“…I’m a [wo]man of wealth and taste.”
Okay, maybe not wealth yet, but I’m working on that. I do have excellent taste.
Hi! I’m Nicole Evelina, your new Novel Writing Expert. And if you know what song the title and first line are from, I want to get to know you better! (Hint: It’s the Rolling Stones “Sympathy for the Devil.”)
I was asked to take on this role after presenting at the NAIWE Conference last year. I’m not exactly sure what I’ve gotten myself into, but I’m looking forward to seeing what the next few years will bring!
I thought I’d use this first blog post to tell you a little about myself so you know why I’m here and who the person is behind the blog posts.
Who Am I?
So let’s get the official stuff out of the way first.
I’m a USA Today bestselling author of both fiction and non-fiction. I write biographical historical fiction, historical fantasy, women’s fiction/contemporary romance, and non-fiction, including history, literary criticism, biography and pop culture. I focus on women’s history and telling the stories unknown or little-known figures.
I started out as a self-published author, but am now a hybrid because I have books under traditional contract as well. My self published books include:
- A historical fantasy trilogy telling Guinevere’s life story (Daughter of Destiny, Camelot’s Queen, Mistress of Legend – also available in a single volume called The Guinevere’s Tale Trilogy).
- A historical fiction about Victoria Woodhull, the first woman to run for president of the U.S. in 1872 (Madame Presidentess).
- A novella about an incident in the life of Ven. Catherine McAuley (Consequences).
- A non-fiction tracing the evolution of the character of Guinevere from Celtic literature to today (The Once and Future Queen: Guinevere in Arthurian Legend).
- A women’s fiction/contemporary romance about finding your soulmate after age 30 (Been Searching for You).
These books have won more than 40 awards, including four Book of the Year designations. Madame Presidentess was previously optioned for film.
My most recent books (not published yet) are all traditional contracts and all non-fiction. I don’t have exact publication dates yet, but here is what I know:
- The League of Women Voters in St. Louis: 1960-2021 – A history of this organization. This was a work for hire job and we are still editing and they are trying to find a publisher. Lots up in the air, including the title.
- American’s Forgotten Suffragists: Virginia and Francis Minor – the first ever biography of suffragists Virginia and Francis Minor, set to be published in March 2023 by Globe Pequot.
- Sex and the City: A Cultural History – analysis of the show, its characters and legacy, set to be published by Rowman & Littlefield sometime this year.
- Fierce Females of Television: A Cultural History – Covers 10 TV shows from the 1990s to today. Due to my editor Jan 2023 for publication by Rowman & Littlefield in 2023 or 2024.
I’m currently working on a few historical fiction books, including one set in WWII Poland and two set in the early 1900s U.S. One of the later involves a female inventor who is not given credit for her achievement (it is given to a man) and the other is the real-life story behind a famous musical. I would love to write all three this year, but given that I have a full-time job in marketing, that isn’t likely to happen.
Yes, you CAN have a novel writing career with a full time job. Lots of people do it! Maybe that will be my next blog post.
The Fun Stuff
What else? Let’s see.
- I’m a Virgo, I love cats, books and history.
- I’ve become a bit of a DIY-er during the pandemic, which I am very slowly chronicling on a blog called Everyday Luxury (I don’t have as much time to update that one as I’d like).
- I read about 100 books a year (not including those I use for research or the few that are annual re-reads for me).
- I attend at least one writing conference a year and am a frequent speaker at those and other events. (Anyone want a blog post on public speaking?)
- I have 20 years of experience in marketing and a master’s in marketing/public relations.
- I am in love with the city of Chicago. Hoping to move there in a few years.
Looking Forward on this Blog
Is there anything specific you’d like to know about on this blog? Questions that you have? If, so please drop your thoughts, suggestions and questions in the comments. If not, I’m just going to write about whatever book-related topic is on my mind in a given month.
I hope you will stick with me and see where this adventure takes us!