Now, That’s Empowerment

Now, That’s Empowerment

Now, That’s Empowerment Big, HUGE topic, I know. It’s one I just happen to love, too. Women inspiring and empowering other women. I mean, just… how COOL is that? I have to confess, up until recent years, I thought the concept was largely a myth. So, What Changed? Let’s face it. Women are often really, … Read More

When Words Count

When Words Count

Words count. They matter. They affect. They resonate. They hurt and they heal. So, yes… words count. However, I’m referring to a different kind of word counting, the literal kind. It’s what authors are constantly checking when writing – the number of words in the story. Literally.

Don’t Read This Book. Seriously.

Don’t Read This Book. Seriously.

That Sounds Like A Sales Gimmick. It’s Not. Maybe it is… a little. It’s at the very least,  how I got the idea for the post title. The real reason for this short PSA is legit, though. This book, Still Here, needs a disclaimer. It’s Not What You Think. There’s no graphic, Game of Thrones-like … Read More

Release Day Is Near!

Release Day Is Near!

It’s True!   Release day really is near! June 4th, to be exact. The grand (re) release of book one in my Welcome To Chance series, Mae’s Cafe is fast approaching and I couldn’t be more excited! Get ready to visit Chance, Connecticut for some small-town life and some big-time drama.       Are … Read More

Elsa Kurt at RomantiConn

Elsa Kurt at RomantiConn

ROMANTICONN IS COMING!   Can you tell I’m excited? Are you wondering what RomantiConn is? Will I ever stop asking questions and tell you what’s going on? The answer is: YES!   Right from the RomantiConn ticket link: Welcome to the first RomantiConn Author Signing Event brought to you by Kitty Berry Books, LLC. About … Read More

Author Insights with Elsa Kurt ~ Character

Author Insights with Elsa Kurt ~ Character

Building Character Or rather, characters. This is one of a fiction writer’s biggest tasks. If your readers can’t feel or see what you are trying to emote through your characters, you’ve lost them. Fiction readers want nothing more than to climb inside the minds and live in the world of your characters while they’re with … Read More

Two New Releases Coming Soon!

Two New Releases Coming Soon!

  The Two Tenleys Two women with the same name cross paths and a series of unbelievable events follow. Tenley Harper is the thirty-six-year-old, forever wild child daughter of former pro wrestling champion Charlie The Hurricane Harper. Tenley ‘Lee’ Harper as the same aged, married schoolteacher whose life has been anything BUT wild… until now. … Read More

The Writer’s Romance

The Writer’s Romance

Do you love Hallmark movies (I’m not judging, I love them, too!)If so, you’ll adore The Writer’s Romance. It’s a sweet, romantic comedy about a reclusive writer whose life gets upended by a very handsome & charismatic reality tv host who shows up next door to her house on Lake Pocotopaug. It’s set in the … Read More

Powerful, romantic, faith in love restoring story of Damon and Birdie Harrison, the seemingly perfect couple. On their fifth anniversary, they embark on a trip to a small island called Tumau. When tragedy strikes, their life is torn apart. But all is not what it appears, and Tumau holds more mystery than anyone could have realized…

Introducing: You Wrote It, Now What? The Course

Introducing: You Wrote It, Now What? The Course

 YOU WROTE IT, NOW WHAT?   First, it was a presentation… Then it became a book… Now, it’s an Eight Week Course!   Join me as I take new and aspiring writer’s through the writing, publishing, self-promoting, and book signing event processes in this enlightening, inspiring, and MOTIVATING course. In This Course: I’ll help you… … Read More

Guess What?

Guess What?

I just tried a cheap tactic to get you to open this, and I apologize. It’s a blatant, desperate attempt to get your attention. Sorry. But, hey, since you’re already here… Have You Read One (or more) Of My Books? If the answer is no, but you’ve read SOMEONE’S book at some time, it’s okay…keep … Read More

This Kills Me, But…

This Kills Me, But…

Seriously But Not Literally I dislike hate asking for help. I’ve always been like this. My ‘I got this’ affliction has led me down a bumpy road, filled with a smattering of ‘oops’es and a liberal spread of ‘oh shit’s. I’m fine with it, generally. In fact, I love it much of the time. Imagine my … Read More

WHAT Just Happened?!

WHAT Just Happened?!

So, I’ve got to humblebrag… Several weeks ago a fellow author (’cause, you know, I’m an author n stuff) send me a message asking if I’d be interested in joining his panel discussion as a speaker. I immediately said- said being the operative word- ‘hell yah, I’d love to! Internally? I was like…. Listen, it was … Read More

Excerpt From The Writer’s Romance

Excerpt From The Writer’s Romance

The Writer’s Romance Already know you want it? Click here for the book. Prologue Mitch watched Katharine dash from the stage but could do nothing to stop her. The hosts had drawn him into a conversation—none of which he could recall after—and he’d missed his chance to speak to her. This was supposed to have … Read More

The Den

The Den

Hey there! Phew, it’s been a long time since I’ve done one of these! Book writing has taken up many of my moments, but I wanted to share this little bittersweet memory with you. Why? I dunno, it’s a thing writers do, I guess. Check out this… beauty: Lemme explain… Okay, I know. It’s, well, … Read More

Full Bio

Elsa Kurt is a multi-genre, indie & traditionally published author of four contemporary women’s novels: Livvy Takes the Long Way, Lost and Found Girls, The Awkward Woman’s Guide To Dating, and Still Here. She is also the author of the YA fiction novel Into the Everwood (Book One) and motivational/inspirational companion book, Finding Beauty in the Imperfections of Life.  Elsa has also written several … Read More

100 Word Bio

Elsa Kurt is a multi-genre, indie & traditionally published author of five novels, including book one of her YA, modern-day fairy tale, Into the Everwood. In 2018, she will have two novellas published through Crave Publishing in their Crave: Country Anthology and Crave: Loyalty Anthology. She has also penned several children’s books under the name … Read More

Short Bio Elsa Kurt

Elsa Kurt is a multi-genre published author of five novels & ten children’s books. Elsa began writing in 2012, releasing her first children’s book in 2013. Since then she has made writing her full-time career.  Her work can be found in online bookstores, including Amazon & Barnes and Noble & elsakurt.com Social Media Links: FACEBOOK: https://facebook.com/authorelsakurt/ … Read More

Sexy. Funny… AWKWARD?!

    ???This is the PERFECT GIFT? for the for the divorced (or divorcING) woman. ??? Let’s be real… divorce sucks.  And dating after divorce?  Ugh, don’t get me started! Anyone who’s been there knows.  Give them the gift of humor & the hope for a light at the end of the tunnel (trust me,  … Read More

Preview of Still Here

Preview of Still Here

Sneak Peek! From indie author Elsa Kurt   Tis the Season! Okay, actually, every season is book writing season. But, since I’ve just wrapped up my latest story in time for the holidays, I want to celebrate give you a sneak peek! First, a little synopsis… A Little Background This story came from a terrible … Read More

Everything Old Is New Again

Everything Old Is New Again

Re-release? Yes, Please! Not Gonna Lie… I’m OBSESSED with this new book cover! Seriously, I keep pulling out my phone and showing people. I’m not sure if they really love it, or just want the crazy lady to go away… but whatever. I can’t contain my excitement. CAN’T! Ok, let’s get down to business here.  … Read More

Why Do Bad Things Happen?

My Attempt to Understand by Modern Melly   Why… It’s the age old question, right? The one we use the most, I’ll venture a guess. Sometimes it’s easy to answer- ‘Mommy, why do I have to wear shoes’- other times, less so- ‘Daddy, why do bad things happen?’ It’s our inherent nature to seek explanation, … Read More

Sneak Preview of My New Book! Release Date: Sept. 15th

Sneak Preview of My New Book! Release Date: Sept. 15th

Get Ready to GET AWKWARD! The Awkward Woman’s Guide To Dating (After Divorce) Woo hoo! I’m SO excited to announce my next book is coming out September 15th! It’s a sexy, funny, cringe-worthy modern day romance. When Keira Travis suddenly finds herself single for the first time in her adult life, she jumps right in…to … Read More

Empowerment. I’ll Tell You What It’s Not

Empowerment. I’ll Tell You What It’s Not

by ModernMelly Let’s begin with what it is: em·pow·er·ment – əmˈpouərmənt/ : the process of becoming stronger and more confident, especially in controlling one’s life and claiming one’s rights. “political steps for the empowerment of women” There. Okay, now we’ve got the dictionary.com definition (or at least part of it). It’s one of my favorite … Read More

Own Your Fifty

Own Your Fifty

Own Your Fifty ModernMelly The Dark Side of Life About 11 years (or so) ago I was in a dark, ugly, personal space in life, in my mind, and especially in my heart. It sucked. It also led me to make reckless choices that not only impacted me, they affected those around me. I mean, of course … Read More

Reckless Words

Reckless Words

Reckless Words By ModernMelly Your Words Matter We grew up chanting, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me!” Well, that was a lie. Words can hurt like hell. Have you ever been told, “I don’t love you anymore”? That hurts. Have you even been told you aren’t good enough, smart … Read More

A Heathen Talks Faith

A Heathen Talks Faith

A Heathen Talks Faith By ModernMelly Are You A Heathen, Too? Heathen. How many of us are heathens? To me, that word always seemed more nefarious than it actually is. Turns out, according to a basic definition, a heathen is merely someone who does not belong to a widely held religion. Not so wicked after all, … Read More

Keep It Classy, Ladies

Keep It Classy, Ladies

Keep It Classy, Ladies by Modern Melly People rarely say or do things to amaze me anymore. I hate to sound jaded, but it’s true. They do, however, totally baffle me. Sometimes I wonder if it’s me. Am I  the one who’s wacky?! Okay, technically- yes. Yes, I am wacky in my own way (or so my … Read More

Am I Self Critical or Constructive?

Am I Self Critical or Constructive?

Am I Self Critical or Constructive? Understanding the Power of Positivity Modern Melly Before I get into the whole ‘Am I self critical or constructive’ thing, let me start by telling you this: I have three distinct blog writing modes: 1) Super Snarky Soap Box Posts 2) Random Look At The Pretty Butterfly Posts 3) I Will Pahmp … Read More

Dear ‘Dame Streep’

Dear ‘Dame Streep’

Dear ‘Dame Streep’ An Homage (of sorts) By Modern Melly Dear ‘Dame Streep’, Let me first say, Brava, madam, brava! Watching your speech last night, well, let me just stand up, beat a slow clap, and let a delicate tear slip from the corner of my eye. Seriously, that was academy award worthy. A fine, … Read More

You Have No Power Over Me

You Have No Power Over Me

You Have No Power Over Me A Modern Melly original post & pep talk for 2017 There’s a line in the movie Labyrinth (high on my ALL TIME FAVORITES list) when Sarah (Jennifer Connolly) remembers  the one, most singular truth she’d not realized about Jareth, the Goblin King (David Bowie, I kid you not) and herself, … Read More

A Very Gif-y Story

A Very Gif-y Story

A Very Gif-y Story By ModernMelly In writing my last blog post (moments ago) I had to find some gifs to  humorously punctuate my paragraphs. I freaking love gifs (and memes). One of them, a Betty Draper (Mad Men) gif, really got me laughing so I started imagining  a story told primarily via gifs from the … Read More

Year In Review. Kind Of-ish.

Year In Review. Kind Of-ish.

Year In Review. Kind Of-ish by ModernMelly Well, hello! It’s been a while, hasn’t it?! Hope you’re all doing well & have made it through 2016 as unscathed as one could be after 365 days of getting out there and adulting  in what has proven to be an interesting year indeed. I’m well, thank you … Read More

12 People You Know (And Want to Slap Sometimes) On Facebook

12 People You Know (And Want to Slap Sometimes) On Facebook

  12 People You Know (And Want To Slap Sometimes) On Facebook by ModernMelly We all know em, we all ARE them ( at one time or another, at least) and we all roll our eyes at them. Let’s get right to messing with our favorite Facebook-ers, shall we? 1) The Humblebragger Oh, the master-er … Read More

Good Human

Good Human

Something to believe in… I think we’re all, always, looking for something (or someone) to believe in, right? It’s natural, it’s normal… it’s right. Believing in things (or people) is what keeps us going, makes us feel grounded and connected and alive. Personally, I believe in a lot of things… and only a handful of people. … Read More

Learning To Stay Above The Fray (An Open Letter)

Learning To Stay Above The Fray  (An Open Letter)

Let Me Start By Saying… Obviously, by my many posts, you know I’m a wee bit opinionated. Not in a dick-ish way (I hope, at least), just in a “I’ve a very strong, set perspective” way. For instance, I’ve been a little very vocal  on the candidates and who’d best serve.  None of which I’ll … Read More

I Am The Fraction (A Police Wife’s Vent)

I Am The Fraction (A Police Wife’s Vent)

I Am The Fraction A Police Wife’s Vent By ModernMelly World Gone Mad I saw a meme yesterday of a man sitting in a chair, popcorn in lap, watching wide-eyed the world on fire, and I thought, ‘yes, exactly’. I thought about that image for a while; that he sat there passively, just watching, as … Read More

Gun Facts For Dummies

Gun Facts For Dummies

I thought about giving this a really misleading title, like: “GUNS ARE EVIL!” just so I could get the anti-gun hysterics folks out there to read this. But then I said fuck it gosh darn it, I’m not a bullshitter, not a coddle-r, I’m a fact girl. I like facts. So, I figure there’s got … Read More