Tag: Literary Locals Page 4 of 6

Back in January, Joyce Reynolds-Ward was one of the first to participate in my Literary Locals Q&As, and I really enjoyed that. This morning I posted my take on her novel, Klone’s Stronghold (5 months after I’d hoped to). I’m pleased to welcome her back to this space to talk about her writing in particular. I focused on Klone’s Stronghold, but encouraged her to talk about her writing as a whole.

We’ve gone over your writer’s bio before, but I wanted to follow up on a couple of things. First, could you talk about your path to publication and what sparked your desire to write? Also, your bio mentions that your “work includes…(whenever possible) horses,” [in much the same way that mine would say (whenever possible) My first memory of writing was when I was about eight or nine years old, typing a fanfiction about Mighty Mouse. I don’t remember anything else about it, but a couple of years later, I started MY version of the Black Stallion story, featuring a girl and her palomino Thoroughbred mare. I’ve always told myself stories, whether they were about something I read or saw on TV, then, later, my own stories.

Horses? Well, I’m a person who has loved horses my entire life. My maternal grandfather was a chicken farmer who was a workhorse trainer on the side, specializing in rehabs and wild horses. Because he focused on workhorses, I don’t have the fancy backstory that some current horse trainers and show people do—or the connections. My old mare Mocha has been with me for eighteen years now, and I’ve learned a lot from her.

There’s also not a lot of adult-oriented stories that involve horses (Klone’s Stronghold is the rarity of my work that doesn’t have one wandering through it). The ones that do either have inaccuracies that make me want to throw the book across the room, or they focus on high-visibility equestrian sport that isn’t Western-oriented. Very little out there features normal, everyday people who ride horses and horses that are just normal, everyday horses. In the SFF realm, the only horses I’ve seen that really resemble actual equines I’ve known are either written by Judith Tarr or C.J. Cherryh (the Riders duology is absolutely perfect at tagging the twisted equine sense of humor).

Authors have dozens of ideas percolating at once (if not more), what was it about the idea that became Klone’s Stronghold that made you decide it was the one you wanted to focus on for a few months? Can you remember what nugget started that book?
Oh, this one is easy. Going over the Oregon Blue Mountains on Highway 204, there’s a little gravel road that’s labeled “Klone Lane.” I kept poking and poking at the notion of an isolated scientist doing genetic experiments in the backwoods of Northeastern Oregon, because it really did seem like an ideal location for a contemporary version of Frankenstein, The Island of Dr. Moreau, or other books of that ilk. It’s also a location for a LOT of Sasquatch sightings.

A second piece was attending multi-day outdoor music festivals at several venues in the Willamette Valley, along with the Oregon Country Fair.

Finally, I think Stronghold was intended to be my Zenna Henderson book. I really love how she folded her teaching experience into her stories and I tried to channel that mode when writing Stronghold.

Maybe this falls into the “are you a pantser or a plotter” discussion that everyone asks about, but given the elaborate—or at least widely varied—supernatural species (for lack of a better term) you have here, did you just sort of wing it and introduce ideas/races/abilities as you went along, defining them as you needed at the time—or did you work it all out in detail before hand?
I totally pantsed these supernatural species. That meant I needed to spend more time in rewrites trying to make it all fit, but it was my attempt to come up with something that wasn’t the same-old, same-old European supernatural beings transferred to the New World. It’s part and parcel with something that I’ve struggled with over the years. I don’t want to appropriate Native American beliefs even though they are more appropriate for the area where I write—they aren’t mine, I haven’t been brought up in those cultures, and coming from the settler background that I do, I believe that I need to be mindful of these things. That’s why you won’t see me writing about sknwlkrs or wndg. The cultures that those beings come from have asked that people not from their cultures avoid writing about those beings, including using their full names (therefore why I’ve disemvoweled them) so I’m trying to be respectful.

It worked in Stronghold. But I’m still wrestling with the idea in other worlds. One problem with making it all up myself is that I—have to make it all up myself. That can be daunting sometimes, especially when writing paranormal contemporary stories.

Who are some of your major influences? (whether or not you think those influences can be seen in your work—you know they’re there)
I read widely and I think that shows up in my work. I’m influenced by a lot of contemporary Western writers whose writing integrates the Western landscape into their stories. Steinbeck. Ivan Doig. Laura Pritchett (I have workshopped with her). Luis Alberto Urrea. Norman Maclean. Jamie Ford (another person I’ve workshopped with). But also, within genre—Ursula K. LeGuin. C.J. Cherryh. Aliette de Bodard. Phyllis Irene Radford. Patricia Briggs. Laura Anne Gilman. Zenna Henderson. And many others.

In our correspondence, you described Klone’s Stronghold as one of your “lesser books.” Is there anything in particular that makes you say that? Is that a verdict that you come up with later, or while writing are you thinking “this isn’t going to be my best, but let’s see how it goes anyway”?
I don’t issue that verdict in the beginning, but after I’ve put a book out. It also somewhat reflects a change in my attitude about the stories I tell, as well as how they started to become an idea.

Klone’s Stronghold is a standalone book that doesn’t seem to want to become a series. Oh, I have ideas, and notions, but nothing that coalesces sufficiently to become a story. That’s why I call it a “lesser book.” I’ve tried to make it the best book that it could be, but it doesn’t want to be anything more than that. Nothing like my Martiniere interrelated series, or the Goddess’s Honor series, or the Netwalk Sequence series. All of the first books in those series were clearly bigger than the one book, and those characters had more to say. Reeni—has pretty much said what she wants to say. She’s done with telling her story, even though there are more things that could be written about in that world. It’s also a nice little book, but it doesn’t break any new ground in storytelling. It’s not a big breakout book. It’s a story I wanted to tell.

I have another one of that ilk that’s simmering in development. Dragons of the Raven Alliance is a retelling of the colonization of North America, only with dragons as human allies. It’s one of those worlds that maybe could become a series in the hands of another writer, but for me—it’s a one-shot book that will tell a nice little story. But again, nothing big, not a breakout book. However, there’s room for the nice little stories both in my writing schedule and amongst the general public readership. Another one is my cli-fi novel, Beating the Apocalypse. Like Stronghold, it started around setting and moods, then developed into characters.

That might be the major difference. What I consider to be my big books started with characters, not setting or moods. They fit the mold of “breakout books” or “upmarket fiction” more than these books do. Because the big books are character-based, they end up becoming longer, bigger stories over several books. The setting and mood books don’t usually have sufficient impulsion within their story arc to tell anything more than the one book.

Your site lists a lot of titles—you’ve been pretty productive. What is it about storytelling/writing that keeps it fresh for you? Is this a compulsion to keep going, or is it more pleasure? Along those lines, are there genres you are still hoping to try, or are you sticking in the lanes you’ve picked? Are there genres you don’t see ever trying?
It’s pretty simple. I just like telling stories. That said, most of those books are tied into series, particularly the Martiniere books. Those characters keep coming up with more elements and pieces to tell about their world (technically, worlds, since those books are set in a multiverse).

I keep trying to venture into steampunk and Weird West. I would dearly love to write more Weird West. But. I keep running into roadblocks because I am a settler descendant and I am rabidly self-conscious about what that means and avoiding problematic stereotypes. I’m putting more romantic elements into my work, though I doubt I’d write a straightforward romance. The Martiniere books are probably the closest I’ll come to upmarket or literary fiction, though who knows? Possibilities always exist, and I do have a historical political novel simmering based on past experiences.

What you aren’t likely to see from me is a police procedural or mystery. I used to love reading that genre, but it doesn’t hold any appeal for me as either a reader or a writer these days. A non-cross-genre literary or upmarket book isn’t likely to happen. I’ve thought about writing memoirs, but they just don’t appeal. Or humor. I’m not very good at it, and I know too many people who are really, really good at humor to even give it a whirl. Or splatterpunkish stuff (now I’m dating myself!).

What’s next for Joyce Reynolds-Ward, author?
Right now I’m developing a Martiniere subseries called The Cost of Power, with book titles of Prodigal’s Return, Prodigal’s Trial, and Prodigal’s Redemption. Return is complete. Originally, it was just going to be one book but it became much more than that. Besides the usual Martiniere science fiction western with corporate soap opera, family discord, multiverse and mind control elements, I’m also adding in a fantasy element based on the legend of Melusine of Lusignan, hearkening back to events that happened during the fur trapping era of the Pacific Northwest as well as the French Wars of Religion involving Catherine di Medici. I’m hoping to release it next spring in one-month intervals—at least that’s the plan. However it turns out, it’s not going to be the Marvel Cinematic Universe, for sure!

Along with that, I’m also developing the series sequel to my first fantasy series, Goddess’s Honor, called Goddess’s Vision. The Vision series will focus on the deconstruction of the failing Darani Empire and the need for the nations of that world to unite to battle the Outcast God and the Divine Confederation. This is roughly set in a Pacific Northwest-type world—all of it, not just the wet side! And yes, it has magical horses, a breed called daranvelii.

As far as releases are concerned, my first short story collection, Fabulist and Fantastical Worlds, will be released on August 15th. Fourteen of the seventeen short stories have been previously published; the remaining three have not. I have enough published material to create several other short story collections, though some will need additions to fill them out. Those will be forthcoming.

A far future political space opera, Federation Cowboy, is now with readers and will probably come out in October. Cowboy may or may not have sequels. Like Stronghold and Apocalypse, it’s been sitting around the hard drive in one form or another for several years. I have several other ideas like that which are just waiting to take form.

Beyond that? Who knows? I might take the time to put out a collection of the ski blogs I wrote years ago. Or something further than that.

We’ll see what happens.

Thanks for your time—and thanks for Klone’s Stronghold, I loved that world and characters.
Thank you so much for your time, and I appreciate that you loved that world and characters! It did not get a great reception in the Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off competition and really did not benefit from its entry, alas. But even though I call it one of my lesser books, I still am fond of Reeni and Strug and the kids, and I really, really like its cover. That interior needs work, so at some point I’ll reissue it, and that might be enough to stir the ol’ backbrain to whip up another story in that world. Or not. Nonetheless, it is a story I like.

Klone’s Stronghold by Joyce Reynolds-Ward: Nothing—I mean Nothing—Is What It Seems In This Fantasy

By HCNewton

On August 1, 2023

In Fantasy, Fiction, Literary Locals

That’s the best of a dozen headlines for this post. Which tells you something about the other eleven.
Joyce Reynolds-Ward participated in a Q&A with me about Writing Near Southwest Idaho earlier this year, and I’ve finally found the time to read one of her novels. She’ll be back this afternoon for a Q&A about this book, but first, allow me to ramble on a bit about it.

Klone’s Stronghold

by Joyce Reynolds-Ward

DETAILS:
Publication Date: June 19, 2018
Format: eBook
Length: 226 pg.
Read Date: July 24-25, 2023

What’s Klone’s Stronghold About?

A year ago, Reeni escaped her abusive marriage—her ex-husband has turned into a stalker, he’s apparently a man of some status in the community and was able to get her fired from her job as a Special Ed teacher and Reeni’s on the verge of having to move a long way away just to find a new position. To add insult to injury, her family keeps trying to get her to reconcile with her ex.

Two dear friends convince her to attend a music festival with them—they love this band (she enjoys them, but isn’t going to be following them around like Deadheads). It’s a few days away from home, there’s no way that Karl is going to show up here. She needs some time in safety and peace to think about life. And if she happens to have a little fun? All the better.

Of course, it doesn’t work out. Karl shows up with some friends (or henchmen, your call). The band’s security takes care of them while Reeni finds a safe place to hide out. Before Karl had arrived, Reeni had struck up a friendship (or the beginning of one) with one of the security team—a supernatural of some kind. He comes to her with a proposal—he knows a guy who is working with a small group of supernatural people who are socially and educationally delayed, and are in need of a teacher to work on both areas. Due to the nature of their work and abilities, Karl won’t be able to approach her there; and she’ll get paid a very tidy sum if she commits for a few months in this out-of-the-way spot in the Eastern Oregon mountains.

Intrigued by the job—and desperate to get refuge—she agrees.

Because I’m struggling to finish this section, I’m just going to borrow from the official Description:

But things are not as they seem at the Stronghold, from the older proprietors of a nearby store and the Stronghold’s leader Alexander Reed Klone, to Reeni herself. She discovers it’s not just Karl who seeks to control who and what she is, but forces from her past that threaten her present. Can she learn the truth about herself and do what is needed in time to defend the Stronghold?

The Cozy That Could’ve Been

Sure, when Reynolds-Ward wrote this, cozy fantasy wasn’t really a thing (I’m sure it existed, but it was so far under the radar…), so it might not have crossed her mind to do this, but…

If she had abandoned the last 46% or so of the book and had just stuck with Reeni’s work in the classroom for a few months, letting us watch the progress she makes with her charges? I’d have been utterly charmed with it and would’ve likely enjoyed the novel more.

I’m not actually criticizing the last 46% of the book (most of it, anyway)—this is just a rabbit trail of a thought I had while reading this. That 46% results in a perfectly satisfying that I’m recommending, I’m just saying.

Now to try to turn this from an inadvertent criticism to something positive. I was interested in Reeni and her story and I was enjoying trying to figure out what was going on. But it was the moment that Reeni first started working with her students, connecting with them in a way that her employer didn’t see was possible that I got invested in this novel. I started caring about Reeni and her students then. Yes, the rest of the book was exciting, had magic flying about, secrets were revealed, and Big Things happened, etc. But the whole time, the back of my mind was asking—but what about the next week of lessons? When do we get back to that?

So, what did I think about Klone’s Stronghold?

I really could’ve focused on so many things here, Klone’s Stronghold is a target-rich environment for someone looking for things to write about. There’s Reeni’s attempts to escape her bad marriage, and worse husband. There’s her family’s reactions to her divorce (it’s eventually explained, but it makes it worse). There’s a twisting of religion. There’s something to explore with her great friends—new and old. You could go on and on about the supernatural species (or whatever you want to call them). But for various and sundry reasons I have to move on. Also, this could end up being 40 pages long if I let myself. You want a novel to inspire all kinds of rabbit trails for you to follow while reading? Look no further.

There are a couple of moments in the latter half of the book that I’m not sure we needed. Or at least we didn’t need all that Reynolds-Ward gave us. It’s tricky to talk about without spoiling—but it’s in the parts where Reeni is helped to understand what she learns about her background and family. Most of this section is really well done—and it’s all interesting. But parts of this take up a whole lot more space than I think they needed to—it dragged the story down, and didn’t illuminate much. With some trimming I wouldn’t have said anything at all.

Other than that, I found the pacing really well done—there’s a lot that Reeni goes through here—and the rate at which she experienced it and had to figure out how to deal with all she goes through was really well done—not just for Reeni, but for the reader.

There are so many scenes that make you stop and bask in them. Reynolds-Ward puts you in this world, and even when you’re trying to figure out exactly what’s happening because (for example) you haven’t worked out all the various kinds of supernatural beings there are—you can see and understand enough that it doesn’t matter.

I know that this wasn’t intended to be a series (or at least it didn’t become one)—and I don’t want to complain about a stand-alone (phew! Plotlines I don’t have to remember for books on end! I’m not signing up for a multi-year commitment!). But boy howdy, do I wish I could spend more time in this world. The general store (or whatever it should be called) and its owners along with the Stronghold and those that live there have all the makings of a setting you want to return to—even the band would be great to spend more time with.

That said, this was a very satisfying story that absolutely doesn’t end anywhere near where you think it will after the first couple of chapters. (which, incidentally makes it really hard to talk about).

I recommend this for people who want a very atypical fantasy (that brushes against SF, but not really) in a contemporary setting. Readers of Bledsoe’s Tufa novels might resonate with this. It’s a nice breath of fresh air. This is my first novel by Reynolds-Ward, but it won’t be my last (I’ve already got the next one picked out…and probably the one after that, too).

3.5 Stars

This post contains an affiliate link. If you purchase from it, I will get a small commission at no additional cost to you. As always, the opinions expressed are my own.

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Pure of Heart by Danielle Parker: She’s Not Your Typical Werewolf and This Isn’t Your Typical UF

By HCNewton

On July 6, 2023

In Literary Locals

Too many months ago, Parker participated in a Q&A about writing in Idaho with me, now I have a chance to talk about her debut book!

Pure of Heart

by Danielle Parker

DETAILS:
Series: The Faoladh Series, Book One
Publication Date: September 27, 2015
Format: Paperback
Length: 328 pg.
Read Date: June 29-July 3, 2023

What’s Pure of Heart About?

In this world, werewolves are born, not made, and apparently begin changing around adolescence. In Harper’s case, this is dangerous—her parents died before they told her anything about lycanthropy and she had to learn about it along with the uncle who took her in and raised her from the age of eight. Grady knew his sister got furry every full moon, so it wasn’t a total surprise—but that’s about all he knew about werewolves.

She’s in her twenties now and pretty much all she knows is that chains can’t hold her down and that her wolf will kill and eat people if given the chance. Harper’s taken it upon herself to make sure that doesn’t happen again. Her uncle and friend/veterinarian regularly hunt her down and shoot her with tranquilizers when her wolf gets out of the house.

Harper’s entire life seems to revolve around not letting the wolf get out of control. Which seems like a lonely existence—and it pretty much is.

Until a new woman moves to the small Colorado town to take over her late grandparents’ bookstore. Something about Emerson affects the wolf part of her—Harper can’t even come close to understanding it. But her wolf immediately acts strangely (and we’re talking strangely for a werewolf, so it’s really strange) as soon as Harper meets Emerson.

Harper’s got to figure out what’s going on with the wolf before something happens to Emerson.

Parker’s Werewolves

I guess I should say “Faoladh” instead—but whatever. Keeping in line with her tumblr page’s title, Parker’s “Werewolves Don’t Sparkle.” Harper’s wolf is dangerous to everyone and everything (particularly doors/walls/fences). There’s little tame about her. We’re reminded of that constantly (bordering on too often).

This shows up in Harper, too—her wolf is always below the surface and keeps her from being too likable to many people. That’s a nice little touch and as (if?) Harper and her wolf start getting along better as the series continues, it’ll be good to see how that changes her.

The way she describes the change (particularly from human to wolf) is really good. Over the years of reading werewolf UF, it’s become one of those things that jump out at me to differentiate the authors’ take on lycanthropes and Parker’s strikes me as one of the better versions of that.

Harper and her family know incredibly little about her, um, condition. And it’s almost wholly from trial and error (mostly error). Because he didn’t manifest the werewolf heritage, Grady’s parents and sister didn’t bother to tell him much about it. I find that difficult to swallow, but I’m willing to do that for the sake of the story. I do appreciate that her cousin isn’t going to have this issue, he knows almost as much as the reader does. Harper stumbling through all of this practically blind makes it very easy for the reader to jump in with her and learn alongside her.

We are told a couple of times that there’s a difference between Faoladh and what we think of werewolves thanks to books and movies. But we have no reason to believe that yet—I really want to see us have that reason as well as see how that actually works out. I’m not saying that because I’m skeptical, but because I think both will refreshing and stimulating.

On a semi-related note, people in this town are quick to take a couple of clues and jump to the conclusion that “this woman must be a member of a species that I thought was the stuff of folklore and horror movies until right this second.” A little more self-doubt would’ve been nice, but it’d have slowed the book down too much.

So, what did I think about Pure of Heart?

I’m honestly not sure what I was expecting from this book—but it wasn’t what Pure of Heart ended up being. It’s a compelling read, for sure, just not for the reasons I’m used to in typical UF/werewolf novels, which is a pleasant change. For starters, there’s no big supernatural foe (unless you count Harper’s war within herself). It’s human drama, just with a massive side helping of the supernatural on board. Actually, I’ll just stop with that, too, so I don’t end up saying too much.

It’s also a great pastiche for Disney’s Beauty and The Beast—and once you start seeing that, it’s everywhere, adding a level of entertainment.

I don’t have a major problem with the romance arc that the book ended up focusing on, but it looked for a minute or two that we’d be swimming in strong and interesting platonic friendships, and those intrigue me more lately. So that was a minor disappointment, but just a minor one. I’m a little worried about the level of consent involved given the supernatural angle—see also, my qualms with Jolly’s BaIT—but Parker seems so focused on it, that I’m trusting her. Also, there’s reason to suspect that everyone involved is going to come to a greater understanding of Faoladh abilities soon, and that’ll give her a chance to assuage any feelings of creepiness.

Is it a wholly successful novel? Not quite—but it’s close enough to make getting (and reading) the second book a priority. The writing was compelling and engaging—Parker can tell a story and keep the reader curious and entertained the whole way. A lot of snark and love flows between her characters, Harper’s family/friends are a tight bunch and it’s hard to resist that feeling. Her characters brim with life. I think with another book or two under her belt, Parker could turn into a favorite author.

Check this one out, for sure.

3.5 Stars

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Cutthroat Cupcakes by Cate Lawley: This Cozy and Witchy Mystery Drips with Appeal

By HCNewton

On June 29, 2023

In Fiction, Literary Locals, Mystery/Detective Fiction/Crime Fiction/Thriller, Urban Fantasy

It’s been too long since I posted a Literary Locals book, so I’m glad to get a chance to do that again. I had a quick Q&A with Lawley a few months ago about writing in Idaho, if you’re curious.

Cutthroat Cupcakes

by Cake Lawley

DETAILS:
Series: Cursed Candy Mysteries, #1
Publication Date: July 21, 2020
Format: eBook
Length: 262 pgs.
Read Date: June 22, 2023

“How do you kill a person with a cupcake topper?”

“When it’s drenched with as much raw magic as yours are, so many different ways.” Sabrina ticked off options on her fingers. “As a potion additive, as part of a ritual, ingested by the magic-user to add to their own power. Yeah, those are probably the top three.”

“Yours was used to create a potion which was then added to a beverage the victim drank, from what we can tell,” Miles added helpfully.

I really didn’t feel so good.

What’s Cutthroat Cupcakes About?

Lina’s having a slow day in her store—a year-round custom-made candy store with a Halloween theme—when everything she knows about her family, herself, and the world as a whole changes.

Lina discovers that magic is real and that she’s a witch in one of the worst ways imaginable to learn these things—by being arrested by a supernatural cop for killing someone with an item you cursed.

This cop is a wizard with the International Criminal Witch Police who has a certain amount of leeway in his jurisdiction—since he’s easily convinced that Lina has no idea how she may have cursed the candies in her shop, he offers to cut a deal with her—if she helps to track down the person who used her unintentionally cursed items, he won’t pursue charges (ignorance of the law yada yada yada could still get her a few years as an Accessory). Apparently, once you know what you’re looking for it’s easier to find traces of your own magic than it is to find someone else’s, so it makes sense to recruit Lina into this investigation, even if she doesn’t know anything about the magical side of things.

Lina’s curious about this whole witch thing, desperate to not be convicted of a crime—and fairly attracted to this detective, truth be told. So she puts her store in the hands of a new (witch) acquaintance for a few days and takes the offer.

The Boise-ness of It All

“The three of you are it? For the entire city of Boise?”

Bastian huffed. “City? Town.”

“Hey, now. No smack-talking Boise.” I’d only lived here five years, but that was long enough to recognize that the place definitely had its charms.

“I’m not talking smack. I’m stating a fact. It’s a town, not a city. But to answer your question, the three of us cover the greater Boise area.” His lips pulled into a grimace. “Insomuch as there is a greater metro area.”

You know right away that this is some sort of fantasy—there’s no way that a homemade candy shop—particularly a Halloween-themed candy shop—survives in downtown Boise for as long as Lina’s has. Yes, the idea is appealing, but it’s easier to buy the idea of the magic, to be frank.

Outside of that, putting this series in Boise helps ground it—Lawley has some good fixed locations for things and is able to use that geography to her advantage. But no one who is unfamiliar with Idaho’s capital is going to suffer for it—it’s a nice bonus for those of us who make the same drive as Lina does to know how long it takes so we know how long the uncomfortable silence (or whatever) will be. But that’s about it.

The Cozy Factor

I drank my exceptional espresso with exactly the right amount of cream and tried to keep my annoyance at recent events to a minimum. Nothing like a rotten mood to ruin good caffeine.

This is pretty “cozy” on two fronts—the magic and the mystery. We only get very broad brushstrokes about magic, how it works, what it can/can’t do, the society of witches/warlocks/wizards, and so on. Lawley gives us enough details to keep the story moving. We do get to see some magic at work, and get a sense that some ritual and effort is necessary—but Lawley’s not coming at this like Butcher, Rowling, or Harrison.

The mystery part of the book is solidly in the cozy area as well—we’ve got a candy store owner, a detective who works out of a coffee shop, and a whole lot of generally nice people (even a suspect or two are pretty nice when you get to know them).

The effect of both of these is to make you as comfortable as if you’re relaxing with one of the some of the drinks and treats described while the world passes by.

So, what did I think about Cutthroat Cupcakes?

Maybe I should have dithered, asked for more information, heck, even asked for the questions first. But this was the guy who’d cured my headache. Despite having locked us in my store earlier and disabling my phones, he seemed a stand-up sort of guy. Maybe he wasn’t warm and fuzzy, but…I trusted him. And that’s saying a lot given the fact he arrested me.

I initially thought this seemed like a charming idea for a cozy mystery series, but I wasn’t prepared for the extent of its charms. I devoured* this in one sitting and if I owned it, I’d have likely rolled right into the sequel (I will be rectifying this situation soon). I want to use words like cute and adorable, but those both feel condescending, so I’m sticking with charming for now. Enchanting might work there, too. But that’s a little too something given all the witchiness of the book.

Lawley’s not afraid to have a little fun with the premise—the first (aware) witch we meet is named Sabrina, for crying out loud.

*Pun intended, naturally.

The characters are all great (I thought about spending some time talking about them, but why ruin your fun?). The candies are tantalizing—even for someone who abstains from sugar. The coffee shop owned by the detective (there’s not enough supernatural crime to be a full-time job in this area—and he needs a cover story for the non-magical folks) will cause cravings for sure.

Basically, this is a light-hearted, sweet, appealing, and charming book. I encourage you to grab a snack, pick up Cutthroat Cupcakes, and get lost in the world for a little while. You’ll feel better for it.

3.5 Stars

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LITERARY LOCALS: A Q&A About Writing in Idaho with Amy Maren Rice

By HCNewton

On June 20, 2023

In A Few Quick Questions With..., Literary Locals

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A couple of months ago, my daughter and I met a handful of local authors at the Nampa Library’s Treasure Valley Indie Book Fair, and while there I talked a few of them into participating in this series. I remember having a fun chat with Amy Maren Rice while there, and was very happy she agreed to do this. Life and whatnot has delayed her appearance here, but I can finally bring you this fun Q&A with a newer author to the local area. Hopefully this isn’t her last appearance on this blog.

A personal highlight was the way she describes my daughter—which drove my daughter into a laughing fit so long that it almost started an asthmatic episode (she loves it and finds it ridiculous at the same time). I can’t tell you how often we’ve quoted that in the week or so since I received these answers.

Before we get into things, why don’t you give the reader a brief introduction to you and your work.
Oh gosh, all about me, hu? This is always a bit nerve-wracking. It reminds me of the first day of school which was always terror invoking.

Here goes. My name is Amy Maren Rice. I’m an American author of pre-teen fantasy and I was born in and am currently living in Idaho. I’ve always loved books and have had a desire to write since my teen years. While I’m, ahem, a bit past those years, the desire is still there and I finally took the dive. My first book was published in the fall of 2022, Fuzzwiggs the Switcheroo. It’s geared toward pre-teens, the age group my boys were when I dreamed up the story. We always had a hard time finding fun, interesting books that were at a high enough reading level so, I wrote one. It entertains but challenges their vocabulary and is good clean fun. As a parent this is what I was always on the lookout for. I didn’t anticipate where the book would take me, however, and found myself writing about Fuzzwiggs with fart powers. Growing up I wasn’t even allowed to say the word fart! Sorry Mom!

I have several links where you can find Fuzzwiggs The Switcheroo. Through Covenant Books who I worked with to publish, of course on Amazon.com, and I was really excited to see it online at Target, Walmart.com and Barnes & Noble. You can also find me on Facebook and Instagram.

Are you a native Idahoan? What is it about Idaho that keeps you here?
Yes! I was born and raised in Eastern Idaho and moved to the Western side shortly after I graduated from Idaho State University. There’s no place like home!

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?
Nope … anxiety!!! I’m working on it! Ask me about it sometime and I’ll tell you about my rollercoaster of emotions and involuntary physical quirks. I’m always discovering new ones! It’s actually been a big journey for me to allow people to even read my book.

I hear that—so what was the final push to get you to put the book out in the world?
My desire to be an example to my children. I realized that they were struggling with some of the same social anxieties that I was and they needed me to be their example. I needed to show them that I was brave enough to do the things I was asking them to do and, if I failed, they needed to see that too because I could show them how to be resilient in the face of disappointment.

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’ve been to a few library-held events. My first one was where I met you! At one point, you mentioned that you get nervous approaching people about your blog and, well, while we were talking, I was secretly having a heart attack! I tend to say all the words at once and several on repeat. You seemed so cool with your blog and intimidatingly cool daughter and all the while I was hoping you wouldn’t see through my facade of claiming to be a real author. I’m still waiting for someone to find me out.

I definitely wish we had more venues to connect with readers and other local writers. It was the biggest thrill when an eight-year-old saw me at another event after she had bought my book and came to meet me. I mean, just wow!

What a rush that must’ve been. I’m assuming most of your feedback has been pretty positive at this point—anything else stand out to you? Do you have plans to look into other avenues (craft/art fairs, bazaars, etc.?) Or are you just dipping a toe in the water until your anxieties quiet down a little bit?
Yes, it was! I really enjoy talking with kids. Adults are a bit harder.

People who attend literary events tend to be kind because they’re there for the books. They have the same love for them as you do, so yes, I’ve had mostly a positive experience so far. Fingers crossed, eyes closed and breath held – a nod to Jasper’s good luck charm in Fuzzwiggs the Switcheroo.

Toes are being dipped, but I’m open to other events if I feel it’s a good fit.

What’s the breakdown of your audience—do you have a strong local base, or are your readers from other parts of the world?
Oh gosh, I’m just grateful to have readers! Fuzzwiggs the Switcheroo came out last fall and I have had a ton of support locally, both here and in Eastern Idaho. It’s written for kids in that mid-range of 8-13 but I have a lot of adult readers too. They tell me it’s not just for kids!

I’ve seen my book listed in all sorts of places all over the world like Australia, Austria, Poland, Romania, The UK, Germany and China. What a rush! I became a stalker of Google listings for Fuzzwiggs last year and took a screen shot of every single one I found for the dopamine!

Have you had any interaction via social media or anything with any out-of-country readers? Or for now is your foreign dopamine coming from the listings?
I have foreign sales but haven’t interacted with any readers outside the US. That would be a rush though. Talk about dopamine!

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 do bring my version of Idaho to the book and a few of my experiences growing up here. It takes place in an Idaho mountain setting where my two main characters, young brothers, are new to the area and I get to explain some unique Idaho things through their eyes.

Hmm, Idaho-sensibility. What’s interesting about Idaho is that we all do seem to have a collective Idaho-ness about us but you see a range of different lifestyles here. I grew up growing a garden that was essential for our family’s food source. If we needed it, we grew it, made it or built it. My father built the house I grew up in. My husband grew up on a golf course, my friend grew up on a cattle farm, another in a double-wide trailer they could barely afford the rent on and another in the largest home in the whole town with luxury cars, boats and vacation homes. But we all had commonalities in the way we acted and how families were at the center of everything we did. A feeling goodness permeated my childhood. For the most part, that’s something I feel is prevalent in Idaho. I hope you feel that in my writing. I wanted to bring that goodness to my characters. They go through their journey and have their faults, but eventually they show their true colors as good, kind kids. Throw in a little magic and a plethora of farts and you have my very first book Fuzzwigg the Switcheroo!

Thanks for your time and participation! Hope you enjoyed it!
Thank you for inviting me to participate. Another notch on my “learning to try new things” belt! I had a great time.

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Grandpappy’s Corner: George the Bannana: Book One by Elliott Linker: The Origin of a Superhero (and his Writer!)

By HCNewton

On April 19, 2023

In Comics, Fiction, Grandpappy's Corner, Literary Locals, YA/MG/Children's Books

Be sure to come back this afternoon for a Q&A with the writer!

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George the Bannana: Book One

by Elliott Linker

DETAILS:
Series: George the Bannana, #1
Publication Date: January 13, 2023
Format: Paperback
Length: 25 pgs.
Read Date: March 18, 2023

What’s George the Bannana: Book One About?

Here’s the back of the book description:

Elliott’s best friend, George, suddenly turns into a banana! Elliott is scared of what people will think and inadvertently hurts George’s feelings. Trying to save his friendship with George, Elliott helps turn George into a super hero! Together they embark on a wild adventure.

I can’t think of a better way to put it or anything to add.

Let’s Talk about the Art for a Minute

The art looks like the product of an elementary school artist, so it’s rough, a little haphazard, and lacking in detail. Granted. It’s also dynamic, consistent (even the anonymous bad guys look the same from panel to panel), and engaging.

The coloring and shading are really well done, and elevate the work. The action scenes really work well—and Linker makes the wise move to take a break for the occasional cloud full of “Bam” “Kick Kick” “Punch Punch” “Kapow”—leaving it to the reader’s imagination (and saving him a lot of work).

Best of all, the art fits the story.

So, what did I think about George the Bannana: Book One?

This made me so happy to read—it’s clearly the product of an imaginative youth expressing himself. The story is ridiculous in the way that only a child can let one be—feeling both out of control with random elements, yet somehow sticking to an outline. Linker knows what the arc of a superhero story should be and executes it—he may not quite understand how to get from Point A to Point B, but he gets there through sheer determination and will (and this is the most enjoyable part for me).

Linker was 8 when he created this work—9 when he published it, which is just great. It also makes me want to focus on something in the description—Elliott isn’t the superhero, he’s the side-kick (who will need to be rescued). He’s also the guy who was a jerk to his best friend. Big choices that say a lot about the author.

I’ve got to say, I don’t know how many kids would take a moment to have George confront Elliott with how he made him feel when George became a banana (I’m certain I wouldn’t have at his age). That one moment made this a winner in my book—but so did many of the others.

The bonus of including a preview of Book Two in black and white for the reader to color? Very clever and very fun.

The entire time I read this, the back of my mind kept saying “He must have had such a blast writing and drawing this.” That joy was infectious so I had a blast reading it, and I can’t imagine any adult having a similar reaction. One of Linker’s contemporaries probably would, too—and maybe find the inspiration to tell their own story, too.

3 Stars

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LITERARY LOCALS: A Q&A About Writing in Idaho with Hilarey Johnson

By HCNewton

On March 28, 2023

In A Few Quick Questions With..., Literary Locals

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I really want to thank Hilarey Johnson for stopping by to take part in this–especially as she had to take time from fighting technological calamity to do so. She’s got some thoughtful things to say, and I hope (slash-expect) that this won’t be the last time we hear from here here.

Before we get into things, why don’t you give the reader a brief introduction to you and your work.
My name is Hilarey Johnson. I bought my website long before I realized most writers would use their full name. So you can normally find me at Hilarey.com because of the unique spelling. However, I recently had a technical mishap. I probably will not have the website rebuilt until summer 2023. Additionally, I am not active on social media and deleted most accounts several years ago. I have six novels. I wrote a coming of age literary fiction series called Breaking Bonds. The three novels complement each other, but you don’t need to read all of them to understand the stories. They have elements of faith and suspense, and a tiny bit of romance. The first two, Sovereign Ground and Heart of Petra, won several awards including Idaho Author Awards, Christian Writers Guild, and Meridian Writes from the public library. The last one is titled Sworn to the Desert.

I also have a historical fantasy series set in Idaho, 1865. Because I met my husband through martial arts, and we taught a Korean martial art called Tang Soo Do many years in Meridian, I was often encouraged to write a book with those elements. Dance of the Crane Series is a single story, told in three parts. The individual titles are Stone of Asylum, The Reckoner’s Blade, and Heiress of Coeur d’Alene. Most people who’ve seen Kung Fu Panda understand that martial arts forms are patterned after animal characteristics. My idea was that not all who came here during the gold rush were argonauts. Some were looking for the rare Idaho Star Garnet so they could transform into animals through its power and the practice of martial arts. The antagonists in my story found a way to harness the power and tattoo the pulverized stone onto others, causing them to transform into animals against their will. It’s a retelling of The Count of Monte Cristo, sort of in the vein of The Forbidden Kingdom, which is a Jackie Chan movie I like. I had a lot of fun researching that. I traveled to the Chinese Historical Museum in San Fransisco, as well as museums in Coeur d’Alene.

A question for you: Your website is very expansive. How long have you been writing your blog? Have you written anything else? Also, you’re a pretty eclectic reader. Is reading your main focus?
I started this back in 2013 (oh, I should start planning something for the 10th anniversary!). Definitely! I’ve dabbled in short stories and novels since childhood—have produced very little that I liked/wanted to work with long enough to get in publishable form. Yeah, “eclectic” is a pretty good term to use—far more complimentary than “always chasing a new shiny” or something. And yeah, reading is my main non-work focus, at this point, it’s a hobby that’s really gotten out of hand.
Writers love readers! I’m glad you used the word “work.” It’s easy to romanticize the idea of writing, but the actual work is re-writing. I don’t know that chasing a shiny something is bad. I just finished What about the Baby? by Alice McDermott, and her experience following the muse instead of the book she had contracted to write worked to her benefit. Her editor liked more as well. Sometimes that is part of finding your voice, too.

What brought you to Idaho in the first place? What is it about Idaho that keeps you here?
We came here for my husband’s job. I was born in California and graduated from high school in Lake Tahoe. I went to school in northern California and then lived in Eastern Europe the first year we were married. We moved back and forth over the California/Nevada border several years and landed in Idaho in 2003. We lived in Twin Falls five years, and moved to Boise in 2008. Because I’d moved so much in my life, I was eager to grow roots. I try not to say what I will and will not do—but I hope to stay in the area. I love the access to natural resources and bumping into people I know at the grocery store. I have a strong community here.

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 local community and critique group are the main reason my novels became available instead of rotting in a drawer. I had written alone for many years. In fact, it took me ten years to complete my first 50,000 word novel. Then I spent five years seeing if I could do it again. The second novel landed closer to 75K. Both experiences were valuable to finish a something with continuity and a story arc. But they also helped me develop my voice. At that time, I still introduced myself as a “wannabe writer” even though I had two finished novels, written for newspapers, and had short stories published. That’s a difference community makes. In 2005, I joined a nationwide writers group called American Christian Romance Writers. I didn’t write romance but went to a conference and started attending their local chapter, Idahope Christian Writers. Most of the local members did not write romance exclusively. The next book I finished (Sovereign Ground) was completed in one year and I chose to self-publish in 2014. I remained involved in Idahope several years. They have since become inactive, but I have a secret to tell you: One of the previous presidents and I, along with a few board members, are planning to relaunch as ICW in October 2023. I’m very excited to rekindle the fellowship of writers in the valley who feel faith is an essential part of their creative process, whether they write “Christian” books or not.
I have two follow-ups to this answer (and one could probably launch a separate conversation). Beyond helping you finish “something with continuity and a story arc” and developing your voice, did these groups push you to do anything other than put the books in the drawer? Or were you just looking for something good enough to avoid the drawer in the first place? If so, how did they help you?
I think the greatest help was the shared experience of sending to editors/publishers and getting rejected, but trying again. Seeing other people be brave makes you braver. And of course just the practicality of asking advice and questions from people a step ahead of you. Some people can go to writers’ groups for years and never finish more than that first (perfected) chapter (which is perfectly fine!) but there is usually a call to step forward which you hear a little clearer when you are in a group who is also pursuing it.

Secondly, how do you see faith as an essential part of your process? (this probably belongs in a different Q&A since we’re shifting topics, but I don’t care)
I kind of hoped you would just let that slide by… First, I don’t think writing as a believer in God means you replace “the muse” with “the divine.” You still have to wrestle with The War of Art. Second, it doesn’t mean you just write about God. I have read beautiful novels by people who probably would not have considered themselves believers in God—yet they are real, raw, etherial and eternal. So for me, my faith being an essential part of the creative process includes one: I feel like I am spending time with the creator when I create, coming alive to be who he made me. Two: there is a sense of something beyond me and bigger than me at work/play. (I know people who don’t consider themselves religious also experience this. I just attribute it to God.) And three: I have a call to submit myself. This doesn’t mean just that I “have to write,” but I will flourish when I write with honesty and obedience. I think those three apply whether you write for a living or you write for yourself.

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?
Right after I published the Dance of the Crane Series, I sort of disappeared. I didn’t promote it, I pulled back from all social media and fiction writing. It was a season of rest and repair while I figured out some personal things. So, I have been inactive in the larger writing community for many years. When I was ready to write again, I felt a stronger pull to back to nonfiction, so I spent time ghostwriting near death experiences for Guideposts. Last year, in 2022, I blogged weekly about faith, wrestling religious assumptions, mandated righteousness, mental health and authentic community. I called it “Intimacy with God for the Over-Churched.” I’d blogged for more than a decade prior, but that was an important experience, both doing it weekly and learning to record and edit audio. Of course, I recently deleted the entire thing…

During the shutdown I recorded my first novel and loved the experience. I’m working on my second right now. I hope my future in storytelling will have more to do with audiobooks. Also, this year I intend to put more energy into ICW. As I said, our goal is to connect people who specifically feel faith in God is part of their creative process. Our particular hope is to create a safe place for all forms of story. The first group I ever joined emphasized romance, but that was hard for me because even though I think a little romance sweetens every story, it isn’t my go-to genre. In ICW, we want to foster all forms of fiction, poetry, nonfiction, screenwriting, narration, podcasting… storytelling. We are so new, I don’t even have a website to send potential members. But when it is ready you will find us at idahopechristianwriters.org. Hopefully you’ll have me back in the late summer when it’s time to announce ICW.
Audiobooks aren’t something I’ve really talked about with anyone for this series—I’m assuming you self-produce the whole thing? That’s a whole different level (or seven) of complication to the publishing process. How is your first being received? Or…is it?
I read the first book but paid Audio Lab Recording Studios to produce it. I will produce the next one, which means I can spend more time perfecting it…and also means I can get lost in “never good enough, try once more” land. It’s available at the library, Audible, Spotify. It has been well received, and I am confident the next one will be better.

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 sold so few books last year that I wouldn’t say I currently have a fan base—other than the cheerleaders in my life who’ve already read my books. The thing about writing fiction for a living is that you need to continue to produce. It’s also wise to pick a genre and foster that community. My second series was very different, and darker, than my first. I lost readers through that shift. I had a very loyal following on my blog. I think I will reject my own advice and publish nonfiction in line with that, next.

Do you think there are particular challenges or advantages to being a writer in the Treasure Valley? (possibly both)
There’s the assumption that you need to live in Hollywood to produce screenplays, and on the East Coast to access big publishing houses. I think the challenge or advantage would be in your personal goals. You can definitely live on less money here than in either of those two places. Also, I think it’s essential to really know the place you set your books. A strong setting can be a character, and I honestly don’t know that most of the US is interested in Idaho. Our wild lands and independent spirit are fine for westerns. But it seems that people are really drawn to the sass of southern fiction, powerful urban settings, or the charm of quaint mid-west towns. I would be curious to hear other opinions about that though.

Do you bring Idaho (or some sort of Idaho-sensibility, assuming one exists (you mean any sensibility 🙂 ?) 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 certainly bring my northwest-sensibility to writing. I didn’t realize this though, until I met writers from east of the Mississippi at conferences. We don’t wear gloves to church and it isn’t an unspoken requirement for pastor’s wives flat-iron their hair out here. We have less propriety in the Northwest, and I love that—even if I don’t usually realize it. Your entire experience is consciously or unconsciously woven into your writing. My first series was set in Reno, Nevada because that’s where I lived when I started hearing their voices in my head. The heroine was a dancer and we drove by strip clubs and the Mustang Ranch regularly—it was the best place to set it because of the culture.

When I wrote my series set in Idaho, I spent lots of time in the car between Twin Falls and Boise imagining the canyons, rivers, hot springs and ridges during the 1800s. It fostered a great love of our landscape inside me. Some of the sentiments, prejudices and lore of the time came from research. Research and imagination make it possible to write about places you haven’t been. Otherwise we wouldn’t have books about other planets. But I think my Idaho-sensibility definitely affected the final story. A sentiment I found researching said that people landed here only if they were out of money or options. That still intrigues me.

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 interesting because “spirit” is more than “setting.” When we first moved here we listened to an audiobook called Monster, by Frank Peretti. It’s about a woman who has a stutter (it’s relevant to her story) and gets kidnapped by a female Sasquatch who recently lost a baby. She and her family group (a big male and another female with a living offspring) are running from something. I think it comes to mind first because we didn’t know the area and Idaho was new and exciting to us. Uncharted wilderness is very romantic to me, in theory—I’m not a survivalist. The way the character yelled at God about the unfairness of her situation was a pivotal moment in my reading/writing journey. I hadn’t yet read something which talked about faith in God with anything other than blissful acceptance. I think it captured Idaho for me because of the honesty, the wilderness, and because some people here are hiding, or running, from monsters.
Most respondents to this have either gone super-literal “this takes place in Idaho” or have gone with the “spirit” angle like you. I read Monster a long time ago, and don’t know if I’d have characterized it as Idaho-ish, but you’re absolutely right. That’s a great way to think about the answer.

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

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LITERARY LOCALS: Treasure Valley Indie Book Fair/Book Haul

By HCNewton

On March 15, 2023

In A Few Quick Questions With..., Literary Locals

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Like I said a couple of weeks ago, the Nampa Public Library hosted the Treasure Valley Indie Book Fair and I wanted to take a minute or two to talk about it.

I’d seen the numbers of authors—and had tried to look them up to know who I wanted to be sure to talk to. But in person, it seemed like a lot more authors had tables. The library’s conference room was filled, and it spilled out into the main lobby area, too. My daughter and I went pretty early because we had other commitments—but there were lines at most tables when we arrived, and they were longer when we left.

Many of these authors wrote romances of various types—so we could skip those (not to be snobs, but we only had so much time, and neither of us were going to read any of them), and there were a couple of others we couldn’t make time for. But we did manage to have a nice conversation with J.C. Jackson (I feel bad about the fact that her first reaction to me was apologizing for not getting back to me about some emails—I just wanted to say hi), Jeremy Billups, Danielle Parker, and Troy Lambert. Names that I’ve mentioned a time or six here.

We also got to introduce ourselves and chat with a few others like novelists Justin Reed (who is a self-published author who takes the design of his books very seriously—and it pays off), Laura Jenski, and Amy Maren Rice. Rice was accompanied by her son, who a few years ago wrote a book that I was able to snag a copy of. There was another young author there, Elliot Linker, selling the graphic novel he wrote and drew. I tell you what, if you ever get the chance to have an elementary school-aged author sign their book for you—do it. The care they put into it… We also met children’s book author S. E. Richey and had a very nice conversation with her. Most, if not all, of these authors, will be showing up here in the near future, I hope.

All in all, it was a great event with a large range of genres, target audiences, and authors represented (which was pretty encouraging) and one I hope is repeated.

Now, I can’t be expected to show up to an event like that and walk away empty handed can I?
NPL Indie Fair Book Haul
What you see there (in addition to my lousy photography skills) is:
bullet Cooked Goose—the first in Laura Jenski’s Motorhome Murder Mystery series
bullet Teaching Moments—the second in Troy Lambert’s Max Boucher Mystery series
bullet The Call of the Karen by Denise Lynn Lambert, a book I’m not going to try to describe until I read it.
bullet Stray Ally—a military/dog adventure by Troy Lambert
bullet However Long the Day by Justin Reed—essentially The Prince and the Pauper in 1918 New York
bullet Pure of Heart—the first in Danielle Parker’s Faoladh Series
bullet Fuzzwiggs: The Switcheroo by Amy Maren Rice—a YA fantasy adventure
bullet My Border Collie World by Ruth Simerly, which pretty much looks like what the title says.
bullet Lulu and the Missing Tooth Fairy and Trouble with Truffles (do you have any idea how hard it is to get my fingers to not type “Tribbles” there?) by S. E. Richey
bullet Red Stripes VS Miles the Mutant Mouse by Kyson Rice, and illustrated by Amy Rice
bullet George the Banana: Book One by Elliot Linker (he was also giving away the banana toy on top of that stack—with the hand-drawn face)

I’m so glad I knocked off so many books from Mt. TBR last month, I need the space…

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LITERARY LOCALS: A Q&A About Writing in Idaho with Danielle Parker

By HCNewton

On March 7, 2023

In A Few Quick Questions With..., Literary Locals

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Last week, I said that we’d be taking a quick break while I worked on recruiting some more participants for this. I hadn’t accounted for how quickly Danielle Parker would respond to the questions. I’m really looking forward to diving into her werewolf books soon–but for now, let’s dive into her thoughts about writing in Idaho.

I think we’re taking a break for a couple of weeks after this, but I’m not going to try to make any predictions.

N.B. This was done before March 4th, so our discussion about the event then is clearly anachronistic.

Before we get into things, why don’t you give the reader a brief introduction to you and your work.
I write using the pen name of Danielle Parker. I’ve been a soldier since 2006 and I’m retiring soon to write full-time and raise my son. My husband and I are very excited about that! My books are primarily under the Urban Fantasy umbrella with lots of sarcastic characters. I like horror/comedy and think it shows in my stories. I’m hoping to branch out into thrillers soonish.

I don’t exist much online – usually too busy writing – but I’m probably the most active on Tumblr (at the moment), Werewolves Don’t Sparkle – Tumblr.

That’s a great title!
Thank you! It makes me laugh every time I see it.

What brought you to Idaho in the first place? What is it about Idaho that keeps you here?
I wasn’t born here, but we moved to Idaho when I was around 7 or 8, so I would say I grew up here. My father was in the military as well and when he left the service we moved to Boise to be closer to relatives. I’ve stayed in Idaho mostly for family, but I also really enjoy a lot of things about the state. The writing culture is one big thing, but I also love the mountains.

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 a founding member of the Treasure Valley Critique Group, I co-own Bert Books Publishing with my bestie, Troy Lambert, and I’m a member of the Idaho Writers Guild (and recently elected Vice President). I find that the more like-minded people I’m around, the more networking I do, the more encouraged and enthusiastic I am about writing! It’s nice to be around people who share your passion, and super helpful when it comes to navigating things like publishing.

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 try to go to a lot of local events but haven’t had a lot of time prior to this year. Retirement will hopefully open my schedule up to do more in the community. I will be at the Nampa Library book fair on the 4th of March. This summer Idaho Writers Guild has their conference and I’ll be at that. There’s also a festival called Boise Books and Brews that Bert Books put together last year with a huge help from CopenRoss Growlers that will be happening again in June, I believe. Troy Lambert and I will also be going out to connect with the writing community more this Spring/Summer and I’d love to meet up with more local authors!

I’m hoping to make the Nampa Library event on the 4th, too—it looks promising. I tried, but failed, to get to the Books and Brews event (this series came out of my missing it!), shooting for this year! For you, what was the best part of the events you’ve made (or are hoping will be for things like the Nampa Library)–connecting with authors, or reaching out to readers? I can see either being a draw for an author. How do readers react to you at these events (other than the lack that type of reaction you mention below)
Boise Books and Brews was a blast and I hope you can make it out this year. We had so much fun! I definitely enjoy the networking aspect of events. Not that I don’t enjoy meeting readers, because I do, but I also get into some really interesting conversations with other authors. Readers tend to be enthusiastic and ask a lot of questions, which I like and I end up asking them a lot of questions. It’s a different vibe between a reader and an author.

What’s the breakdown of your audience—do you have a strong local base, or are your readers from other parts of the world?
Most of my readers are from other parts of the United States. I’m hoping to connect with more readers locally this year. I’ve been a recluse for a fair minute and it’s time to make some new friends.

How have you gotten the word out to those other parts of the US? Or is that one of those things that just happened?
I think it probably has to do with how my books are advertised on Amazon, maybe? That’s one of those things that I would be asking Troy. I’m always surprised to see sales or page reads popping up in places like Canada or Germany!

Do you think there are particular challenges or advantages to being a writer in the Treasure Valley? (possibly both)
It’s a bit of both, really. The challenge is that we’ve got a small community of writers and we don’t always talk to each other, so that can be difficult to navigate. I think that’s also an advantage though – because we’re small it makes it easier to bring everyone together!

I write a lot for the LGBTQ+ community, so I’m often wary of someone coming out of the woodwork to yell at me – but I’ve yet to have an altercation and that’s made me very, very happy about our readers in the Treasure Valley. My parents were worried.

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 not sure it counts, but the outdoors features heavily in my werewolf series (The Faoladh Series). I think that’s a thing here in Idaho, a shared love of nature. Even the glampers are outside in their own way, enjoying the majesty of the Idaho wilds. I may be answering the question wrong, but I also think being outdoorsy and growing up in Idaho had an impact on my love of monsters – and most of my characters are the outdoorsy kind too. They’d fit right in.

I definitely think outdoorsy characters/settings definitely are (or can be) an Idaho-sensibility. Now, when it comes to the “Idaho wilds” there’s a bit of variety—what type/area is your favorite? Is that the same kind your werewolves are found in, or do they differ from you?
I like the woods. There’s nothing wrong with a mountain or a lake/river, but I like being in trees. Something about it feels soothing. Though I have to admit, I’m also very wary and respectful of predatory animals like bears. The deep woods at night are frightening.

My werewolves are very similar. Harper spends a lot of time in the woods. She lives in Montana though, which is another place I’m very familiar with. I used to summer in the Glacier area with my grandparents.

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?
Well, Troy Lambert writes stories set in Idaho a lot. There’s Rick Just for another Idaho author who writes about Idaho. I also haven’t read The Boys of Boise, but I’ve been informed that my grandmother-in-law was somehow involved in that story. Just don’t tell my husband I haven’t gotten around to reading it! Oh, and Troy and I put out a short story collection called “Monster Marshals: Incidents in Idaho” – that’s two short stories about monster hunting, set in Idaho.

I promise I won’t tell a soul. Also, your Bert Books cohort, James, mentioned Rick Just and your Incidents in Idaho. I’m definitely going to check into both at this rate!

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

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LITERARY LOCALS: Upcoming Event—Treasure Valley Indie Book Fair

By HCNewton

On March 2, 2023

In A Few Quick Questions With..., Literary Locals

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I’ve shared posts about this a little on various social media platforms, but now I see a final line-up/details, so I figured I might as well throw up a quick post about this event coming up on March 4th for anyone in the area who might be interested.

The Nampa Public Library will be hosting the Treasure Valley Indie Book Fair (or, if you prefer snazzy images to a text link, try this one)—there will be panels/workshops about Writing the American sonnet, talking about Youth Books, the oft-mentioned Idaho Writers Guild, Comic Books and Zines. Almost 50 local writers/illustrators/publishers will be in attendance, and I’m going to try to overcome my introversion and talk to as many of them as I can while picking up more books than I should. Three of them have or will be participating in this series already, so I’m looking forward to some face-to-face interaction with them.

If you can, you should come out to this—it looks like a good time (and will likely take away all that progress I made on Mt. TBR last month).

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