Ellen Starsmore
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ellenstarsmore.bsky.social
Ellen Starsmore
@ellenstarsmore.bsky.social
280 followers 170 following 660 posts
🌟 Indie fantasy author https://ellenstarsmore.com
🌟 Beyond the Humming Downs (high fantasy with a dash of hopepunk and forbidden love) https://books2read.com/hummingdowns
🌟 Loves coffee, cats, carnivorous plants.
🌟 Lives in Melbourne, Australia
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ellenstarsmore.bsky.social
Arriving in new cities can be exciting. It can also be daunting — especially if you have no idea what you’re doing. And you fear being hunted. 😳

In this scene, despite their predicament, Roh and Adehl find something to be excited about…

From my book, Beyond the Humming Downs

#indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️
Background image: a hand holding open page 174 of Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore Overlaid text: You’ve fled to a foreign city. You don’t know who to trust. Then the magic overwhelms you in the middle of a busy street… Detail of page 174 of Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore, with the following text highlighted: Adehl wasn't sure she could speak with the barrage of ellir rattling her rib cage. She took Roh's hand, bringing their threaded fingers up between them. They grinned stupidly at each other as their lirah melded and danced in the tempest.
November 21, 2025 at 8:50 PM
ellenstarsmore.bsky.social
Book mail! Check out this stunning special hardcover edition of ‘Of Mountains and Seas’ by Emily Renk Hawthorne.

It’s urban fantasy with shapeshifters inspired by Chinese mythology. (I haven’t read it yet, but it sounds awesome!)

#indiefantasy #urbanfantasy #asianfantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️
November 19, 2025 at 10:22 PM
ellenstarsmore.bsky.social
Brighton, I am in you! I’m here for the World Fantasy Convention, which starts soon. Woo hoo!

If you’re here, come say hi! 🤩

#worldfantasy #wfc2025 #worldfantasycon
#indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️
October 30, 2025 at 4:00 PM
ellenstarsmore.bsky.social
Hi, I’m an 🇦🇺 indie fantasy author whose debut fantasy novel, Beyond the Humming Downs, is now available in PAPERBACK (wide) and Amazon KU.

It’s character-driven fantasy with a dash of adventure and all the feels. Huzzah!

Get it here: books2read.com/hummingdowns

#indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️
On a background of wild flowers and grass, an image montage containing: Top left — photo of the author (Ellen Starsmore) Bottom left — the words: Sparks fly and secrets unravel when the heartstorm binds two souls… Top right — the words high fantasy, hopepunk, forbidden love earth magic Middle right — reader quote: "This story will pull your heart and emotions up, down, and spinning in wild circles." Bottom right — a mockup of the book, Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore, on tablet and in paperback ~ now available in paperback!
October 13, 2025 at 9:00 AM
ellenstarsmore.bsky.social
#wipsnips - ‘river’

... it wasn’t a safe pace. The road descended steeply, following the contours of the headland as it dipped towards the river and the town. Adehl concentrated on riding: best not cut this escape short by tumbling headfirst off the cliff.

#writesky #indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️
On a background of meadow flowers: An e-reader mockup of the book, Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore. Sparks fly and secrets unravel when the heartstorm binds two souls... “A lyrical adventure full of humanity.” high fantasy hopepunk forbidden love earth magic ebook on Amazon & KU
October 1, 2025 at 10:26 PM
ellenstarsmore.bsky.social
#wipsnips - ‘paw’ (vibes — claws are near paws, right?)

Chanti’s brow wrinkled as the little tortoiseshell cat dug her claws into his bare leg. He sat cross-legged in the straw, knee to knee with Adehl, holding his llirah steady as a shield against the heartstorm.

#writesky #indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️
On a background of meadow flowers: An e-reader mockup of the book, Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore. Sparks fly and secrets unravel when the heartstorm binds two souls... “A lyrical adventure full of humanity.” high fantasy hopepunk forbidden love earth magic ebook on Amazon & KU
September 30, 2025 at 10:27 PM
ellenstarsmore.bsky.social
This month has been all about wrangling the paperback of my debut fantasy, Beyond the Humming Downs.

Back cover design… rookie mistakes… a gazillion interior PDFs… Proofs received…

Later today I will hit go. Yesss!

#FantasyIndiesSeptember — 30
#indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️
September 30, 2025 at 10:17 PM
ellenstarsmore.bsky.social
#wipsnips - ‘bear’ (alas, no ursines)

Muttering under his breath, Frahto pulled out a pouch from the front fold of his mahgan and dug around inside. After withdrawing a tangle of leather and beads, he thrust the mess at Adehl as though he couldn’t bear to touch her.

#writesky #indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️
On a background of meadow flowers: An e-reader mockup of the book, Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore. Sparks fly and secrets unravel when the heartstorm binds two souls... “A lyrical adventure full of humanity.” high fantasy hopepunk forbidden love earth magic ebook on Amazon & KU
September 29, 2025 at 9:48 PM
ellenstarsmore.bsky.social
#wipsnips - ‘ink’

found the relevant box sandwiched between two others, but the sanded-and-oiled timber helped it slide out. Inside lay a pile of loose parchments, all different thicknesses and sizes, some pinned together. The inked writing on all was thin and faded.

#writesky #indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️
On a background of meadow flowers: An e-reader mockup of the book, Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore. Sparks fly and secrets unravel when the heartstorm binds two souls... “A lyrical adventure full of humanity.” high fantasy hopepunk forbidden love earth magic ebook on Amazon & KU
September 28, 2025 at 9:46 PM
ellenstarsmore.bsky.social
My debut fantasy book, Beyond the Humming Downs, is available in Amazon KU and will sooooon be out in paperback wide. Received proofs yesterday!

My current WIP is a bonus epilogue. Then there’s a part-written novel I’m keen to get back to.

#FantasyIndiesSeptember — 28
#indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️
September 28, 2025 at 9:40 PM
ellenstarsmore.bsky.social
All the excitement! Today, I received my first proof copies of the paperback of Beyond the Humming Downs. Squee!

It’s pretty surreal having the actual physical copies, even if they do have “not for resale” plastered across them. Not long to go now, folks…

#indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️
September 28, 2025 at 11:30 AM
ellenstarsmore.bsky.social
#wipsnips - ‘swift’

It was the fear he tried to hide that seared Adehl. She’d always known the Vuusah must never learn her true lineage. Their retaliation against her would be swift and brutal. To her shame, she hadn’t considered what they might do to her family.

#writesky #indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️
On a background of meadow flowers: An e-reader mockup of the book, Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore. Sparks fly and secrets unravel when the heartstorm binds two souls... “A lyrical adventure full of humanity.” high fantasy hopepunk forbidden love earth magic ebook on Amazon & KU
September 27, 2025 at 11:40 PM
ellenstarsmore.bsky.social
Happy weekend! Here’s a short snippet from my fantasy book, Beyond the Humming Downs.

It’s a moment of retail therapy after they’ve fled their homeland to a foreign city.

#FridaySpark ~ “match”
#FantasyIndiesSeptember — 27
#indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️
BEYOND THE HUMMING DOWNS by Ellen Starsmore (snippet) Then Adehl, who had looked beautiful in everything she tried on, emerged wearing a long garment in muted tones of purple, deep green and gold. It flowed from her shoulders down to her calves, with a matching sash at her waist, and made her look like a forest queen. Roh cleared his throat. "That looks nice.
September 27, 2025 at 11:32 PM
ellenstarsmore.bsky.social
#wipsnips - ‘mire’ (vibes)

The resonant mesh engulfed Adehl’s llirah, swamping her rhythm. She took a sharp breath. Her sense of self was flattened, overwhelmed by the artificial rhythm enforced by the zehla. It was like drowning without knowing which way was up.

#writesky #indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️
On a background of meadow flowers: An e-reader mockup of the book, Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore. Sparks fly and secrets unravel when the heartstorm binds two souls... “A lyrical adventure full of humanity.” high fantasy hopepunk forbidden love earth magic ebook on Amazon & KU
September 26, 2025 at 9:43 PM
ellenstarsmore.bsky.social
Now available for pre-order: Son of Osivirius, a science-fantasy novella from Cathryn deVries @eclecta-perennial.bsky.social

books2read.com/son-of-osivi...

Giant flying cats! Avatar vibes.

📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️
SCIENCE-FANTASY NOVELLA Giant flying cats Protective siblings Enemies to lovers (no spice) . Mind-linking Dystopian world Switching sides
Feb 2026
Pre-order now!
September 25, 2025 at 10:36 AM
ellenstarsmore.bsky.social
#wipsnips - ‘leave’

The tepid welcome and reluctant hospitality made her wonder what was going on.

She told herself to ignore it. Best to keep her head down and leave first thing in the morning. She’d betrayed too much of herself already.

#writesky #indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️
On a background of meadow flowers: An e-reader mockup of the book, Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore. Sparks fly and secrets unravel when the heartstorm binds two souls... “A lyrical adventure full of humanity.” high fantasy hopepunk forbidden love earth magic ebook on Amazon & KU
September 24, 2025 at 10:11 PM
ellenstarsmore.bsky.social
#wipsnips - ‘skill’

Wide, terrified eyes found Roh. “I can’t — I need Sapling!”

Roh’s empathiser skills were not as honed as Adehl’s, but he wove ellir and attempted to head off the boy’s panic. “Deep breaths, now. In… out…”

#writesky #indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️
On a background of meadow flowers: An e-reader mockup of the book, Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore. Sparks fly and secrets unravel when the heartstorm binds two souls... “A lyrical adventure full of humanity.” high fantasy hopepunk forbidden love earth magic ebook on Amazon & KU
September 24, 2025 at 12:32 AM
ellenstarsmore.bsky.social
Depending on where you are in the world, I wish you a joyous Wintersmorn or Summersdawn, aka the Autumn/Spring equinox in my fantasy world.

Downunder where I am, it’s Summersdawn today. Our sunlight hours are extending, plants are blooming, weather is warming. It’s wonderful.

#indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️
Summersdawn: when light overcomes dark and the world blooms On a background of wild spring blooms and a yellow-dawn sky. Wintersmorn: when the long days tip into long nights and descend into cold On a background of delicate autumnal foliage
September 22, 2025 at 10:51 PM
ellenstarsmore.bsky.social
#wipsnips - ‘flurry’

She writhed and twisted like a mad thing, rolling into the doyen’s withered leg. Palvemah toppled, cursing, in a pile of bones and braids. There followed a flurry of kicks and blows and bellows. A zehli flung himself across Adehl’s legs…

#writesky #indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️
On a background of meadow flowers: An e-reader mockup of the book, Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore. Sparks fly and secrets unravel when the heartstorm binds two souls... “A lyrical adventure full of humanity.” high fantasy hopepunk forbidden love earth magic ebook on Amazon & KU
September 22, 2025 at 9:50 PM
ellenstarsmore.bsky.social
#wipsnips - ‘disagree’

“We need the Vuusah precepts to guide behaviour, or people could get hurt. But…” She caught his gaze in hers, challenging him to disagree with her. “But I don’t think it’s fair or valid to exclude me — or anyone — because of lineage.”

#writesky #indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️
On a background of meadow flowers: An e-reader mockup of the book, Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore. Sparks fly and secrets unravel when the heartstorm binds two souls... “A lyrical adventure full of humanity.” high fantasy hopepunk forbidden love earth magic ebook on Amazon & KU
September 21, 2025 at 10:11 PM
ellenstarsmore.bsky.social
This is my favourite piece of author wisdom. Chris Baty is the founder of NaNoWriMo, and I distilled these words from a pep talk one year, pinned them to my screen.

They’ve kept me going through many a dark hour.

#FantasyIndiesSeptember — 21
#indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️
The following words from Chris Baty: "Your story matters. Your voice matters... There is someone out there who has been waiting their whole life to read the book you're writing now."
September 21, 2025 at 10:05 PM
ellenstarsmore.bsky.social
#wipsnips - ‘obvious’

“I have responsibilities back home, but I can’t leave her.”

“She’s your injaleh.”

Sun’s blood, it felt so good to have someone recognise what Adehl was to him. … He didn’t question how Gordoh knew; he felt it must be obvious to everyone.

#writesky #indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️
On a background of meadow flowers: An e-reader mockup of the book, Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore. Sparks fly and secrets unravel when the heartstorm binds two souls... “A lyrical adventure full of humanity.” high fantasy hopepunk forbidden love earth magic ebook on Amazon & KU
September 20, 2025 at 10:05 PM
ellenstarsmore.bsky.social
Happy weekend! Here’s a short Saturday Snippet from my fantasy book, Beyond the Humming Downs.

Since there’s no word/theme prompt anymore, I’m following the #FridaySpark prompt from insta. Prompt is “sleep”.

#FantasyIndiesSeptember — 20
#indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️
The background is night, closeup of grass with a cloudy sky and full moon. In the foreground is the cover of the fantasy book, Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore. The snippet from the book reads: Sometime after midnight, Roh gave up pretending to sleep and slipped outside. He needed to feel the night air on his skin, smell the grass, hear the darkbirds wailing.
September 20, 2025 at 9:46 PM
ellenstarsmore.bsky.social
#wipsnips - ‘yard’

He wore riding leathers, his mahgan stained, his long braids frayed. Behind him in the dark courtyard, his horse drank from one of the water troughs, sweaty flanks gleaming in the kitchen light.

“What are you doing here?” Adehl asked.

#writesky #indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️
On a background of meadow flowers: An e-reader mockup of the book, Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore. Sparks fly and secrets unravel when the heartstorm binds two souls... “A lyrical adventure full of humanity.” high fantasy hopepunk forbidden love earth magic ebook on Amazon & KU
September 19, 2025 at 10:31 PM
ellenstarsmore.bsky.social
Pet photo! This is my cuddly boy, Leo. On the sofa, he loves lap time… or, if I have my laptop out, leg time.

He also loves visiting me at my desk… arching up in front of the screen or swishing his tail over my keyboard as I’m trying to type. Ahem.

#FantasyIndiesSeptember — 19
#indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️
A large tabby cat sprawled on his belly, front paws stretched out towards the camera. He reclines on a sofa piled with blankets and looks very relaxed with his eyes open and almost looking into the camera lens.
September 19, 2025 at 10:11 PM