Welcome to BookEnds, Michelle Hulse!

If you’re not reading or writing, what would we catch you doing?  

Helping my kids with their school work (I homeschool both of them), volunteering with our local animal rescue group, or wrangling our own cats and dogs plus whatever foster cats we currently have.

Where can readers find you on the web and social media?

I mostly hang out on twitter (@MichelleHulse) and instagram (@michelleahulse), where I post lots of pet photos and kitten season adorableness.

What’s the last book you read?

Ally Carter’s latest, Not if I Save You First – fast-paced Alaskan thriller with a survivalist heroine.

If money were no object, what would be your dream writing location?

I’d love to have multiple places to hop off to depending on whatever I’m writing. Emotional stuff? A balcony overlooking a white sand beach! Suspense? Murder cabin in the woods!

What’s your favorite quote about reading or writing?

I love so many Hemingway quotes that I can’t choose between, but also this quote that hung over my desk for years and that I still remind myself of often:

“If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” ― Toni Morrison

What’s your favorite piece of writing advice you’ve received?

Write the thing that scares you. Whether you’re afraid to dig deep into some scary emotional territory or you’re afraid something is beyond your current skill level, take a deep breath and jump in anyway. I had no idea what I was doing with this story, and almost the entire time I was drafting it I was sure I couldn’t pull it off. But with a whole lot of help and encouragement along the way, I wrote, revised, stretched, and grew until I ended up with a story I’m incredibly proud of. 

What excites you most about joining the BookEnds family?

I am so thrilled to work with Natascha! During our call, I really felt like we were on the same page with revision ideas and plans for my novel. Her enthusiasm made me excited to dive back into this story and excited to work on future projects together. And #TeamNat has been so welcoming!

What advice would you give to other authors in the query trenches?

I know everyone says don’t give up and write the next thing, but since I signed on the fifth manuscript I queried (I’m afraid to add up all the queries I’ve sent over the years), I stand by this as solid advice. Remember also that it’s not a race. Keep learning, keep writing, keep querying, but also take breaks to recharge, try new things, and find your people along the way.