Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
One
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Name: “Beyond the Dragonhead – Viking Refugees Book #1”
What Inspired?
1) Insanity
2) I loved reading YA historical fiction aloud to my kids when they were young, and Vikings were a topic of interest with few books already written.
3) Alyn, who was already published, asked me to co-author with him (see #1)
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Binge writing. If I don’t have at least a three hour chunk of uninterrupted time, not much is going to get written.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Too many to name, but a few that come to mind are:
Crispin and the Cross of Lead by Avi
Shadow Spinner by Susan Fletcher
Alphabet of Dreams by Deborah Ellis
Friends and Fears: The Two Lives of a Wolf Dog by Annie Costrini (age 12)
What are you working on now?
Viking Refugees Book #2
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I don’t know about the “best”, but I enjoy trading reviews with other Indie authors and encouraging them. I have met some wonderful people this way, including a teen author who was twelve when she published her first novel (see above).
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Have a backup career plan.
I’m thankful I don’t need to rely on writing fiction to earn a living.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
This is difficult to answer, because it changes with different days, weeks, months, stages of life, etc
Lately, I’ve been thinking about some advice my son, Aaron, wrote in his blog, “The Well Lived Life” about creating pieces that are timeless over ones that are timely (fads).
What are you reading now?
The Mazzard Tree by Marcia Clayton
Very realistic historical fiction, it has me captured so far.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Wrapping up this series and focusing on what I do best, teaching youth. I hope the experience with make me a better teacher and advocate for my students.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible
How to Survive on a Desert Island
How to Get Rescued From a Desert Island
Author Websites and Profiles
Kelly Nichols Website
Kelly Nichols Amazon Profile
Kelly Nichols’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile
Facebook Profile
Twitter Account