Ellen Starsmore

@ellenstarsmore

🌟 Indie fantasy author 🌟 Beyond the Humming Downs (a romantic fantasy adventure with lush worldbuilding) 🌟 Loves coffee, cats, carnivorous plants. 🌟 Lives in Melbourne, Australia

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Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· 18d

Today is the one-year book birthday of Beyond the Humming Downs. I’m truly grateful for every single person who has read this book I poured my heart and soul into. 🫶🏼 The ebook is on sale now for 99c. books2read.com/hummingdowns #FantasyIndiesJuly — 24 📚🪐 💙 🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· 22d

Behold, my writing buddy. His name is Leo. #FantasyIndiesJuly — 19 📚🪐 💙 🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️

A large tabby cat sprawls on a table, disregarding things like notebooks and laptops.

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· 23d

It’s possibly a bit of a spoiler, but I love this moment between Adehl and Roh in Beyond the Humming Downs — a romantic fantasy adventure. The eBook is 99c on all platforms until July 31. #Saturdaysnippet #FantasyIndiesJuly — 18 📚🪐 💙 🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️

Graphic featuring a book snippet from Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore:

“What happens when they threaten to expel you, too?”
“We’ll deal with it. They can’t force me to be Atalah, you know.”
“You’d give that up?”
He rested his forehead against her temple, his breath warm on her cheek. “Jaleh, I already have.”

The cover of the book is shown, along with a 99c sale label.

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· 24d

STUFF WITH FANTASY is on right now! 99c indie fantasy ebooks... Check out these Forbidden Love treats. (Filter: forbidden love) #stuffwithfantasy #indiefantasy #TBR 📚🪐 💙 🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️ stuffwithfantasy.com/event/69fc11...

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· 26d

On the subject of animal companions... behold four #indiefantasy books featuring animal companions and/or bonds of a more empathic nature — all discounted on Friday to 99c for the Stuff with Fantasy Summer Solstice event. stuffwithfantasy.com/event/69fc11... 📚🪐 💙 🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· 27d

Behold, four wondrous worlds of indie fantasy — just a small selection of the 100+ discounted indie fantasy books to be found in the Stuff with Fantasy Summer Solstice event. 99c ebooks! Only Friday 17 July. stuffwithfantasy.com/event/69fc11... #stuffwithfantasy #indiefantasy 📚🪐 💙 🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️

On a green background, four book covers and the words: Fantasy with wondrous worlds, 99c ebooks July 17th.
www.stuffwithfantasy.com

The books are:
❊ Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore ~ a romantic fantasy adventure with earth magic.

❊ The Moon Prince by Mary W Jensen ~ an Asian-inspired, gender-swapped fairytale retelling

❊ Chasing the Darkness by Cassie Sanchez ~ an enemies-to-lovers fantasy romance

❊ The Solstice Court by Jade Juniper ~ a cozy-political fantasy with court intrigue

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· Jul 9

A new aesthetic for my fantasy book, Beyond the Humming Downs. ☺️ A forbidden soulbond sparks a quest for survival and equality that challenges unjust lore. Will they risk everything to build a more inclusive world? #FantasyIndiesJuly — 9 📚🪐 💙 🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· Jul 4

A very short snippet from my fantasy book, Beyond the Humming Downs… inspired by the prompt, “hot”. It’s a fragment of time, of pain, of uncertainty. #FantasyIndiesJuly — 4 #saturdaysnippet 📚🪐 💙 🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️

On a watercolour background, speckled with tiny flowers, the word "snippet", then the following brief paragraph from Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore:
The door behind Adehl nudged her over the threshold and slammed closed. The sudden movement jarred her leg, and pain bloomed white hot. She collapsed back against the timber and heard the bolt ram home.

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· Jul 3

This month, I’m also taking part in the Indie Fantasy Addicts Summer Reading Challenge — essentially a festival of #indiefantasy … Here’s my review of Child of Vanris by Nikki McCormack @authornikki.bsky.social (Review in alt text). #FantasyIndiesJuly — 3 📚🪐 💙 🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️

Graphic showing a night sky and trees, with cover of Child of Vanris alongside the following review highlights:
a classic coming of age and chosen one tale with found family, animal companions and spirit siblings
about belonging and growing into who you’re meant to be
seamless blend of heartwarming adventure, worldbuilding and character development
for those into epic fantasy worlds, bands of brave companions, and characters with good hearts.

FULL REVIEW:
I had a fabulous time with Child of Vanris by Nikki McCormack — a classic coming of age and chosen one tale with found family, animal companions and spirit siblings! At its core, Child of Vanris is about belonging and growing into who you’re meant to be.

Kasiel is a 17yo in the throes of first love, living in a tiny village, when his world is ripped apart. First betrayed, then abducted… and (thank goodness) rescued, Kasiel’s journey of self-discovery and adventure is just beginning. After this dramatic opening, I loved settling in with Kasiel to discover his true heritage, dispel all the lies he’s been told and get to know the group who would become his closest friends.

Child of Vanris is a heartwarming adventure — though there are a few darker moments that had me squirming. I revelled in the comfort of Kasiel’s new companions — in particular his tehnaak (spirit sibling), Jethan. This utterly charming concept — where every baby is spirit-bonded with another — is a foundation of Vanrian culture and provides Kasiel with an instant best friend.

The other highlight is Kasiel’s “mindcrafter” power. He learns about and grows into his exceptional and rare abilities through the book, ultimately gaining a loyal (and terrifying!) creature companion.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which seamlessly blends adventure, worldbuilding and character development — and was excellently narrated by Gary Furlong. Recommended for those into epic fantasy worlds, rollicking adventure, bands of brave companions, and characters…

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· Jul 1

Hello! This month I’m celebrating the oneyear book birthday of my debut fantasy novel, Beyond the Humming Downs — a romantic fantasy adventure with a dash of hopepunk, quiet rebellion and earth magic. There will be cake and shenanigans ☺️ books2read.com/hummingdowns #FantasyIndiesJuly — 1 📚🪐 💙 🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️

Montage featuring:
1. Photo mockup of the book, Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore, as ebook and paperback
2. Photo of Ellen Starsmore pointing to her laptop screen
Also the words:
BEYOND THE HUMMING DOWNS
A romantic fantasy adventure with a dash of hopepunk, quiet rebellion and earth magic.
A fateful meeting. A forbidden bond. A fight for the future.
“A lyrical adventure full of humanity.”
When Adehl meets Roh under the summer-blue sky of the Humming Downs, they're bound by ellir, the storm of energy in the heart of the world.
One-year book birthday
ellenstarsmore.com

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· Apr 22

This is beautiful Blea Tarn in the Lake District, UK — filmed by me during overseas adventures in October 2025. When I think of Earth Day, I think of places like this. The wild places find their way into my fantasy world, too. #earthday

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· Feb 27

Readers have called the magic system in Beyond the Humming Downs interesting, fresh and unique — which is pretty cool! 😆 I love the fact it’s a rhythmic energy and involves manipulation of rhythms. #Febchantment — 27 #indiefantasy 📚🪐 💙 🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️

Readers say about Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore:
"Interesting magic and a world that promises many more stories."
"The magic system is wonderfully described..."
"Excellent world building."
"The system of magic is fresh."
"The magic system alone is worth the read..."
ellenstarsmore.com

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· Feb 25

Ellir is in the fabric of the world. There’s a group of scholars researching its history and origins, along with how different cultures engage. Historic events: cataclysmic destruction of ellir to form mysterious deadlands for no known reason (yet). #Febchantment — 25 #indiefantasy 📚🪐 💙 🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️

Background is rolling green grassy hills. Foreground is the cover of the fantasy book Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore, surrounded by the words:
forbidden soulbond sparks couple on the run
immersive fantasy world with earth magic
a dash of hopepunk, adventure and forbidden love
“A lyrical adventure adventure full of humanity.”

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· Feb 21

This moment comes in the opening scene of Beyond the Humming Downs. It’s the prelude to the moment when the MCs meet… I posted this earlier for a different challenge (theme of mundane magic) — so, apologies if you see it twice! #FantasyIndiesFebruary — 21 #indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️

From Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore:
It was Frahto who first nudged his massive chestnut alongside Cloud, his upright palm offered to Adehl’s in the traditional greeting between zehla. “Soul bright,” he muttered as their palms touched for a few heartbeats, long enough for their inner rhythms, their llirah, to thread briefly together. She sensed his discomfort and wondered at it, but neither she nor Frahto revealed much of themselves.

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· Feb 20

Let me brighten your day with photos of my writing companion. He seems to think my desk is his bed… But he does give good cuddle. (Always chocolate before candies!) #FantasyIndiesFebruary — 20 #blueskycats #lovecats 💙🐈

Photo montage with a cat theme:
Leo cuddles -- an adorable tabby on his back looking up at me, my hand near his head.
What's he doing there? -- a large tabby cat sleeps on my desk between my laptop and monitor.

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· Feb 12

Post a picture of a tree that you took. 📸🌳

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· Feb 12

Post a picture of a tree that you took. 📸🌳

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· Feb 7

In this moment, the onlookers are impressed with Adehl’s skills in calming an injured horse and channelling his pain away. #FantasyIndiesFebruary #Febchantment — 7 #indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️

A snippet from Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore:

[Adehl] allowed the horse to get used to her while she embraced ellir, channelling a soothing thread of energy through the ground to the animal. The gelding tossed his head and snorted. Adehl walked slowly up to him, murmuring soothing words as she threaded ellir between them. Before long, the gelding allowed her to lay a hand, and then a cheek, on his soft, warm neck. The horse trembled and stilled, his llirah subsiding under Adehl’s influence. Adehl crooned to him for another minute, then beckoned to the man holding the lead rein.
“You should be able to tend the leg now,” Adehl said softly, stroking the beautiful blue-grey neck. “I’ll make sure he stays calm.”

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· Feb 6

When a reader thanks you for enriching their life — surely there’s no greater compliment. Some days, you need to hear there are readers out there for your book. I dreamt (for years) of one day touching readers; the reality is out of this world. #FantasyIndiesFebruary — 6 #indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· Feb 1

Hello, February… already?! 😳 I live with my loveable floof in Melbourne, Australia, where I write and talk about my debut fantasy novel, Beyond the Humming Downs, a lot. Rather a lot. (It launched last year.) 😁 Leo likes to help me write... 😆 #FantasyIndiesFebruary — 1 #indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️

Montage featuring:
1. Photo mockup of the book, Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore, as ebook and paperback
2. Photo of Ellen Starsmore and her cat, leopard, being annoying all sprawled out on her desk where her laptop should be.
Then the words — Beyond the Humming Downs ~ a fresh take on fantasy with a dash of hopepunk, adventure and quiet rebellion.
forbidden love * clashing loyalties self-discovery * earth magic
"A lyrical adventure full of humanity."
ellenstarsmore.com

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· Jan 31

I achieved my January goal: to finish writing the bonus epilogue for my book, Beyond the Humming Downs. The epilogue has been delivered to my subscribers. Huzzah! Leo and I also celebrated his two-year adoptaversary, and I read/listened to 6.5 books. #FantasyIndiesJanuary — 31 #indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️

Snippet from the bonus epilogue to Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore. It reads:
"... the heartstorm was both chaotic temptress and wild majesty. A hazard and a gift."

January highlights - fantasy books
Shown are the covers of:
The High King's Golden Tongue by Megan Derr
Reforged by Seth Haddon
The Dragon Blood series book 1-3 set by Lindsay Buroker

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· Jan 28

Feel like reading a fantasy book that's heartfelt (not cozy) and a bit different? A book founded on a love story (not a "romance”) with a dash of hopepunk, adventure and earth magic? Why not try Beyond the Humming Downs? books2read.com/hummingdowns #indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· Jan 25

Animals in Beyond the Humming Downs include horses… plenty of horses. The most significant is Cloud, Adehl’s moonskin gelding, with whom she has an empathic bond. (P.S. There is no insta in BTHD. 😆) #FantasyIndiesJanuary — 25 #indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️

Mockup instagram account for the fictitious character of Adehl in Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore.
@adehlempathiser has posted a photo of her horse, Cloud, a pale grey with pale mane and dark muzzle, looking at the camera.
The caption reads: Sometimes, I imagine Cloud is talking to me. This is his "what do you reckon?" face. Yes, all right, sometimes I ask him questions. No one else to talk to out here! #horselove

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· Jan 23

New beginnings ~ In Beyond the Humming Downs, a couple on the run find themselves starting again in a foreign city, where they make new alliances and find their worldviews challenged. The book has now been out for six months! 🥳 #FantasyIndiesJanuary — 23 #indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️

six months in the wild ~ earth magic * forbidden * hopepunk
Main photo shows the paperback version of Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore propped against a mossy rock (taken near England's Buttermere). The inset shows the author holding her kindle with the cover of the book showing. She is wearing a lilac top and grinning.

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· Jan 23

Inspiration… I begin with a world and a map and a magic system. Once I have the place, the setting, I can imagine who lives there. How they interact with the magic and how that informs their cultures. And then I look for the stories. #FantasyIndiesJanuary — 22 #indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️

The words "at the edge of the map" above a black and white fantasy map of the land of Baljehni -- from Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· Jan 21

It’s so nice when readers like your book! Thanks to @erinzarro.bsky.social for these lovely words I’ve pulled out of her review. 🙏 #indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· Jan 20

Hobbies: playing Dungeons & Dragons with my writer friends, growing carnivorous plants, singing in a community choir, hiking and geocaching — and reading, of course! Last night, I went aurora chasing. #FantasyIndiesJanuary — 20 #indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️

Colours of the southern aurora (mainly pink and green) with a few stars, framed by tree branches.

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· Jan 18

Textures and colours for my fantasy novel, Beyond the Humming Downs. Feel the stone and grass and hair (horse and human!) and lush fabrics. Hand clasps are also significant in this book for exchanging energy (rhythm). #FantasyIndiesJanuary — 18 #indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· Jan 18

Today’s snippet is from chapter 21 of my fantasy novel, Beyond the Humming Downs. It’s a key payoff moment in the love story. Mwah! (Selected for #FridaySpark with the prompt of “guard”.) #FantasyIndiesJanuary — 17 #indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️

Excerpt from Beyond the Humming Downs by Ellen Starsmore:
She arranged their left hands to lie palm to palm. His fingers threaded between hers, his grip as strong as the ellir that cascaded through them. With her free hand, she wound the srih around their joined wrists. He stood still as she performed the ceremonial binding. When she was done, she raised her gaze to his once more, reached for her voice.
“Roh, with this srih I bind my heart to yours. Will you consider yourself bound?” The words came out scratchy and soft.
He took a moment to reply. The look he gave her seared her soul, and Adehl could hardly breathe. Finally, his mouth moved, but it was several heartbeats before the words came out. “Adehl, I have been bound by you since first we met. Thank you for this honour in wearing your srih.” He drew their bound hands to his breast. “I will guard and protect your heart for all eternity.”
“Those aren’t the proper words,” Adehl said.
“Best I can do under the circumstances,” he said shakily, before pulling her to him.

Ellen Starsmore@ellenstarsmore· Jan 12

Shout out to my friend and fellow Australian indie author @eemarkham.bsky.social ~ check out her books! You can also check out her website www.eemarkham.com We go back quite a few years... decades? 😆 #FantasyIndiesJanuary — 12 #indiefantasy 📚🪐💙🩷🧙‍♂️⚔️