Category: Literary Locals Page 2 of 8

I met Ashely at this year’s Book Faire and really enjoyed our conversation, which will hopefully not be our last. I also really enjoyed the book she mentions below and hope to write about it soon (hopefully in conjunction with a conversation). Get to know her a little here and then search out her book and social media accounts. You’ll be glad you did!

Before we get into things, why don’t you give the reader a brief introduction to you and your work.
My name is Ashley and I like to describe myself as a “spooky writer & witchy crafter.” Last September, I published my 1st book, Memes & Mayhem. It’s a spooky humor book that retells a few of my fave ghosty stories with memes such as The Bell Witch, Krampus, Amityville Horror, etc. I also make wreaths & gift baskets. My website is twisted-ash.com where you can find all my spooky & crafty things. I’m also on Instagram @twisted_ash.co & TikTok @twisted_ash.co

Are you a native Idahoan? What brought you to Idaho in the first place? (answer whichever question applies) What is it about Idaho that keeps you here?
I’m actually an Army brat. I was born in Frankfurt, Germany and have lived in several places throughout my childhood: Tennessee, Texas, Ohio, Washington, Maryland. My mom is from Weiser, Idaho so I grew up visiting my grandparents almost every summer. I even went to Kindergarten at Pioneer Elementary in Weiser! In 2004, I finished college in Memphis, TN and moved to Boise with my parents & brothers. We’ve been here ever since and I have no plans to leave. I absolutely adore Boise and can’t imagine living anywhere else.

Are you tied into some sort of local author/bookish group/culture? If so, tell us about it and how it helps you as an author. If you’re not, is there a reason for it?
I’m not really a part of any groups. I’m a super introvert & homebody.

What kind of events in the area do you attend—either to sell/promote your books or to network with authors? Are there any outside of this area that you hit regularly and wish we had something like it here?
I’m very new to the indie author scene. I’ve attended 3 local book fairs to promote my book. Since I also craft, I like to attend local pop-up markets where I can sell my book, wreaths & gift baskets. I don’t really push online sales as I really prefer the in-person & local book/craft markets. There is a Haunted Farmer’s Market in Tacoma, WA that I really wish we had here in Boise. That is totally my jam & I think my whole vibe would work really well at something like that.

This is off-topic, but I’ve got to know a little more—what is a Haunted Farmer’s Market? How well do you think that would go over around here?
It’s pretty much a farmer’s market but make it spooky. I’ve never been but it’s ton of vendors that make it look like Halloween in the Summer!

More on-topic—despite your introversion (and that of many of your peers), have you been able to make any connections at these book fairs? Would you say there’s a sense of camaraderie among local authors?
The local authors who attend these fairs have been AMAZING. So many helpful tips: writing tips, marketing tips, etc. Extremely friendly & supportive. Many of us are indie authors so knowing we’re all kind of in the trenches of indie publishing & marketing is reassuring.

What’s the breakdown of your audience—do you have a strong local base, or are your readers from other parts of the world?
Since I’m so new with my writing & crafts, I’m still trying to find my peeps. I haven’t really found my niche group yet but anyone who likes all things spooky, witchy & funny, should check out my book. My wreaths & gift baskets are all seasons, all occasions so anyone can enjoy them.

Do you think there are particular challenges or advantages to being a writer in the Treasure Valley? (possibly both)
The support I’ve seen at the local book fairs & markets has been awesome. The Treasure Valley really loves & supports its local scene i.e. shops, artists, restaurants. It’s pretty incredible to witness.

I’ve got some friends who get booths at local craft markets and the like—they frequently tell me about authors booths at them. Do you get good reactions at them? Is this a market local writers should try to exploit?
As soon as I explain to someone that I wrote the book I have on display, they immediately smile & engage. Even if my genre is not their jam, they still express how awesome it is to have written & published a book.

Do you bring Idaho (or some sort of Idaho-sensibility, assuming one exists) to your work? Whether or not anyone else sees it, can you look at some aspect of your writing and think “That’s Idaho” or “I would do ____ differently if I was a Kentuckian or from Illinois?”
I’m hoping to make my book a series with different spooky stories in each book. I’d love to include some Idaho ghost stories. I just know we have a plethora to choose from.

One final question, is there a book (or two…or 18, if you get really carried away), that embodies Idaho/the Idaho spirit to you to recommend to my readers?
I’ve really enjoyed Forgotten Tales of Idaho by Andy Weeks and Murder & Mayhem in Boise by Mark Iverson & Jeff Wade.

Thanks for your time and participation! Hope you enjoyed it!
Thank you so much for reaching out!!

I haven’t had a chance to read Cindi Hartley’s work yet, but I’m very excited to introduce you to her. When I met her at the Nampa Library’s Book Faire last month, her effervescent personality made me a fan. She’s new to being a published author, which brings a fun perspective. Hope you enjoy this–and that you give her book a shot.

Before we get into things, why don’t you give the reader a brief introduction to you and your work.
Hi, my name is Cindi Hartley. I am a volunteer disability advocate and accessibility advisor with experience in training volunteer forces, setting up accessible spaces, and hosting events that focus on helping those with special needs and various physical disabilities find more inclusion within the community. I myself live with a condition known as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, Arthrochalasia type (aEDS) which has progressed to the point of needing a wheelchair due to stability issues when I try to walk. As my health has weakened through the years, I have had to step back more, but I continue to do what I can when I am asked for help which has included hosting a wheelchair challenge for my city leaders and being on call to answer accessibility questions or brainstorm solutions to accessibility barriers in the community.

I have been an avid reader and book lover for as long as I can remember. I have often dreamed of being a writer and have won small awards for various essays, poetry, and an old blog through the years. Even with all that though, I never thought I would get to see the day my name appeared on the byline of a book. It’s been humbling, overwhelming, exciting, and nerve-wracking all at once. Definitely a whole new experience, but one I am grateful to be having. My main goal with “Fifth Sparrow Rising” is to provide encouragement and a few simple ideas for how my readers can help bring more light into the world around them. I share a bit of my personal story and faith as well as experiences through some of the hardest parts of my life and things I have learned through it all in hopes that at least one person might feel seen and find help, hope, or courage from it. This is not a tell-all memoir, nor is it a complete summary of my life, but I hope it is enough to help show others they are not alone and that there is a way to find light again, as well as be a light, even when one has lived through darkness.

You can reach me through my Facebook page, titled the same as my book, or through my email address: The5thSparrow@yahoo.com, and I will do my best to respond as quickly as I can. My book is currently available through Mail Room ‘n’ More (Nampa), Mustard Seed (Nampa), or Sweet Zola’s (Boise). You can also get it directly from me at book signings. My next one is coming up on May 17th at Shared Stories in Caldwell.

What brought you to Idaho in the first place? What is it about Idaho that keeps you here?
I am not a native Idahoan. I moved here from Kansas back in 2015 when my family and friends helped raise funds to get me to the Treasure Valley after a few doctors here made national news in the EDS community. I was able to see a couple of them before they retired or moved their practice out to the East Coast. Their help gave me back my stability for a few extra years, which I will always be grateful for.

What keeps me here is twofold. The nature and beauty of this state fills my heart, and the kindness and acceptance of the overall community and people here have helped me feel at home. I may be a Kansan by birth, but I am an Idahoan at heart.

Are you tied into some sort of local author/bookish group/culture? If so, tell us about it and how it helps you as an author. If you’re not, is there a reason for it?
My book was published in January of this year so I am still trying to find my feet in this new experience of being an author. I do however appreciate the kind and welcoming nature of other local authors who welcomed me with open arms at my first book fair. These are writers I have been a fan of and have eagerly looked forward to seeing at various book fairs over the years, and when I stepped to the other side of the table for the first time in April they immediately embraced me as one of their own which meant the world to me and provided more encouragement than I could express. I also have a friend I made from being a fan of her writing who has helped with advice and encouragement when I needed it while trying to complete my book.

What kind of events in the area do you attend—either to sell/promote your books or to network with authors? Are there any outside of this area that you hit regularly and wish we had something like it here?
I am still new to all this, but so far I have been at the Nampa Library book fair this past April and a book signing at Mail Room ‘n’ More in Nampa. I have another book signing coming up in May at Shared Stories in Caldwell and hope to be able to find a spot in another book fair in the fall.

What’s the breakdown of your audience—do you have a strong local base, or are your readers from other parts of the world?
Through past writings I have known a global audience, but for this book my audience as been mostly local or from Vermont, where the artists responsible for the beautiful cover art are from. I have a few readers in a handful of other states as well, and one reader in Australia, which was a humbling thing to experience.

Do you think there are particular challenges or advantages to being a writer in the Treasure Valley? (possibly both)
I am not sure about challenges, but one advantage was the Nampa Library and the librarians who work there. They were a huge support throughout my writing process by helping with everything from beta reading and light editing support to helping me tackle tech issues when trying to transport my book from my trusty notebook to the computer. I could never have done all this so quickly without their support.

I also believe I couldn’t find more genuine support and encouragement than I do from the local author community here and the community of readers. That in itself is a huge asset tied to being in the Treasure Valley.

Do you bring Idaho (or some sort of Idaho-sensibility, assuming one exists) to your work? Whether or not anyone else sees it, can you look at some aspect of your writing and think “That’s Idaho” or “I would do ____ differently if I was a Kentuckian or from Illinois?”
I don’t mention Idaho specifically, but I do draw from some of my experiences while living here. I also highlight the importance of kindness, acceptance, and community which I believe are values that are shared by fellow Idahoans.

One final question, is there a book (or two…or 18, if you get really carried away), that embodies Idaho/the Idaho spirit to you to recommend to my readers?
Oh, that’s a hard one for a book dragon. lol If I had to narrow it down, I would say “Idaho’s Remarkable Women: Daughters, Wives, Sisters, and Mothers Who Shaped History” by L.E. Bragg and “Fuzzwiggs: the Switcheroo” by Amy Maren Rice. An odd pair at first glance, I admit, but I honestly feel they help summarize what makes Idaho so great. The former is a non-fiction book about some key people in Idaho’s past that helped shape this state and is full of the grit, heart, and the kind of determination that makes Idaho strong. The latter is a fun fantasy that highlights humor, nature, and adventure while bringing you a story of family bonds and personal growth, while the main characters learn the value of working together and building a mentality of teamwork and community. Idaho to me is a magical and beautiful place, where the history and culture is rooted in perseverance, strength, and courage, and the sense of community and family here is strong. There are several more books that I could add to this list, but I choose these two books to highlight because I believe that together they help capture a good summary of what makes this state what it is.

Thanks for your time and participation! Hope you enjoyed it!

Nathan Keys and I tried to get this posted last year, but communication errors led to that plan going out the window. But after the Treasure Valley Book Faire a couple of weeks ago, we brushed this up, updated it, and now I’m happy to bring this to you. Hope you enjoy.

Before we get into things, why don’t you give the reader a brief introduction to you and your work.
Hello there! I’m Nathan Keys, author of the epic fantasy adventure series, The Epic of Marindel. My mission is to write captivating stories that will bring readers hope and purpose. I believe every person has a story, and every story is a part of something Greater. My faith in Christ is central to everything I do.

I have three books published as of this interview. Chosen and Redemption are Books I and II in The Epic of Marindel series. I also have a companion study guide called The Great Story of Marindel that offers the Marindel gospel allegory as a stand-alone tale, with guided questions after each chapter for those who would like to dive into the symbolism and Scripture references behind the story. Currently, I’m writing Books III and IV in the fantasy series.

You can find me on Facebook and Instagram @nathankeys23. Below are links to my website, YouTube, Goodreads, and Amazon page.

https://nathankeys.com/
https://www.youtube.com/@nathankeys23
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19341586.Nathan_Keys
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07V5CCZWQ/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=c113121d-7d33-402f-8bb4-e29c353973fc&ref_=pe_1724030_132998060

What brought you to Idaho in the first place? What is it about Idaho that keeps you here?
I was born and raised in the Southern California town of Rancho Cucamonga. I moved to San Diego for college, where I lived for ten years until the pandemic hit and I lost the means to afford the big city. My parents had been looking to move out of state for years, but the way the pandemic was handled in California pushed them over the edge, and they bought a property in the Treasure Valley. When they invited me to come with them, what was I going to say, no? We’ve been here for over three years now, and I have no regrets!

My favorite things about Idaho are its abundant natural beauty, the existence of four seasons, and the friendly neighborhood feel that I so rarely encountered in Southern California.

Are you tied into some sort of local author/bookish group/culture? If so, tell us about it and how it helps you as an author. If you’re not, is there a reason for it?
I’ve been part of a Christian writing group called the Kingdom Writers Association (KWA) for several years. I encountered them when I was just finishing the first draft of my first book, and they provided me with valuable information about how to publish, and connections with editors and illustrators. Though it was initially founded in San Diego, KWA has since expanded globally, including a local Boise chapter called Sacred Scribes, which I now help lead. We meet once a month to encourage one another in our writing, just like CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien did in their writing group, the Inklings.

Oh, great! Yet another writing group in the area—I keep finding new ones every time I turn around. Tell us a little about Sacred Scribes—how big is it? How active? Is it more of a mutual encouragement group, or do you critique each other and so on?
Sacred Scribes meets once per month, usually on the first Saturday. We’re pretty small for now, but slowly growing – our average attendance is between 8 and 15 people per meeting, with 65 people in our Facebook group (look this up if you, reader, are curious about joining). Our major focus is encouragement of the writer, though we also do regular writing prompts and critique circles. I’m the point-person for getting more of our published members involved in events like the Treasure Valley Book Faire!

What kind of events in the area do you attend—either to sell/promote your books or to network with authors? Are there any outside of this area that you hit regularly and wish we had something like it here?
Being relatively new to Idaho, I’m still learning about all the events that are possible to attend. I’m very pleased to see the local author/bookish community in the Treasure Valley growing so quickly. I was worried there would be fewer opportunities here than there were in San Diego, but it seems like each library in the TV is trying to put on an event at least annually. I’m also curious to discover which craft/community fairs will allow book tables. I’m sure there are more opportunities here than I’m aware of, so I’m open to suggestions!
If there are community/craft fairs that don’t allow them, I haven’t heard of any. I’m always getting tips from friends who attend more of them than I can.

What’s the breakdown of your audience—do you have a strong local base, or are your readers from other parts of the world?
I have a growing local fan base, which I’m very thankful for. Word-of-mouth is my favorite way to market! However, through my connections with the Kingdom Writers Association and as I grow my social media following, I have fans popping up all over the country. I’ve even gotten a few sales internationally. A library in the UK recently stocked my first book!

I have to imagine that hearing about that UK library had to be a great encouragement. Do you have solid plans for how to grow your social media following? I’m just curious about how authors experiment with these kinds of things. Have you tried some things previously that haven’t worked out?
For now, consistency is key. I’m not willing to allow social media to drain me, so I set realistic goals that I know I can accomplish, even if it’s less than what some other authors are doing. Right now, my goal is posting consistently twice per week. As for things that haven’t worked, I haven’t seen much luck with paid ads, though I think it may require more experimentation on my part.

Do you think there are particular challenges or advantages to being a writer in the Treasure Valley? (possibly both)
For advantages, the community-forward culture of the Treasure Valley makes it easier to connect with people through word-of-mouth. Getting into events at libraries, bookstores, etc. is also much less competitive than what I experienced in California with my first book release (2019). Here, I feel it’s much easier for indie authors to make connections and find their fan base. As for challenges, all I can think of is the lack of bigger writers’ groups and writing conferences that bring in renowned field experts. A TV writer will have to travel to take advantage of those!

You mentioned finding your fan base here. A couple of weeks ago, we were both at the same event, and I talked to someone who was so excited that their “favorite writer” had a table there—you. So you’re at least finding some fans here—has there been a strategy behind that, or is it just happening?
It’s happening by me showing up, being present, and talking to people! At every event I attend, networking is the most important objective. I don’t stress too much about sales, at least not in the short-term sense. Personal connection and brand familiarity often precede sales.

Do you bring Idaho (or some sort of Idaho-sensibility, assuming one exists) to your work? Whether or not anyone else sees it, can you look at some aspect of your writing and think, “That’s Idaho” or “I would do ____ differently if I was a Kentuckian or from Illinois?”
In my WIP (Marindel Book 3), I’ve introduced a tavern called “The Hardy Bluebird,” which is an intentional reference to Idaho’s state bird. The tavern’s entrance sign depicts a flying bluebird clutching a sage branch in its talons. The setting is more or less a ghost town (as much as a fantasy realm can delve into the wild west genre), and it’s very exploratory at the moment, but I’m enjoying the world-building so far!

One final question, is there a book (or two…or 18, if you get really carried away), that embodies Idaho/the Idaho spirit to you to recommend to my readers?
This is a question I’d like to turn on everyone reading this. I love both history and historical fiction, and I’m still getting familiar with Idaho’s story. Any recommendations?
Readers, feel free to give him some recs! I have a couple of ideas, but I’d love to hear yours.
 

Thanks for your time and participation! Hope you enjoyed it!