Isabel Milward
May 9, 2024 at 11:52am
Hi Ella, School Librarian here! Are you going to publish 'Sound of my Heart' in print?? Please? There is a great market for 'real life' novels involving girls and sport. Even more so when it is set here. Girls that 'don't read' can often be persuaded to pick up a book with a sporting element. Just a thought....
Thanks Isabel
Ella West
May 16, 2024 at 11:15am
Hi Isabel
I agree - we need more books about girls and sport which is why I wrote the book and was disappointed it failed to find a publisher. To have it in print is huge - time and money - and a step I don't think I'm ready to take yet. I was hoping it would do well in the book awards but sadly it has missed out. I hope your readers can find it on Amazon.
Love what you librarians do!
Ella
Ruth Mitchell
December 23, 2023 at 1:53pm
I've read Night Vision and just finished Rain Fall and I absolutely love your books. I live in Auckland but have travelled and tramped parts of the South Island. I've been reading e-books as it's better for me to stand and read with my sore glutes. i hope that your publisher will put more of your books onto them.
I'm 71yrs old now - when did that happen? but makes no difference to enjoying a good read. Thanks so much
Ruth
Ella West
December 23, 2023 at 3:24pm
Hi Ruth
Never too old! You’ll find The Sound of My Heart and the first book of the Thieves series up on Amazon now and the other three books of the series will follow in the next few months so lots of ebook reading for you. And I’m writing a couple of tramping tales too! We’re lucky Fiordland with it’s amazing walks is not too far away for us. Thank you so much for messaging me and Merry Christmas!
Ella
Natalie
December 13, 2023 at 9:56pm
Hi there, I read the Thieves trilogy when i was a kid and loved it. I have spent years trying to find the name of the series since, hours and hours of googling lol. Tonight i finally found it and am over the moon. I’m struggling to find hard copies here in NZ and wondered if you know where i can find it to buy? The only luck I’ve had is the Dunedin library but that’s in the wrong island for me haha. Any help would be appreciated
Ella West
December 14, 2023 at 8:25am
Hi Natalie
I know! It’s out of print – I’ve only got a few copies left myself! But, if you are okay about reading ebooks, I’m putting the whole trilogy up on Amazon with new covers. Thieves is already there, and I hope the next two will be there soon as well. AND there’s a fourth book (because I know everyone hated the end of Real Life) called Finder Seeker. I hope you love it too.
So, I understand, ebooks, not the same as a real book, but they’re great for the planet – no paper, no trucking. And super cheap to buy.
Just put Ella West into the Amazon search and you’ll find them (and some of my other books as well).
All the best and thanks for being such a great fan.
Ella
Nathan Brown
November 30, 2023 at 2:18pm
I read your book night vision and loved it thank you for this master peace
Ella West
November 30, 2023 at 4:44pm
Hey Nathan!
Loved that you loved it! Hope you read some more of my books and love them just as much.
Ella
Lily
July 20, 2023 at 6:02pm
Hi Ella,
I reread your book Rainfall the other day, and its one of my favourite books I've read. I was just wondering if you had any tips for creative writing.. I haven't done any for ages, but your books have inspired me to maybe write a story or something!! Also where did you get your inspirations for Rainfall from?
Thank you!
Lily
Ella West
July 22, 2023 at 5:36pm
Hi Lily
Rain Fall came out me wanting to tell the story of the town I had spent a lot of time in – Westport. A lot of what happens in the book is true, although only the people who it happened to will recognise it. And then I wrapped the story of the horses and the boy and the girl around it. I love this book so I’m glad you love it too.
So inspiration comes from the things you love, and hate, and feel sad about and good about. It’s the stuff that you are passionate about and want to write about, need to write about (this will also make sure you don’t get bored writing the story and will finish it!)
There are lots of great books about writing – google them and find them in your library. Take what you need from them and good luck!
Ella
Emily
April 23, 2023 at 9:28am
Hi I loved reading the Thieves books in primary school i read them a couple of times over and I’m so annoyed at myself that i don’t have them anymore!! I just remembered them and would love to reread but I seem to remember finding a blog maybe like 8 or so years back now that you were writing a 4th book instalment?? Maybe I am making that up with wishful thinking but I would love to know thanks!! :)
Ella West
April 25, 2023 at 4:17pm
Hi Emily
Yeah, I know. The fourth book. Yes, I did write a draft for it but there is no interest from publishers. Sigh. If you know a Hollywood producer please tell them how cool the books are and we’re get them made and then I’ll be able to get the fourth book published, and a fifth book . . .
Thanks for loving the books – made my day!
Ella
Tiago
March 30, 2023 at 11:15pm
To Ella West
I'm a fan of your book Rain Fall but I do have one question what is the meaning of the book?
Your serenely Tiago :)
Ella West
March 31, 2023 at 1:26pm
Hi Tiago
Great to hear you’re a fan! What is the meaning of the book? I don’t know if books have a meaning. It’s simply a story that is supposed to be enjoyed and show the reader a different world (which I hope it did for you). There are some themes about the consequences of your actions and the fear of having to leave the world you know but I don’t know if that is meaning! If this is for a school English assignment? Please quote me to your teacher that fictional books don’t need to have meanings!
All the best
Ella
Jazz
October 13, 2022 at 4:32pm
Hi Ella, like many, I’m on the hunt for the Thieves trilogy. I’ve been searching high and low in many second hand book stores with no luck - except for today when I managed to find “Anywhere but here”! I first fell in love with the books while in school for our English class and Thieves was the only book I continuously remembered since my school years.
I was wondering if there was going to be a reprint or a ebook version coming out for any of the books in the trilogy?
Kind regards, Jazz :) Auckland.
Ella West
October 14, 2022 at 11:15am
Hi Jazz
Nooooooo. Sorry. No reprint, paper or ebook on the horizon (although I never say never). If you want copies of Anywhere But Here and Real Life contact the amazing people at UBS (University Book Shop) in Dunedin and they can post them anywhere in the country (or the world). Love that you loved the books – if only you were a film producer (you’re not are you?).
Ella
Meg
August 14, 2021 at 3:17am
Hi Ella,
I am just another of the many who would love a copy of your book Thieves but after a lot of digging, I have finally accepted that it is out of print.
When I was a teenager, I burned through books daily due to being socially awkward and feeling safe in the library. Thieves was one that I came back to more than once and is one of only a few that I can remember the plot reasonably well! I wrote multiple book reports and essays on it (new english teachers, changed schools) and recommended it to anyone who asked for a book suggestion.
I am an Australian teacher now, nearing the end of my 20s and have finally gotten back into reading books daily due to supporting the librarian at my own school to make recommendations for students.
I have been successful before at finding a favourite book from my teens in a second hand book store, and I'll continue to hope this for Thieves as well.
If you ever need voices to get a reprint, you can have mine.
Thank you for your wonderful books,
Meg
Ella West
August 17, 2021 at 9:10am
Hi Meg
Great to hear from you and that Thieves meant so much to you growing up and even now. So glad you are now a teacher and helping kids find books that they can love too. Best job in the world. Stay in touch!
all the best
Ella
Samantha
March 3, 2021 at 2:52am
Hi Ella
I absolutely love your books.My mum bought me Rainfall for one Christmas and i fell in love with it. I read it over and over and then saw Night vision so i got it and just finished reading it it was amazing your my all time favorite author and hope that you will write more books like this
I live in a small town called Balclutha in otago and hope you will be writing back to me
Ella West
March 5, 2021 at 9:24am
Hi Samantha
Great to hear from you. Balclutha is not far from where I live! Ask your teacher – I could do a school visit and meet you. Let me know.
all the best
Ella
Chris Tonkin
December 21, 2020 at 4:25pm
Hi Ella,
My 10 year old girl is so excited to get to read your Trilogy. I have also ordered Rain Fall which will hopefully come in January. At the moment I have ordered No 2 and # of your trilogy but I can not seem to find anywhere with No 1. Can you please help as I really need to get a copy of this first one.
Thanks a lot Chris Tonkin
We are from Geraldton Western Australia
Ella West
December 24, 2020 at 10:12am
Hi Chris
Great to hear from you and loving that your daughter is enjoying my books. Sorry - but the first Thieves books is out of print (I only have a couple of copies myself!) so all I can suggest is the library which should still have a copy. I am working on trying to get a reprint done but not getting very far so apologies. All the best for Christmas.
Ella
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Ella West is a multi-award winner teen thriller writer who farms sheep and beef with her husband near Dunedin in the South Island of New Zealand. She likes cooking and gardening but doesn’t like cleaning the bathroom. She occasionally goes trout fishing with her family and they hate her when she catches a fish and they don’t. Her chickens keep getting out and destroying her garden. In other words, life is tough.
And then there’s the sheep.
WARNING: Do not start reading an Ella West book when you are about to go to sleep. Ella West will not be responsible for late nights, sleeping in or missing the start of school the following day.
