Meet Wisconsin Author Kellie Mickelsen

I have been an avid reader since I was a child. I always carried a book with me everywhere I went. I dreamed of writing a book for years, would write little stories as a child, share them with my Grandmother. Family and life kept me busy, though, and I didn't get my chance to write a full novel. I have notebooks with the start of multiple stories, but it wasn't until my husband and I became empty nesters and moved to Wisconsin that I finally found time to write my first novel. 

Tesoro was released January 30th, 2026. It is the sequel to my first novel, Mia Amata, and it follows Eva as she searches for the child of a friend, desperate to make sure that the child is well and alive. Along the way, she faces twists and turns and learns to love. 

The characters talk to me. It sounds odd, someone close to me said that had anyone else said that to her she would be worried about their mental health. (Smile!) Seriously, it is like I have the character in my mind telling me to write their story. Sometimes it works out, like with Mattie in Mia Amata and Eva in Tesoro. Other times I have to tell them to get lost! The worst part is that they keep me awake at night.  A very good friend of mine gave me a journal to keep beside the bed so that when the characters are too loud, keeping me awake, I can write notes in it and lock them away. Truthfully, I think that my love of reading helped me have a very creative imagination, so I can create the characters in my mind before I ever put pen to paper. 

Unfortunately, since I am not a best-selling author (yet - I am hoping to become one), I have to work a 40-hour a week job. So, a typical writing day for me begins after I get home and we have supper. Then I can write for a few hours. I do try to write on the weekends as well, when we don't have a lot going on. My house is a bit dusty, could probably find some cat-sized furballs in some corners, but I try to write in whatever spare time I have. Especially since my friends are hounding me for my next novel! 

When I got my author copies of my first novel, my husband asked me what my ultimate goal was, what did I hope to accomplish. I held up the novel, pointed to my name with the publishing company underneath it and told him that if nothing more comes of this, I'm happy to have this right here. I find that is not the only rewarding part, but before my uncle passed away, he asked for a copy of my book. Now this is a man that I knew didn't read a lot of books and if he did it would be a western or something about local history. I sent him the book and a few fliers and business cards, telling him to not share the book, give out the fliers and business cards so I can make some royalties!  When I went to visit him the next time, he told me, "I don't know how you did it, but you had me drawn in from the start and I couldn't put it down." He said he did loan the book to my other uncle, his younger brother, but that he also handed out all the fliers and business cards telling everyone that they needed to read it. Since my parents and my grandparents had all passed before I could become published, this meant the world to me.  

If we are talking the writing process, it really is just not having enough time to write. If we are talking the whole process, I would have to say marketing and getting my name and books out there. I am not a marketer or promoter and would rather write more. I am trying to get better and spend a little bit of time marketing before I start to write.  

I love Scrivener! It has everything I need to write my novel. I can copy and paste any research in the novel I'm working on so it is easy to find. I can make character cards and put notes in there so I remember important things about them. I also sometimes use a notebook and pen to write. There are times when a computer isn't convenient and I have my backup notebook with me. Oh, purple pens as well. (Laughing) My favorite color is purple, so when asked to sign a copy of my novels, I use a purple pen! I won't sign with any other color, I guess I'm a bit superstitious that it will be bad luck if I do. 

The best advice I can give is just do it! You don't have to have a fancy computer or apps to start, just carry around a notebook and pen or pencil and write. Even if the first thing you write doesn't make it into a novel at least you have started. Keep going. Keep trying. If it is meant to be it will happen. If you seriously want to be an author, you have to make it happen. 

I mentioned this earlier, this is where I struggle. I've done some local author events. I have a website. I have a Facebook page. I'm just horrible at doing things on a scheduled basis because I have so much going on with my full-time job and writing more novels. Just this past weekend I started working with someone who is doing an email campaign for my novels. My budget isn't very high for promotions, so I do what I can when I can. Mia Amata was chosen to be represented at the International Book Fair in Frankfurt and I also try to put it in award programs. The biggest issue I run into is that there are so many scammers out there. You start getting emails from "book clubs" that want to have you and your novel at an upcoming meeting. Then when you reply saying great! I would be honored they come back with "Great! It will cost you $250 for coffee and treats for the book club." I refuse to pay to have a book club read my book. I have a standard reply when I receive an email like that stating I do not participate in events that charge an author a fee. Again, promotion and marketing are not something I am very good at, so when I find something legitimate and affordable, I definitely try to participate. 

I am working on a new book. I'm actually working on four books. The one that is the furthest along is the third in the series. I also have a YA crossover action/adventure that I am working on. I am doing research for a historical novel and I have a relative that wants me to write her story for her. I am definitely keeping myself busy! I had asked my daughter if I should right a third novel to follow my first two and she replied "I don't know Mom, what more can you put these people through?" (Laugh) Apparently, I found something more and so their story will continue.