Today, we’re celebrating a special moment for Inkitt author Elle Jay: the launch of The Silver Siren on Galatea! From imagining new endings for favorite books to gaining confidence as a writer through Inkitt’s community, Elle Jay’s journey shows how passion, persistence, and reader support can turn a dream into reality.
In this interview, Elle Jay shares what inspired The Silver Siren, insights from their writing journey, and advice for anyone hoping to follow in their footsteps.
Inkitt: What inspired you to become an author? Was there a specific moment that sparked your passion for storytelling?
Elle Jay: I have enjoyed reading for a number of years from a variety of genres and started thinking of alternative endings for stories that I read. For a long time, I didn’t think I could do it and lacked the confidence to start writing a story. Inkitt was a driving force in me starting to write. It was inspiring to see that anybody from any background could write a story and people would like it, and this gave me a lot of confidence to be able to start.
Inkitt: What was the first story you ever wrote? How does it compare to what you write now?
Elle Jay: The first story I wrote was the Silver Siren, a werewolf novel. Following that I have started a series based around ice hockey. Obviously some differences in genre, but I can see from re-reading them that my writing has evolved and is including more complex storylines.
Inkitt: How did you first discover Inkitt, and what was your early experience like on the platform?
Elle Jay: I first discovered Inkitt through Galatea after seeing novels advertised on social media platforms.
Inkitt: What was it like seeing your story gain traction? Were there any key milestones or reader interactions that stood out?
Elle Jay: It was quite out of the blue. I was so inspired my actually finishing my first book and being in a position to submit it to readers on Inkitt, I jumped headfirst into another story and was so immersed in writing that one, that I checked further down the line and was surprised to see how popular it was becoming and how many people had enjoyed reading it.
Inkitt: Did Inkitt’s analytics or engagement features help you shape your story?
Elle Jay: Not really. The story was already complete and as I had already started a series, I had little opportunity to change the story line, and I was also quite happy with it.
Inkitt: Have you participated in any Inkitt writing contests? What was that experience like?
Elle Jay: Yes I have. I entered into a few. It is good to be able to enter competitions and they are always popular.
Inkitt: When did you find out you were going to be a Galatea author? How did that feel?
Elle Jay: I found out I was selected to be published after about 6 months of being on Inkitt. It was a wonderful moment and I felt very proud of myself. And again, it gave me a real boost to keep writing more stories across different genres.
Elle Jay, author on Inkitt and Galatea
Inkitt: What are you most excited about readers seeing in your book on Galatea?
Elle Jay: I’m excited about sharing my story.
Galatea is a huge platform and I want many people to enjoy it and I hope that they will.
Inkitt: What advice would you give to other Inkitt authors hoping to sign a Galatea contract?
Elle Jay: Be patient. It doesn’t happen overnight but trust in the readers.
And listen to what Inkitt readers are saying. This has been particularly helpful with all my subsequent stories.
Inkitt: Were there specific moments on Inkitt that paved the way for your Galatea signing?
Elle Jay: Getting the reviews for my story, I think, were important moments. Because it’s at this point when you know your story is good and liked by the readers.
Inkitt: What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your writing journey, and how have you overcome them?
Elle Jay: Writers block can happen, and is difficult to deal with when it hits. Also, because I am a part-time writer, finding the time to dedicate to writing and editing can be hard.
Inkitt: Is there a piece of advice you were given early in your career that’s stuck with you?
Elle Jay: Trust in the process. The first story you write can be daunting, but trusting in the process can help.
Inkitt: How do you stay motivated during long projects or tough writing days?
Elle Jay: Taking a short break often helps me quite a lot. Then I can come back to writing with fresher eyes. Dividing up long days into manageable chunks also helps.
Inkitt: Which authors or books have influenced your writing style the most?
Elle Jay: Some of the best-selling novels on Galatea have been quite inspiring, like Keily for example. Reading a lot of werewolf stories has also helped, and this genre has become my favourite genre because there is so much variety you can include. The fantasy element allows for almost limitless possibilities.
Inkitt: Where do you find inspiration for your stories, characters, and worlds?
Elle Jay: Again, reading my favourite genre helps, but I also draw inspiration from music and social media.
Inkitt: Do you have any specific writing rituals or environments that help you get into a creative mindset?
Elle Jay: I usually write at home, whilst the house is empty, in my spare time. Writing is cathartic to me so usually helps me to unwind. I find it quite relaxing.
Inkitt: Are you a plotter (carefully outlining your story) or a pantser (letting the story develop as you write)?
Elle Jay: I would say I’m a bit of both. I start with an outline of chapters, so have an idea what each one will contain, but generally let each one develop as I’m writing it.
Inkitt: How do you develop your characters? Do they ever surprise you?
Elle Jay: I usually start with a rough outline of a character, and then this develops throughout the story. Sometimes, the character ends up completely different to how I first imagined them, which is always a surprise.
Inkitt: What part of the writing process do you enjoy the most?
Elle Jay: The first beginnings of a story where I can start to lay the outline. I find this part the most exciting, because there are so many possibilities I could explore.
Inkitt: Are there any recurring themes or messages you hope readers take away from your stories?
Elle Jay: I’d like to think that my stories make every reader believe in a happy ending.
Inkitt: How do you overcome writer’s block?
Elle Jay: I generally take a break from it and focus on something else for a while, then I can go back with fresh eyes and a fresh perspective to tackle the problem again.
Elle Jay’s story proves that with patience, confidence, and a love for storytelling, anyone can find their readers. As The Silver Siren reaches new audiences on Galatea, we’re excited to see Elle Jay continue exploring new genres and creating stories that make readers believe in happy endings. Be sure to check out The Silver Siren on Galatea and get ready to fall in love with a brand new werewolf world.
