T. Michelle Nelson's Blog
July 25, 2017
Endings and New Beginnings
This sort of feels like a resignation letter. In ways, I suppose it is. THE LAST ONES will be my last novel for some time, maybe even ever. I don't plan to quit writing, in fact, I have a new project that I can't wait to announce soon, but it has nothing to do with fiction.
I've always been really honest about the writing industry and my experiences, and I know there are things one isn't supposed to say but I'm going to lay them out here. I didn't set out to be a published author and I didn't grow up wanting to be a writer. Not that I wasn't thrilled and so thankful, but it wasn't something that would've killed me had it not happened, and it was never a huge goal. I didn't dream of it as a child. In fact, I wanted to be a skeleton. I'm relatively sure I confused what I wanted to be when I grew up with what I wanted to be for Halloween, but that's another story. Then I decided I wanted to move to Africa and work with mountain gorillas and elephants. At different points, I wanted to be a rock star, the first female NFL football coach, a spy and then when I started college, my first major was pre-med. I subsequently changed my major seven times and graduated with a degree that I don't use in any of my current professions. To this day, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up, and I certainly haven't grown up.
Life is entirely too short to commit to any one thing that becomes the thing that defines you. I am many things and I want to become many more. I want to be challenged and I want to try new things. Time is never our side, so I intend to fit as many things as I possibly can into this life, and I hope each and every person reading this does the same.
Thank you all for reading and supporting my books. The last five years have been a truly amazing experience and I am so grateful for anyone who took the time to read my crazy stories.
I've always been really honest about the writing industry and my experiences, and I know there are things one isn't supposed to say but I'm going to lay them out here. I didn't set out to be a published author and I didn't grow up wanting to be a writer. Not that I wasn't thrilled and so thankful, but it wasn't something that would've killed me had it not happened, and it was never a huge goal. I didn't dream of it as a child. In fact, I wanted to be a skeleton. I'm relatively sure I confused what I wanted to be when I grew up with what I wanted to be for Halloween, but that's another story. Then I decided I wanted to move to Africa and work with mountain gorillas and elephants. At different points, I wanted to be a rock star, the first female NFL football coach, a spy and then when I started college, my first major was pre-med. I subsequently changed my major seven times and graduated with a degree that I don't use in any of my current professions. To this day, I still don't know what I want to be when I grow up, and I certainly haven't grown up.
Life is entirely too short to commit to any one thing that becomes the thing that defines you. I am many things and I want to become many more. I want to be challenged and I want to try new things. Time is never our side, so I intend to fit as many things as I possibly can into this life, and I hope each and every person reading this does the same.
Thank you all for reading and supporting my books. The last five years have been a truly amazing experience and I am so grateful for anyone who took the time to read my crazy stories.
March 13, 2017
February 2, 2017
At the Top of My To-Be-Read List is - DAVENPORT HOUSE by Marie Silk
Davenport House is the first book in a family saga following the wealthy Davenports and their servants in 1915 America.Mary Davenport is a 22-year-old idealist who worries that the world in the Progressive Era is leaving her behind. She lives isolated in the Pennsylvania countryside with her affluent and secretive family. When her father dies suddenly, Mary becomes pained with grief and increasingly suspicious of those around her.
A humble servant girl has the chance of a lifetime to become a lady's companion. Costly dresses, exquisite rooms, and fine dinners are pleasant distractions from what is really happening in the house. Click here to read more or buy this amazing book! Author Bio:
Marie Silk enjoys traveling the world, sampling new cuisines, and learning about history. She has written stories and plays in many genres since childhood. Marie is the author of the Amazon Best Selling series Davenport House.
Website
Goodreads
INTERVIEW WITH MARIE SILK
What’s your story about?
The Davenport House family saga reads like a Victorian melodrama. It follows a high society family and their servants in 1915 America. The story begins with the sudden death of the patriarch which sets into motion a chain of events affecting all who live on the estate.
What makes your book different from others in its genre?
The story is told from the perspectives of many characters instead of focusing on the plight of only one or two main characters.
Will this be a series?
Davenport House is currently a 6-book series with more books on the way.
Do you outline and plot your book as you’re writing or does it go where it goes?
A little of both, but I use real historical dates and events so I need an outline to keep an accurate timeline.
What is your favorite book?
My favorite book is The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom.
When you aren’t writing, what do you do for fun?
I like to spend time with my family, cook, travel, study history, and binge-watch period films on Netflix :).
If you could say anything to your readers, what would it be?
Thank you so much for reading my books! I hope they were as much fun for you to read as they were for me to write!
February 1, 2017
Looking for a great read? Check out THE UNICORN HUNTER
After the tragic death of his daughter, Jack finds himself with more questions than answers. While reading his daughter’s diary about an imaginary unicorn called Summer, he begins to suspect that the unicorn may not be so imaginary after all. Questioning his own sanity, he soon finds himself on a desperate search to unravel the mystery of the unicorn and find what really happened to his daughter. As answers come to light, he begins to regret what he finds, as mythology meets reality and the truth about unicorns becomes known.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
OR TO PURCHASE
EXCERPT:
Excerpt: “Jack raised his gun in preparation, but noting that the woods were too dense to react with any speed, he quickly backtracked towards the clearing. There was something chilling in the voice, something that froze his bones, opened his pores in a cold sweat, and scattered his brain with terror. It was a feeling of dread and misery that Jack had never felt before and threatened to tear him down to nothing. He felt as if all hope was lost, but although it was strong upon his senses, he resisted the urge to run from the impending doom that was to come and bravely held his ground.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Del Henderson, born and raised in Illinois, enjoys writing, fueling his passion and love for the noble art of putting pen to paper, or more appropriate, keyboard to computer. Diving into pure imagination he has produced works that grip his reader's minds with mystery and suspense as they are brought into the fascinating world of fiction.
INTERVIEW
Give me some insight into your main character.
Jack is a man who had lost everything and after his daughter’s death goes on a journey to find out why. Battling his own psyche, he finds himself thrust in a mystery that mere mortals were never meant to answer.
What makes your book different from others in its genre?
Most books and stories paint unicorns in a positive light and mine really doesn’t do that. Instead I enjoy leading my readers through a world that will make them reconsider what they know about the unicorn.
How did you come up with the title?
The story is about a man’s journey to find out if the mythical unicorn actually exists. It’s basically a hunt for the truth about unicorns.
What’s your favorite part of it, without giving anything away of course?
My favorite part, is the psychological drama as Jack second guesses himself throughout the book, as one may expect when searching for a mythical creature.
Will this be a series?
I have left the book open to the possibility of a series, but at this time I am focusing my attention on other unrelated novels.
Do you outline and plot your book as you’re writing or does it go where it goes?
I come up with the ending of the book and one or two plot twists and then let the story come alive as I write.
What is your favorite book?
Although they’re not books, I would have to say Shakespeare’s writings are my favorite. From the rhythmic poetry of King Richard to the quips of Fallstaff he is a true master of storytelling.
When you aren’t writing, what do you do for fun?
Movies and videogames!
If you could say anything to your readers, what would it be?
Don’t let anybody say you can’t do something, if you have the passion just do it! You were given talents and gifts for a reason and if you follow what’s in your heart, you will never falter from the path laid before you.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO
OR TO PURCHASE
EXCERPT:
Excerpt: “Jack raised his gun in preparation, but noting that the woods were too dense to react with any speed, he quickly backtracked towards the clearing. There was something chilling in the voice, something that froze his bones, opened his pores in a cold sweat, and scattered his brain with terror. It was a feeling of dread and misery that Jack had never felt before and threatened to tear him down to nothing. He felt as if all hope was lost, but although it was strong upon his senses, he resisted the urge to run from the impending doom that was to come and bravely held his ground.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Del Henderson, born and raised in Illinois, enjoys writing, fueling his passion and love for the noble art of putting pen to paper, or more appropriate, keyboard to computer. Diving into pure imagination he has produced works that grip his reader's minds with mystery and suspense as they are brought into the fascinating world of fiction.
INTERVIEW
Give me some insight into your main character.
Jack is a man who had lost everything and after his daughter’s death goes on a journey to find out why. Battling his own psyche, he finds himself thrust in a mystery that mere mortals were never meant to answer.
What makes your book different from others in its genre?
Most books and stories paint unicorns in a positive light and mine really doesn’t do that. Instead I enjoy leading my readers through a world that will make them reconsider what they know about the unicorn.
How did you come up with the title?
The story is about a man’s journey to find out if the mythical unicorn actually exists. It’s basically a hunt for the truth about unicorns.
What’s your favorite part of it, without giving anything away of course?
My favorite part, is the psychological drama as Jack second guesses himself throughout the book, as one may expect when searching for a mythical creature.
Will this be a series?
I have left the book open to the possibility of a series, but at this time I am focusing my attention on other unrelated novels.
Do you outline and plot your book as you’re writing or does it go where it goes?
I come up with the ending of the book and one or two plot twists and then let the story come alive as I write.
What is your favorite book?
Although they’re not books, I would have to say Shakespeare’s writings are my favorite. From the rhythmic poetry of King Richard to the quips of Fallstaff he is a true master of storytelling.
When you aren’t writing, what do you do for fun?
Movies and videogames!
If you could say anything to your readers, what would it be?
Don’t let anybody say you can’t do something, if you have the passion just do it! You were given talents and gifts for a reason and if you follow what’s in your heart, you will never falter from the path laid before you.
January 27, 2017
Thank you, Stephanie Keyes!
My lovely, talented friend, Stephanie Keyes, donated books to a school close to my hometown in West Kentucky to help encourage kids to read. I've not only read her work and recommend it on its merits alone, but I encourage every person who reads this blog and updates their to-be-read list to add her books to it because why not support an incredible author who gives back?!?!
Check her out!
Website
Facebook
Twitter
Author Bio:
Stephanie Keyes is the bestselling author of the YA Fantasy series, The Star Child [Inkspell Publishing], which includes The Star Child, After Faerie, The Fallen Stars, The Star Catcher, The Last Protector, and A Faerie Wedding. Keyes is also the author of “The Boy in The Trees,” part of the Blood In The Shadows anthology.
The Star Catcher won first place in the 2014 Dante Rossetti Young Adult Novel Awards—Mythological Category. The Star Child was a finalist in the 2015 BTS Magazine Reader's Choice Awards. The Fallen Stars was a semi-finalist in the 2013 Kindle Book Award. Keyes was also selected as a 2015 Rutgers University One-On-One Plus Conference mentee. She's an active member of SCBWI, for whom she co-leads a weekly critique group.
When she’s not writing, she’s a a blogger and teacher at www.thenerdgarden.com with her husband, Aaron. She also works as a freelance instructional designer. Steph is a self-proclaimed geek, who lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with husband, her two boys, “Hip-Hop” and “Bam-Bam,” and dogs Duncan MacLeod and Princess Riley. Steph is a hopeless romantic and Whovian who's shamelessly addicted to Nutella and spontaneous singing.
Book Synopsis:
In Ever in the After, 13 authors come together to explore fantastical realms full of supernatural creatures, dark intrigue, and spells that may--or may not--be curses.
This anthology features work by:
- Melle Amade
- Miracle Austin
- J. A. Culican
- Madeline Dyer
- Jessica Hawke
- Alaina Hebert
- Elizabetta Holcomb
- Stephanie Keyes
- Christopher D. Morgan
- Mandy Peterson
- Alice Rachel
- Cadence Rae
- Jacqueline E. Smith
A must-have fantasy collection full of surprises, secrets, and strong teenagers who know what they need to do to succeed in these mystical realities.
Buy Link
Check her out!
Website
Author Bio:Stephanie Keyes is the bestselling author of the YA Fantasy series, The Star Child [Inkspell Publishing], which includes The Star Child, After Faerie, The Fallen Stars, The Star Catcher, The Last Protector, and A Faerie Wedding. Keyes is also the author of “The Boy in The Trees,” part of the Blood In The Shadows anthology.
The Star Catcher won first place in the 2014 Dante Rossetti Young Adult Novel Awards—Mythological Category. The Star Child was a finalist in the 2015 BTS Magazine Reader's Choice Awards. The Fallen Stars was a semi-finalist in the 2013 Kindle Book Award. Keyes was also selected as a 2015 Rutgers University One-On-One Plus Conference mentee. She's an active member of SCBWI, for whom she co-leads a weekly critique group.
When she’s not writing, she’s a a blogger and teacher at www.thenerdgarden.com with her husband, Aaron. She also works as a freelance instructional designer. Steph is a self-proclaimed geek, who lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with husband, her two boys, “Hip-Hop” and “Bam-Bam,” and dogs Duncan MacLeod and Princess Riley. Steph is a hopeless romantic and Whovian who's shamelessly addicted to Nutella and spontaneous singing.
Book Synopsis:In Ever in the After, 13 authors come together to explore fantastical realms full of supernatural creatures, dark intrigue, and spells that may--or may not--be curses.
This anthology features work by:
- Melle Amade
- Miracle Austin
- J. A. Culican
- Madeline Dyer
- Jessica Hawke
- Alaina Hebert
- Elizabetta Holcomb
- Stephanie Keyes
- Christopher D. Morgan
- Mandy Peterson
- Alice Rachel
- Cadence Rae
- Jacqueline E. Smith
A must-have fantasy collection full of surprises, secrets, and strong teenagers who know what they need to do to succeed in these mystical realities.
Buy Link
January 4, 2017
Author Book Promotion
AUTHORS:Ever heard that saying, "rub my back and I'll rub yours?" Well, touching people freaks me out, but I'm all about a quid pro quo. How would you feel about getting some promotion for your books and helping out a great cause at the same time for the cost of a book and shipping?
A couple years ago I asked some author friends to donate a book to my cousin's classroom. She teaches at a school in West Kentucky and works with some great kids, some of which are struggling to graduate. With the books she received, she implemented a program where the students set goals and worked hard to graduate by the end of the school year. For acheiving their goals, they received a signed copy of the books which were donated. She said it was a great success because her kids worked so hard to meet these goals so that they might earn the book they chose.
Once again, I am asking my fellow authors out there to donate a book for a great cause. As an author, I know so often that people ask you for free books. Believe me when I say I understand that this is incredibly annoying considering that writing isn't exactly the most lucrative of careers. To offset the cost of shipping and help encourage you fantastic, talented peeps I know out there to send a book or two, I would like to help you out in return! For every book donation I will:
* Blast a promo of any book of your choosing on my twitter feed for at least five days (I have over 57,000 real followers)
* Add an interview, blog post or promo on my website, and promote this post on all my social media sites
* Feature your book on my Facebook Page
* Review your book on Amazon and Goodreads
I would also greatly recommend if you choose to make a donation, please send any promotional materials such as bookmarks along with your book, because not only do these kids read, but their friends do as well and having your swag handed out for free in a new market is always great exposure!
To participate, please email me at info@TMichelleNelson.com (or go to the contact page on this website) and I will reply with the address to send your donation to as well as send you a promotion pack to fill out so that I can immediately feature your book!
Don't just be giving at Christmas, do something nice now for some kids who really need some encouragement!
December 12, 2016
Book Clubs Can Be Fun!
When most people hear "Book Club" they immediately think of a stuffy, boring get-together where the group reads literature many would need a thesaurus to interpret. That's just not true these days. Book clubs are popping up everywhere where people who have similar interests read books that they find fun. Their meetings become more like parties, much like the lovely ladies pictured above.I can't vouch for any club you may look to join being as attractive as the one above, but you can certainly get out, meet people and have a great time while keeping your mind active reading and discussing what you've read! I encourage anyone reading this blog to think about starting your own or joining a local club if you have one available!
October 26, 2016
October 13, 2016
Arch City Author Event
Come see me Saturday! 
Glass City Author Event
Last weekend was the Glass City Author Event in Toledo. Not only did I meet some wonderful readers, bloggers and organizers, but I got to hang out with these amazing ladies!Please check out the books of the amazing C.C. Wood, Stephanie Keyes and Kacey Vanderkarr. These gals are incredibly talented and so fun!
