We recently connected with Nicki Chapelway and have shared our conversation below.

Nicki, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you tell us the backstory behind how you came up with the idea?

I’ve been writing since I was just a kid. I always knew that I wanted to write a book, I’m not entirely sure where that desire stemmed from or why I chose writing as my creative outlet, but I did. Before I even had an idea FOR a book, I knew that I wanted to write and I wracked my young mind trying to figure out a story to write so I could put it on the pages. I know that’s probably the opposite experience for most authors, who it seems start writing because they have a story that needs to be told, but not for me. I wrote for the love of writing and the story came later.

I always knew that just writing wasn’t enough, I needed to be published. So, the first book I wrote I published. I was fifteen and inexperienced. I’d later have to pull that book off shelves and rewrite it, and my stars I had so much to learn. But isn’t that the best way to learn anyway? Off the mistakes that you already made. By that point I was too far in and there was no turning back after that. I was wholly in love with writing, and storytelling, and by this stage in my life I had dozens if not hundreds of stories that just needed to be written.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I’m a twenty-something writer and I have been writing for well over half my life now. I’ve written and published fifteen books and my sixteenth is coming out this month! I write fantasy romance with a focus on flawed characters, terrifying monsters, witty banter, and a mix of myths, magic, and humor sprinkled in. I enjoy creating stories with twisty-stabby faerie romances, retellings that take a darker turn, and epic fantasies in worlds full of monsters and magic. I make certain to write clean stories with no spice in the romance and no cussing so that my books can be enjoyed by all, while still carrying the epic fantasy feel of Tolkien.

If you want to try out a free sampling of my work sign up for my newsletter where you can get a free novella and a collection of series starters that contains three full-length novels that are each the first books in their own respective series. You can sign-up here: https://mailchi.mp/b6ec5f4a74a5/subscribe-to-my-newsletter

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Oh, probably too many to count! But to pick only one I would say freelance artists. I’m such a huge art afficionado and I love fantasy art, illustrated books, and artwork being used on covers. Indeed, illustrated covers are my favorite kind of cover. But I always thought that those were options for other people, people far richer than me, publishers who had their own artists, or people who had hordes of extremely talented fans. It took me far too long to discover artists who I could personally hire within my price range. If I’d found this option earlier far more of my books would have illustrated covers.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

I would like to provide people something that I found difficult to acquire when I was a young teen. That being an entertaining story without content that made me uncomfortable (smut, language…anything that was unnecessary and gratuitous). I wish to be able to deliver truly exceptional stories that have compelling characters, a thrilling plot, and a swoony romance without the inclusion of these elements. Both to give readers such as myself who do not enjoy that sort of content in their books a thrilling story to read, but also to prove that it can be done and that stories with wholesome views and themes can be interesting as well.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nickichapelwayauthor.wordpress.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickichapelwayauthor/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088487791174
• Other: https://mailchi.mp/b6ec5f4a74a5/subscribe-to-my-newsletter

Image Credits
Chelsea Favre, Hannah Rogers, MiblArt, Moorebooks Design, GetCovers, ArtzzofKae, GetPremades