspense/thriller. I’m so excited for both, but they’re on the backburner until I finish the trilogy.
Writing Wisdom
For readers who dream of becoming indie authors themselves, what’s one piece of advice you’d share—especially about balancing creativity with all the behind-the-scenes work?
The biggest piece of advice I can give is to write what you want. Don’t write for a trend or to fit a trope. You’ll be reading your book a lot, so make sure you love it! When you love your story, it shows—and readers will feel that connection.
Just for Fun
What’s your go-to writing snack or drink?
I hydrate a lot while writing, so my emotional support water bottle is always nearby. If I’m snacking, it’s usually something easy and not messy—like popcorn.
Do you have a favorite writing playlist or mood music?
I have a playlist that pumps me up before writing, but when I’m actually in the zone, I prefer ambient sounds—like ocean waves or storms. Sometimes, I even write in silence.
If The Awakening of Gods were ever adapted for film or TV, who would you dream-cast as your leads?
Such a hard question! Freya Allen (Ciri from The Witcher) reminds me of Aislinn, and Charles Melton (Riverdale) is how I imagine Aidan. I haven’t found my Elana yet—if anyone has suggestions, send them my way!
Where to Find Morgan Kielisch
Follow Morgan for updates on the Astrellian Heirs series, her upcoming audiobook, and sneak peeks of her next projects:
Instagram: @authormorgankielisch
TikTok: @authormokielisch
Website: morgankielischbooks.com
Final Thoughts
Indie authors like Morgan Kielisch remind us why the book community is such a special place—brimming with creativity, courage, and stories that come straight from the heart (or in Morgan’s case, a Nyquil-fueled fever dream).
Whether you’re an aspiring author or a reader searching for your next unforgettable fantasy romance, The Awakening of Gods and the Astrellian Heirs series deserve a spot on your shelf.
Want more indie author features, reviews, and romantasy recs? Stay tuned to Mom Needs a Chapter!
If you’re an indie author and want a chance to be featured in the Indie Author Spotlight, apply here.
