Why Authentic Stories Create Loyal Readers with Leigh Carron - Standout Authors Unbound

What if writing the story you’re afraid to tell is the exactly what your readers have been waiting for?

Leigh Carron, author of Fat Girl and other body positive romance novels, didn’t set out to follow trends, chase algorithms, or fit neatly into what the publishing world expects. She set out to tell her truth. And in doing so, she’s built stories centered on body diversity, biracial identity, desire, and authenticity, even when it felt risky or uncomfortable.

In this conversation, Leigh opens up about choosing self-publishing, navigating imposter syndrome, writing spicy romance that centers fat and marginalized bodies, and learning how to market without losing herself in the process.

Highlights

Diversity in writing as lived experience

For Leigh, diversity is personal. Her stories are shaped by who she is and who her readers are, and she writes with the intention of reflecting real bodies and real identities on the page.

“I write spicy, diverse, body positive romance. That’s sort of my niche, my brand, and I love doing that, bringing body diversity and racial diversity to my stories. I want them to reflect me and the people that read my books.”

Empowerment through characters who take up space

Leigh is intentional about who gets centered in her stories. Her characters aren’t there to support someone else’s arc. They get to be seen, desired, and fully human.

“I want to show fat characters being loved on, being desired, feeling good about themselves, not being the side characters in stories, but being their own leads.”

Choosing the indie path without a roadmap

Traditional publishing wasn’t the only option, and Leigh chose to take the leap without having everything figured out. What mattered more was resonance and momentum.

“I decided I’ll just venture out into this wild world of indie publishing. And I didn’t have a clue what I was doing, but… it sort of resonated.”

Marketing as an ongoing experiment

Marketing isn’t something you master once and move on from. Leigh talks honestly about the trial-and-error nature of showing up, learning, and staying curious without burning out.

“You have to be your own marketer and you have to figure that out... I’m still learning those things. Why do some posts hit? Why do some books resonate and others don’t?”

Writing authentically even when it feels risky

Chasing trends might feel safer, but Leigh chose alignment instead. That decision comes with risk, but it also comes with clarity.

“I have stayed true to what I want to tell and haven’t followed what’s popular in tropes, and I know that can also be a risk.”

Writing through cultural and racial identity

Leigh shares how early experiences shaped her understanding of identity and belonging, and how those experiences continue to influence her storytelling today.

“I learned very quickly that being biracial was not a good thing then. Like that was not something to be proud of. That was something to be worried about and to fear what people would think.”

Balancing creativity with real life

Writing doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Leigh balances her creative work with a demanding professional career, and some days are harder than others.

“It’s a challenge some days, especially because I’m a change management consultant. So I work with companies in helping them kind of reframe their culture.”

Reader connection over perfection

Not every conversation has to end in agreement. For Leigh, the value comes from connection, curiosity, and dialogue.

“I love the reader interaction, even if we’re not on the same page with things, just learning and having that conversation, I think, is great.”

Advice that leaves room for both art and strategy

Leigh encourages writers to stay grounded in their creative vision while still acknowledging the realities of publishing and marketing.

“Write the story that you want to tell and make that your focus. That’s not to say you shouldn’t be mindful of the marketing and all of those pieces.”

Authenticity is what lasts

At the core of everything, Leigh believes readers respond to honesty more than polish.

“It comes down to authenticity, of being true to yourself. I think that’s what people will see. That’s what will resonate, that authenticity that people can relate to.”

Closing reflection

Leigh’s story shows us that our most resonate work comes from honesty. We just need to trust our voice and keep writing, even when it feels vulnerable.

If you’re an author navigating visibility, representation, or the pressure to do things the “right” way, this conversation is for you.

You might be sitting on a story that the world has been waiting to hear, so let’s share it.

If that sounds like you, leave a comment about your journey in the comments.