Category: blog

Which Fairy Tale Lie Are You?

Posted May 6, 2019 by Jennifer Ellision in blog, Fairy Tale Lies / 0 Comments

Which Fairy Tale Lie are you? Which fairy tale lie are you? Because the lies do abound. Cinderella as an assassin… a beauty who doesn’t sleep, but wakes those who do… a woman from the depths of the sea who is a monster… So tell me… which one are you? Want to see more fairy tale lies? Try Striking Midnight– in which Cinderella is an assassin! What if Cinderella was sent to kill Prince Charming? Dawn will break. And she will rise… When the Noctisian King passed, the Daylight Accord crumbled. Now, the Kingdom of Noctis exists in darkness and unending night, while their neighbors slowly roast. The sun never sets on Sol. The former prince of Noctis refuses to honor the bargain his father made with the Solian rulers and both kingdoms suffer without the balance the other brings. But when […]

What happens when a monster girl falls for a princess? The Little Monster release

Posted April 18, 2019 by Jennifer Ellision in blog, Books, Lady Pirates / 0 Comments

The Little Monster release The Little Monster: an LGBT retelling of The Little Mermaid and a prequel to the Lady Pirates series is available now! The little monster met the little human. And that was the beginning and end of the world as they knew it. MARA is a monster. One of the feared Mordgris, mermaid-like sea monsters of the deep who steal faces and souls. They trail pirate, naval, and merchant ships alike in the hopes of finding their next meal. AMISTA’s father just fell overboard for the Mordgris to feast upon. Good riddance, she thinks. He was a shoddy example of a father and not a much better king. And she’s tired of being a proper princess and pretending otherwise for polite society. When the two meet, Mara knows she should make a meal of the little human. […]

2 ways to write a Cinderella Assassin – Part 2: An Interview with Jennifer Ellision, author of Striking Midnight

Posted April 10, 2019 by Jennifer Ellision in blog / 0 Comments

I had so much fun while interviewing K.M. Robinson, the author of Cindrill, another Cinderella assassin retelling. But while I was writing the interview questions for her, I couldn’t help but think about how I would answer them in regard to my own Cinderella assasin in Striking Midnight. So, lo-and-behold, today, I interview… myself! 2 ways to write a Cinderella Assassin – Part 2: An Interview with Jennifer Ellision, author of Striking Midnight Besides the fun twist of an assassin Cinderella, what makes Striking Midnight a unique Cinderella retelling? My Cinderella tale is set in a fantasy realm where two kingdoms: Noctis and Sol, have power over light/day and darkness/night. Through a magical treaty, they split the powers so that each kingdom can have both day and night. But when the last Noctisian King passes, the contract is null and […]

2 ways to write a Cinderella Assassin – Part 1: An Interview with K.M. Robinson, author of Cindrill

Posted March 27, 2019 by Jennifer Ellision in blog, Uncategorized / 0 Comments

I’ve been thrilled with the reception Striking Midnight is getting now that it’s out in the world. But did you know there’s another Cinderella assassin story out there? I’m excited to feature a special treat for you all today. After reading and enjoying Cindrill by K.M. Robinson, I reached out to the author herself and interviewed her about her version of a Cinderella assassin. 2 ways to write a Cinderella Assassin – Part 1: An Interview with K.M. Robinson, author of Cindrill Besides the fun twist of an assassin Cinderella, what makes Cindrill a unique Cinderella retelling? Cindrill involves technology. To make sure the prince doesn’t recognize her after the assassination attempt at his engagement party, she wears a nano bot mask that changes her physical appearance so she looks like a totally different woman. When she flees after the botched murder attempt, […]

Announcing Rogue Skies

Posted March 22, 2019 by Jennifer Ellision in blog / 0 Comments

Rogue Skies Exciting announcement! I’m part of a limited edition collection of 25 fantasy and science fiction books called Rogue Skies. Bundled all together like this, you’ll get 25 Science Fiction and Fantasy books for just $0.99! Wait. Actually, you’ll get more than that. You see, the other authors in the set and I are also offering a free gift with purchase. When you preorder this set, you can also receive an ebook with 19 other stories. That’s 44 stories for $0.99. You can preorder Rogue Skies from your favorite retailer here. Enter your preorder details here to receive Rogues Gallery: your free gift with purchase. (Amazon users, sit tight! The great and mighty ‘Zon doesn’t allow us to load preorders more than 3 months in advance, but it will be available there as well.) More news about all the fun […]

A letter on Striking Midnight release day

Posted March 15, 2019 by Jennifer Ellision in blog / 0 Comments

It’s Striking Midnight release day! You know what that means! It’s time for a letter on Striking Midnight release day. Dear Striking Midnight, I’ll keep this short and sweet. You taught me that I’m capable of writing a book faster than I thought possible. Striking Midnight was inspired by a piece of art that was posted in the YA Fantasy Addicts Facebook group. I didn’t know when I’d get around to writing it. But when the opportunity to take part in the Kingdom of Glass and Ashes set appeared, I couldn’t pass up the chance. The story poured out of me. A story of a Cinderella who was a princess of light and a prince–now King–who ruled over a land of darkness. They held the key to saving each others’ kingdoms. There was just one problem: Cyndria’s stepmother had sent […]

4 Restful Vacations for Readers

Posted March 12, 2019 by Jennifer Ellision in blog / 2 Comments

I returned from a cruise last week and came back well-rested and well-read. Sometimes, there’s so much focus on doing things on vacation that I think we forget that taking time away from our busy lives to do the things we love most: (*ahem* reading) is an option as well. On that note, here are 4 Restful Vacations for Readers. 4 Restful Vacations for Readers Vacations for readers #1: A cruise or beach vacation Reading by the pool or while listening to the sound of the crashing surf is so utterly relaxing. Just don’t become so lost in your reading that you forget to apply sunscreen! I love cruises. Royal Caribbean is probably my favorite cruiseline. (Not an affiliate Vacations for readers #2: Stay at a tiny house resort I love the idea of going somewhere small and intimate so […]

5 Favorite YA Fantasy Maps

Posted February 18, 2019 by Jennifer Ellision in blog, Lady Pirates / 0 Comments

As an avid reader of YA Fantasy, I’ve always had a bit of a thing for beautiful fantasy maps. I’d flip from the middle of books to fantasy maps at the front of books, or I’d look up fantasy maps on an author’s website. So today, I want to talk about some of those favorite YA fantasy maps and what I love about them. Here, we have the first of my favorite fantasy maps: a map of Tortall, a world created by Tamora Pierce, who was an influential writer for me growing up. There’s some nostalgia factored in making this my first fantasy map choice: it’s the first one that I can remember. Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce I clearly remember being awed when I saw the map for Leigh Bardugo’s Grishaverse. The artist gave it such amazing depth […]

6 YA Books with Elemental Magic You Should Be Reading

Posted February 11, 2019 by Jennifer Ellision in blog / 0 Comments

6 YA Books with Elemental Magic You Should Be Reading YA books with elemental magic are my drug of choice. I mean, obviously. What’s better than a story about different kingdoms and worlds where magic users wield water, throw fire, summon wind, and make the earth rise up to do their bidding? Not much. Below, I’ve compiled 6 YA books with elemental magic that you should be reading. I focused on high fantasy books that I’ve read myself so that I can give authentic recommendations for these series. Duel of Fire (Book #1 in the Steel & Fire series) by Jordan Rivet Truthwitch (Book #1 in the Witchlands series) by Susan Dennard Air and Ash (Book #1 in the Tides series) by Alex Lidell Throne of Glass (Book #1 in the Throne of Glass series) by Sarah J. Maas Air Awakens […]

The Little Mermaid Retelling Collection: Cover Reveal for Kingdom of Salt & Sirens

Posted January 4, 2019 by Jennifer Ellision in blog, cover reveal, Lady Pirates / 0 Comments

Hello, my loves! I had a blast closing out 2018 by participating in my first box set, Kingdom of Glass & Ashes: A Limited Edition Collection of Cinderella Retellings. (Which, psssst, is now in KU, if you haven’t heard!) Overall, the set was a resounding success, soaring to #1 New Release and #1 Bestseller status in its categories within the first week! Also, it’s got awesome reviews so far. So, when the creators of that set offered up another opportunity for a fairytale boxset that fit a Lady Pirates prequel novella, I just couldn’t say no. After the Glass & Ashes experience, I’m pleased to announce THE LITTLE MONSTER will release in KINGDOM OF SALT & SIRENS: A Limited Edition Collection of Little Mermaid Retellings on March 5, 2019! Like Glass & Ashes, Salt & Sirens is a YA collection […]