Ellie Lerum
@authorellielerum.bsky.social
A fantasy author writing stories where shadows fall and hope rises.
Follow for gritty fantasy with minimal swearing and no open-door scenes. Hard topics need to be discussed, too.
Upcoming Releases:
Phantom in the Dark, Oct 21
Souls in the Ice, Dec 23
Follow for gritty fantasy with minimal swearing and no open-door scenes. Hard topics need to be discussed, too.
Upcoming Releases:
Phantom in the Dark, Oct 21
Souls in the Ice, Dec 23
Pinned
Ellie Lerum
@authorellielerum.bsky.social
· Sep 22
Phantom in the Dark is coming soon... are you prepared?
#PhantomInTheDark #grittyfantasy #indieauthor
#PhantomInTheDark #grittyfantasy #indieauthor
From red-tailed hawks in my lap to griffins on the page — my love of nature and strange creatures shaped Phantom in the Dark. In my latest blog, I share how griffins became part of Jean Cassy’s story and why cryptozoology still fascinates me today.
open.substack.com/pu...
open.substack.com/pu...
Why Griffins Take Flight in Phantom in the Dark
Phantom in the Dark darlings, the griffins
open.substack.com
September 25, 2025 at 4:10 PM
From red-tailed hawks in my lap to griffins on the page — my love of nature and strange creatures shaped Phantom in the Dark. In my latest blog, I share how griffins became part of Jean Cassy’s story and why cryptozoology still fascinates me today.
open.substack.com/pu...
open.substack.com/pu...
Phantom in the Dark is coming soon... are you prepared?
#PhantomInTheDark #grittyfantasy #indieauthor
#PhantomInTheDark #grittyfantasy #indieauthor
September 22, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Phantom in the Dark is coming soon... are you prepared?
#PhantomInTheDark #grittyfantasy #indieauthor
#PhantomInTheDark #grittyfantasy #indieauthor
Phantom in the Dark grew from my own nights of fear. These two images show what Jean fights: formless shadow-threats and the chittering anxiety that disguises itself as the familiar. This is a story about seeing the phantoms—and about the light that reaches in. #PhantomInTheDark #ChristianFantasy
September 19, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Phantom in the Dark grew from my own nights of fear. These two images show what Jean fights: formless shadow-threats and the chittering anxiety that disguises itself as the familiar. This is a story about seeing the phantoms—and about the light that reaches in. #PhantomInTheDark #ChristianFantasy
The release of Phantom in the Dark is rapidly approaching, and I feel it's time to explain where this gritty fantasy came from.
Take a look at my newest blogpost: The Story Behind Phantom in the Dark
open.substack.com/pu...
Take a look at my newest blogpost: The Story Behind Phantom in the Dark
open.substack.com/pu...
The Story Behind Phantom in the Dark
Note: This reflection deals with miscarriage, death, and grief
open.substack.com
September 18, 2025 at 4:10 PM
The release of Phantom in the Dark is rapidly approaching, and I feel it's time to explain where this gritty fantasy came from.
Take a look at my newest blogpost: The Story Behind Phantom in the Dark
open.substack.com/pu...
Take a look at my newest blogpost: The Story Behind Phantom in the Dark
open.substack.com/pu...
There are some topics that make people uncomfortable, but what is worse? Bringing those topics to the light to heal and repair, or letting them fester for comfort's sake?
#healing #author #hardtopics
#healing #author #hardtopics
September 12, 2025 at 4:35 PM
There are some topics that make people uncomfortable, but what is worse? Bringing those topics to the light to heal and repair, or letting them fester for comfort's sake?
#healing #author #hardtopics
#healing #author #hardtopics
Demons hide in the light, and the shadows are alive.
If you had to choose, would you fight the demons you see, or the ones you can't?
#fantasy #gritty #PhantomInTheDark #indieauthor
If you had to choose, would you fight the demons you see, or the ones you can't?
#fantasy #gritty #PhantomInTheDark #indieauthor
September 10, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Demons hide in the light, and the shadows are alive.
If you had to choose, would you fight the demons you see, or the ones you can't?
#fantasy #gritty #PhantomInTheDark #indieauthor
If you had to choose, would you fight the demons you see, or the ones you can't?
#fantasy #gritty #PhantomInTheDark #indieauthor
Life has been hectic, but I'm still around!
Find me at the Idaho Falls Farmers Market on September 13th, and mention this post for $2 off any book purchase!
Find me at the Idaho Falls Farmers Market on September 13th, and mention this post for $2 off any book purchase!
September 9, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Life has been hectic, but I'm still around!
Find me at the Idaho Falls Farmers Market on September 13th, and mention this post for $2 off any book purchase!
Find me at the Idaho Falls Farmers Market on September 13th, and mention this post for $2 off any book purchase!
Me: I'll just read one chapter...
Also me: finishes the book at 4am.
What's the latest you've ever stayed up reading?
#reading #stayuplate #indieauthor #book
Also me: finishes the book at 4am.
What's the latest you've ever stayed up reading?
#reading #stayuplate #indieauthor #book
September 8, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Me: I'll just read one chapter...
Also me: finishes the book at 4am.
What's the latest you've ever stayed up reading?
#reading #stayuplate #indieauthor #book
Also me: finishes the book at 4am.
What's the latest you've ever stayed up reading?
#reading #stayuplate #indieauthor #book
It's been a long time coming, but I've finally written in Specter again.
I'm sitting at 32, 730 words... not yet a novella, and certainly not a novel!
What do you do when it's hard to focus on the story?
#indieauthor #SpecterintheShadows #grittyfantasy
I'm sitting at 32, 730 words... not yet a novella, and certainly not a novel!
What do you do when it's hard to focus on the story?
#indieauthor #SpecterintheShadows #grittyfantasy
September 7, 2025 at 4:20 PM
It's been a long time coming, but I've finally written in Specter again.
I'm sitting at 32, 730 words... not yet a novella, and certainly not a novel!
What do you do when it's hard to focus on the story?
#indieauthor #SpecterintheShadows #grittyfantasy
I'm sitting at 32, 730 words... not yet a novella, and certainly not a novel!
What do you do when it's hard to focus on the story?
#indieauthor #SpecterintheShadows #grittyfantasy
Fantasy confession time: I always get attached to the mentor character I know will die. What kind of character grabs your heart every time?
#fantasyauthor #book #character
#fantasyauthor #book #character
September 5, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Fantasy confession time: I always get attached to the mentor character I know will die. What kind of character grabs your heart every time?
#fantasyauthor #book #character
#fantasyauthor #book #character
Jean battles not only demons, but her own mind? Have you ever read a book where the scariest part wasn't the villain, but the character's inner struggle?
#PhantomInTheDark #gritty #fantasy #indieauthor
#PhantomInTheDark #gritty #fantasy #indieauthor
September 3, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Jean battles not only demons, but her own mind? Have you ever read a book where the scariest part wasn't the villain, but the character's inner struggle?
#PhantomInTheDark #gritty #fantasy #indieauthor
#PhantomInTheDark #gritty #fantasy #indieauthor
Would you rather... a loyal creature at your side or a cursed weapon that makes you invincible?
#wouldyourather #fantasyauthor
#wouldyourather #fantasyauthor
September 1, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Would you rather... a loyal creature at your side or a cursed weapon that makes you invincible?
#wouldyourather #fantasyauthor
#wouldyourather #fantasyauthor
Fantasy Survival Game: The last snack you ate + the last book you read = your adventuring pack.
Mine would be cinnamon rolls and Turning Point.
What's yours?
#adventure #fantasygame #books
Mine would be cinnamon rolls and Turning Point.
What's yours?
#adventure #fantasygame #books
August 29, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Fantasy Survival Game: The last snack you ate + the last book you read = your adventuring pack.
Mine would be cinnamon rolls and Turning Point.
What's yours?
#adventure #fantasygame #books
Mine would be cinnamon rolls and Turning Point.
What's yours?
#adventure #fantasygame #books
Jean thought being curseborn was the heaviest burden she'd bear, and so she didn't expect the shadows to whisper back.
Do you like your fantasy stories more mysterious or action-packed?
#PhantomintheDark
Do you like your fantasy stories more mysterious or action-packed?
#PhantomintheDark
August 27, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Jean thought being curseborn was the heaviest burden she'd bear, and so she didn't expect the shadows to whisper back.
Do you like your fantasy stories more mysterious or action-packed?
#PhantomintheDark
Do you like your fantasy stories more mysterious or action-packed?
#PhantomintheDark
My TBR Pile: ⛰️
My reading time: 🍵
Be honest! How many unread books are sitting on your shelves right now?
My reading time: 🍵
Be honest! How many unread books are sitting on your shelves right now?
August 25, 2025 at 2:01 PM
My TBR Pile: ⛰️
My reading time: 🍵
Be honest! How many unread books are sitting on your shelves right now?
My reading time: 🍵
Be honest! How many unread books are sitting on your shelves right now?
I've survived, but it's been a long weekend!
Thanks to all for stopping by and sharing your own stories, I love hearing them!
Thanks to all for stopping by and sharing your own stories, I love hearing them!
August 24, 2025 at 10:30 PM
I've survived, but it's been a long weekend!
Thanks to all for stopping by and sharing your own stories, I love hearing them!
Thanks to all for stopping by and sharing your own stories, I love hearing them!
Clean fantasy means a lot to different people, and I'm no exception!
Read, comment, and subscribe to my thoughts on clean fantasy writing, and what my books contain, here: open.substack.com/pu...
Read, comment, and subscribe to my thoughts on clean fantasy writing, and what my books contain, here: open.substack.com/pu...
'Clean Fantasy'
My Definition, and Why I Write It
open.substack.com
August 21, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Clean fantasy means a lot to different people, and I'm no exception!
Read, comment, and subscribe to my thoughts on clean fantasy writing, and what my books contain, here: open.substack.com/pu...
Read, comment, and subscribe to my thoughts on clean fantasy writing, and what my books contain, here: open.substack.com/pu...
Phantom in the Dark isn’t for everyone.
It’s heavy. It’s real. It’s raw.
But if you’ve ever felt crushed by shame, or chased by something no one else could see—
You might just find yourself in these pages.
www.amazon.com/Phant...
It’s heavy. It’s real. It’s raw.
But if you’ve ever felt crushed by shame, or chased by something no one else could see—
You might just find yourself in these pages.
www.amazon.com/Phant...
August 20, 2025 at 4:57 PM
Phantom in the Dark isn’t for everyone.
It’s heavy. It’s real. It’s raw.
But if you’ve ever felt crushed by shame, or chased by something no one else could see—
You might just find yourself in these pages.
www.amazon.com/Phant...
It’s heavy. It’s real. It’s raw.
But if you’ve ever felt crushed by shame, or chased by something no one else could see—
You might just find yourself in these pages.
www.amazon.com/Phant...
You know the drill! Markets on both August 23 and 24 this week, the first at 350 College Street and the second at 235 Lomax!
Hope to see y'all there!
Hope to see y'all there!
August 19, 2025 at 4:54 PM
You know the drill! Markets on both August 23 and 24 this week, the first at 350 College Street and the second at 235 Lomax!
Hope to see y'all there!
Hope to see y'all there!
A huge thanks to my dear friend Milissa Garnette Leather Company for inviting me to help at her booth! I'll be surfing the crowds from 9-2 at the Idaho Falls Farmers Market, and I'd love to tell you about her products and my books!
Come say 'hi'!
Come say 'hi'!
August 16, 2025 at 2:00 PM
A huge thanks to my dear friend Milissa Garnette Leather Company for inviting me to help at her booth! I'll be surfing the crowds from 9-2 at the Idaho Falls Farmers Market, and I'd love to tell you about her products and my books!
Come say 'hi'!
Come say 'hi'!
Christian fantasy often makes people think of children's books like 'The Princess and the Kiss' or 'Chronicles of Narnia'... but I'd like to argue that Christian fantasy can be for adults, too!
Read, comment, and subscribe to my thoughts here:
open.substack.com/pu...
Read, comment, and subscribe to my thoughts here:
open.substack.com/pu...
Christian Fantasy Isn't Just for Kids
Why Adults can Enjoy Christian Fantasy as Well
open.substack.com
August 14, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Christian fantasy often makes people think of children's books like 'The Princess and the Kiss' or 'Chronicles of Narnia'... but I'd like to argue that Christian fantasy can be for adults, too!
Read, comment, and subscribe to my thoughts here:
open.substack.com/pu...
Read, comment, and subscribe to my thoughts here:
open.substack.com/pu...
Gentle stories of miracles.
Gritty stories of survival.
Same author. Same faith.
Just different kinds of readers.
Which story do you need right now?
Gritty stories of survival.
Same author. Same faith.
Just different kinds of readers.
Which story do you need right now?
August 13, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Gentle stories of miracles.
Gritty stories of survival.
Same author. Same faith.
Just different kinds of readers.
Which story do you need right now?
Gritty stories of survival.
Same author. Same faith.
Just different kinds of readers.
Which story do you need right now?
Weekly updates are here! I'll be at the Idaho Falls Farmers Market on August 16, and on the 17th I'll be interviewing live with Kay McCabe! Check it out on my Facebook page, Author Ellie Lerum!
August 12, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Weekly updates are here! I'll be at the Idaho Falls Farmers Market on August 16, and on the 17th I'll be interviewing live with Kay McCabe! Check it out on my Facebook page, Author Ellie Lerum!
Sometimes the hardest part of writing isn’t the words… it’s being honest enough to bleed on the page.
This month I’m writing through more of Jean’s pain. I don’t always feel ready.
But I keep showing up. From what I've learned, that's what faith can look like, too.
This month I’m writing through more of Jean’s pain. I don’t always feel ready.
But I keep showing up. From what I've learned, that's what faith can look like, too.
August 11, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Sometimes the hardest part of writing isn’t the words… it’s being honest enough to bleed on the page.
This month I’m writing through more of Jean’s pain. I don’t always feel ready.
But I keep showing up. From what I've learned, that's what faith can look like, too.
This month I’m writing through more of Jean’s pain. I don’t always feel ready.
But I keep showing up. From what I've learned, that's what faith can look like, too.
The Market at 350 College St. is such a fun one, as we get to meet new people each time! I'd love to be able to say 'hello', and I'm happy to point you towards some of my favorite vendors (like the Cozy Book Cafe, run by Kaitlyn King, another local author!). 10-3, see you there!
August 9, 2025 at 2:00 PM
The Market at 350 College St. is such a fun one, as we get to meet new people each time! I'd love to be able to say 'hello', and I'm happy to point you towards some of my favorite vendors (like the Cozy Book Cafe, run by Kaitlyn King, another local author!). 10-3, see you there!