Author Interview – Quick Fire Round

I was fortunate to be invited onto to TL Browns podcast, 12 Minutes (or Less) with the Author. We did a quick question rapid fire round. So difficult to keep it to a short answer. I had to bite my tongue many times not to say more!!

Time to celebrate #IndieFeatureFridaywith an interview with USA Today bestselling author, @HelenGarrawayAuthor!

Let’s jump straight into the Rapid Fire Round. In this clip, Helen answers:

1 – What is the last book you read?
2 – Name an author you admire.
3 – What character from a book (any book) would you like as a friend in real life?
4 – Which of your novels is your favorite?
5 – What genre would you like to write in next?
6 – What’s your favorite book to recommend to others?
7 – In five words or less, why will readers fall in love with your novels?

Watch Rapid Fire Round on Youtube

👉 The full podcast episode can be found on YouTube.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/B1JGQ73vlk8

Watch on Youtube

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2382593098898266

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Find out about my writing journey, my books, and my thoughts behind my next book Forged in Betrayal and Blood, the first book in my new epic fantasy Celestial Throne series.

Pre order Forged By Betrayal and Blood now

Vael Tor Arne, commonly known as the Butcher of Leif, has spent the last ten years roaming the wilds of Surosha. Disgraced and outcast, he is not welcome anywhere, not even in his own home.

Never managing to rise above the rank of lieutenant in the Emperor’s army, Vael does his best to protect his men against the taint that follows him. Should the opportunity ever arise, he would gladly kill Emperor Talon Shaleri the Deranged, the man who ruined his life.

The Celestial Throne lacks its dragon, its protector, and the empire is suffering as the new emperor struggles to retain control. The emperor is weak, in power and in health. He needs to right a wrong, now he has the power to do so, before he can focus on saving his empire. But righting that wrong may not be so simple, and the man he needs to forgive him is the one man who hates him.

Dogged by persistent Farsolian warriors, who can’t decide if they want to capture or kill them, Vael and his men battle to survive. With no hope of help, Vael must avoid the war bands and the emperor’s generals long enough to choose a side. Will the Farsolian uprising be his salvation or will the Emperor finally sign his death warrant?

If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and one called Oathsworn and stay up to date with my writing journey.

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Check out my recent Author Interview on ’12 Minutes (or Less!) with the Author’ Podcast

I was fortunate to be invited onto to TL Browns podcast, 12 Minutes (or Less) with the Author. Join us as we chat about my journey, my books and what’s coming next.

Come listen to — or watch — Episode 32 of TL Brown’s podcast, 12 Minutes (or less!) with the Author. Today, a prolific writer and author, Helen Garraway, joins the show. Helen is the USA Today Bestselling author of the award-winning epic fantasy Sentinal series, the fantasy romance SoulMist series, and the standalone dystopian fantasy, Harmony. She’s contributed books to two fantasy anthologies, Realm of Darkness and the Kickstarter, Reign of Dragons.

An avid reader of many different fiction genres — a love she inherited from her mother — Helen enjoys immersing herself in fantasy and is passionate about creating new characters and worlds, editing, and all things writing.

YouTube: https://youtu.be/B1JGQ73vlk8

Watch on Youtube

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/reel/2382593098898266

Watch on Facebook

Find out about my writing journey, my books, and my thoughts behind my next book Forged in Betrayal and Blood, the first book in my new epic fantasy Celestial Throne series.

Pre order Forged By Betrayal and Blood now

Vael Tor Arne, commonly known as the Butcher of Leif, has spent the last ten years roaming the wilds of Surosha. Disgraced and outcast, he is not welcome anywhere, not even in his own home.

Did you love the Arifels from the Sentinal series?

Well now you can get your own sticker of Alf (Sentinals Origins) of Ari (Sentinals Awaken) or both! Aren’t these the most adorable chibi stickers? The arifels are mischievous messengers from my epic fantasy Sentinal series who were inspired by my cat Alfie. If you love cats and dragons then these beautiful stickers are ideal for your water bottle, laptop, notebooks or whatever you can think of.

Available from my online store: bookshop.helengarraway.com

If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Sentinals Discovery, the first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV and get notified when my next books are published.

Check out my recent Author Interview on Confessions of an Indie Author Blog

Recently, it was my turn to be interviewed. You can find my interview with Melina Druga on her Confessions of an Indie Author blog.

Find out about my writing journey, my books, and my thoughts behind my next book Forged in Betrayal and Blood, the first book in my new epic fantasy Celestial Throne series.

Pre order Forged By Betrayal and Blood now

Vael Tor Arne, commonly known as the Butcher of Leif, has spent the last ten years roaming the wilds of Surosha. Disgraced and outcast, he is not welcome anywhere, not even in his own home.

If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Sentinals Discovery, the first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV and get notified when my next books are published.

Sentinals Justice is shortlisted in the Pascify Fantasy Book Awards!

If you are attending Pascify and would like to vote for Sentinal Justice as part of these awards, they vote here.

Vote for Sentinals Justice

You may only vote if you are attending PascifyCon in Harrogate on April 11th, 2026.

Lost guardians. Tensions brewing in the frozen north. Can a goddess-appointed champion prevent a looming war?

Jerrol Haven’s last run-in with evil has left deep scars. Recovering from the torture that damaged him mentally and physically, the guilt-ridden commander searches for the whereabouts of one of his captured allies. But he feels the chance to rescue the awakened sentinal slipping away when his king requests his aid in peace negotiations at a remote and unstable border.

Accompanied by his beloved, Jerrol arrives at his destination only to discover the enemy’s corruption running rife. And after he’s cut down by a shocking betrayal, the skilled soldier’s destiny plunges into bloody chaos.

Can he overcome his failures to forge a desperate victory?

Sentinals Justice is the thrilling third book in the Sentinal epic fantasy series. If you like courageous characters, action-packed suspense, and gritty battles, then you’ll love Helen Garraway’s emotional rollercoaster ride.

Available in ebook, paperback, audio or in Kindle Unlimited.

Purchase your copy here

If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Sentinals Discovery, the first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV and get notified when my next books are published.

Author Event – Come and meet me at the Farnham Indie Voices Book Fair

When: Saturday 7th, March, 2026, 11am-4pm

Where: Graphics Dept, ACU, Falkner Road, Farnham, GU9 7DS

FREE Entry

Cafe on site. Part of the Farnhm Literary Festival.

Have a booklover in the family? Eager to find a new book to read? Signed by the author?

I’ll have my latest release, Sentinals Origins Part Two, in paperback, and you can get the Sentinals Origins duology at a special show offer price.

Do your booklovers love dragons? Then I will have a limited number of the most amazing fantasy anthology with foiled cover, sprayed edges, beautiful artwork and 18 dragon-themed stories. The ideal present for your bookdragon hoarder!

Come and meet over twenty local authors, all with tales to share and books to talk about. Everyone welcome.

Already bought my book and want it signed? Then I’m happy to sign your book for you.

If there is a specific book you want, then please let me know, so I make sure I bring enough copies and can reserve one for you, as now I have 15 books, I am limited by the number of books I can fit in my car!

Hope to see you there.

If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Sentinals Discovery, the first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV and get notified when my next books are published.

Surprise! An extra special collection of Sentinal Novellas.

One of my goals for 2026 was to compile the novellas I’ve written in the world of Remargaren into a collection. I’ve had multiple requests to publish them in a book, so here we go: Ta daa!

Sentinals Collection One :

Sentinals Discovery (Novella 1.5)
Sentinals and Guardians (Novella 2.5)
Sentinals of Stoneford (Novella 4.5)

A collection of three novellas set in the ancient world of Remargaren.

These novellas add additional insights and colour to the main epic fantasy Sentinal series as we learn more about select characters. They were originally written for the author’s newsletter subscribers and are now being compiled in this collection. It is highly recommended that you read the main series first, as these novellas slot in between the series books. An anthology of novellas previously released to newsletter subscribers only.

Get your copy for my online shop or Amazon.

Sentinals Discovery

The first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV, plus bonus scenes.

This ‘short story’ was originally published as part of the Creatures of Magic and Myth anthology in 2022, but the anthology is no longer available and has now been delisted.

Sentinals and Guardians

Set in Deepwater Watch, Sentinals and Guardians is novella #2.5 and set between Book 2, Sentinals Rising and Book 3, Sentinals Justice. I recommend you read Sentinals books 1-2 prior to this novella. This story was voted for by my newsletter subscribers for the 2023 Christmas gift. Although it is a complete story and could be read standalone, there are spoilers for the main series.

Sentinals of Stoneford

Every year I write a story as a Christmas gift to my newsletter subscribers. Sentinals Of Stoneford was the gift for 2025.
Sentinals of Stoneford is novella #4.5 and set between Book 4, Sentinals Across Time and Book 5, Sentinals Banished.
It is set ten years after the battle of Oprimere.

I recommend you read books 1- 4 prior to this novella. Although it is a complete story and could be read standalone, there are spoilers.

That makes five additional stories in the world of the Sentinals, including the already published Sentinals Stirrings (#0.5) and Sentinals Recovery (#3.5). Hope you enjoy them all!

If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Sentinals Discovery, the first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV and get notified when my next books are published.

Sentinals Origins Part Two receives a Wishing Shelf Five Star review!

Have you read Sentinals Origins Part Two yet? The eighth book in the award winning Sentinal Series.

The Wishing Shelf Book Awards has given it a Five Star review.

Birler, Tagerill and Serill have accepted the Lady’s invitation to become her personal guards, her Sentinals. They roam the territories of Remargaren in the name of the Lady, protecting those who can’t protect themselves.

But the threat against Lady Leyandrii is growing and Captain Guerlaire is in the Ascendants sights. He has been too successful in disrupting their plans and now time is running out, for him and the Sentinals. The Ascendants are determined to kill them all and show Leyandrii, once and for all, that they hold the power in Remargaren.

Birlerion’s discovery of his innate magic, offers Leyandrii an alternate path, but it’s a last resort and as Leyandrii teaches him how to control it, she is desperate to find another solution.

As the final confrontation looms and the natural world buckles under the backlash from the reckless use of magic, Leyandrii has one last throw to try and save their world from ruin and destruction, but will any of them live to tell the tale?

Click HERE to Purchase Your Copy Today!

Editorial Book Review:

By Wishing Shelf Reviewer

“A superbly plotted fantasy adventure with a strong cast of memorable characters. Highly recommended!” The Wishing Shelf www.thewsa.co.uk

REVIEW

A good book this! But I’m a fantasy fan ; ‘epic’ is my middle name, so a magical saga like this is perfect for me. It’s the second part of SENTINALS ORIGINS and I have to say, I was enjoying this book so much, I stopped reading it, grabbed a copy of the first, read that – also excellent – then went back to part two! My next job will be to start the other ‘Sentinals’ novels, six in all – I’m going to be busy!

So, why did I enjoy it so much? Well, to be perfectly honest, it’s the planning. You see, a lot of epic fantasy is badly planned and, as a result, it all gets very complicated and confusing, often in the last third of the book when the author can’t work out how to end things. But Helen Garraway hasn’t fallen into this trap. Using alternative POVs, she’s constructed a complex – but never too complex – fantasy adventure with a strong LOTR feel to it.

So, if you happen to be on the lookout for a smartly plotted, character-driven adventure with clever twists and populated with the sort of characters you can enjoy rooting for, then this book is for you. Saying that, I would recommend reading part one first. You don’t have to – part two works as a standalone – but why wouldn’t you? The first book’s a gem too!

Now, I need to go and buy a copy of Sentinals Awaken; let’s see if that’s just as good.

If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Sentinals Discovery, the first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV and get notified when my next books are published.

Sentinals Origins Part One is a Finalist in the Chanticleer International Book Awards.

The excitement is rising as I announce that Sentinals Origins Part One is a FINALIST in the Chanticleer International Book Award’s (CIBA) 2025 for OZMA Fantasy.

The Ozma Book Awards recognize emerging new talent and outstanding works in the genre of Magic, Steampunk and Fantasy Fiction. The Ozma Awards is a genre division of Chanticleer International Book Awards and Novel Competitions (The CIBAs). These titles have moved forward in the second round from all 2025 OZMA Fantasy Fiction entries to the 2025 Ozma Book Awards Short List.

These titles have moved forward from the 2025 OZMA Fantasy Fiction Semi-Finalists to the 2025 Ozma Book Awards Finalists. Finalists will be recognized at the Chanticleer Authors Conference, CAC26.

CIBA will announce the 1st Place Category winners and Grand Prize Division Winners at the CIBAs Banquet and Ceremony on Saturday April 18th, 2026 in beautiful Bellingham, WA.

Congratulations to all the Finalists:

Abigail O’Bryan – Iron Rose
B.L. Mostyn – Heroes of Another Age
David Nos – The Final War of Wizards and Dragons
C.R. Ware – All We Have to Remember: Volume One of the Seventh Layer Saga
Crystal D. Grant – Lightshed
Evette Davis – The Gift
Helen Garraway – Sentinals Origins Part One
J.A. Nielsen – The Winter Heir (Fractured Kingdoms, Book 2)
J.C. Wade – Summer’s Reaping
Jason P. Crawford – The Trials of Poseidon
Jeffrey L. Kohanek – The First Wizard
Nikhil Prabala – The Duchess of Kokora
Nikki Mccormack – Child of Vanris (The Warden’s Son Book 1)
Palmer Pickering – Dark Town
R. M. Krogman – Sundering
Richard M Wagner – The Chronicles of Amerista: Griefold
S.G. Blaise – Eldryan Elders
Sean M. Tirman – Dreamweavers LLC
Simran Sadana – Itehas
Ted Neill – Lost Elawn
William H. Johnston – Shards of Unbroken Will

See full details on CIBA website.

👀 Series link

Wild magic is rife in the world of Remargaren and a shadowy group of dissidents have discovered how to exploit the power for their own purposes.

The goddess, Leyandrii, and her Captain, Guerlaire, must face down this new threat and protect the people from unseen dangers. As Guerlaire learns to wield his own power, three new cadets with the potential to change the world are beginning their journey to become Lady’s Rangers.

Drawn from the back streets of Vespers, a young boy is thrust into a world beyond his comprehension. Battling bigotry and violence, Birler will need to navigate the Rangers’ Academy while grappling with unexpected ties of friendship, a tantalising found family, and embrace ancient magical powers.

A heartwarming tale of friendship and family is set against a backdrop of bigotry and violence in a world where wild magic can precariously tip the balance. Birler and his new friends will have to fight their own battles, not only to earn the right to become rangers but to help Leyandrii and Guerlaire restore the natural balance and defend their world.

This is the first part of the prequel to the award winning Sentinal series.

If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Sentinals Discovery, the first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV and get notified when my next books are published.

… and 2025 is a wrap!

Another year has passed, and it’s that time of year when you look back at what you achieved last year and plan for the next. This year we reached the five year anniversary of publishing my debut novel, and now I have 13 books published, 6 audiobooks, been a contributing author to four anthologies, one kickstarter, and written four novellas for my newsletter subscribers.

I hope you downloaded the bonus free novella, Sentinals of Stoneford, set in the world of the Sentinals series which I wrote as thankyou to all my newsletter subscribers. Your support makes writing so fulfilling, and your enthusiam for my characters makes me want to write more!

Anyhow, back to what I achieved in 2025, and what’s in store for 2026?

I published two books, one novella, and one short story

May 3rd: Secret Alliance in the Reign of Dragons Anthology (Kickstarter-Short story)
May 5th: Sentinals Origins Part One
Dec 1st: Sentinals Origins Part Two
23rd December: Sentinals of Stoneford, Novella 4.5 Sentinal series (Free for Newsletter subscribers)

My books won more Awards!!

Sentinals Destiny
- Global Book Awards Winter 2025 Finalist/GOLD medal for Epic Fantasy
Sentinals Origins Part One
- Short listed for the 2025 CIBA OZMA Book Awards for Fantasy Fiction
OblivionGate
- Global Book Awards Winter 2025 Finalist/Silver

So what’s in store for 2026? Well I have plans for more books! Ready for a brand new epic fantasy series?

Book One: Forged by Betrayal and Blood, Celestial Throne series. Release date TBC 1H25, currently on preorder.
Book Two: Celestial Throne series: Release date TBC
Sentinals Series Collection 1 : Anthology of novellas originally released to newsletter subscribers only.
- Sentinals Discovery (Novella 1.5)
- Sentinals and Guardians (Novella 2.5)
- Sentinals of Stoneford (Novella 4.5)

Other goals:

More formal Marketing plan to grow sales
Open a Tiktok shop
Create a Sentinals Wiki site (still a stretch goal!!)

So plenty to keep me busy outside of the day job!

Work continues to take up most of my brain power as I was promoted and took on more responsibility. Which meant it was more difficult to focus on writing in the evenings and weekends.

I am very proud that I still managed to write and release two books, both of which hit the number one new release spot on Amazon Classic Fantasy, wrote the first draft of a book in a brand new epic fantasy series, participated in a kickstarter, and wrote a 35k word novella for my newsletter subscribers. In total that was over 400,000 words in 2025!

I know 2026 will be just as productive. I look forward to sharing the results with you throughout the year. Once again – Thank you for all your support, I hope you stay with me as we continue this amazing journey. Follow my blog or sign up to my newsletter to get the news first!

If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and also Sentinals Discovery, the first few chapters of Sentinals Awaken from Birlerion’s POV and get notified when my next books are published.