Nicki Elson's Not-So-Deep Thoughts

I consider myself a Harry Potter fan, even if perhaps I haven't quite earned the "atic."  I loved the books, read most of them more than once, own a collector's edition of Beedle the Bard, saw all the movies, wrote a novel length fanfiction to cope with the series ending, and heck, even started up a Harry Potter Finer Things Club with my sister and nephews. But I have limits, and honestly...the idea of Pottermore creeps me out. Don't get me wrong, I think it's a brilliant marketing strategy for Rowling Inc., and I admire good business, but come on , when is enough enough already?  Or is it just fickle me that thinks this way? Irregardless , my attention has been stolen all of the sudden by a whole 'nother P-man.  If its a fresh iteration on a magical English boy you're looking for, I've got an excellent recommendation for a series of books that scratches that middle grade fantasy itch.  It doesn't get as deep and dark as the Harry Po...

For Michael's Blogfest , rather than telling the fictional tale of me and my imaginary buds at Hogwarts, I thought I'd tell you about my real life Harry Potter mates---the Harry Potter Finer Things Club that started out as a trio, just like Harry, Ron, and Hermoine. In the midst of the Harry Potter Series, me, my sister, and my nephew used to huddle together at family gatherings to discuss all things Harry P.  This didn't go unnoticed by the others, and at one family party my brother claimed we'd formed our own Finer Things Club (ala The Office).  Little did he know we'd sink our grimy meat hooks into his joke and turn the "club" into a whole thing---engraved bookmarks and all. Here's a new video I made in tribute to my HPFTC mates.  If you watch, please note: a major perk of club membership is getting to taunt non-members regarding their non-membership, so sorry 'bout that.  But hey, if you can answer the initiation questions contained in t...

I got a really nice surprise last week when I found out that one of my very favorite writers has published her first novel ---and it promises to be like nothing else you've ever read. Katella's stories are filled with biting sarcasm that makes me laugh out loud every time. But her characters aren't just hilarious---they've got true depth, and Katella has a great way of revealing them layer by layer throughout the story.  And oh yeah, they're werewolves!  Here's the blurb:  Book One: An American Werewolf in Idaho (Available on Amazon Kindle) This is a novel based on the notion that it doesn’t matter what you look like, because beauty lies within the soul. Age, race, and sex are all meaningless because when it comes to being human we are all the same. Each chapter is packed with humorous themes of government control, individuality, and battles between the sexes. It tackles cultural differences and discrimination in a language that young minds can unde...

That's why I don't do it. But if there are people out there who I think might enjoy my book, then I feel it's only right to do what I can to let them know Three Daves is out there. I mean, if I don't do it, who else is going to? And if I'm joining a super awesome blog challenge to improve myself as a blogger, why, it would be selfish to not spread the word any way I can, wouldn't it? That's why I took A to Z Challenge founder Arlee Bird up on his second challenge---to get a story about the event in a local paper . Turns out it wasn't challenging at all. Arlee gives a lot of great tips for how to go about crafting an article that highlights both you and the challenge. Then it's a matter of getting it to the right place---many towns have local e-papers that allow community members to directly submit articles, or at least events. Once you've got the article written and submitted there, it's a press release you can e-mail o...

Hey!  The amazing Jen Daiker has interviewed me at her unedited blog.  It would be tremendously fun to see you over there.  I am doubly honored because Fallen Monkey , a talented writer with an always insightful and inspiring blog, has bestowed upon me the Write Hard award (created by Aaron Polson: see rules here ). Now I get to pass it on to three more writers who I feel live up to the "write hard" spirit (i.e. writers who work at their craft, writers who never give up despite the odds, writers who constantly turn out quality work).  I give this award to:  Jen Daiker at unedited , whose blog is uber-successful for good reason.  I greatly admire her energetic and engaging posts as well as her discipline to post regularly. And all the while she's writing her own promising creative works as well as getting out there and meeting other authors both in the cyber world and at real life book signings. Jennifer DeLucy , author of Seers of Light and W...

First, a few announcements:  Three Daves is now available on the Barnes & Noble Nook , and also in ePack (PDF, ePub & MOBI).  Much thanks to Omnific's hardworking graphic designer, Coreen Montagna, for making it happen.  Also... Three Daves got a super awesome review at A Tale of Many Reviews !!!  Here's a snippet: Three Daves is the sweetest, tragic yet works out well, love story I have read since The Notebook . Elson has written characters that I adore and every twist, turn, change, growth, obstacle, and step they took I went right along with them. Having just finished reading, I have a sense of relief for the characters,  goose bumps on my arms, and a smile on face. Yeah, pretty big smile on my face too.  And now for some pics from London...1980s style!  My darling sister threw an 80s bash for me and her girlfriends, all of whom are also ex-pat Americans living in London.  It was so much fun getting a peek inside of my sister's...

Last year, Jessica McQuinn graciously granted me an interview on the release day of her latest novel, Indivisible , an emotional tale of love and survival in a military family. Jessica McQuinn is also the co-author of Passion Fish . Both Indivisible and Passion Fish are part of Omnific Publishin's Freedom Sale through July 31, 2012 at only $2.99 each. Even though Indivisible deals with some pretty weighty issues, McQuinn's vibrant personality shows through in her writing to make the book a fun as well as an insightful read.      For more on the military aspects of Indivisible , read the Coffee Time Romance interview. 1. The military plays a strong role in Indivisible, so the story obviously had to be set near a military base, but how did you decide on San Diego as the setting for Indivisible? Well, since Gideon is a SEAL, the options were limited. While at any given time, a SEAL team can be anywhere, there are only a few actual bases that they call "hom...

 I am ecstatic to announce the release of the first book in  The Order of the Elements series: Breaking Point by Jess Bowen  I adore this story and am already anxiously awaiting the sequel.  This is one of those Young Adult novels that both teens and adults will enjoy.  At first I became swept away in the magical world that Jess Bowen created, and then I got completely carried away in the romantic relationships as they developed. But the story never forgets its purpose---the fight against the darkness. And I now realize  that I forgot to ask Jess about her amazing action scenes!  Urg.  Ah well, I'll just have to bring her back, won't I?  Here's the back cover blurb, followed by my delightful interview with Jess Bowen . Phoebe Johnson and Ethan Smith had everything they needed: loving parents, great friends, and admission letters to Ivy League schools they’d be heading to in the fall. If only they knew that they were never going to reac...

Just in time for Halloween, tomorrow is the release of paranormal romance, Whisper of Light , second in The Light Series by Jennifer DeLucy.  One of the best perks of being a Developmental Editor is that I get to read great stories like this before they are released. Here's a peek at the back cover blurb (it's all true): Jennifer DeLucy again plunges us into the world of lingering spirits, dark apparitions, and malicious vampires. But this time she takes us to the California coast where we get to know a new ensemble of gifted souls that are just as vibrant and endearing as the Sentients we came to love in Seers of Light .  In Whisper of Light , DeLucy delivers exciting supernatural encounters as well as very human interactions that will both break your heart and make it soar.    Jennifer graciously indulged me by answering questions about some of my favorite aspects of the book: 1. While staying consistent with the themes set forth in Seers of Light ,...

As I'm sure has become painfully obvious, I'm learning as I go on this whole promotion business, and it seems I'm always saying, "Dang, I wish I would've known that!" Then it occurred to me...maybe I'm not the only one who didn't know that...perhaps I should share my newfound wisdom.  So  here I am with my most recently acquired tidbit.  It's quite possible that I'm the very last person on Earth to learn this, but have you heard of the " Book Rate " at the U.S. Post Office (maybe in other countries too)?  It's this amazing thing where you say to your postal clerk "Send this at the book rate," and the postage is magically MUCH less!  For the last seven months I've been paying $5+ a pop to send out copies of Three Daves to contest winners, friends, and book reviewers, but today I walked in, said the magic words, and *poof* $2.38!  Two dollars and thirty-eight cents!!!  Less than half the cost!  *Inhale* *Exhale* N...

    Congratulations Alex J. Cavanaugh ! Today is the release of his debut novel, CassaStar , a Sci-Fi space opera adventure.  I'm rather eclectic in my reading tastes and haven't had nearly enough exposure to ths genre, so I'm looking forward to it.  Plus, this Byron character sounds rather intriguing... CassaStar can be purchased at: Amazon Barnes & Noble BAM Powells “…calls to mind the youthful focus of Robert Heinlein’s early military sf, as well as the excitement of space opera epitomized by the many Star Wars novels. Fast-paced military action and a youthful protagonist make this a good choice for both young adult and adult fans of space wars.”  - Library Journal Even though I know Alex is extremely busy with a crazy blog tour schedule, I couldn't resist asking him my all time favorite author question: Moi: If you had to choose one song that best captures the essence of CassaStar, what would it be? Alex: Guilt Machine's "Green and...

Hey, I'm double blog-hopping today, because while hopping on the first one I saw a second one that was too delicious to pass up.  It's hosted by Brad Jaeger, and the theme on which we are to blog is "The First Novel that Moved Me." The first novel that ever moved me, that ever sucked me in and wouldn't let go until the adventure was completed, that clung to me long after I finished reading was Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH .  I don't remember exactly how old I was when I first read it, but I think it was either 4th or 5th grade. It was the cute mousey on the cover that drew me in, but it was the intrigue and mystery of the rats and the secret of Mr. Frisby's past that kept me turning the pages. And the resilient Mrs. Frisby was such a simple but admirable protagonist for my young mind to relate to.  I think she's the reason this story has resonated with me after all these years, because she felt so very real to me, and real-feeling character...

Welcome to the weekly Meet an Author Monday blog hop. To meet new authors and discover great reads, simply visit any of the author links below. Look for our "Meet an Author Monday" icon at any of these blogs to keep on hoppin.   Authors! Have a book out? Are you under contract for publication? Join in the hop for a great way to network your blog and let readers know who you are!.

You're looking at it!  I spruced up my blog and added a few new features. I've now got tabs with a peek inside Three Daves, Book Club discussion questions, music/personality Quizzes, and 80s Playlists.  Please take a look around at what I've done with the place and have fun playing. :)

Nothing can ever go completely smoothly, can it?  For example, a couple weeks ago I felt like the queen of the small but lovely kingdom of Batavia, Illinois. Three Daves was on the shelves at the public library, an article about the book was to be published in one of the local papers, and I had a reading scheduled at a downtown coffee shop.  I was on the cusp of ruling the world, right? Well... I went on-line to gaze at my book title in the library's catalog (yeah, I do that sometimes) and it's not there!  Turns out the one and only copy was either lost or damaged and so had to be removed.  No problem, a new book would be purchased and I could soon return to my gazing, right?  Right!?!  Not so easy.  Or so I was told by the women at every single desk in the building.  Apparently there are some highly reclusive and protected individuals that make that decision and I was completely denied any access to them or comfort of any sort.  Ah, but...

I'm so excited to be a part of Meet an Author Monday blog hop!  Its a fun and easy way for readers to find and get to know new authors. Here's how it works: For readers:   Follow the Meet an author Monday host ( Cali Cheer Mom ) along with any of the wonderfully talented authors on the list at the bottom of this post . The purpose of the hop is to meet "new to you" authors and discover great new reads. Follow as many authors as you can. Leave a comment and introduce yourself! We're all happy to chat and get to know our readers. You're the reason we write! For writers: If you have a book under contract or for sale, join the hop by entering your name and blog url into the Linky tool.  Then you can grab our super cute button and place it in a post. This enables others who are participating in the hop to comment as they explore your blog. If you'd like to share the Linky list in a post on your blog, just follow the link and grab the code....

Hooray, hooray, I can finally cast Jen!  I've had the actresses picked out for quite some time, but I wasn't quite satisfied with my 1980s option. She was just a touch too glamorous for our girl.  And then...last weekend I forced my daughter to watch my favorite 80s movie with me, and blammo---there she was, just waiting for me to find her.  So, sorry Mia Sara; there's a new Jen in town. Jen has brown hair and light eyes of undisclosed color, but the primary thing about Jennifer Whitney, the main character in Three Daves , is that she's sort of the ultimate average girl.  She's pretty, but not too pretty; smart, but not too smart; nice, but...you get the picture. She's the kind of girl that everyone can relate to in one way or another.    She's usually pretty easy going and says things like any 80s girl would: “Cool beans. See you in ten.” She's also got an innocence about her, a naivete, that sometimes turns judgmental.  A bit of a goody-goody, ...