Interview with {Ella Malone}: Part One

With our Falling in Deep Collection: Ella Malone’s The Mermaid’s Den releases on Tuesday, June 30, 2015. I caught up with Ella, and she agreed to answer a few questions. Watch for Part Two on June 30, 2015!

Screen Shot 2015-05-11 at 1.20.38 PM Tell us about you. What are some of your previously published projects?

This is my first publication for public sale. I write a lot, but mostly for people I know. I’ve been commissioned to write a few poems here and there, and I write marriage vows and speeches when asked, so I feel like I’m a part of a whole lot of love!

When did you start writing? When did you start publishing? The hardest thing about writing?

I started writing in high school. I had a hard time expressing how I was feeling and grabbed a pen and notebook. I found journaling soothing and it helped to record good days and look back to them when I had bad days.

As for the hardest part… starting! Finding that first paragraph is tough. I usually start in the middle.

What has been your favorite character that you’ve written so far?

I really like the character I wrote named Cora. Her story doesn’t have a title yet, but she’s a recent college grad who decided to take one last summer to break out of her shell before settling into the business world. With a job lined up in the fall, she escapes her roommates and parents by spending the summer researching in Italy. She comes alive!

Where does your inspiration come from? What do you do to break through a block?

Inspiration can come from anywhere. I find a lot of it comes from things I see or hear. Listen hard the next time you’re in the store. People forget you’re standing there and say the darnedest things. Most can be easily turned into a story.

Has there been a progression through genres with your writing, or do you mostly stick with one genre?

I write chick lit and some sexier stuff. I don’t do dark generally. I like writing to be about passion and relationships, things I actually enjoy in life.

Watch for Part Two of my interview with Ella Malone on June 30, 2015.

PRE-ORDER The Mermaid’s Den here.

Screen Shot 2015-05-11 at 1.20.38 PMBlurb for The Mermaid’s Den:

Laura and Tom Flynn married after she fell for him hook, line, and sinker — literally. Finding Laura in his fishing net had been a shock for Tom, but one he came to embrace as they quickly fell in love. For fifteen years, they have lived and worked by the sea, and Laura hasn’t thought once of what she left behind when she chose to marry Tom. She doesn’t regret giving up her mermaid form. It wasn’t a sacrifice. It was a good decision, and one she had to make to survive.

Now, with Tom missing at sea, Laura faces a decision she swore she’d never consider. In order to search for Tom and his crew, she must become a mermaid again and face the demons of the deep that she eagerly dodged when trading in her tail. Or she can stay on land and continue her life, but without Tom?

Does she enjoy her future alone, without the man she loves, or face her fears and her past in the ocean? Either way, nothing will be the same for her again.

About the Author:

An avid believer of the saying “YES”, Ella Malone works to make the most of life in every way. She is a lover of all wonderful things: cherry blossoms, red lipstick, city skylines, snow covered country sides, the finest chocolate, a man’s hands, a woman’s back, vodka, and high heels. She has worked in public relations, advertising, and restaurants and recently decided to make her way doing what she loves, capturing the passionate moments of life on a page.

Ella Malone is the author of “The Mermaid’s Den” and the “Hot in the City Series” releasing in 2015.

Connect with Ella Malone:

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Love mermaids? Looking for a great beach read? The Falling in Deep Collection, a collection of 15 unique tales of creatures of the deep, is rolling out the first novella in their collection at the end of May.

From mermaids to sirens, Miami to Athens, dark paranormal romance to contemporary stories with steam, the fifteen award-winning and best-selling authors of the Falling in Deep Collection are bringing you mermaid tales like you’ve never seen before.

Every week beginning May 26th, 2015, we’ll be releasing one unique, never-before-published novella! Each novella will feature our favorite creature of the deep: mermaids.

The Falling in Deep Collection (May – September Releases)

Scales by Pauline Creeden

Ink: A Mermaid Romance by Melanie Karsak

Of Ocean and Ash by A. R. Draeger

Deep Breath by J. M. Miller

At the Heart of the Deep by Carrie Wells

The Mermaid’s Den by Ella Malone

How to be a Mermaid by Erin Hayes

The Glass Mermaid by Poppy Lawless

An Officer & a Mermaid by Blaire Edens

The Water is Sweeter by Eli Constant

Cold Water Bridegroom by B. Brumley

A Beyond the Sea Prequel by Emily Goodwin

Immersed by Katie Hayoz

Siren’s Kiss by Margo Bond Collins

To Each His Own by Anna Albergucci

Never miss a release! Join our newsletter for behind the scenes information and release updates:

Join the Mermaids!

Interview with {Carrie Wells}: Part Two

Heart cover

Carrie L. Wells is bringing an awesome tale to the Falling in Deep Collection: At the Heart of the Deep – releasing TODAY, Tuesday, June 23, 2015. (Novella details below)

Read part one of my interview here.  On with the interview!

What authors do you like to read? Favorite saying about writing?

I read so many writers. I wish I could go back in time and steal F. Scott Fitzgerald from Zelda, but I’ve been reading a lot of indie writers lately.  Most of them are my Falling in Deep friends. Melanie Karsak and Margo Bond Collins, Pauline Creeden and A. W. Exley are just some of my go-to indie authors.

My favorite saying is one that a Composition I class of mine came up with: There is no right way to write, but there are some wrong ways!

Favorite writing music? Does it change from project to project? Favorite color? Hobbies?

The music I listen to changes with every project. The one thing that remains the same is that I am always writing while listening to my kids laughing, arguing, playing, or just generally making noise. Moments of complete silence are few in this crazy house.

My favorite color is yellow. Most people hate it, but I love the sunshine of it. It perks me up and reminds me of flowers.

As for hobbies, I don’t have many. My time is spent enmeshed in whatever my kids are into at the moment. Right now that would be football, scouts, and the park.

Tell us about At the Heart of the Deep.

At the Heart of the Deep was initially a pirate story, but I realized there was far too much to fit into the novella. So the pirates will have to wait. Instead, we meet Anya, an independent mermaid who is researching the strange goings on around her tribe’s island. She runs into Luke McCallister, a Matthew McConaughey-inspired dreamboat of an oceanographer. He and his team are working against the clock to see why the sea floor off the coast of Florida is shifting.

It came out a bit more typical than I intended, but I suppose there are reasons for the whole “kid rebels against father” story after all.

Do you have any advice for new writers (like me)?

Being that I’m new to fiction publication, I don’t have much to offer yet. However, I can tell you what I did. I found some support and went for it.

RELEASE DAY!

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Read part one of my interview here.

Be a mermaid! Pre-order the novella here.

About At the Heart of the Deep Heart cover

Oceanographer Luke McAllister races to figure out why the ocean depth is changing off Florida’s Treasure Coast. But before he and his crew discover what’s transforming the deep, he stumbles upon an even greater mystery. Leagues below the waves, he swears he sees…a mermaid?

Anya isn’t allowed to get close to humans. But when a golden-haired researcher gets too close to her island, she can’t afford to stay away.

Together, this unlikely pair will seek to discover what’s causing shifts in ocean floor. While their new alliance is forbidden, Anya will risk everything to save her beloved ocean. The only problem is, she’s not sure what’s really luring her in, her love of the sea or the tempest Luke has stirred in her heart. Either way, Anya knows that the dangers facing the sea are nothing compared to what will happen to her when her father learns she’s broken the merfolks’ most sacred law.

Can Anya and Luke discover what lurks at the heart of the deep before it’s too late?

C. WellsAbout the Author:

Carrie L. Wells crosses genres, writing everything from newspaper editorials and textbooks to paranormal romance novellas. Her first fiction publication, The Heart of the Deep, will release in June 2015, followed by Playing with Magic in October 2015. A New England native, she spent her childhood on the beach and inland, fishing and dancing, before moving to Florida. And while she doesn’t tan, nothing keeps her from a walk on the beach.

Carrie earned her Master’s degree in English with a minor in Psychology from Hardin-Simmons University and a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Central Florida. With a love of chocolate, books, and her family, Carrie braves the world and chaos only children can bring. She currently lives in Florida with her fire-medic hubby and three children. She is an English instructor at Eastern Florida State College.

Find Carrie in these awesome places:


Love mermaids? Looking for a great beach read? The Falling in Deep Collection, a collection of 15 unique tales of creatures of the deep, is rolling out the first novella in their collection at the end of May.

From mermaids to sirens, Miami to Athens, dark paranormal romance to contemporary stories with steam, the fifteen award-winning and best-selling authors of the Falling in Deep Collection are bringing you mermaid tales like you’ve never seen before.

Every week beginning May 26th, 2015, we’ll be releasing one unique, never-before-published novella! Each novella will feature our favorite creature of the deep: mermaids.

The Falling in Deep Collection (May – September Releases)

Scales by Pauline Creeden

Ink: A Mermaid Romance by Melanie Karsak

Of Ocean and Ash by A. R. Draeger

Deep Breath by J. M. Miller

At the Heart of the Deep by Carrie Wells

The Mermaid’s Den by Ella Malone

How to be a Mermaid by Erin Hayes

The Glass Mermaid by Poppy Lawless

An Officer & a Mermaid by Blaire Edens

The Water is Sweeter by Eli Constant

Cold Water Bridegroom by B. Brumley

A Beyond the Sea Prequel by Emily Goodwin

Immersed by Katie Hayoz

Siren’s Kiss by Margo Bond Collins

To Each His Own by Anna Albergucci

Never miss a release! Join our newsletter for behind the scenes information and release updates:

Join the Mermaids!

Interview with {A.R. Draeger}: Part One

I met Amber during a workshop sponsored by the Cisco Writers Club. This was my first experience with her style of fiction, and it’s been great to read everything since. She’s been a great friend, and she’s always encouraging, ready to lend a hand. I know you’ll love her new Falling in Deep novella, Of Ocean and Ash.

Tell me about you. What are some of your previous projects?

Oh man. Where to begin?  I’ve created stories since I could read. In college, I wrote a lot of screenplays.  For the sake of brevity, some of my previous projects are Daughters of Men (set to release soon!) and Malice, a short story that I am shopping currently. {Check out Daughters of Men here.}

When did you start writing? When did you start publishing?

I first put pen to paper when I was six..maybe? As an adult, I first began writing with the intention of publishing in August of 2014.  I signed my first contract to publish that October, and hope to release the fruit of that endeavor soon.

You’re new to this world. Tell me what part has been the hardest so far?

Navigation. Old days would have you seek an agent and hope to sell to a big NYC house.  These days? Who knows where your efforts are better placed.  It’s different for everyone, and with the market increasing saturated by half-assed e-books, it’s becoming extremely difficult to decide which winding path to follow.  Sadly, most of the success in today’s market seems to be entirely opportunistic.  Right topic, right genre, right time – and with little regard to talent or effort (at times).

What’s your favorite food? Color?

Ooooh. I love food. Mango may be my favorite. Watermelon?  I can’t decide!  As far as color, it’s a close call between varying shades of blue, blue-green, and purple.  Most of my decisions on food and color depend on mood. 🙂

What has been your favorite character that you’ve written so far?

He’s actually one that I’m writing right now, Bastien. He’s a cocky, know-it-all, spoiled version of myself, and I absolutely adore the man he’s becoming.

Where does your inspiration come from? What do you do to break through a block?

My inspiration comes from any and everywhere.  Reading, writing (usually writing something completely different), watching films, going for walks – all of those inspire me and help me to get through blocks. Brainstorming with others that I trust is a huge help. Learn to trust and take advice. Doesn’t mean you have to apply their specific advice – just heed the fact that something sticks out to them that you may need to fix/repair. I find a lot of inspiration in my dreams and have always been blessed with very vivid, very structured, very fascinating dreams.

Has there been a progression through genres with your writing, or do you mostly stick with one genre?

I don’t know that I have it in me to stick with one genre, although as a new author, I am constantly warned that switching genres early in the game will alienate my fans.  Maybe, maybe not.  I write for myself at the end of the day, quite frankly, and if I’m bored, I’m going to find another venue. I hope to narrow that down to 2 to 3 genres, but we shall see. 🙂

Part Two of my interview with hot, new author A.R. Draeger will be available on June 9, 2015!
Of Ocean…

Cast into the sea at birth, human-born Ia found her adoptive family among the merfolk. While her underwater upbringing was peaceful, Ia’s blood-heritage and the strict societal rules of the merpeople lead her to wonder of the world above the waves.

And Ash…

When a storm lands Ia ashore, she discovers her body has transformed into the human she would have been. Taken in as property by a callous plantation owner, Ia works alongside the slaves until she can make her way back to the water. There is nothing Ia wants more than to go home, that is, until she meets a handsome, troubled man named Matthias, who has a touch that can be as kind as his tongue is harsh.

Torn between two very different lives, Ia must choose – stay in his world and risk her life for a love untested, or return to the familiar arms of the underwater world that raised her and risk losing what may be the greatest love she will ever know.

Will Ia’s choice lead to her happiness or her destruction?

AmberHeadshot

Author Amber (A.R.) Draeger specializes in macabre, fantastical fiction, spreading her interest across multiple genres including horror, sci-fi, fantasy, romance, and thriller.  Her debut romance novella, Of Ocean and Ash, to be published in the Blazing Indie Collective’s Falling in Deep Collection, will be released June 9th, 2015. Her debut horror/thriller/sci-fi novella, Daughters of Men, to be published in association with Bathory Gate Press, will follow in Summer 2015.  She resides in rural Texas with her husband and son.

Talk to Amber (:

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Love mermaids? Looking for a great beach read? The Falling in Deep Collection, a collection of 15 unique tales of creatures of the deep, is rolling out the first novella in their collection at the end of May.

From mermaids to sirens, Miami to Athens, dark paranormal romance to contemporary stories with steam, the fifteen award-winning and best-selling authors of the Falling in Deep Collection are bringing you mermaid tales like you’ve never seen before.

Every week beginning May 26th, 2015, we’ll be releasing one unique, never-before-published novella! Each novella will feature our favorite creature of the deep: mermaids.

The Falling in Deep Collection (May – September Releases)

Scales by Pauline Creeden

Ink: A Mermaid Romance by Melanie Karsak

Of Ocean and Ash by A. R. Draeger

Deep Breath by J. M. Miller

At the Heart of the Deep by Carrie Wells

The Mermaid’s Den by Ella Malone

How to be a Mermaid by Erin Hayes

The Glass Mermaid by Poppy Lawless

An Officer & a Mermaid by Blaire Edens

The Water is Sweeter by Eli Constant

Cold Water Bridegroom by B. Brumley

A Beyond the Sea Prequel by Emily Goodwin

Immersed by Katie Hayoz

Siren’s Kiss by Margo Bond Collins

To Each His Own by Anna Albergucci

Never miss a release! Join our newsletter for behind the scenes information and release updates:

Join the Mermaids!