Introductions
"To me, success has been measured in consistency and progress," says Utah-based fantasy author Makayla Nielson. "I think the key, honestly, is being excited for the success of others and being grateful when someone wants the same thing for you."

Makayla would know. "I am leaps and bounds ahead of where I was one year ago," she says, "and that's mostly had to do with the family, friends, and fellow authors and readers I've connected with."

A cornerstone of this success is her latest novel.

Imagine, for a moment, if Anne of Green Gables went on an Indiana Jones–style adventure—that's just how Makayla describes The Voyage of Clara Bowman, the first book in her Chronicle of the Seekers series that she co-wrote with Trenna McMullin.

Here's Makayla to talk a little about her life and work:

Welcome, Makayla! What drew you to self-publishing?

I am in a unique position because I self-published The Voyage of Clara Bowman, but I also have a publisher for another book, Chimera's Blood. What drew me and my co-author, Trenna McMullin, to self-publishing Clara Bowman was the flexibility. We both have sisters who are amazing artists, and we wanted to team up with them to really make this story the best it could be. Katrina Conrad did our cover art, and Calista Foley created the maps inside.

How would you sum up The Voyage of Clara Bowman in just a few words?

The Voyage of Clara Bowman can be described as: Anne of Green Gables goes on an Indiana Jones–style adventure to find a safe haven for her people and finds love along the way.

What inspired your very first novel?

My very first novel is unpublished, and will probably stay that way, but it was inspired by the real events in the life of a dear friend of mine. He has since passed away, but he spent his youth in an orphan home in Montana, joined the CCC, and later the Army. He was a kind man, and his stories were an inspiration to me, sparking my interest in writing. I do not write historical fiction anymore, but that first novel taught me so much.

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I am leaps and bounds ahead of where I was one year ago, and that's mostly had to do with the family, friends, and fellow authors and readers I've connected with.

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What are some of your goals this year?

I have so many goals, both professional and personal, to look forward to this year. My fourth baby is due shortly (within the next week!) and we are so excited to welcome her to our home. Shortly after, I have a dystopian novel, Chimera's Blood, coming out with my co-author, Alexandra Ely, and our publisher, Jumpmaster Press. At the end of the year, the next book in The Chronicle of the Seekers series is coming out as well.

What's your recipe for success?

I suppose it depends on your definition of success. To me, success has been measured in consistency and progress. I am leaps and bounds ahead of where I was one year ago, and that's mostly had to do with the family, friends, and fellow authors and readers I've connected with. I couldn't have published Clara Bowman, launched The Book Crate, or prepared for the release of Chimera's Blood without the help of so many amazing people. I think the key, honestly, is being excited for the success of others and being grateful when someone wants the same thing for you.

Connect with Makayla:

• Author website
• The Book Crate
• Facebook (author)
• Facebook (The Book Crate)
• Instagram (author)
• Instagram (The Book Crate)
• Threads (author)
• Threads (The Book Crate)

Support Makayla's work:

• Purchase Makayla's books
• The Book Crate