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Isabel Sterling

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Isabel Sterling

Goodreads Author


Born
in The United States
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May 2013

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Isabel Sterling is a master coach and author of sapphic romance for teens and adults. Their novels include These Witches Don’t Burn, This Coven Won’t Break, The Coldest Touch, and the forthcoming With All My Haunted Heart. She lives with her spouse and fur-babies in Central New York, where the winters are frigid, the summers are too hot, and autumn is perfect.

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Isabel Sterling I'm a bit in the middle actually! I do a loose plot (typically not much more than a beat sheet) and then pants my way from beat to beat. The first dra…moreI'm a bit in the middle actually! I do a loose plot (typically not much more than a beat sheet) and then pants my way from beat to beat. The first draft is usually a mess no matter what I do, so I really dig into plotting during revision.

Probably the most exciting part of writing THESE WITCHES DON'T BURN was finishing the draft on an amazing writing retreat in Wales. It was a lovely group of writers and the energy was really inspiring.

Another fun part of the writing process was how it shaped my own identity. I wrote the first draft thinking I was straight, realized I was bisexual shortly thereafter, met my (now) wife, and then revised the book into what it is today (aka super queer). (less)
Isabel Sterling Hannah, the main character, came to me first. I kept coming back to this image of a teen witch working at a magic shop in Salem, MA thinking to hersel…moreHannah, the main character, came to me first. I kept coming back to this image of a teen witch working at a magic shop in Salem, MA thinking to herself "if only these fools knew what REAL witches were like..."

There were a few false starts (there wasn't any actual magic in the first draft, strangely enough) but Hannah's personality is nearly unchanged (though perhaps more nuanced now!) from that first flash of idea.(less)
Average rating: 3.73 · 60,157 ratings · 9,707 reviews · 6 distinct worksSimilar authors
These Witches Don't Burn (T...

3.70 avg rating — 38,701 ratings — published 2019 — 20 editions
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This Coven Won't Break (The...

3.84 avg rating — 13,540 ratings — published 2020
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The Coldest Touch

3.64 avg rating — 6,315 ratings — published 2021 — 2 editions
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This Spell Can't Last (Thes...

3.75 avg rating — 1,664 ratings — published 2020 — 5 editions
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These Charms Won't Fade

3.96 avg rating — 49 ratings
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With All My Haunted Heart

4.36 avg rating — 14 ratings — expected publication 2026 — 4 editions
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More books by Isabel Sterling…
These Witches Don't Burn This Coven Won't Break These Charms Won't Fade
(3 books)
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3.74 avg rating — 53,954 ratings

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Isabel’s Recent Updates

Isabel Sterling rated a book it was amazing
Spellwright by Heather Kassner
Spellwright
by Heather Kassner (Goodreads Author)
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I had the pleasure of reading an early copy of Spellwright, and I am OBSESSED with this world. Kassner's writing is so gorgeous and lush and inviting--it feels like cozying up with a good blanket and your very favorite cup of tea. (I don't actually d ...more
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Last First Kiss by Julian Winters
Last First Kiss
by Julian Winters (Goodreads Author)
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I LOVE that Julian Winters is writing adult romances now, because he is AMAZING at them. Sweet and steamy with characters who feel so utterly real and alive, this was an absolute delight from beginning to end. He's become an auto-buy author for sure! ...more
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See You at the Summit by Jordyn Taylor
See You at the Summit
by Jordyn Taylor (Goodreads Author)
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I love when authors aren't afraid to let their characters be messy, and this book was a masterclass in characters being allowed to be messy, real, imperfect humans. Simone's journey of coming out as bisexual, figuring out what that identity means for ...more
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The Last Best Quest Ever by F.T. Lukens
The Last Best Quest Ever
by F.T. Lukens (Goodreads Author)
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Ruinous Creatures by Jessi Cole Jackson
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I expected this book to have really interesting world building (check!), a steamy romance (check!), and a feminist lens (check!), but I did not expect it to be so freaking funny at times! Kian's chapters in particular were full of unexpected humor de ...more
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Our Rogue Fates by Sarah Glenn Marsh
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I got a chance to read an early copy of Our Rogue Fates, and I adored it! Perfect for fans of old school high fantasy who have read classics of the genre and found themselves thinking "I want more of this... but make it gay." If you're looking for mo ...more
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Soon By You by Dahlia Adler
Soon By You
by Dahlia Adler (Goodreads Author)
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I've been a fan of Dahlia's work ever since I first read her YA debut in 2014, and I was lucky enough to get an early copy of Soon By You (perks of being an author!).

Dahlia's writing is always witty, smart, and so freaking funny, and Soon By You is
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Come As You Are by Dahlia Adler
Come As You Are
by Dahlia Adler (Goodreads Author)
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I love all of Dahlia's books and this one is NO EXCEPTION! Funny and romantic and full of queer side characters, make sure this one is high on your TBR! ...more
Isabel Sterling answered Erin's question: Isabel Sterling
This Coven Won't Break is the end of that series. I think Hannah and Morgan deserve a stress-free rest of their lives without me throwing more stress at them ;)
More of Isabel's books…
Quotes by Isabel Sterling  (?)
Quotes are added by the Goodreads community and are not verified by Goodreads. (Learn more)

“She'll never understand. The realization washes all the fight out of me, leaving behind only heartache. I gently pull my wrist from her grip. "Because," I say, my voice so soft it's nearly swallowed up by the trees, "I'm standing here, telling you how much you hurt me, and you can't hear it." Tears fill my eyes. I've lost the strength to hide them. "You broke my heart, and you didn't even notice. How can I ..." My throat closes up, I look away. "How could I ever trust you to put the pieces back together?”
Isabel Sterling, These Witches Don't Burn

“I’m standing here, telling you how much you hurt me, and you can’t hear it.”
Isabel Sterling, These Witches Don't Burn

“And it’s not like Disney ever showed us how to fall for another girl.”
Isabel Sterling, These Witches Don't Burn

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