Meet Speculative Author Erin R. Howard

 

It is my pleasure to introduce you to one of my favorite people, Erin R. Howard! I met her in a writing group, and found out we had grown up about 10 miles from one another! 

As this post comes live, Erin and I are traveling to Hot Springs, Arkansas for ScrivCon 2024, a writing conference hosted by our publisher, Scrivenings Press LLC. I have a feeling there will be some fun going on during this trip!

A little bit about Erin:

Erin R. Howard is the award-winning fantasy author of Window of Time and the Managing Editor for Expanse Books, an imprint of Scrivenings Press. Her other titles include The Kalila Chronicles (YA urban fantasy) and The Gates of Deceit (dystopian) series.

When she’s not writing or editing, Erin loves playing video games with her husband, watching movies with her children, and fueling her many craft addictions. Erin has a Creative Writing degree and is a member of Realm Makers, RagTag Writers, and Once Upon a Page. She resides in Western Kentucky with her husband and three children.

Welcome, Erin! I'm so happy to have you on our blog today! Let's dive in ...

What inspired you to write, initially, and what encouraged you to continue?

 

I started writing in middle school, so the love of reading initially inspired me to write. I loved to get lost in story worlds and I wanted to be able to create my own. As I got older, that want turned more into a need. I had so many ideas, characters, and worlds that just needed to be let out. The stories just had to be told. Now, when readers message me or tell me that they couldn’t put my book down, or if there’s something that touched them as they were reading—that keeps me writing.

 

Do you look on writing as a “calling?” 

 

I definitely do. It is what I was always supposed to do, even though I pursued several different careers and majors. LOL! But I believe God gave me the talent and love for writing for a reason, specifically writing clean books. While I love Christian books and stories, I didn’t want to be put in a box. I want my faith to shine through, shed light in a dark world, and let readers know that there is hope. I want to reach readers who may not pick up a “Christian” book but will pick up a clean read, and then let God speak to their hearts.

 

I totally agree! When I write, I write about people like me, therefore being a Christian is just part of their lives without preaching!

 

If you were on a deserted island with a laptop and no wifi, what are two programs or apps you would have to have on your computer?

 

The Sims. I’ve played that game since the very first moment it came out. Also, Microsoft Word. I have to have a place to write!

Oh, my! My daughters loved The Sims! I remember once they couldn't get rid of the "nanny" and had to go to extreme measures to make her go away! LOL!! MS Word is a must for me, too! (and could I maybe sneak Canva in? ;)

Thanks, Erin! 

Here's the blurb for Window of Peace, book 4 of the Stained Glass Legacy series, of which I'm a part, too! Erin was a finalist in the Selah awards for this book, and it was such a great addition to the series!

A kingdom in the future, a girl from the past, and a stained-glass window that can’t be found.

Mia Miller just needed a moment to breathe and admire the stained-glass window in the chapel before she had to plaster on a fake smile for her only sister’s wedding reception. Her artist’s eye drew her to the window but something else entirely made her fall through it. Now she’s stuck in a strange land, a different time, mistaken for a princess, and the stained-glass window nowhere to be found.

With Rebels stealing his Kingdom’s low food supplies, Prince Liam Dunne agrees to an Engagement to secure better trading routes. When the princess arrives without a shred of luggage or her entourage but plenty of anxiety, his heart has a hard time staying out of it. Princess Amelia challenges what he believes in—in a world where faith is eradicated. But when the truth comes out about her true identity, will he have the courage to live up to his family’s legacy?

Here's how you can learn more about Erin and her books! Connect with her today!

https://www.facebook.com/E.R.H.Fiction

https://www.instagram.com/erinrhoward/

https://www.tiktok.com/@erinrhoward

www.erinrhoward.com

www.scrivenings.link/windowoftime

Meet Australian Author, Lisa Heidke

I'm an American author, Gay N. Lewis, and I'd like  you to meet Australian author, Lisa Heidke.

 Lisa began writing in 2000, and she is now an international author with eight books. She uses different names for her novels and is familiar with rebranding herself.

She teaches Creative Writing at the Australian Writers’ Centre in Sydney, present workshops and writing retreats, most recently in Tuscany, Italy. She has also been on panels at RWA conferences, GenreCon, and many Australian and international writers’ festivals. She studied journalism and worked as an acquisitions editor before writing for Asutralian Consolidated Press flagship magazines. 

I asked Lisa about the differences in our individual countries in the publishing industry. She replied.

The difference between Australian English and American English lies in spelling. In Australia, words such as "specialise," "authorise," and "analyse" are spelled with an "s" instead of the "z" that is standard in American English.

Another major spelling difference is the use of the letter "u." In Australian English, words like "colour" and "favourite" include the "u," while American English drops it, spelling them as "color" and "favorite."

 In Australia, sweets are called lollies, while Americans refer to them as candy and British people call them sweets. What Australians call tomato sauce is known as ketchup in America.

 Christmas Crackers are called "bon-bons" in Australia, although the term "crackers" is sometimes used. In Australia, a nappie is what you put on your baby's bottom. In America, it’s called a diaper.  In Australia, a flat is a place people live with one or two bedrooms. In America, this is called an apartment.  A cooler in the USA, is called an Esky in Australia.

She'll be right. - "I hit my arm, but she'll be right". Means "it'll be okay" and can be said about almost anything. The car’s playing up, but she'll be right. I have a sore head, but she'll be right. This report is due in 30 minutes, but she'll be right. Etc.

 No worries - not a problem. I sometimes get pulled up on that one, and it means literally that, “no worries, it’s fine.”

 “All good” in Australia, means, “No, I don’t want another drink, or help in a department store…etc.  American publishers will pull me up on this one and ask, how can a person say, “All good, when they mean no?”  Very funny.

I asked Lisa to tell us about life in Australia.

I live at Gerroa, a small coastal village, (population 494), two hours south of Sydney, Australia, with my partner and two huge Ragdoll cats, Oscar and Felix. Our clifftop home overlooks the Pacific Ocean, and our weather can be unpredictable; marine grade winds, high surf, and torrential storms one day, and calm seas, whales, dolphins, and sunshine, the next. I have three gorgeous adult children who all live in Sydney, happily leading independent, fulfilling lives.

Lisa's View from her home's balcony.

In 2021, Lisa found a publishing home with Bloodhound Books UK. With new branding and pen name, Lisa Darcy was born. That same year, Lily’s Little Flower Shop, a fish-out-of-water coastal romance, was published. Lily’s Little Flower Shop has since been published in several languages, including French and Italian.

I asked Lisa to tell us about the ladies in her books. Here’s her reply.

 "I like writing stories that balance elements of drama and comedy - dramedy. A common thread throughout my novels is women finding the strength to move forward when faced with challenging circumstances. These characters deal with real-life circumstances such as divorce, betrayal, heartache, and addiction, with behaviours that are unpredictable, messy, flawed, and generally lead to more chaos with a sprinkling of humour. Hopefully readers recognize a little of themselves in the way these relatable characters ultimately reinvent themselves for a more promising and fulfilling future.”

 Lisa recently found a US publisher, Wings ePress, and her latest release is The Pact. 

The Pact

Here’s a blurb: Sisters are for life, aren’t they? The Pact is a gripping narrative about winning and losing, and pushing through when you have nothing left to give. Samantha and Annie Callahan are successful doubles champions–the toast of the Olympics, Wimbledon and Flushing Meadow. But their partnership spirals out of control when Annie’s new boyfriend announces their engagement at the Australian Open. Amidst rising anger and betrayal, Samantha does the unthinkable after a devastating Wimbledon loss. The sisters must confront the past to take control of the present. But can Samantha and Annie both win?

You can reach Lisa across the Pond. Here’ s her email. Lisa Darcy - lheidke@bigpond.net.au

Email: lisadarcyauthor@gmail.com

Facebook: Lisa Darcy – author

Twitter: @lisadarcyauthor

INSTAGRAM:  https://www.instagram.com/lisadarcyauthor/   

THREADS: https://www.threads.net/@lisadarcyauthor?hl=en   

TIK TOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@lisadarcyauthor4