Local author wins book cover award for debut novel

“Grandfather’s Whispers” is a labor of love

By Barb Pert Templeton

Sharing stories from her childhood that included wonderful memories of her beloved grandfather prompted Kimball Township author Stacy N. Elliott to write her first novel. Beyond the words the talented artist also designed and created her book’s cover.

To her surprise and delight, Elliott recently received the Holiday Book Festival 2024 Book Cover award for her first adult literary fiction “Grandfather’s Whispers.”

The Holiday Book Festival was hosted by Creative Slingers of Ink and held at an event in Milford, Michigan on Nov. 30. The festival celebrated over 30 authors as they converged to meet readers, share their writing journeys, and compete for the prestigious award.

Creative Slingers of Ink conducted a month-long competition prior to the festival for the best book cover design. Over 1,000 participants voted on their favorite cover among books paired in each bracket.

In the final round, two covers competed for the coveted award – “I Grew Very Brave” by Carol K. Lomasney and “Grandfather’s Whispers” by Elliott.

“I was thrilled to make it to the Elite 8 round,” Elliott, of Kimball Township, said in a recent press release, “But after I never expected to win the entire competition. Carol’s cover is beautifully designed and equally deserving of the award, and I couldn’t be happier than to share the final round with my friend and fellow author.”

“Grandfather’s Whispers” is a fictional story about a 17-year-old girl on the cusp of adulthood and in a medical crisis. She meets her grandfather in an ethereal realm where the soul resides and magic thrives. It takes place in the late 70’s to early 90’s with some settings located in the thumb area of Michigan. Infused with fantastical elements, the main character is whisked away from one memory to the next to discover hope and a reason to survive.

The winner received an award and The Writing Game, an exclusive board game for writers designed by local author Diana Kathryn Penn.

Blue Water Healthy Living caught up with Elliott to pose some questions about her debut novel.

Blue Water Healthy Living: When did you first begin writing and what was your first published work?

Author Stacy N. Elliott: I began writing when I was a teenager. My favorite author decided to merge genres of sci-fi and horror. I kept picking up his books whenever a new one arrived at the library, unaware of this new change. One day, the storyline took an unexpected and unfamiliar turn. Just like any adolescent, I embraced my anger and threw the book across the room. Then, I grabbed a pen and paper and started writing my own story the way I wanted to read it.

My first published work was a short article in ThumbPrint News on a local family’s long-standing history in the area, and it was published in April 2011.

BWHL: How did you get the idea for your novel, “Grandfather’s Whispers?”

Elliott: The idea came to me when I decided to accept a challenge to write 50,000 words in 30 days. It was my second year in the writing challenge, and I spent the entire month prior brainstorming the storyline. Every thought kept circling back to my grandfather who passed away when I was in my early 20’s. My memories of him were beginning to fade, and I felt this urgency to write it all down. I wanted to capture those fading memories before they were gone. So, I began to write a memoir, but when I reread it, it fell flat. Midway through the challenge, I started to add magical elements while enhancing scenes with untruths, and the story began to unfold into this fantastical realm where the soul resides and magic thrives. However, the grandfather’s character remained true to my grandfather’s personality and how he would have reacted in each circumstance.

BWHL: How long did it take you to complete the novel?

Elliott: When I reached 46,000 words in 30 days, I liked what I had written so far. I kept writing until I typed “The end” three months later. After I completed the book, I shelved it for a while. I call it my therapeutic book. I had felt a heavy burden lift off my shoulders the moment I closed it and walked away.

BWHL: What was the biggest challenge you faced in telling such a unique story?

Elliott: Facing the truths of my own past and owning up to my own failures. By adding such a personal element (the grandfather) in the story, I was pulling from real life experiences that I had buried deep within and chosen to minimize the effects they had on my mental well-being. I had to come to terms with my dysfunctional childhood and release the pain and guilt carried with me well into my adulthood.

BWHL: What do you enjoy most about creating this story and sharing it with others?

Elliott: I enjoy writing about things that don’t exist and describing them in such detail that it feels real. I really like to surprise the reader with unexpected turn of events, and I challenge myself often to go against the norm. I employed these strategies with Grandfather’s Whispers and found excitement in writing it with each new thought that came to mind. I want people to feel. I want them to react strongly to what they just read, and I want to make them thirsty for more. As an avid reader, it is everything I want in a good book, and I wish to deliver the same to my readers.

BWHL: Will there be a “Grandfather’s Whispers” Part 2?

Elliott: I don’t know yet. I left it open for the possibility at the end of the book. But if I do, each book would be a stand-alone book that can be read without the other or it could be read in order or even out of order. I currently have thoughts brewing in my head right now that could potentially create a sequel, but nothing substantial at this time.

BWHL: Are you working on another book now? What is it about?

Elliott: Yes. I have several books in the making right now. One is a five-part modern fantasy series that I hope to publish in 2026. It is called The Snow Chronicles with the first book titled Ashes of

Winter. The whole premise of the series is about the survival of mythical beings while preserving the human race. The entire series is mapped out and the first book is written with the second book half-written.

BWHL: How did you go about publishing your book? Self-published or a local publisher?

Elliott: I wanted traditionally published with an agent and tried my hand at the query process. After 75 letters with only a third of responses received as well-written but not a good fit at this time, I did some deep soul searching. I could write the additional 50 letters needed to increase my chances for signing a contract, or I could speed up the process and self-publish. I dug deep into my education and experience with administration, photography, graphic design, and marketing, and I forged ahead. I invested my own time, expertise, and money, and I created and designed the cover.

BWHL: What’s the biggest tip you can pass along to other would-be authors who feel they have a story to tell but just can’t get started?

Elliott: Writers and authors are typically bogged down with everyday meanderings that contribute to the procrastination bug. To write your story, it takes discipline, dedication, and motivation which we tend to forget it when modern technology, or even life in general, easily distracts us from our goals. You will need to find what motivates you to write your story. If you have a lot of thoughts in your head that you struggle with getting them written, try taking those thoughts to note cards.

BWHL: Where can local readers pick up a copy of your novel today?

Elliott: “Grandfather’s Whispers” is available in paperback online. Readers can get a signed copy from me if the visit my website at StacyNElliott.com, or they can purchase it online at the following booksellers: Barnes & Noble, Amazon, Books A Million, and Walmart.

The ereader version of Grandfather’s Whispers will be available across all platforms in January of 2025, and the audiobook version will be available to purchase in June of 2025.

For more information, visit StacyNElliott.com, call (810) 242-2889, eMail MommyWritesStudio@gmail.com.