Noelle Vella

Behind the Book with Noelle Vella

Interview by King Brooks

Recently, I had the opportunity to sit down with the ladies behind the pen name Noelle Vella. They just released the third book in their ‘The Witches of Salix Pointe’ series. So, pull up a seat and enjoy this interview with Nikki-Michelle and Gabrielle as they discuss ‘The Reckoning & The Reaper.’

King Brooks: Hi Noelle, how are you?

Noelle: Good, Thank you!

KB: Congrats, on your new book ‘The Reckoning & The Reaper.’ What can we learn in Book 3 of The Witches of Salix Pointe?

NV: Readers will learn a lot of history; Black History to be specific. We took our time and did a lot research to ensure that even with creative license, we were as accurate as possible. So, the readers will not only be entertained, but educated as well.

KB: Where did the inspiration for ‘The Witches of Salix Pointe’ come from?

NV: We wanted to create a small town, full of mostly Black people who harnessed magic(k). Black Magick to be specific. We wanted characters who represented everyday Black people, flaws, and all.

KB: How long did it take for you to write ‘The Reckoning & The Reaper?’

NV: Far too long. We didn’t set a schedule and it made writing this all the more strenuous. We won’t do that again, that’s for sure. LOL

KB: What kind of people are the characters are Elisa & Tasmin?

NV: They’re Black women who come from a long line of Black witches.

KB: Will you continue the series, and how many more books do you think this series will reach?

NB: Yes, there will be one final book to the series. So, four books in total.

KB: When you wrote the last word, what did you do afterwards?

NV: Gabrielle: I went to sleep.

Nikki: I took part in herbal Medicinals. We were stressed! LOL

KB: What has writing this book taught you about yourself and others?

NV: Nikki: This book taught me that we don’t know half the things we think we know about God and religion. Gabrielle: It’s taught me that not everybody can handle true history and would rather rewrite or stifle it to hide the truth.

KB: Please give the readers a brief bio on you and as a writer and author?

NV: The writing team of Noelle Vella is two talented authors making their mark on the literary scene. Both authors began writing at an early age, and they continue to write novels, short stories, and poetry. The authors of Noelle Vella are hard at work on their next novel. During their downtime, they enjoy spending time with their families.

KB: What is your writing process?

NV: We send chapters back and forth. So, if Gabrielle writes chapter 1, I (Nikki) will write chapter 2 and so forth and so on. We research and bounce ideas off one another.

KB: What advice would you give to writers wanting to publish a book?

NV: Take your time in deciding how you want to publish your book whether you want to self-publish or go the traditional route. Both have pros and cons.

KB: If ‘The Reckoning & The Reaper’ is made into a film or series, who would you like to play Elisa & Tasmin and others? Why?

NV: Elisa: Danielle Brooks

Tasmin: Teyonah Parris

Azazel: Nick Sagar

Octavian: Lamon Archey

Dafari: Damson Idris

Rufus: Wendell Pierce

KB: What makes you happy when you sit down to write?

NV: Creating stories that center the Black experience that make people think. Also, when readers tell us that we have taught them something new or that they must go look up things we mention, we know we have done our stories justice.

KB: What book was a transformational read for you as a reader or as a writer?

NV: The Vampire Huntress Legend Series by the late L.A. Banks.

KB: And what is next? Have you started working on your next book? What can readers look forward to?

NV: Of course! We have book 2 of the Upgrade You series coming and book 3 of the Weekend Affair series. We’re always eagerly working on our next projects. Readers can look forward to well-written salacious drama focusing on the Black experience!

KB: How can readers get in touch with you?

NV: Readers can go to https://www.noellevellabooks.com/ to keep up with what we have coming next and find links to our socials!