I finally have a newsletter!!! I’ve been meaning to do this for a looong time but I’ve been so busy with deadlines, I haven’t had a chance until recently. Every month or so, I’ll be sharing updates on what I’m working on, new releases, bonus content, and giveaways! Here’s the link to my newsletter page:

http://ellyblake.com/newsletter-2/

And thank you to everyone who has signed up already!!! *mwah*

With the upcoming release of Nightblood on August 21st, I’m doing a few local events so I thought I’d share a graphic.

Hope to see you!

Hiiii! Welp, I’ve officially completed NIGHTBLOOD, the final book in the Frostblood Saga! I needed a bit of extra time to write this one, so the publication date was pushed from early June to August 21, 2018. For those of you still seeing the June 5 pub date online, I apologize for any confusion. I hope you find the final installment worth the wait! I’ll miss these characters so much, but I hope they continue to have adventures in my daydreams. Maybe I’ll even write a few more down someday. 🙂

Thank you so much to any and all readers, bloggers, reviewers, supporters–everyone who has bothered to buy/read/review/share the series. You are absolutely who I write for and I owe you so much!

Some of you have asked if I’m working on something new. After being under deadline for the better part of three years, I’m taking a little break. I plan to catch up on my neglected TBR pile, laze by my sister-in-law’s swimming pool, walk my dog (Sasha waves a paw!), spend time with my kids, and try to rediscover daydreaming.

I don’t have too many appearances scheduled for this year, but I will be at the RWA National conference in Denver, CO from July 18-21, 2018. I’ve been a member of the Toronto chapter of Romance Writers of America since 2011 and I’ve attended most of the national conferences since 2012. I’m not on any panels (I’m really looking forward to a low-key conference experience!) but if you happen to see me strolling by, please say hi! I’m really excited to take pen and paper and scribble notes during the workshops, just like old times. I have a particular love of craft workshops because I’m always keen to learn new writing techniques. Honing my skills is a lifelong endeavor and I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of learning more about writing.

One highlight I’m looking forward to: Michael Hauge will be appearing at YA Day, the YARWA chapter’s annual event, on Wednesday, July 18. I’ve caught his workshop at other RWA cons, and he changed my understanding of structure and internal vs external conflict. I also use his six-stage plot method when fixing my structure during revisions.

Also, I really need to create a newsletter as it’s been on my To Do list for a while now. Please reach out on social media if you have any newsletter tips or thoughts. (I don’t check my Instagram messages every day but I do check them regularly and I will reply!)

Happy summer. xo

Elly

P.S. I also answer questions on Goodreads ask, so please feel free to ask anything about the series there!

Have you seen this yet? The German edition of Fireblood has a stunning cover. It might even be more beautiful than the cover of Frostblood. I hope you love it, too!

It was so much fun to write this short story for The Hanging Garden! Very honored to be included among such great authors!

“Dimes Into Lightning” has some of my favorite things: a teen girl, an elemental power, and revenge.

Thanks for the lovely review!:

“Ruby’s fiery nature leads to some rash decisions, but her flaws make her an extremely likable heroine. Her adventuring is balanced with light touches of romance, and there is more than enough intrigue to satisfy. Fans of Frostblood will find themselves smitten with this second installment, and the breathtaking climax will leave them eagerly awaiting the third.”

–Lynn Becker, blogger and host of Book Talk, a monthly online discussion of children’s books for SCBWI

http://www.shelf-awareness.com/readers-issue.html?issue=646

Hey, if you happen to be at the RWA National conference in Orlando later this month, come visit me at the Books-a-Million booth! I’ll be answering questions in a Facebook live chat, and signing copies of Frostblood!

Place: Books-a-Million booth

Date: Friday, July 28, 2017

Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Excited to announce I’ll be participating in Word on the Street in Toronto on September 24, 2017. Check out the list of attending authors!

Participants

Have I mentioned that the UK version of Frostblood has a map? The day I found out my book would have a map was one of those “living the dream” moments as an author. Because what reader of fantasy doesn’t adore a map?? As a writer, it’s so cool to see the world you dream up translated into a visual form.

If anyone is interested in how it was created, google the “macaroni map” method. I provided a very rough sketch of Tempesia using that method (yes, there was macaroni everywhere) and the artist made it beautiful.