The Story Behind the Story by Elene Catrakilis
My debut novel, Under an African Sky, is a story close to my heart because it’s set in South Africa, the country of my birth. In 1989, the country stood
10 Middle Grade Horror, Sci-Fi, and Fantasy Indie Book Recommendations
Escapism is a big reason why people read. Kids especially look to escapism to foster their imaginations or even to pull them away from harsh realities. But mostly, they’re just
An Interview with Women’s Fiction Author Mel West + Giveaway
Mel West is an American author whose work and wide network of friends and family mean she, invariably, lives in between—between cities, between versions of herself, and between the lives
Ada Holloway’s Had Enough by Randi Smith Book Review and Author Interview
When you grow up reading books, it’s hard to imagine that anyone would tell you what you can and cannot read. I always felt fortunate to be trusted to read
11 Coming of Age Middle Grade Indie Book Recommendations
I got into reading as a kid because books provided answers to a lot of questions, particularly questions about childhood. Who better to teach you life lessons than someone your
Why Fantasy and Science Fiction by J.D. Grant
Imagination begets inspiration I think all children love fantasy and magic when they are young. Stories about dragons, wizards, witches, adventurous quests, strange creatures, magical kingdoms, and more captivated each
Grizzly Greg Goes to Tea by Jaclynn Bosley Book Review and Author Interview
Being the only boy and having three sisters must have been tough for my brother in certain ways. While we liked to play with his toys, he usually didn’t like
Writing Stories About Baseball
One of the unpublished books I’ve written is a baseball story. It follows my main character, a nine-year-old girl, as she spends the summer playing on an organized softball team.
An Interview with Thriller Author Shivani Jai
Shivani Jai has always had a thing for big feelings, bold characters, and stories that stay with you for days. A lifelong movie lover, Shivani was born in Toronto of
Things Are as They Should Be by P.M. Raymond Book Review and Author Interview
Horror works at any length. From a two-sentence flash fiction story to a 1,300-page epic journey about kids fighting a clown demon in a sewer, the genre has the ability
Author Interview Andrei Romanov
Andrei Romanov is an independent historian and writer based in the Algarve, Portugal, twenty minutes from Sagres, where Prince Henry the Navigator established his headquarters for Atlantic exploration. Born in
7 of My Favorite Urban Legend Categories
Before social media, the internet was a place to peruse websites about your favorite topics. One of my favorite sites was Snopes, a fact-checking website that featured the truth behind
Tenacity, Patience, and Perseverance – The Real Triple Threat by Laura Frost
It is said that only three percent of people who set out to write a novel eventually complete it. Of those who write, “The End,” less than one percent get
Creative Inspirations – Cartoons
Once at a horror convention, I watched a live Q&A with director Joe Dante where the interviewer asked what inspired him to make movies. His answer was unorthodox but unsurprising:
You Were Always There by Heidi Dischler Book Review and Author Interview
I think I read more YA now than I did as a teen. When I did, they were rarely contemporary books, and they rarely dealt with heavy themes and topics.