Indie Author Advent Day 22: Zoey Vale
Welcome to day 22 of the 2025 Indie Author Advent! This fun series will help us to get hyped for 2026 by celebrating some of the wonderful indie releases of 2025! Today I am interviewing Zoey Vale. Be sure to check out my Instagram for even more excitement with this event!
Zoey's 2025 Release
1. What is your favorite thing about your 2025 release?
"I love so many things about Heartthrob, but I can't get over the intensity of feelings between Natalie and Chris. The pure acceptance of each other. Seeing only the best parts. How they allow themselves to fall into something highly improbable but shining with potential. That's a fantasy so many of us have and love getting lost in."
2. What are your inspirations for your book?
"I've been a devotee to alternative rock essentially my whole life and have been to a couple hundred (maybe more??) concerts. Reveling in live music is like nothing else. Heartthrob was a fun way to immerse myself in that world. The inspiration was certainly there after seeing many gorgeous frontmen perform."
3. Why do you think representation is so important in books?
"One of the reasons I wanted queer characters, BIPOC characters, and main characters with depression and substance use disorder in my book is because that's real life, especially in millenial Los Angeles. People are from all walks and backgrounds and they bring with them their own compelling stories. We need those stories! My writing will always include diverse characters--I'm planning to focus on disability and chronic illness representation in the future."
4. Any advice for people who want to publish in 2026?
"Of course it depends on your goals, but I just jumped into publishing once I felt ready. My draft sat for years in the cloud because I was too nervous to put it out there. Yet the response has been so positive and encouraging. Don't be nervous about what people will think of your book. Someone will love it. It will be worth the risk."
5. What are you most looking forward to in 2026? Any more releases on the horizon?
"Right now I am focusing on getting Heartthrob in the hands of readers. I'm trying to enjoy this time and accomplishment before moving on to the next thing. I'd love to go to a few cons and be on a podcast!"
6. Is there anything else you would like to add?
"As a debut author, I am so touched that anyone read my book. It still hasn't totally hit me that some people actually like it. I love to connect with readers and want to hear all your thoughts!"
Outro
Thank you to Zoey for getting involved in this advent! I am excited to see what they come out with in 2026. Stay tuned tomorrow for another amazing indie author and their releases!
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