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Crooked Lane Launches Debut Author Eliza Nellums

Crooked Lane Debut Author

Thrilled to host fellow Crooked Lane author Eliza Nellums on my blog to talk about her debut novel, All That’s Bright and Gone.

I’m so excited to be launching my next novel with Crooked Lane – have you seen my gorgeous cover? Click the link here to see the cover reveal.

The Author

Eliza Nellums

Raised in the Detroit suburbs, Eliza Nellums now lives with her cat in Washington DC.

She is a member of Bethesda Writer’s Center as well as the Metro Wriders, a weekly critique group that meets in Dupont Circle.

All That’s Bright and Gone is her debut novel.

To learn more about Eliza, click on her name or photo or any of the following links: Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook 

The Book

Cover photo, Crooked Lane Books
Crooked Lane Books

I know my brother is dead … but sometimes Mama gets confused.

Aoife is determined to uncover a family secret – and bring her mother back from the brink. Between Aoife’s vivid imagination and the shifting motivations of the adults in her life, All That’s Bright and Gone features an unreliable narrator in an unstable world.

To buy the book, click on any of the following links: IndieBound, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon

The Interview

Describe your publishing journey:

This is my second finished manuscript after some short stories and novellas.
I spent almost a year on the outline and then I wrote the complete first draft in about two weeks. Of course then I had to spend another four years editing it! Luckily I’m in a terrific writer’s group that really helped me refine the concept.

“Then Crooked Lane bought the book in 2018 for a December 2019 release.”

I used most of my vacation time writing, holed up in a rundown hotel in New Orleans. My writer’s group also rents a beach house in the offseason and we an entire week mostly in silence.
I got my “big break” at pitchfest in 2017, where I met my agent. I remember that phone call – I was driving through Shenandoah for my job, and I thought the car was going to lift right off the road I was so happy.
Then Crooked Lane bought the book in 2018 for a December 2019 release. (So happy to host another Crooked Lane author on my blog!)

“I had previously written a short story with an even younger first person protagonist (age 4) and I wondered if I could keep it going for a whole novel.”

What inspired you to write this novel?

My sister’s daughter was the original inspiration – I was amazed at how much personality and drive even very young children can have!
I had previously written a short story with an even younger first person protagonist (age 4) and I wondered if I could keep it going for a whole novel.

It became a personal challenge, and the result was my six year old narrator.

What are you working on now?

I’m not sure yet, but my next book is *not* going to feature a child narrator! I think I’ll stick with only adults for a while 😀

Congratulations on your debut novel! Looking forward to what you decide to do next!

Yay, Crooked Lane!

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Elena Hartwell

Author and developmental editor.

This Post Has 4 Comments

  1. Eliza December 8, 2019 Reply

    Thank you so much Elena, so much fun talking with you!

    1. Elena Hartwell December 10, 2019 Reply

      So lovely to have you on my blog!

  2. Leslie Lutz December 26, 2019 Reply

    That’s gutsy, telling the story through a child narrator. Can’t wait to read it!

    1. Elena Hartwell December 26, 2019 Reply

      My thoughts exactly! Such a great premise!

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