Author Interview: Ellen Withers

Today, I have the pleasure of introducing you to an author who claims I'm the one who taught her to write romance. I've had the pleasure of being content editor on both of her novellas, and with a new one releasing soon, we're chatting about that and other aspects of her writing today. Make sure you read all the way to the end because she's offering a *giveaway*.

Ellen, congratulations on your new book. I know this is your second novella. Which do you prefer? Novels or novellas, and why?

I love writing both, but I’d have to pick a novel over a novella because you have more words available to weave your plot. Mysteries and suspense are my favorite things to write but I like stretching myself into romance and historical genres occasionally. I think getting out of your comfort zone is a good way to grow as a writer.  
One of the greatest gifts of writing a novella in a collection was the collaboration between myself and the other writers. It’s been a blessing to work with these talented writers. Their creativity sparks my creativity, and we encourage each other to do our best work.

The story in this collection is a bit different from what you normally write. What did you struggle with the most in this story?

The romance. A “kissing book” is a real challenge for me. I love to say I’m great at “killing people” in my mysteries but having them fall in love with each other is an intricate dance. Thank you, Amy, for all your help editing this novella to make that romantic dance successful. I started with the choreography resembling Thriller, and you helped to shape it into a much more romantic dance, similar to a tango.

What parts of your real life are woven into this story?

Many people, animals, and scenarios are real in this story. The dogs, the cat, and the children (based upon my children and grandchildren) are all part of my life. I had a career, and juggling that with marriage, family, and faith took a lot of juggling. I was married to a military man for nearly thirty years, so it was fun to insert some of the military “speak” into the novella. He could cook, clean, iron and sew. That’s why Ian had all those talents, too.
It was my nephew who got into a shepherd’s staff “sword” fight during the children’s nativity program at church. The fight ended with a tug of war over Baby Jesus which resulted in the “loss” of Baby Jesus’ leg. Although this happened over thirty years ago, members of the congregation still talk about it. I thought this story was too cute not to include it in my novella.
Sarge, the Mastiff, is part of the animal menagerie my son and daughter-in-law have at their home. They also have two other dogs, a fish tank, and turtles. Cow, the cat, is temporarily residing at my house but belongs to my grandson, Liam. I also have two dogs, so it was easy to write about all the pets.

You have books set in Missouri and Arkansas--two states you’ve lived in. If you were to write a story set in a different state, which one would it be and why?

I’d have to pick Alaska. I’ve been to coastal Alaska and I adore it. It’s the most beautiful place with mountains, ocean, and so much nature. I love seeing animals anywhere but seeing them in their natural habitat is so uplifting to me because they’re where God intended them to be.
I think Alaska would lend itself to a good mystery, too. It is rugged, rough, and filled with nature. Characters would have to fight the elements as well as any fictional “killers and criminals” in that part of the country.
The people who live there have to be resilient. I think I could write an interesting mystery series set there, and I’d enjoy any excuse to go explore the area again.

What are you working on next? Can you give us a sneak peek?

I’m writing a dual-time mystery set in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Each era includes a mystery; one set in contemporary times and the other in the 1920s when Al Capone was a frequent visitor to Hot Springs.
I love to collaborate with other writers, so I’m excited to also be working on a romantic mystery/suspense novella. My hope is that it will be included in a collection being developed by some of my Scrivenings Press mystery/suspense writers.

What is one of the most interesting things you’ve discovered while researching?

I’ve been fascinated by the criminal activities that were accepted as commonplace in Hot Springs during the prohibition era. Although gambling, running moonshine, and houses of ill repute were illegal, all of law enforcement turned a blind eye to this for decades.

Last but not least, what is one thing about yourself that very few people already know?

My father was an outdoorsman, so I grew up hunting and fishing. It’s been about four years since I went fishing, but the last time was off the coast of Key West, Florida. It was the second time I’d been deep sea fishing, and I caught a lot of fish that day. Nothing big enough to brag about but I know my father would have been proud of me.

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​Giveaway question: In Ellen’s novella, Melting the Ice, there are four children, three dogs, a cat, and two fish tanks in the story. Can you relate to a houseful of children and animals? Why or why not?
Or
Is your perfect man a literal giant of a man like Ian McIntosh or would he be more of a normal sized fellow?

Drop your answer below and a winner will be drawn at the beginning of next week!

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Melting the Ice

Career-driven Amelia Kincaid has no room for complications—especially the kind with sticky fingers and snack requests. But caring for her sister’s lively brood places her directly in the path of Ian “Shorty” McIntosh, a gentle giant whose quiet faith and steady warmth begin thawing every icy promise she once made. When the storm lifts, will they retreat to safety—or risk a love that could change everything?

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Ellen E. Withers is an award-winning fiction writer, freelance writer, and retired insurance fraud investigator. Show Me Betrayal, the first book in her Show Me Mystery series, won Book of the Year, Best Mystery/Suspense, and Best Debut Novel in the Scrivenings Press Reader’s Choice Awards in 2023 and was a dual finalist in the American Christian Fiction Writer’s (ACFW) 2024 Carol Awards for Debut Novel and Mystery/Suspense/Thriller categories. Show Me Deceit, the second book in the series, won Scrivenings Press Reader’s Choice Awards for Best Mystery/Suspense in 2024. Show Me Skullduggery, book three, was published in May of 2025. A fourth book in the series is under contract.
Ellen has also collaborated on two novella collections published by Scrivenings Press. A Gift for All Time is Christmas themed and Romancing the Elements is a contemporary romance.

Website: https://ellenewithers.com/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071728886831
Amazon Author page: https://amazon.com/author/ellen.e.withers
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/33215146.Ellen_E_Withers
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ellen-e-withers