Featured Author: Nicole Blanchard Q & A

Coastal Magic Convention is a beachside reader weekend in Daytona Beach, Florida each February. The 14th annual weekend is February 19-22, 2026, celebrating the magic of stories & storytellers. Each year’s goal is to bring authors and readers together for a memorable weekend with old friends (and new!) and to build TBR piles! This year, the theme for the event is “Secret Garden: Reading Helps Your Mind Bloom”.

Nicole Blanchard is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over twenty-five novels ranging from small-town heroes to the villains you love to hate. Her stories are packed with twists, grit, heart, and alll the heat — just the way readers like them. When she’s not plotting her next twisted love story, she’s soaking up sweet tea and sunshine at the beach, parked in the tattoo chair, or tending to her farm full of misfit pets.

1. What got you into writing? How long have you been writing?

Reading, honestly. I’ve always been a bookworm. I read a lot, probably too much. There wasn’t a time when I didn’t want to be a writer. I’m incredibly lucky that this is what I get to do full time.

2. What is your favorite part about being an author?

Readers. That connection where a reader feels the same way about my books that I do about *my* favorite books. There’s no better feeling in the world.

3. How many books have you written? Which of your books is your favorite?

My, at this point I’ve lost count! I think it’s around 25 at this point. My personal favorite is my first full length book, Warrior. It’s the book that made me an author and the couple in it holds a very special place in my heart.

4. What can you tell us about your upcoming release, Until Death?

Until Death is my upcoming dark mafia, forced marriage romance. A senator’s daughter takes her sister’s place to marry a dangerous member of the Irish mafia. I knew I wanted to write another dark romance, and I’m obsessed with opposing forces being placed in an arrangement neither of them can escape. Watching the pressure rise and then explode always keeps me turning the page. Essentially, I wanted to write a dark romance I wanted to read and I hope everyone is as obsessed with it as I am.

5. Last year, your book - Toxic - went viral. What was that experience like?

INSANE. I still can’t believe it. Throughout 2023/2024 I really started taking chances and putting myself out there social media wise. There must have been a part of me that thought I didn’t deserve success, so when I took that mental block away, everything seemed to click. I got so lucky and had several reels reach millions of viewers. It changed my life. Allowed me to fully invest in my work full time. More importantly, it gave me the opportunity to meet so many new readers from across the globe. I’ll forever be humbled by the experience.

6. Have you experienced writer's block, and how do you handle it?

Oh my god, yes. Once Toxic went viral the pressure was real. It took a year for me to write again. The worst writer’s block / imposter syndrome of my life. I’ve found the best thing that works for me is sprinting with authors on 4thwords.com. Forcing myself to write without the time to ruminate on the words really helps push through all of the anxiety and self-doubt. Also, allowing myself to break free from the shackles of perfection—that’s a hard one for me, for sure.

7. How do you choose names for your characters?

Sometimes, they come to me with their name. Most of the time, I’ll search through Pinterest for vibes or baby name sites for names that fit the “feeling” of the book, if that makes sense. For Until Death, I knew I wanted names that were Irish in origin and Aiden / Catriona jumped out at me the first time I saw them.

8. What has helped you the most while writing?

4thewords.com (seriously, I’m not sponsored by them, but reach out LOL) has been my lifesaver. I discovered it through a Facebook sprinting group and the members sprint together pretty much every day. I wouldn’t have finished the books without them. I’ll hop on my walking pad, throw on my Spotify playlist, and walk / write until I hit my word count. If I’m really on a deadline, I can write anywhere.

9. What has hindered you the most while writing?

Myself HAHA. Or over planning. I’ll get so in my head about expectations or planning that I forget getting the words down is the most important part.

10. Do you outline, plot, and plan, or is your writing more organic?

Really it’s a combination of both. I usually start with the general bones of the story in my mind. I think Stephen King described it as an archeological dig. The story is there, you just have to uncover it. Sometimes it looks a little different than I expect, but that’s part of the fun. Usually the final product is pretty close to the original idea, but there are moments the characters may go rogue from the plan and I’ll just be along for the ride.

11. Do you read much and if so, who are your favorite authors?

I read so, so much. It’s embarrassing. I primarily stick to romance of all genres because I always fall for a good love story. But I do venture out to other genres occasionally. Right now I’m obsessed with CW Farnsworth, Marie Mistry, Ali Hazelwood, Chelsea Curto, Ali Hazelwood, Liz Tomforde, Hannah Bonam-Young, and many many more. Seriously, I could chat all day about my favorite books / authors

12. Are your characters ever inspired by people that you know in real life?

Sometimes! Usually it’s pure fantasy, but there are one or two who have been inspired by real people. Usually, people I’d like to punish LOL

13, What are you most excited about for Coastal Magic 2026?

I’m always so, so excited for the opportunity to meet new readers and connect with new authors. 

14. How can readers discover more about you and your work?

The best way is to head over to my website authornicoleblanchard.com that’s my home away from home and I’ve worked very hard on including everything you could possibly want to know about me on it 

Information about #CMCon26, including this year’s list of Featured Authors and how to register to attend, is on the website, http://CoastalMagicConvention.com.
You can also get involved and have some bookish fun between now and February by joining the Facebook Authors & Attendees group: http://Facebook.com/groups/CMConAuthorsandAttendees, and
Reading Challenge group: http://Facebook.com/groups/CMConReadingChallenge.