Welcome back to another Open Book Blog Hop!
Today’s topic is: What new learning do you have on your list for the upcoming year?
Remember to visit my fellow writers to see what they have created. You can find their works here!
What new learning do I have on my list for the upcoming year? Oh, I’m so glad you asked! This year, I’m focusing on something a bit closer to home: overcoming my anxieties and sticking to a writing schedule. Because let’s face it, writing fantasy books might look magical on the outside, but behind the scenes, it’s a lot of coffee, staring at blinking cursors, and telling myself, “You’ve got this!”
First up, tackling anxiety. For me, it’s that nagging little voice that says, “What if this story isn’t good enough?” or “You’ll never meet that deadline.” This year, I’m learning to quiet that voice with a mix of mindfulness, better self-care, and reminding myself why I fell in love with storytelling in the first place. Baby steps, right?
And then there’s the writing schedule. Oh boy. Sticking to a plan is my Achilles’ heel, but 2025 is the year I conquer it! I’ve got a shiny new planner, color-coded pens, and a commitment to carve out dedicated writing time every day—even if it’s just 20 minutes. Progress is progress.
But let’s get to the really exciting stuff: books! My YA novel, Selena Flowers and the Phantom Tides, hits shelves on February 25! It’s full of mysterious sea magic, daring escapades, and a heroine who’s learning to trust her own strength. And on June 18, my chapter book, Katy in Central Park, arrives. It’s about a feisty kitty who discovers adventure (and maybe a little magic) in the heart of New York City.
So, this year is all about embracing the challenges, celebrating the wins, and remembering that even the smallest steps forward count. Here’s to a 2025 full of words, wonder, and sticking to that schedule… hopefully. Wish me luck!
The Merblood Saga, Book 2
YA Fantasy
Date Published: 02-25-2025
Publisher: Spider Web Press
Something strange is going down in the sleepy seaside village of Madderly Bay. Best friends Selena and Chloe are stuck in the most boring summer ever—until food starts coming to life and running wild in the streets.
But that’s just the beginning. Earthquakes start shaking the village, and creepy claw marks show up, hinting at something dark stirring beneath the waves. Only Selena and Chloe know the real story about the zombie mermaids they faced before—and now they’re worried the threat they thought was gone might be back.
As the tremors get worse and the water turns a scary green, the girls have to figure out what’s awakening in the depths before it’s too late. With their friend Zelda and her magical squid, Glowella, by their side, they’ll risk everything to save both the human and magical worlds from a danger that could destroy them all.
In this thrilling adventure, Selena and her friends have to face their fears and dig up some serious secrets between the human and magical worlds. With their village and the ocean in danger, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Can they figure out what’s messing with the sea before it’s too late? Or will they realize that saving their town—and both worlds—might be way harder than they thought?
Quote from the beginning
A scream ripped through their peaceful breakfast at Madderly Bay Café, sending Selena’s chair teetering backward. She grabbed the table, barely saving herself from a full wipeout, while Chloe’s lemonade went flying—most of it landing on her new white top.
‘Seriously?’ Chloe stared at the spreading stain. ‘What was that?’
Selena snorted, trying to calm her racing heart. ‘Had to be Mrs. Norris. No one else in Madderly Bay hits those octaves.’
And there she was at the next table over, doing her best impersonation of someone who’d seen a ghost. Her white hair, tinted with the faintest hint of blue rinse, stuck out wildly as though she’d jammed her finger into an electrical socket, and that sweater… Selena had to blink twice. Who even made cat-themed sweaters in radioactive pink? The glitter-bombed feline face stared back at her, looking as traumatized as its owner.
Pre-Order the Book
Catch Up with Book One: Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby
About the Author
Ella English grew up in the heart of London, where the hustle and bustle of
city life met summer adventures at her grandma’s house on the Kent
coast. Exploring tide pools and collecting seashells, she developed a love
for the ocean and a knack for creating imaginative worlds that she now
brings to life through her writing.
Now living in Baltimore, Maryland, Ella is the author of The Merblood Saga,
a dark fantasy YA series that plunges readers into a haunting underwater
realm filled with cursed mermaids, ancient magic, and buried secrets. The
first book, Selena Flowers and the Cursed Ruby, has been a hit with young
readers, drawing them into its mysterious and dangerous world.
Ella also writes and illustrates Kitty in the City, a whimsical series
about a singing cat named Katy who takes New York City by storm. The latest
installment, Katy in Central Park, will be released in June 2025.
When she’s not weaving dark magic or drawing cats, Ella is kept busy
by her two mischievous felines who make sure she stays entertained and
grounded. Follow her adventures (and plenty of cat cameos) on Instagram
@EllaEnglishAuthor or visit www.ellaenglish.com for more.
Connect with the Author
This Post Has 7 Comments
That quote has me wanting to read this, and I’m SO NOT a young adult. LOL. This sounds great!
I really love your cover. The style is very eye-catching. The excerpt tells me immediately that this is going to be a great book, too.
thanks so much 🙂
I really do need to start reading more, I have been quite lapse lately. Maybe I will start reading enough to join in
CONGRATS ELLA…The book seems awesome…What a huge achievement…Wish you allll the luck…
Congrats that’s so exciting that your book is coming out, you should be so proud of your achievement! and the things you want to learn this year sound so great x
It’s great to hear about books coming out for young adults! Absolutely well done writing one.