Episode 129: “Wish I Was Here” with Ilsa Rey

Posted on by Wynne Leon

A few years back, Ilsa Rey and her husband came to Seattle and stayed with me and my family. So I’m very confidant when I say, Ilsa is the real deal! Reading her books or blog always leaves me smiling because she’s a wonderful combination of witty, charming and smart. In person, that is exactly who she is as well!

So I loved this wonderful podcast conversation where Vicki Atkinson and I have the privilege to talk with her about her book, Wish I Was Here that will be released on December 23, 2025. We delve into the thrilling narrative where Anna’s best friend Isaac invents an invisibility pill and is kidnapped for it. In a desperate attempt to save him, Anna takes the pill herself, leading to a race against time to find him and secure the antidote before she remains invisible forever.

Ilsa tells us about learning what she didn’t know she didn’t know and how that propelled her through the 10 year process of getting this book published. 

We talk about the importance of feedback – even family feedback and how Ilsa used every opportunity like query contests to learn and keep writing. 

Ilsa tells us about the process of writing a series and the big picture view of interweaving the parts and pieces. We get a peek into the experts that helped her shape her narrative and she even visited a prison in order to keep it real! 

Ilsa reveals how her aforementioned trip to Seattle helped to fuel some scenes in book three. 

And we get the inside scoop and how to order her book for a discount before its release date on 12/23. This is a great episode with a fun author and a great book! We know you’ll love it.  

Here’s Ilsa’s gripping elevator pitch for her fantastic book, Wish I Was Here:

Here are some ways you can listen and watch to this great episode with an interesting author:

Episode 129 Wish I Was Here transcript

Episode 129: Wish I Was Here with Ilsa Rey – Sharing the Heart of the Matter

Wynne Leon and Vicki Atkinson talk with author Ilsa Rey about her book, Wish I Was Here that will be released on December 23, 2025. The conversation delves into the thrilling narrative where Anna's best friend Isaac invents an invisibility pill and is kidnapped for it. In a desperate attempt to save him, Anna takes the pill herself, leading to a race against time to find him and secure the antidote before she remains invisible forever.Ilsa tells us about her 10 year journey of writing the book as well as all the ways she used rejection and feedback to grow. We talk about writing in the zone as well as the research that goes into great books like Wish I Was Here.TakeawaysAnna's best friend Isaac invents an invisibility pill.Isaac is kidnapped for his invention.Anna takes the invisibility pill to save herself.She has one week to find Isaac and the antidote.Remaining invisible could lead to insanity and death.Anna must follow clues left by Isaac.The story explores themes of friendship and urgency.The narrative is filled with adventure and suspense.The invisibility pill serves as a catalyst for the plot.The stakes are high as Anna races against time.Links for this episode:For show notes and more great inspiration, please see https://sharingtheheartofthematter.comVideo Trailer for "Wish I Was Here": https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Py-B0EbMMmEV3QBsxDHxVX4Pfr3d04wy/view?usp=sharingPurchase Wish I Was Here on Black Rose WritingIlsa's blog: Writing and Martial ArtsFrom the Hosts:Vicki’s book about resilience and love: Surviving Sue; Blog: https://victoriaponders.com/Wynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith; Blog: https://wynneleon.com/
  1. Episode 129: Wish I Was Here with Ilsa Rey
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Links for this Episode:

Video Trailer for “Wish I Was Here”: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Py-B0EbMMmEV3QBsxDHxVX4Pfr3d04wy/view?usp=sharing

Purchase Wish I Was Here on Black Rose Writing and get a PRERELEASE copy!

Ilsa’s blog: Writing and Martial Arts

From the Hosts:

Vicki’s book about resilience and love: Surviving Sue; Blog: https://victoriaponders.com/

Wynne’s book about her beloved father: Finding My Father’s Faith; Blog: https://wynneleon.com/

60 thoughts on “Episode 129: “Wish I Was Here” with Ilsa Rey”

  2. great interview and hearing ilsa live! I have her book and will be posting a review on my blog and in all the other places in a couple of weeks, and I’m happy to help to support it. I loved hearing about the process, and all of the ‘helpers’ along the way, it’s not as easy as people may think, but as with everything, she always powers through. I’ve followed her blog for a while and know her to be a fighter in every way! well done, ladies!!

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  4. Ten years from now, when I finish my book, I want to be interviewed by you guys. You’re the best. Ha, ha. Congrats again Ilsa on the wonderful novel. Thanks to Wish I Was Here, I’ve been thinking a lot about all the different times I could use an Invisibility Pill. Someone comes to my house to visit? “Oh, I’m sorry Brian isn’t here right now. I’m not sure where he got to. He was just here.” Ha, ha. Playing tricks on others? Oh, the ideas. Thanks too Ilsa for sharing the behind the scenes how you lived with and nurtured the story through thick and thin. And yes, there is something to that movie that plays in our heads. I appreciate knowing that I’m not crazy. Okay, I may really be crazy, but it’s good knowing that other writers have that movie playing too. Ha, ha.

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  6. This plot sounds super clever; the duality of not being “seen” in high school and literally, not being seen! That’s a cool concept. I feel like Ilsa showed the “behind the scenes” so well from having the wrong word count to entering contests to get help with her query, to getting an interview with a cop to get priceless info. I like how she laid it all out. and And 10 years makes me feel better. 😊 Thanks Wynne and Vicki. Ilsa was a fun guest.

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    1. To your first point, I’m glad you picked up on that, Melanie. There’s a scene where she’s back in her high school after she’s turned invisible and hears kids in the hall talking about her and Isaac. She observes, “It took disappearing for people to finally know our names.” 😛

      Thanks for taking the time to listen. 🙂

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      1. Thanks for your response, Ilsa. And I like your additional insight about overhearing the kids in the hall who finally know the characters’ names because they’ve disappeared. Quite ironic. 😊

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  9. Congrats to Ilsa Rey and I enjoyed the podcast because it allows us to get to know the author and the back story connected to the book. Of course this is why you make time for such podcasts, and I enjoyed hearing about how much Rey enjoyed doing the research for the book – and also how she shared the book with her family.

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      1. Well I. liked it even more than a podcast because to me, a podcast is all audio (I am old school) and so this “video interview” was wonderful – with the podcast energy of not being rushed, not over editing, and just having casual convo that felt genuine – 😊

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      2. I can’t believe I didn’t realize there was video also! But, your part about casual conversation is spot on. These ladies made me feel so relaxed. It was a fun little chat with friends. 🙂

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      3. Yes, the energy of the trio was so great and I can see why they started this podcast – their love for writing, stories, books, and people was another takeaway. Best wishes with the book, Ilsa Rey, and i am glad to have connected years ago, and then recently for your book launch! –
        💚🍃🙂🍃💚

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      4. “their love for writing, stories, books, and people was another takeaway.”–Yes! Great description! So accurate. I’m glad to have met you as well, Yvette! I’m so grateful for your help in promoting my book too!

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      6. I’m finding more and more that YA can be enjoyed by a wide range of folks. There was that whole phenomenon called “Twi-Moms” for older women who liked the Twilight books. Hunger Games and Harry Potter were meant for kids or young adults, yet they were enjoyed by a far wider range.

        I’ve discovered this already with my book where I’ve received praise from a 10-year-old girl and a 67-year-old guy, along with everyone in between. So, my long-winded point is: even though it’s YA, there seems to be a little something for everyone. 🙂

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      7. That is awesome, Ilsa. And In the podcast I like how you mentioned your children are big readers and offer succinct feedback – and my boys were that way too – some of their early “critical reflection” surprised me – anyhow, when I hear a 10 year-old gave it praise – I could imagine how astute they are – and how we never minimize age when it comes to clever feedback

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      8. The 10-year-old’s exact words were, “This is the best book I’ve ever read, even better than The Babysitter’s Club,” which made me laugh, and it seemed like the highest possible praise from her demographic. 😛 I’ll take it!

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      9. yeah, that is awesome (and shhhh – but my friend K used to love reading her daughter’s copies of The babysitter’s Club, another example of how YA is often for many older adults)

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  15. Congrats again, Betsy! I look forward to receiving my copy soon. 🙂 I preordered through your publisher.

    It’s so nice to hear your voice and in such a warm engaging conversation with Wynne and Vicki. I love what you said about the stenographer and how your characters take a life of their own. Spouses of writers must see it all. 🤣

    I wish you the best of luck with its release and fingers crossed for the second book’s launch in the following year!

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  17. Great episode. I especially liked the non-existent shoutout! (I kid, I kid. We have discussed this offline.)

    I admire your commitment to research, Ilsa! You have taken things a step farther than even I would have. Are you secretly hoarding a vial of invisibility juice too??

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  18. Ilsa, your ability to stay focused on completing your book over a span of ten years shows great resolve. Congratulations! It’s fortunate you listened to your wise mama who didn’t sugar-coat her critique. “Wish I was Here” sounds like a captivating and fun read. Good luck. Great interview Wynne and Ilsa! 🙂

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