Ask the Author: Nicki Chapelway
Answered Questions (20)
Nicki Chapelway
As a matter of fact, yes I am.
Just fill out this form so I can keep track of everyone I give an ARC too and then I will send one right to you!
https://forms.gle/nfe8mkcCU64GJTqBA
Just fill out this form so I can keep track of everyone I give an ARC too and then I will send one right to you!
https://forms.gle/nfe8mkcCU64GJTqBA
Nicki Chapelway
Goodreads has the option where you can add books and then it is only a matter of time of claiming the book to become the Goodreads author so you don't have to wait till KDP puts it up. Although if you did publish through KDP it will eventually add your book to Goodreads automatically.
Nicki Chapelway
For me at least, a lot of writing is definitely trial and error, especially when it comes to what books I should write. Because I have a lot of ideas but not as much time to write them. Making the decision of which project absolutely needs to be told and what can wait till later is, in my opinion, one of the hardest decisions I make as an author. Sometimes to help myself make that decision I do a trial run of working on the story see if I want to keep writing it in the long run and set aside my other ideas for it and its sequels (because a lot of my books are in series). So for sure focus on writing the first book, see how far you can get and if you can finish it. Writing a single book takes a lot of dedication and if you finish it then you are committed enough that you won't ditch the rest of the series. Trust me, by then you are in too deep in plot points and character's inner turmoil to turn back.
Writing a series is a lot of work and sometimes you get halfway through the series and you are like, wow why did I make this series four books long why would I do that to myself? But it can also be fun. So a little advice for making sure that you want to write more than one book in that story world. Create characters that you are attached to, my longest series are about my favorite characters, characters that I realized I didn't want to say goodbye to. Make sure that you have a well developed story world where you can conceivably spend a lot of time in, but leave room for change because as you go you're going to change your mind down the road and decide that you like a different idea better. Make sure that it has multiple elements that interest you and plenty of opportunities to explore them because you may grow tired of writing (as an example) a political intrigue book and decide in book two to focus more on the action of the war that had been going on previously in the background. As you plan the book, try to plan the series as a whole. Figure out some plot twists to throw into the later books and how you can foreshadow that in the earlier books. Also figuring out how each book ends and begins is a huge help. Having a clear view of the future has always helped to motivate me in working on the series later down the line when I feel unmotivated to finish it. I'm working on book one of my current project, but I plan for the series to be at least five books long. That's a lot of books, but I do have a picture of what the books are about, and where each book's setting and theme and mood differ and what changes the characters go through and I'll be honest I am actually very excited to work on those books, especially book four in that series. And I fully realize that these books aren't going to be very easy to write, but I am excited about the challenge and my clear goal will help me get through the writer's block that I know will show up sooner or later.
I hope that you found this answer helpful!
Writing a series is a lot of work and sometimes you get halfway through the series and you are like, wow why did I make this series four books long why would I do that to myself? But it can also be fun. So a little advice for making sure that you want to write more than one book in that story world. Create characters that you are attached to, my longest series are about my favorite characters, characters that I realized I didn't want to say goodbye to. Make sure that you have a well developed story world where you can conceivably spend a lot of time in, but leave room for change because as you go you're going to change your mind down the road and decide that you like a different idea better. Make sure that it has multiple elements that interest you and plenty of opportunities to explore them because you may grow tired of writing (as an example) a political intrigue book and decide in book two to focus more on the action of the war that had been going on previously in the background. As you plan the book, try to plan the series as a whole. Figure out some plot twists to throw into the later books and how you can foreshadow that in the earlier books. Also figuring out how each book ends and begins is a huge help. Having a clear view of the future has always helped to motivate me in working on the series later down the line when I feel unmotivated to finish it. I'm working on book one of my current project, but I plan for the series to be at least five books long. That's a lot of books, but I do have a picture of what the books are about, and where each book's setting and theme and mood differ and what changes the characters go through and I'll be honest I am actually very excited to work on those books, especially book four in that series. And I fully realize that these books aren't going to be very easy to write, but I am excited about the challenge and my clear goal will help me get through the writer's block that I know will show up sooner or later.
I hope that you found this answer helpful!
Nicki Chapelway
So yes there are different modes of publishing, all of the books I have published at this point in time are self-published. If you were to want to traditionally publish, the best first step for that would be to start querying to an agent.
There are some smaller publishing companies available where you can submit your story to; while cutting out the agent altogether. I have queried to a few of those.
As far as self-publishing I go through Amazon's KDP. They are the ones who print and distribute the books, taking a little out of royalty for the costs. There are other options that I know authors use, but I have only ever used KDP. Self-publishing is great in that you get to have full control of your story. You don't have to change anything like you most definitely would if you were to traditionally publish. You can make the title and keep it and the sorts. But also the downside to self-publishing is you have to do everything which can end up being a lot of work. You have to figure out the blurb, get the cover, do the formatting. There are people who you can hire to help you out along the way; like for instance I hire someone to design my covers.
Hope this answered your question! Best of luck on your writing :)
There are some smaller publishing companies available where you can submit your story to; while cutting out the agent altogether. I have queried to a few of those.
As far as self-publishing I go through Amazon's KDP. They are the ones who print and distribute the books, taking a little out of royalty for the costs. There are other options that I know authors use, but I have only ever used KDP. Self-publishing is great in that you get to have full control of your story. You don't have to change anything like you most definitely would if you were to traditionally publish. You can make the title and keep it and the sorts. But also the downside to self-publishing is you have to do everything which can end up being a lot of work. You have to figure out the blurb, get the cover, do the formatting. There are people who you can hire to help you out along the way; like for instance I hire someone to design my covers.
Hope this answered your question! Best of luck on your writing :)
Nicki Chapelway
Summer reading list? What's that? *trails off in nervous laughter* But in all honesty I really don't do reading lists because as a mood reader I can't know what my mood for my next read will be until I get there. I am however planning on finally finished the Elemental Trilogy and the Worlds Beneath trilogy soon.
Nicki Chapelway
Yes I do. I make a percentage off of every book that is bought.
Nicki Chapelway
First off, thanks so much! I'm so glad that you like my covers.
I ordered the covers for A Week of Werewolves (the designer for that was Blazing Covers) and A Time of Trepidation (betibup33). They were both pre-made which means that the pictures were already put together and I just had the designer change the colors to fit my heroine's hair and dress. My friend Ivie Brooks made me the cover for Winter Cursed. My cover for A Certain Sort of Madness (which will be revealed August 25th) was my first custom made cover and it was designed by Victoria Cooper Art.
I ordered the covers for A Week of Werewolves (the designer for that was Blazing Covers) and A Time of Trepidation (betibup33). They were both pre-made which means that the pictures were already put together and I just had the designer change the colors to fit my heroine's hair and dress. My friend Ivie Brooks made me the cover for Winter Cursed. My cover for A Certain Sort of Madness (which will be revealed August 25th) was my first custom made cover and it was designed by Victoria Cooper Art.
Nicki Chapelway
Well, I have only named the chapters in my 'My Time in Amar' books. But to name them, basically I would just take a look at the content of the chapter and figure out how best that fits together in a phrase. It's like when I give my books titles. Sometimes it comes easily and fits perfectly and other times I labor for months trying to figure out what best to say.
Nicki Chapelway
Hey, Daisy, thanks so much for asking, as a matter of fact I can. So it's not exactly an Alice in Wonderland spin-off, but more inspired by it. It's titled A Certain Sort of Madness. My main character is named Alicia, she is a little odd- actually, to be completely honest, she's crazy- and she travels to a strange and fantastic world, but that's pretty much where the similarities end. It doesn't have any of the characters from Alice in Wonderland. It has it's own cast of circus performers, illusionists, mysterious hunters, and a character who Alicia claims is her imaginary friend.
This story is a companion to my My Time in Amar series. Chronologically it comes after the second book and while they can be read separate from each other, they certainly shed some light on the greater scheme of things.
This story is a companion to my My Time in Amar series. Chronologically it comes after the second book and while they can be read separate from each other, they certainly shed some light on the greater scheme of things.
Nicki Chapelway
Hey, S., thanks so much for asking me!
As a matter of fact, yes, I do. Other than working on the next books in the My Time in Amar, I am also working on a dark fantasy Snow White retelling, and a spin-off Alice in Wonderland inspired series off of Amar. I'm also working on a Sci-Fi story and I just recently finished the first draft of a high fantasy novel.
As a matter of fact, yes, I do. Other than working on the next books in the My Time in Amar, I am also working on a dark fantasy Snow White retelling, and a spin-off Alice in Wonderland inspired series off of Amar. I'm also working on a Sci-Fi story and I just recently finished the first draft of a high fantasy novel.
Nicki Chapelway
I'm so sorry that I'm only just now getting to this. I was never notified, but anyhoo...
I hate to admit it, but yes. Yes it has. Never the beginning part, but as I get deeper into the story and invest more and more of my time on it, I end up getting to the point where I am forcing myself to finish it because I've already worked so hard on it and I don't want to just give it up. But also because I've spent so much time on it, I begin to grow tired of the story. So it becomes a chore to get through it.
Also writing stories in a series can often feel like homework because I often do not wish to write the next book, but know that I need to because I've already made the commitment for the series.
I hate to admit it, but yes. Yes it has. Never the beginning part, but as I get deeper into the story and invest more and more of my time on it, I end up getting to the point where I am forcing myself to finish it because I've already worked so hard on it and I don't want to just give it up. But also because I've spent so much time on it, I begin to grow tired of the story. So it becomes a chore to get through it.
Also writing stories in a series can often feel like homework because I often do not wish to write the next book, but know that I need to because I've already made the commitment for the series.
Nicki Chapelway
Hi, Abigail! Thanks for asking. My books are briefly unavailable while I rewrite them. Hopefully The first book will be republished early next year. When I republish them they will be available in print again.
Nicki Chapelway
Honestly it's the same genre that I write, young adult. More specifically YA fantasy, or any kind of speculative fiction genre.
Nicki Chapelway
Frankly, everything. I got my world from the history of the rise and fall of Rome, and the warring Greek city states. I was also inspired by the movies Prince of Persia and the Mummy (the original one from 1999).
I don't remember what gave me the idea for the book in the first place, I've had it for years, but these helped shape it into what it is now.
I don't remember what gave me the idea for the book in the first place, I've had it for years, but these helped shape it into what it is now.
Nicki Chapelway
I never liked people. Alive that is.
Nicki Chapelway
Most of the time my writer's block is caused by an overworked brain so when I get it, I take a break. Watch a movie, read a book, get more inspiration. Sometimes I'll even proofread my other stories.
If the writer's block persists for a few days then I just have to plow on. Eventually it will go away. Most likely when I get to an interesting scene.
If the writer's block persists for a few days then I just have to plow on. Eventually it will go away. Most likely when I get to an interesting scene.
Nicki Chapelway
Hang in there. I know being a writer is tough. Crazy tough. And it's scary too. Crazy scary. But it's totally worth it.
Nicki Chapelway
Really anything can inspire me. A book. A movie. A TV show. A song. A random thought. A person walking down the street. You name it.
Nicki Chapelway
Really anything can inspire me. A book. A movie. A TV show. A song. A random thought. A person walking down the street. You name it.
Nicki Chapelway
Really anything can inspire me. A book. A movie. A TV show. A song. A random thought. A person walking down the street. You name it.
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