A Sad and Fond Farewell

Sometimes we have sad news to report, and today we want to acknowledge one of our own as we tip our Wench bonnets in honor and loving memory to Nina Paules, who, on August 9, “graduated to heaven,” as her husband Brian Paules so beautifully phrased it.

If you were with our blog in the beginning, you may remember Nina from the early days of Word Wenches. when she was one of our first and most frequent blog visitors. Her encouraging presence was important to our new blog venture. Enthusiastic, knowledgeable, and cheerful, Nina loved romance and Regency in particular. At first a reader, she became an integral part of the industry by bringing that caring and intelligence to e-publishing; she also became an e-publisher for a few of the Word Wenches.

One of our fondest and most fun memories of Nina is when she attended a Regency weekend at a historic house near Washington, DC. She wore Regency costume with every perfect detail in place, including a corset. Nina truly enjoyed it, and shared her experience in a guest blog about that weekend—read Nina’s “The Truth About Corsets” blog here.

One day in an email exchange, Mary Jo asked Nina if she would like to try formatting an ebook version of one of Mary Jo’s earlier novels. At the time, there was no convenient software or pathway to accomplish it easily. “She took that idea and ran with it,” Mary Jo says, “and created a new business in a new and growing field. She was a very sharp businesswoman as well as a kind, helpful woman.”

That initial idea, combined with Nina’s love of the romance genre, became ePublishing Works!, the digital publishing business that Nina built with the help of her husband Brian and their daughter Anna. Filling a real need for authors, ePW has become a uniquely comprehensive e-publishing resource and support for authors, books, and ultimately, readers. Of the Wenches, Mary Jo, Pat, Andrea, and Susan have all published ebooks with ePW.

“Nina was a huge help in getting me into self-publishing,” Andrea says. “She was a lovely, cheerful person with a passion for helping authors. A big loss, not only for her family and friends but also for the world of self-pubbing.”

"Nina was a gem and will be missed," says Pat. "She made a big difference in the world of indy publishing."

“For me,” Susan says, “she was the bringer of good news for my ebooks. I’ll miss those cheerful notes about sales, promotions, bestsellers, and progress. She was a lovely person who truly loved the romance genre, especially Regency, and she made a real impact in the world of books. I wish I could thank her for that now.”

To Brian, Anna, their family, and the rest of the ePublishing Works! team, we want to express our condolences and support. To the memory of Nina, we send our love and gratitude for her creative spirit, and for the difference she made in our world of books and stories.

Comments

[Janice]

God rest her soul. Losing another regency fan is like losing a friend you never met.

[Mary M.]

Graduated, indeed. Blessings to the Paules family and thanks to the Wench community for pulling back the curtain a bit for us.

[Michelle H]

Unknowingly, we all have lost an admirable friend. What an amazing woman. My condolences to you all. Bless her family and those she loved that are left behind. Thank you sto

[theo]

Oh, Nina! I had no idea though I'd noticed her decreasing presence here in the comments. I'm so very sorry. She will be truly missed. :(

And what a fitting obit to a lovely lady:
https://www.hartensteincares.com/obituaries/Nina-Paules/#!/Obituary

[Andrea Penrose]

Thanks for writing such a lovely tribute to Nina, Susan. She will be very much missed!

[Sue McCormick]

I will keep the Word Wenches in my thoughts and prayers as you cope with your loss of a valuable friend and colleague.

[Mary T]

I never knew this lady, but from this lovely and loving tribute, I feel like I did. My condolences to all who knew and loved her.

[Kareni]

How very sad to lose someone you valued both as a friend and as a business partner. My sympathies to the Word Wenches and to Nina's family and friends.

[Annette N]

I am so sorry for your loss. It is evident that Nina lived a good life. And it is also evident that she made a difference in the world.

I am so sorry for the loss felt in her family as well as her romance family.

Y'all take care and be blessed.

[Paula L Rollins]

Wishing Nina's family and friends peace..Sending hugs for the new Angel in heaven...

[Brian W Paules]

My deepest appreciation to the Word Wenches for this beautiful tribute. Nina would be moved to tears to read this along with the many loving comments.

Nina leaves a big hole...no one can take her place, just as no one can take YOURS!

God bless, and many thanks.

Brian Paules

[Susan King]

Thank you, Brian. You all are in our prayers and we will always hold Nina fondly in our hearts here at Word Wenches. 🤍

[Susan King]

Thank you, Paula, that's a lovely thought.

[Susan King]

She really did make a difference to the publishing world and to authors and readers! Thanks, Annette.

[Susan King]

Thanks, Kareni. Like you, Nina was a loyal friend to Word Wenches. And as a publisher too, she was an important part of our industry.

[Susan King]

Mary, what a lovely thought! Thank you.

[Susan King]

Thank you, Sue. This community and its members means a lot to us.

[Susan King]

Thanks, Theo. I know you would remember Nina from the very beginning of our blog. You're so right, she will be very much missed.

[Susan King]

A very admirable friend - thanks, Michelle!

[Susan King]

Thank you, Mary. Graduated is such a beautiful way to put it.

[Susan King]

Janice, exactly so. Thank you!

[Susan King]

Thanks, Andrea, it was a privilege to be able to do something in memoriam for her.