Episode 23 – Writing Urban Fantasy Full-Time: A Conversation with P.L. Matthews

In this episode of Amra’s Armchair Anecdotes, I’m joined by P.L. Matthews (Paola) — an Australian indie author writing cosy urban-fantasy mysteries set in Sydney.

Paola grew up with a mother who claimed she could see fairies in the garden. She wrote award-winning stories in her twenties. Then she stepped away from writing for years.

And then — quietly, stubbornly — she came back.

Now she writes the Green Witch Mysteries, runs her own marketing, translates her books, and has sold thousands through indie publishing.

But here’s what I love about this conversation:

She doesn’t romanticise it.

Writing full-time has been the hardest thing she’s ever done.
Editing drives her mad.
The messy middle slows her to a crawl.
She panicked when ads started working.

And yet she keeps going — because storytelling is where she feels most herself.

We talk about:
✨ Starting again after years away
✨ Learning Facebook ads from scratch
✨ Translating your work into multiple languages
✨ Selling books without waiting for permission
✨ Creating stories that leave readers lighter and more hopeful

If you’re an indie author, aspiring full-time writer, or someone who suspects there’s a creative life waiting for you — this one will resonate.

🎧 Listen to Episode 23 now.
https://www.amrapajalic.com/podcast.html

Pull up a chair.
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