People of the romantasy genre, tell me, are you into morally grey men? Maybe a little bit of “who did this to you?” A touch of fated mates on the side? Maybe even some Hades and Persephone vibes? Well, my oh my, do I have an author recommendation for you.
On September 25th, 2025, I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with author Elsie Nelson, a romantasy writer from Massachusetts, at FRCC. She’s not only determined and passionate about her three romance novels, but she also openly discusses mental health and how writing can be a lifeline for those who are struggling.
Watching her was honestly refreshing; awkward in person yet effortlessly smooth when speaking to an audience. It was a reminder that authors (and anyone with a bit of fame) are real humans, too. Believe it or not, so many of your favorites started out as indie writers. So if you need a sign that you can do it, here it is.
Elsie has a lot of potential when it comes to her craft. Published at just 19, she’s also a consistent advocate for writing therapy. Recently, her book was published with a publishing house known as DragonBlade Publishing, which is known for publishing Kathryn Le Veque.
She’s shared that writing has helped her regulate her emotions and taught her more about herself than she ever expected. For new writers, she offers this advice: “There are a lot of good resources out there—some even featuring Brandon Sanderson. That’s how I found my way back into writing.”
You can catch Elsie Nelson at DenverX, or teaching workshops on how to blend storytelling with mental health. And if you need a boost of courage, remember her words:
“It’s okay to act confident, even if you aren’t there yet.” —Elsie Nelson
