Unless you are living under a rock (and if you are, it’s probably because you are self-isolating there) then you’ve heard about this pandemic called Corona Coronavirus COVID-19, which I will lovingly refer to as “Bad Ugly Germs” or BUG, for short.
Some of your schools have shut down thanks to the BUG, or they will soon. They’ll open again soon, I hope, but in the meantime, WASH YOUR HANDS.
Seriously, go wash them right now. I’ll wait…
Okay, now that you’re back, let’s talk about how the world is shutting down for business. This has some real-world impacts on indie booksellers, authors, and on you.
INDIE BOOKSHOPS: It was already tough to be an indie bookseller, but the BUG presents a serious threat to their survival. Please order from your local indie wherever possible – they will mail the book out to you, and the money will stay in your community. Trust me, you want your money to stay in your community right now. You just do.
Need to find your most local Indie Bookshop? CLICK HERE
As always, if you order any of my books from The King’s English Bookshop in Salt Lake City, I will sign them and personalize them if you want, and they will mail them out to you. If you’re a local type, they even have some innovative ways of safely getting books into your hands.
And honestly, what better way to wait out the BUG than by devouring a great story? More on that below…
AUTHORS: For teachers, librarians, and readers who were planning to tour, or attend conferences and festivals this spring, please believe that we are just as disappointed not to meet YOU! It also means we miss the chance to share our new releases, our ARCs, and our enthusiasm.
This is especially true for newer authors or under-recognized authors. If you have a favorite, give them a shoutout over social media, or recommend their book. That simple gesture is more appreciated than you might realize.
YOU: For most of us, school is still in session, or work is still a thing, and we continue to do whatever it is we do – in small groups, of course. By the way, if you haven’t washed your hands in a few minutes, feel free to do so now.
Anyway, if when you do have to self-quarantine, consider grabbing a book. There are so many great books and authors out there to discover, and I’m happy to offer recommendations if you post the question below. But if you’d like to read one of my books, then the links below are all to The King’s English Bookshop.
THE CAPTIVE KINGDOM (the BUG had better be long gone by then, but you can still pre-order)
42 Comments
I can’t wait for The Captive Kingdom to be released! I just read the summary for it for the first time, and I am about to be in tears. I am so, so happy. The Ascendance books are what made me love reading. YOU made me love reading. Every time I think about it, I just get so happy and excited. You have inspired me to want to become an author myself. I want to bring joy to others, just like you have brought such joy to me. Thank you for being the amazing woman you are, Mrs. Nielsen! We love you so much. Stay safe!
Thank you, Liv. If you are a writer now, then these next few weeks might be golden time. Write, and write, and write!
I am a big reader (last year I read 53 books and this year I’m trying to top it. So far I’m only at 9), so I would love to hear recommendations. I love discovery new books and new authors. Especially little-known authors.
Also, if there is anyone reading this that hasn’t tried The False Prince, than I highly recommend it. It is definitely a seat-clinger, and you can’t help but fall in love with the characters. Sage is so unique, and that is what I love about him most.
Thank you, Isabelle! For book recommendations, these are some of my favorites: Anything by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, though I loved ONE FOR THE MURPHYS a lot – it’s very different from The False Prince but you’ll see similarities in the main characters. I loved ZEROES by Scott Westerfeld – it’s YA and I think is very underrated. If you haven’t read the ARTEMIS FOWL SERIES (not the movie stuff), they’re wonderful. I also loved MYSTERIES OF COVE by J Scott Savage, THE CHARMED CHILDREN OF ROOKSKILL CASTLE by Janet Fox, and DARKDEEP by Ally Condie and Brendan Reichs.
Thank you, Mrs. Nielsen, for the book recommendations. They sound so exciting!
Hi Jennifer, my name is Lily, and I’m a newcomer to the blog (I am also aspiring to be a children’s author someday). I’ve recently finished reading the first three books of the Ascendance series, and I wanted to say that I enjoyed them VERY much! I look forward to the fourth book (and really hope the BUG will be over by then, too).
If you don’t mind, I’d like to take you up on your offer of book recommendations. My family isn’t sick, but we’re home bound until further notice. Do you have a favorite book that’s a page turner the whole family will enjoy?
Also, thanks for this post. It’s important to know how we can help others during this pandemic. 🙂
Hi Lily – I love that you are also looking to become a published author – please keep at it. I know it’s difficult, but this is such a great place to be, the struggle IS worth it. And I agree, the BUG had better be over by this fall! Until then, I’m using the time to write.
For your homebound family, you might consider any of these: For book recommendations, these are some of my favorites: Anything by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, though I loved ONE FOR THE MURPHYS a lot – it’s very different from The False Prince but you’ll see similarities in the main characters. If your family hasn’t read the ARTEMIS FOWL SERIES (not the movie stuff), they’re wonderful. Depending on their ages, your family might also try: ECHO by Pam Munoz Ryan, BREAKOUT by Kate Messner, The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise
by Dan Gemeinhart, and THE SERPENT’S SECRET by Sayantani DasGupta.
Thanks so much for the recommendations. And thank you so much for the encouragement! I’m also using the time to prep another story! Good luck with your writing, and stay safe!
Hi Jennifer, first off, please please stay safe! I hope you’re doing well. Second, I cant wait to buy the third book of The Traitors Game series, and I love your books that you write. And like what someone said in a different comment, YOU were actually the one who inspired me to write books, and I hope they get published one day! And im sure if you talk to ANY of my friends, lol, I am a very big reader and last year i read over 70 books, and this i want to read more than that. I am currently at 40, but I cant find any books to read during the cancellation of school. So if you could give me any recommendations on what books may be good, I’ll take a look at it!
Anyway, THANK YOU SO MUCH for writing your books, and sharing so many stories with people. And thank you for inspiring ME to write my own material. And please please stay safe!
Hi Miss Neilson!I just wanted to thank you. The acendence trilogy was the book series that inspired me to start writing! I hope that you stay healthy!
Thank you for being such a beautiful writer!
Thank you, Zaya – that is a huge honor.
Many of us at the school and at home are eager to read The Captive Kingdom. I was really excited to have Words on Fire in our Lit Circle. It won’t happen as it usually does, but I still have a great plan (I think) for doing it online if I can get the books to the kids.
Loving reading your book recommendations. I also enjoyed Zeroes but haven’t picked up the third one yet. Echo is one of my favourite books that I don’t get many kids to read (they think it looks too long!). I just finished Mananaland by Pam Munoz Ryan tonight, and it was sooooo good. The Children of Rookskill Castle is a book I have had for a long time, but still haven’t read. I have too many books right now, but that one does look great. I also enjoyed a couple books by Ruta Sepetys and am about to start the second Mad Wolf’s Daughter book by Diane Magras.
So many things are on hold right now for everyone but one thing that has been really great is how authors and other creators have been out front providing more content for people like me, yourself included. Much appreciated!
I loved The Mad Wolf’s Daughter, Aaron, and I totally understand being overwhelmed with books. But that is a terrific problem to have. I hope you and your family stay safe and healthy!
I’ve read Mananaland as well. It was amazing! I have read other books by her but not Echo yet. I will have to get to it.
Hi! First off, please stay safe! Secondly, I wanted to thank you for writing your books. They are so amazing and wonderful to read! I also would like to ask if you have any book recommendations for me because I have read every single book in my house(which is like over seventy books)and Im also stuck at home until school starts again. I have been writing stories though. And i think that its no surprise(for me at least) that i started writing because of your books. Your writing inspired me to write my own material and THE ASCENDANCE SERIES gave me that inspiration.
Again, THANK YOU so much for the amazing work you do! If you could give me a little recommendation of books, that would be awesome since im stuck in my house!🙂
Hi! First off, please stay safe! Secondly, I wanted to thank you for writing your books. They are so amazing and wonderful to read! I also would like to ask if you have any book recommendations for me because I have read every single book in my house(which is like over seventy books)and Im also stuck at home until school starts again. I have been writing stories though. And i think that its no surprise(for me at least) that i started writing because of your books. Your writing inspired me to write my own material and THE ASCENDANCE SERIES gave me that inspiration.
THANK YOU so much for the amazing work you do! If you could give me a little recommendation of books, that would be awesome since im stuck in my house!🙂
Hi Kaela – I just did a post with a few book recommendations you might consider. Other than those, consider DARKDEEP by Brendan Reichs and Ally Condie, Mustaches for Maddie by Shelly Brown and Chad Morris, anything by Margaret Peterson Haddix or Lynda Mullaly Hunt, Alan Gratz!
Hi! I’m a 5th grade teacher attempting to do this whole e-learning thing from home. A Night Divided is the only book I brought home in hopes of doing a video read aloud each day. I love this book, and know my students will too. Have you given permission for your books to be used for this purpose while schools are shut down? I also have my school library degree and know that copyright can be an issue so I wanted to check first. Thanks!
Hi Gina – yes, my publisher is allowing this but asks that the link be made available only to students, and that the video be taken down when this crazy time is over, or when school is out for the summer, whichever comes first. Thanks for offering A NIGHT DIVIDED to them!
Thank you for allowing this! I am also a 5th grade teacher and feel that A Night Divided is an amazing book to read to them right now as we are all separated from our classroom.
Thanks very much, Ashley!
I love your books you sent me an unpublished story and two signed books for my birthday a have been counting down the days till the captive kingdome comes out…(no but seriosly i have a count down on my phone until oct 6 squeeeee)
Thank you, Lydia – happy birthday!
Hi Jennifer! So I was wondering since I’m still quarantined until April, do you have any book recommendations that I should read?
Hi Kaela – Try anything by Alan Gratz, Lynda Mullaly Hunt, J. Scott Savage, or Ally Condie. Additionally, I really loved THE CHARMED CHILDREN OF ROOKSKILL CASTLE by Janet Fox, DEFY by Sara Larson, RATED by Melissa Gray, and anything by Sharon Cameron.
Hey Mrs. Nielsen! Thank you for this post! It’s really great to see people like you standing up and trying to prevent this spread! My own school was suspended and all of the students had been in quarantine for a week so far. I have been a huge fan of yours for a while and I seriously can’t wait for The Captive Kingdom to come out! Any chances we could get a sneak peek of the book to hold back our boredom? 😉 Seriously though, thanks for helping us and other authors out through this!
I would love to offer a sneak peek, but since I probably can’t, I will be writing some short stories in the world of Carthya for readers to enjoy.
Really?? Wow, that sounds amazing! When will they be out???
I cannot believe you are releasing another book in The Ascendance series! These series were what made me love your books. I loved your characters from the beginning and I can’t wait to read more about them. After I read these series, I moved to the Traitor’s Game series. Now I am locked in my house with my nose in The Warriors Curse. I can’t put it down! With this virus going around, reading your books is the only thing that has kept me sane! I’ve been on my toes through out the whole book and am finishing it up. I adore your books. Your writing is amazing and I’m looking forward to reading more! 🙂
Thanks very much, Elaine!
I’ve read the Ascendance Trilogy probably three times. My dad just finished reading through them to six of my younger siblings—and they are in utter agony, as I am, waiting for #4!!! It’s been so fun watching my dad develop a love of stories that he never had. I can finally make him understand why I read a great deal of my days away ;P Thanks, Mrs Nielsen!!!!!
Dear Mrs. Nielsen
Haha, I washed my hands for you and then came back to read the rest of the post! 🙂 You mentioned that right now is the golden time for writing, since us kids are stuck at home with minimal schoolwork and things to do. I absolutely love to write! I’ve finished a story about as long as a nancy drew book, but I haven’t done much editing. It seems like each time I open a new page to try out the second draft, the story has lost it’s sparkle. How do you keep your stories fresh or work through the ugly stages of editing and drafting? I’m pretty much self taught, which I’m guessing is the majority of writers. ;D Thank’s so much for reading this, it means the world! 🙂
~God bless! <3
Hi Amelia – Try editing with a specific purpose in mind. Rather than just reading through and looking for ways to improve the story, focus on a different part of the story each time. For example, just dialogue, or just description, or just one specific character’s journey. Also, try reading the story aloud – that will really help you see places you can make things better.
Hi, Mrs. Nielsen.
I just wanted to say that I ADORE your books.
The idea for the Traitor’s Game was just amazing! I read them and cried when they ended. I read the first one and finished it in 24 hours. Then I had to wait another month to read the second one, and LOVED it! Then I read the last one. The ending of it just felt like putting the last peace of a puzzle back where it belongs. It was so beautiful. If you ask anyone that knows me, they’ll say that that book trilogy was the only thing I talked about for months.
The Ascendance Series was just on another level. It was amazing. When I found out that there was a fourth book, I started screaming and looked to see when it would come out. One of the best days of my life was when I found out that there was a fourth book. When it comes out, I will be the first to read it in my family. It’s just amazing.
Last thing, because I know you’re busy. Resistance was just flawless. I finished that in 30 hours and only wish there was a sequel.
The Words On Fire book connected strait to me, because I lived in Riga, Latvia when it was released. I’ve always wanted to go to Russia, and might have to sneak in because Americans aren’t allowed in. Not now.
Because of the way you write, I have decided to write a book. I know I am young, but I have learned to reach for the moon.
Thank you so much for writing. As long as you keep writing, I will keep reading. I have a goal to read all of your books, and know that they will be amazing, just like the other masterpieces you have created are.
I know that COVID-19 is bad, but it has given me more time to read and read. (; Stay well!
Hope all is peaceful! Thanks again. Your books have brought life and meaning to ink on paper.
Hi Savannah; Thanks very much for your kind comments. I appreciate you choosing my books to read – and I will always continue writing!
Hope you are having a great day! I love your books so much!! I’m actually writing a project where I’m trying to put The Ascendants series into a relative point in history (i.e. what technology and such was used). So far I have led to around the 1430’s in Europe, and I’m wondering if you have any specific things you’ve researched while writing the series. Keep writing amazing stories!
Hi Madison – For this, I did a lot of research on life in the Middle Ages, especially on food of the time and clothing. I studied sword fighting technique, toured some castles in Europe, and read a fabulous book called “The Art of War.” Thanks for asking@
So I want to be an author, but I am only twelve years old. I have tons of time since our school is out, and I have a revised manuscript, but I can’t find anywhere to get my book published. Also, I wanted to give you a big THANK YOU because you were the one that inspired me to write when you came to my school, Copley Fairlawn Middle School last year. I love your books, especially “A Night Divided”. You are doing awesome things.
Thanks very much, Hannah, It sounds like you are well on your way to getting published, but you have come up to what for many is the most difficult part – actually getting the work published. Since you do have the time, you might do some research on the different options available to you. Consider those options along with your goals – what do you WANT from a career as an author? Choose the path that seems most likely to bring you to your goals and then look at what you need to do to move forward on that path, and do not give up. Keep working toward improving your writing and eventually you will succeed at this.
Hi! Thank you so much for this post. I’m in quarantine (like the rest of the world) and while I still am doing school online I have a lot more free time than normal. Do you have any book recommendations? I’m looking for YA/MG books like yours, because I’ve read all of yours, and I can’t wait for the Captive Kingdom to come out!!! I also love books like Children of Blood and Bone and Divergent (I know those are two very different books but those are just examples of what I like, if you’ve read them and if you haven’t then you should, they’re my favorite series ever besides yours!!). I love dystopian/sci fi books and fantasy books like yours. I’m not a huge fan of historical fiction, but I really loved your historical fiction books, so if you have any suggestions I’d be open to trying them. Thank you so much for always responding to these posts and for writing such amazing books.
Hi Audrey, try REFUGEE by Alan Gratz, ONE FOR THE MURPHYS by Lynda Mullaly Hunt, and anything by Margaret Peterson Haddix, Brandon Mull, or Shannon Messenger.
Thank you so much, I’ll check those books out!