Ink and Magic

In this episode, we're reading Nalini Singh’s very latest release, Atonement Sky ! BEWARE: SPOILERS AHEAD! Both Ines and Leslye agree this is a solid and satisfying addition to the Psy-Changeling series—even if we're still longing for a return trip to Black Sea and the aquatic shifters. We discuss how this installment continues to explore one of the series’ central questions, first posed in book o...

In this episode, we have finally caught up with the rest of the world as we read Primal Mirror. The story revolves around the ticking time clock of the PsyNet’s imminent collapse, while woven with the building of a new changeling pack, and the fall of a prominent Psy dynasty. The end is near for the Psy-Changeling world, and Ines and Leslye’s binge read of the series.   Sign up for author Nalini S...

In this week’s episode, we’re almost caught up on all things Psy-Changeling. Listen in to find out what will happen next in the podcast as we get ready for an array of magical new episodes. But first, we’re going to take a short spring break—perfect for recharging and planning even more exciting content for you! Watch this space to know what’s coming next on Ink & Magic.   Sign up for author N...

Although coming into the story confused because of the blurb, Ines and Leslye dissect this dual love story, of sorts in Resonance Surge. The main love story revolves around a Changeling bear with foresight and a wounded Psy with a past filled with childhood trauma. Woven with real life stories of Psy siblings before silence, as well as tales from the present day consequences of Silence falling, th...

In this episode, Ines and Leslye reveal their favorite books of 2024 plus a few honorable mentions. Gird your wallet as they unapologetically aim for your TBR’s expansion. Sign up for author Nalini Singh’s newsletter to receive fan service here: https://nalinisingh.com/ Want the official Psy-Changeling Reading Order? Click here: https://nalinisingh.com/books/psychangeling-series/   THINGS MENTIONE...

In this episode, we explore Nalini Singh's Storm Echo, in which we visit both the amnesia and second chance at love tropes. The story centers on Lei, a Changeling healer with little memory of her past, and Ivan Mercant, a man whose own turbulent past haunts him. As their paths cross, they not only navigate the complexities of their emerging feelings but also piece together the scattered fragments...

Join us on this week’s podcast as we dive into the process of revising your manuscript, from the rough beginnings of the "dirty draft" to the final, polished version. We've got the expert tips and practical advice to help you tackle each stage with confidence. Tune in to learn how to transform your writing with each pass through your manuscript, ensuring that what you eventually submit or publish...

In Last Guard, we meet a hero with a mobility disability and a heroine grappling with mental health challenges. Together, they navigate a world filled with obstacles, both external and internal, finding strength and love in each other's company. In the episode, we'll explore how Nalini Singh skillfully portrays complex characters breaking down barriers and challenging stereotypes within the framew...

Get ready to tackle your goals for 2025 in this week's episode of our podcast. We’ll help you start the year off smart—that's Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. We also talk about how to effectively use both paper and digital planners to keep you on track. Join us as we provide tips, tricks, and insights to help you organize your writing life, maximize productivity, and tu...

Join us on this week's episode as we break down Alpha Night, where a female alpha wolf and a Psy male with a ticking time bomb in his head get insta-mated in the first chapter!  Gird your loins, listeners, in this wild ride as of an unconventional pairing, the challenges of navigating differing societies, and the power dynamics involved with skin-privileges. The stakes are high and the passion fie...

In this week's episode hosts Leslye and Ines are joined by their mastermind partner, Cerece Renee Murphy . Not only will they discuss the invaluable benefits of participating in a mastermind group, but they will also give listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how they run their own. Listen in to learn how a mastermind can elevate your skills, broaden your perspective, and significantly level up yo...

Singh's foray into thrillers is on display in this gripping entry into the Psy Changeling world. In Wolf Rain we meet a hero who sees himself as a rogue wolf destined to be alone and a Psy woman convinced she's a monster beyond redemption. Together, they discover that their beliefs about themselves are profoundly mistaken. Suspense blends with heart-wrenching romance as Singh proves once again tha...

This week you get a masterclass in worldbuilding in a romance novel from expert Leslye while Ines listens in. We explore how setting is not just the backdrop against which a story unfolds, but a dynamic element that enriches the narrative through its integration of culture, language, and politics. The discussion reveals how these broader world elements can be strategically used to increase conflic...

A security specialist with a life-threatening brain chip. A changeling chef with her own guarded secrets. Bowen and Kaia’s love story starts off as a slow burn in “Ocean Light,” but things heat up and combust before the tale is over. This book not only explores the romance and challenges between Bowen and Kaia but also serves as an intense lesson for authors on how to continuously raise the stakes...

In this episode, we tackle the "messy middle" of the second act. One of the solutions we offer involves a series of Try Fail cycles, where the protagonist encounters a carefully designed obstacle course that tests their resolve and pushes the plot forward. Ines emphasizes the importance of a structured approach to these cycles, suggesting that each cycle should include a plan, an obstacle, a setba...

We’re back!!!! Season 2 of the podcast is live and in full effect. We’re jumping into the second season of the Psy-Changeling world with Nalini Singh's "Silver Silence," book one of the Psy-Changeling Trinity series.  We meet bear changeling Alpha, Valentin Nikolaev, whose life is a whirlwind of loyalty, affection, and disorder—everything that Silver Mercant, a Psy woman of control and precision,...

Join us as we chat with Melanie Harlow about crafting found family in small town romances. Find out how this plot device isn’t just about banding a bunch of brothers together, it’s all about the worldbuilding of characters in a tight-knit unit that makes readers want to return again and again! To check out Melanie’s books, go to: https://www.melanieharlow.com/   JOIN US AT THE INK & MAGIC WRIT...

In today's episode, we celebrate the grand finale of season one of the Psy-Changeling world with "Allegiance of Honor." This novel is a heartfelt nod to fans, masterfully weaving together the lives of beloved characters from previous books, tying up loose ends, and paving the way for exciting new adventures in season two.    SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT We would love to announce the Ink & Magic Writin...

Forget Beetlejuice! Jessica Cage will show readers how to summon a hot demon boyfriend, gain traction on social media, and build a tribe of loyal fans. With advice like decide your boundaries, batch your content, and be yourself, this episode is a treasure trove of killing it on social media and at live events. Check out Jessica’s bestselling book How I Accidentally Summoned a Demon Boyfriend - ​​...

In today’s episode, we watch the push and pull as two emotionless Arrows fall hopelessly in love! In Shards of Hope, as Aden and Zaira find themselves inexplicably drawn to each other, they begin to navigate the unfamiliar waters of emotional attachment and romantic love, challenging everything they have been taught to believe about strength and vulnerability.  Nalini Singh masterfully depicts the...

Get ready to bust a gut because this week we have on Fantasy RomCom author Kimberly Lemming. We’ll chat about her hit series, the Mead Mishaps. Kim will tell us about her inspiration for the series, how she makes sure it’s funny, and recap her interactions with a Savannah ghost!   BOOKS MENTIONED That Time I Got Drunk and Saved a Demon - https://amzn.to/44T9S4y That Time I Got Drunk and Yeeted a L...

This week means war as we march into Nalini Singh’s Shield of Winter to encounter a world on the brink of transformation. Vasic, a lethal Arrow with the weight of a dark past, and Ivy, a Psy with the rare and misunderstood gift of empathy are tasked with stabilizing a faltering psychic network that threatens to plunge the world into chaos. As they fight to prevent a catastrophic collapse, their ow...

This week Ines and Leslye tackle how to bring stories to a close with a deep dive on story endings. We dive into character arcs, open doors (and windows!), and resolutions. BOOKS MENTIONED Write Your Novel from the Middle by James Scott Bell: https://amzn.to/4a6NaqQ Emotion Thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi: https://amzn.to/44v2TPn   One Stop for Writers: https://onestopforwriters.com...

Get ready for a festive episode with Wild Invitation, a collection of four enchanting novellas from the Psy-Changeling series. With a touch of Christmas spirit, these shorts offer glimpses into the daily lives and celebrations of the DarkRiver and SnowDancer packs.  Each novella not only catches up with beloved characters but also weaves in the joyous moments that define the holiday season for the...

We chat with bestselling author Angel Lawson about "traumance," a subgenre where a broken hero finds healing through the transformative power of a romantic relationship. Beyond the pages of traumance, we also venture into the realms of fanfiction and fandom, where passionate communities breathe new life into beloved characters and settings. And finally, Angel walks us through her success in co-aut...