Conversations with Ellie Wade

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ellie Wade. 

Hi Ellie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I’ve always wanted to be a writer. In my earliest memory, I had a book in my hand. I love words, and the beautiful stories they can tell. More than that, I love the way a good story can make someone feel. 

In college, after one of my writing professors told me I didn’t have what it took to be a writer, I decided to take my career in a different direction. I got a Master’s degree in another profession and worked in that career for almost fifteen years but there was always something missing. 

In 2013 I decided that I was missing something in my life. I wasn’t completely happy in my career, and I wanted something more. I had three young kids at the time and a full-time job, so I gave up TV for several years, and as soon as the kids went to bed around eight, I would work until at least midnight every night, and then get up and go to my day job every day. During that time, I read hundreds of books both for enjoyment and to study them. I took note of the way a good book was structured, and I started writing. In addition to reading fiction novels, I read many craft and writing industry books. I took online seminars, and I learned how to self-publish. I figured out everything I needed to do from editing, proofreading, cover design, formatting, marking, and publishing. This is not to say I’m an expert at any of these things–I’m learning more every day. 

When I first started writing, I wasn’t sure where I wanted it to take me, I just knew I needed to do it. After a ton of work, I self-published my first book in May 2014. It made some money, enough to take my family on a little weekend getaway. Something happened when I published my third book, A Beautiful Kind of Love, in 2015. First and foremost, I think I got extremely lucky. The right people took a chance on this novel and shared it. Word of mouth and social media shares made that book come to life. The summer of 2015 my duet, A Beautiful Kind of Love and A Forever Kind of Love took off, making more money than I did in a year at my day job. That was when it hit me that I could do this, and full-time. 

I was terrified to take the leap, and “retire” from my career at thirty-eight years old. I just knew the universe was talking, and I needed to listen. I have been a full-time author since August 2015, and I haven’t regretted it for one second. I’ve now written twenty-seven novels over three pen names. Twenty of those novels and most of my loyal readers are the romance readers of my Ellie Wade novels. I’ve hit USA Today’s best-selling author list. 

In truth, nothing has come as easily as it did the summer of 2015. This is an extremely difficult, and competitive career choice. But It’s so rewarding. I’m so grateful that I get to work from home and be there for my kids whenever need me. I’ve gotten to go to all their classroom parties and field trips, and drive them to their sporting events, none of which I could do with my first career. I’ve gotten to meet the most incredible readers, many of whom have become true lifelong friends. I’ve attended book signings all over the United States, and Canada and been invited to others around the world. I bring my family to many of my book signings, and it’s such a wonderful experience. My daughter loves to travel with me, and I love that she knows if you work hard, and believe in yourself, anything is possible. 

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
This industry is hard, very hard. There are millions of books competing for readers on Amazon. Being a self-published author isn’t just being able to tell a decent story. There is so much that a book goes through before it’s ready to be published, and as a self-published author you have to learn how to navigate all of it. To get your books seen, you have to be proficient at writing and marketing, which means social media, newsletters, and paid ads. That is the most difficult part of the job, in my opinion. I can tell a great story but if I want people to read it, I must push myself beyond my comfort zone and learn how to do everything else that’s required to get that story in front of readers. For instance, I never thought I’d be a forty-five-year-old woman making content on TikTok, yet here I am. lol 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I write deeply emotional love stories that take my readers on a journey. The characters in my books have to work hard for their happily ever afters but I think that’s true for real life, too. Sometimes life is hard, and people go through some really horrible things. Many of the characters in my novels have gone through something traumatic. There is truly nothing that makes me happier than when a reader contacts me after reading one of my books to tell me that the book made them feel seen, gave them hope, or simply made them feel as if they weren’t alone. Life is about human connection, and through writing and connecting with readers, I’ve been able to fill my soul with so much love and gratitude. I love writing moving stories that touch people’s hearts, and I’m so grateful that there are readers that take a chance on me and my stories. 

How do you define success?
For me, success is making a difference in someone’s life. I choose to do that through words and stories. In every book I’ve written, I’ve received messages from readers letting me know how much they needed, loved, or felt reading my book. It’s these messages that keep me going. 

Pricing:

• My paperbacks can be found on Amazon for $15.
• My ebooks are on Amazon for $3,99 or free with a Kindle Unlimited Subscription.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.elliewade.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorelliewade/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EllieWadeAuthor/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorelliewade