Check Out Elise Fender’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Elise Fender.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I dreamed of being a published author ever since I was a little kid. I grew up here in Nashville, and I was really lucky to have excellent teachers who encouraged my love for writing. I studied journalism in college, and pushed that dream of “author status” to the back of my mind the more I learned about just how hard it is to get published. I decided to follow in the footsteps of my fabulous teachers and went into education instead. But, in my downtime, I still plugged away at crafting little stories in my journals.

When I was 24, my younger brother died unexpectedly. This changed everything. I really dove into writing fiction as a way to process my grief. I wrote the story of Avery, a teenager who also loses her brother unexpectedly. Creating Avery’s story of healing helped me heal. I never really thought anybody would ever read it!

But, the pandemic gave me the wake-up call that life is too short to ignore your dream. So, I submitted Avery’s story to literary agents. I got really (really) lucky and landed a fabulous agent. She was able to sell my novel, The Last Text You Sent, and voila- it’s out there for the whole world to read. It still boggles my mind that this little book I wrote is published.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been a long road for sure. I wrote my debut novel ten years. TEN YEARS! I would write when I needed an outlet for grief or a creative boost. Then I would put it away for months, sometimes years. But, whenever I would pick this manuscript back up and re-read it, there was always something special about it. So, I would edit, and keep plugging away. I would often think, “what’s the point?” Nobody will ever read this. But, I’m so glad I finished it. It’s been amazing to hear people’s reactions to the book. And, I’m so thankful readers are enjoying it!

Right now my biggest struggle is promoting the book. Like I said, I never in a million years thought people would read this story. It’s so personal. So it feels strange to shout, “buy my book!” It’s a fictionalized version of my very real grief! It’s so vulnerable. I know the only way a book gets read is if you tell people about it, but I became a writer because I’m shy. This part is hard. But, If Avery’s story helps one young person feel less alone in grief, then it is worth it.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I write young adult fiction because it’s my favorite genre. Coming-of-age stories are endlessly fascinating and inspiring to me.

Right now I am working on a book titled- Between the Dirt and Stars. It’s the story of two teens hiking a dangerous trail together in Hawaii. They fall in love while trying not to literally fall off steep cliffs. It’s been a lot of fun to write, and let me delve into my love of travel and nature.

Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I’ve learned is that it’s not too late to do THE thing. Whatever that thing is for you! I thought my career trajectory was cemented, and I needed to let go of the author’s dream.

I’m so thankful that the pandemic shook my perspective. It’s not too late. You’re not too old. You’re not behind. You’re on the exact right path. Do THE thing.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.elisefender.com
• Instagram: @elisefenderauthor
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EliseFenderAuthor
• Twitter: @EliseWritesYA
• Other: https://www.amazon.com/Last-Text-You-Sent-ebook/dp/B09N6QWNLS