Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Nancy M Bell has publishing credits in poetry, fiction and non-fiction. Nancy has presented at the Surrey International Writers Conference, the Writers Guild of Alberta Conference and When Words Collide. She lives near Balzac, Alberta with her husband and various critters. She loves all animals and fosters and works with rescue animals. Nancy is a member of The Writers Union of Canada and the Writers Guild of Alberta.
I have fifteen traditionally published books with BWL Publishing Inc. My YA series is The Cornwall Adventures Laurel’s Quest, A Step Beyond, Go Gently. My contemporary romance series is A Longview Romance- set in Longview, Alberta Storm’s Refuge, Come Hell or High Water, A Longview Wedding and A Longview Christmas. Arabella’s Secret series has two titles so far, The Selkie’s Song and Arabella Dreams, the books are set in Cornwall, UK and Pincher Creek, AB. The Teddy Dialogues is adapted from a short story by the late Pat Dale, also with Pat Dale are the titles Henrietta’s Heart, The Last Cowboy and She’s Driving Me Crazy. Pat’s literary executor asked me to update the books and keep them in circulation. I also have a contribution to the Canadian Historical Brides Collection. His Brother’s Bride is set in Ontario and is Book 2 in the collection. Landmark Roses is set in Manitoba and tells the story of the Mennonites who emigrated to southern Manitoba to escape persecution in Prussia, Russia and Germany. This one is written under the pen name Marie Rafter.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
Landmark Roses is the latest book. It is inspired by the courageous men and women who came to Canada to settle and wrest a home out of the wilderness. They braved heat, blizzards, prairie fire and drought, not to mention the accidents that were part of farming life.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to write in the middle of the night when the world is sleeping and the night is quiet, dreaming under the full moon.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I love Charles de Lint’s books. Urban Fantasy with a Celtic flavour. I also read Mercedes Lackey, Anne McCaffrey, Diana Gabaldon and Jack Whyte. Early in my life I loved Black Beauty by Anna Sewell, Zane Grey books, David Grew, and Will James. Basically anything that had horses in it.
What are you working on now?
I am in the process of planning out the next book in the Longview Romance series. Doesn’t have a title yet but maybe Prairie Smoke. Not sure yet.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I blog on my publisher’s blog once a month on the 18th, and on the Canadian Historical Brides blog on the first of every month. I also use Facebook a lot. I have done library tours where I visit 20 libraries in a two week period. Hectic but fun. I attend and present at conferences and do a writers workshop 4 times a year at my local library.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Don’t be afraid to take advice. Don’t take constructive criticism personally. Write and then rewrite. Your editor is your best friend although it may not feel like that at the time.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Listen to your heart, stay true to yourself, but don’t be stubborn. Always look after your horse before you look after yourself. When you fall of your horse get up and get back on.
What are you reading now?
The Wind in His Heart by Charles de Lint and A Scandal in Battersea by Merceds Lackey.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I would love to be asked to present again at the Surrey International Writers Conference and I’d love to have an agent interested in my work.
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?
Black Beauty by Anna Sewell, The Little Country by Charles de Lint, Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell and the Wind in the Willows. I love the chapter The Piper at the Gates of Dawn.
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