What happens when you can’t find the story you’re looking for? For Melissa Nicole, the answer was simple: she wrote it herself.
During the quiet isolation of the COVID-19 lockdown, Melissa turned her love for romance books into a writing journey that led her to Inkitt—and eventually to Galatea. With her heartfelt storytelling, memorable characters, and real-life inspiration, Wait for Me quickly became a fan favorite. In this interview, Melissa shares the ups and downs of her writing path, the moment she was contacted by Galatea, and the emotional core behind her stories.
Inkitt: What inspired you to become an author?
Melissa: During the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown, I was struggling to find a romance novel that matched what I was looking for.
I thought, “Why not try and write one?”
I quickly fell in love with writing and found it came naturally to me. The ideas just flowed! I self-published on Amazon and will never forget when I made it into the top 15 best-selling romance books, just a few spots below one of my all-time favorites, “After” by Anna Todd.
Inkitt: How did you discover Inkitt, and what was your experience like?
Melissa: After having technical issues with Wattpad, I searched for a new writing platform and found Inkitt. I loved it from the beginning because readers engaged with my books and left many reviews, which helped me stay motivated. Getting positive feedback from book lovers is an amazing feeling.
Inkitt: What was it like seeing your story gain traction?
Melissa: It was incredible! Some reader interactions I’ll never forget include someone saying, “Melissa wrote beautifully and I will be saving this book to read again and again,” and another who wrote, “Trust your gift. You are a writer and I look forward to reading more of your work.”
Reviews like these motivate me to keep writing.
Inkitt: When did you find out you were going to be a Galatea author?
Melissa: At the end of December, a Galatea publisher reached out to me, and I was ecstatic. I’ve self-published a few books, but having an actual publisher contact me was the best feeling ever. Knowing someone thought my work was good enough for such a big platform was amazing.
Inkitt: What are you most excited about readers seeing in your book on Galatea?
Melissa: I think readers will love the passion between the two main characters. The emotional highs and lows in the book are quite addicting. I’m the one who wrote it, and I still find myself surprised, sad, excited, happy, and experiencing all sorts of emotions when I read it.
Melissa Nicole, author on Inkitt and Galatea
Inkitt: What advice would you give to other Inkitt authors hoping to sign a Galatea contract?
Melissa: Keep writing! Don’t give up.
Inkitt: What paved the way for your Galatea signing?
Melissa: I think it was all the positive feedback and the high number of reads I was getting on my book.
Inkitt: What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced as a writer?
Melissa: I’m a full-time university student in my fourth year of criminology, which keeps me incredibly busy. I also work part-time, so finding time to write is challenging.
On days when I do find time, I’ll stay up until 3-4 AM, which makes the next day quite difficult.
Inkitt: Which authors have influenced your writing style the most?
Melissa: Anna Todd, Colleen Hoover, and Penelope Douglas are modern authors who inspire me. I also love classic authors like Jane Austen and Emily Brontë. When writing, I try to think of ways to modernize Brontë’s style from “Wuthering Heights” and Austen’s from “Sense and Sensibility.”
Inkitt: Where do you find inspiration for your stories?
Melissa: As cheesy as it sounds, I get a lot of inspiration from my boyfriend, Devin. When we first started dating, I told him he reminds me of the characters I write about. The happy endings and “magical moments” in my books are inspired by how he loves me unconditionally with passion, adventure, and care.
Inkitt: Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Melissa: Pantser for sure! I usually have a good idea of how I want the book to start and end, but the rest develops as I write.
Inkitt: What recurring themes do you hope readers take away from your stories?
Melissa: I want readers to know it’s important never to settle. There’s a love out there that makes you feel as good as a happy ending in a book.
My books also focus on mental health and addiction, and I want readers to know that if they’re suffering, it’s not a weakness and nothing to be ashamed of. You are strong and can overcome anything.
In Conclusion
Melissa Nicole’s story is proof that taking a chance on yourself can lead to incredible things. From writing late into the night as a busy student to seeing Wait for Me come to life on Galatea, her journey is filled with passion, perseverance, and heart. For any aspiring authors wondering if their story is worth telling—Melissa’s advice is simple: keep writing. You never know who might fall in love with your words next.
