Reviewed: September 22nd, 2024 Released: January 19th, 2023 Genre: Superhero Fantasy
Hope can be a prism of scars from which light shines.
Twenty years ago, an infamous scientist created Liquid Onyx, a world-changing chemical which led to the rise of superheroes and supervillains.
Jack Roth is not a superhero. He’s an assassin, a killer, a lethal weapon forged and controlled by the evil organisation Obsidian Inc.
Leo Snow isn’t a superhero either. He’s a British secret agent who spends his life protecting the world and saving everyone he can.
When these two men’s lives collide on the streets of Danger City just as Obsidian Inc is gearing up for another cataclysmic scientific discovery, they’ll both need to reckon with their dark past, messy present and potentially hopeful future. Read My Thoughts…
I am so thrilled to announce that Sentinals Across Time, the fourth book in the epic fantasy Sentinal Series not only recieved a Five star Review but has also won the gold medal in the 2024 Readers’ Favorite book Awards in the Epic Fantasy category.
I am extremely proud to achieve this award; there are some amazing books in this category, and to recieve the Gold Medal is wonderful validation for my Sentinal series.
To see all award winners for 2024, see the winners here.
Sentinals Across Time is the fourth book in the saga of Remargaren, a vibrant, ancient world of high fantasy suffused with magic and adventure.
Jerrol’s fragile balance between duty and family life took two years to refine and one brief moment to tear apart as the Lady Leyandrii and the Oath conspire in a desperate bid to protect the Birtolian Empire. As a result, Jerrol finds himself stranded in the middle of an ocean, lost across land and time and seas.
Unsure what is expected of him, Jerrol learns to appreciate the idyllic life of the Birtolians, the vibrant people and the beautiful coastline. To his growing horror, he realises the devastation which lies in their future.
Can Jerrol prevent the destruction of the gentle people he has grown to love? Is he meant to? Desperate to find a way home, he begins to leave clues in anything he thinks will survive the test of time. Taelia and the Sentinals are his only chance of ever returning to his own life but can they find him before the Lady sunders the Bloodstone and changes the Birtolian Empire forever?
The fourth installment of the Sentinal Series takes us to the beautiful Island Empire of Birtoli. Only once, it wasn’t an archipelago of islands, it was a land of majestic mountain ridges, mystical forests and exquisite sandy bays joined as one to the southern Vespiri borders.
If you enjoy fantasy books then you will love my epic fantasy Sentinal series or the Romantic Fantasy SoulMist series or my dystopian fantasy, Harmony.
As a new threat against Remargaren is discovered, only one man can wake the ancient guards who can protect them, only he doesn’t know how. Start the adventure and stay for the journey. Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
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Reviewed: September 15th, 2024 Released: September 17th, 2024 Genre: Paranormal Fantasy
True Blood meets Supernatural in the kickoff of this urban paranormal fantasy series from an acclaimed author. Readers enter a dystopian San Francisco filled with empaths and vampires embroiled in political unrest—and Book 1 is just the beginning.
Much as she wishes otherwise, superstar political consultant Olivia Shepherd was born a powerful empath. It’s a legacy she walked away from long ago—but when she wakes up one morning to find Elsa, a tenacious time-walker, standing in her kitchen, she realizes she can no longer ignore her gifts. She is quickly plunged into the hidden world of powerful “Others” and drafted to work for the Council, a shadowy organization that summons the fog to San Francisco to obscure their involvement in human affairs.
Complicating matters further is Olivia’s new love interest, William. A centuries-old vampire, William is far too jaded to take an interest in human affairs—but Olivia no longer has the luxury of remaining impartial. As shocking details from Olivia’s own past emerge and her role in the Council begins to take shape, will she rise to the challenge of her destiny? Read My Thoughts…
Reviewed: September 10th, 2024 Released: August 24th, 2024 Genre: Contemporary Paranormal Fantasy
Have a frightfully good stay…Morgan Ashton-Drake hasn’t given his ancestral home in Yorkshire a second thought in decades. He has a great life in the States, running his stepfathers hotel empire with his brother. So what if he’s all work and no play. He’s not missing out on anything important.
But when a suspicious death and rather public scandal at his childhood home forces Morgan to return to England for the first time in years, he’s not keen to confront his past. What he didn’t count on was the seriously cute little blonde disaster who seems to be single-handedly running his eccentric grandfather’s hotel.
Ellis Sparks has worked at the Ashton-Drake Manor House Hotel since he was sixteen and he loves it from the bottom of his soul. Always the eternal optimist, he’s never met a frown he can’t turn upside down; that is, until he meets Morgan Ashton-Drake, the grumpy grandson of his employer.
With the hotel in danger of closing, and convinced Morgan is the only one who can help to save it, the resident ghosts decide to try their ghostly hand at a little matchmaking as an incentive to get him to stay. After all, how hard can it be to get a grumpy workaholic to fall in love with a twinky ray of sunshine? Read My Thoughts…
Reviewed: September 7th, 2024 Released: October 29th, 2020 Genre: Contemporaray Fantasy
Lost magic, buried secrets, love, and found family. Can Lilly and Storm find the First Ethereal before all is lost?
Super empath Lilly is almost relieved to be living her last human life. With only her spirit guide, Jack, for company and the world unravelling around them, she longs for the peace of the Eternal Forest. When catastrophic floods force Lilly from her home, fate intervenes, and she finds refuge with Storm, a widowed ex-witch who has mysteriously lost her magic.
As Lilly falls in love with life and finally finds the family and community she has always dreamed of, the two become entwined in a desperate mission to find the First Ethereal – the one being prophesied to save the world from imminent destruction.
But they’re not the only ones seeking this mythical being. Dark forces, driven by fear and greed, are closing in, determined to seize the Ethereal’s power at any cost – and they’ll destroy anyone who stands in their way.
As the clock ticks down, Storm must unlock the secret of her missing magic, while Lilly confronts the devastating truth about who Jack really is. Are some truths better left buried?Read My Thoughts…
When life gives you a second chance, sometimes it comes with claws.
Recently divorced and looking for a fresh start, Lance Reed swaps his business in the city for the cozy charm of a bookstore in the heart of Sunshine Bay. What he doesn’t expect is the slew of community commitments that come with it—especially the agreement to display cats from the local pet shelter in his store.
There’s just one problem: Lance hates cats.
Enter Raven Johnson, the spirited, cat-loving woman behind the pet shelter. Also, in her mid-fifties and divorced, Raven has dedicated her life to her daughter and her feline friends, leaving little room for romance or other personal ambitions.
To her chagrin, her cat sanctuary is now linked to the bookstore, where her cats, the cat-hating Lance, and his books must somehow coexist.
Will Lance learn to open his heart to the furry friends he never wanted, and can Raven find room for a new chapter in her own story? Read My Thoughts…
Author ofthe children’s fantasy book, Flame Chasers.
I was thrilled to meet children’s fantasy author, Julie Pike, at a local book fair in Bracknell, and I am so happy to be chatting to her on my blog this week.
Helen: Welcome Julie. It’s great to speak to you again. I am excited to talk to you abour your books. Tell us about your latest book, Flame Chasers.
Julie: Flame Chasers is a magical children’s adventure about flamebirds, family and friendship. The flamebirds crackle through the night sky like fireworks. Once every year they stop at Bright Beacon to rest before continuing their journey – where to, exactly, no one knows. Anyone lucky enough to touch a golden tail feather will be granted a wish, so their fiery arrival has become the start of a strange race. Boats full of Flame Chasers gather in the harbour, ready to dash across the ocean in hot pursuit of the Phoenix-like flock. Ember is desperate to join the chase but is devastated when Pa leaves without her. She’s not the only one left behind: on the rocks there is a beleaguered little bird, a cinderling, a flamebird unable to return home to recharge its magic. Ember is determined to find a boat so she can look for the flamebirds secret home, and in so doing, find her Pa and save the cinderling.
Helen: Oh, that sounds amazing. What a wonderful story. What were your thoughts behind the cover design?
Julie: The beautiful cover for my story was designed by children’s book illustrator David Dean. He was commissioned by my publisher, Firefly Press to create a bold, colourful and action-packed cover.
To help David envisage my story world, I developed a mood board of images that I’d used myself to inspire the adventure. These included pictures of ‘Bright Beacon’, images of my flamebirds, my characters, and the story’s squash buckling settings. David’s concept took my breath away. I love its rich colours and swirls of magic as he seamlessly combines these elements to create a whirlpool effect, cleverly mirroring in design the action of the story itself.
Helen: I love learning the detail behind the covers. I think titles are sometimes even harder to think up! How did you come up with your title?
Julie: For a long time, the draft title of the story was called Feather Flame, but as I worked through the drafts, I realised the story was about so much more than the magic in the birds flaming feathers. It was about the characters that chased the flamebirds tails and what they hoped to do with the wishes they yearned for. I also wanted a more action-led adventurous sounding title to appeal to children, and a shorter title than that of my first book. Shorter titles are easier to remember and work better for hashtags. I played around with a long list of title ideas, but once I’d combined the noun and verb, I knew I had the perfect title. Luckily my publisher agreed, otherwise we’d have all gone back to the drawing board!
Helen: I love the title you chose, as you say it works really well. Which genre do you typically write?
Julie: All my stories have a fantasy twist to them. I’ve tried writing contemporary tales, but as I write each scene my brain always offers up a delicious magical ‘what if’ which I find impossible to resist!
Helen: Most writers are great readers as well. What is your favourite book and how did it inspire you write fantasy?
Julie: Gosh, I have soooo many favourite books, but if I had to pick one, then I’d cheat and say The Abhorsen Trilogy by Garth Nix. It’s not really a cheat because the three books are part of the same story arc. For a long time, I knew I wanted to write stories, but I didn’t get serious about it until my 40s – partly because I didn’t think a kid from a council estate was ‘allowed’ to be an author, and partly because I didn’t know what stories I wanted to write. All that changed when a friend gave me the first book of the trilogy, Sabriel, and said, ‘Read this, you’ll love it!’ She was right. That story lit my imagination like nothing else. I didn’t want to leave Garth’s magical worlds, so I resolved to create my own. If not for Sabriel’s and Lirael’s stories, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t be a writer today.
Helen: I’m so glad your friend gave you the book. I loved Sabriel as well! It’s been fun chatting but before we finish, could you share one of the best things that has happened to you since you began writing?
Julie: Garth Nix has a saying, which I cleaved to when I was an aspiring author. He said (and I think he’s also quoting another here, but I’m not sure who) ‘nothing can happen until you finish it’. It took me six years to write my first story and five years to write my next. Finishing both stories was a major achievement and filled me with life affirming confidence. Many wonderful things have happened since the first time I wrote ‘The End.’
It’s hard to choose just one, but I think it would have to be an early book signing in Waterstones Bournemouth. I met a young girl, who’d read my story and was eager to meet me. So much so she ran into the bookshop and hovered shyly by my signing table. Her parents said she’d run across the car park to meet me. Wow! I’d never expected that! I knew of course it wasn’t ‘me’ she was desperate to meet. She wanted to meet the part of me who’d written an adventure that had made her soul sing. She reminded me of the person I’d been at the age of eleven, eyes shining like stars as I read new worlds filled with adventure. The day I met that young reader, I knew then, regardless of whether my story was a commercial success, I’d achieved something more important, I’d made eleven-year-old me proud.
About the Author
Julie Pike
Growing up on a council estate in Neath, nestled in the Welsh Valleys, Julie developed a love of stories at the town’s fine Victorian library; so much so, she included it in her children’s fantasy-adventure debut, The Last Spell Breather.
Published by Oxford University Press in 2019, the book was translated into Polish, Indonesian and Russian. It was longlisted for Waterstones Children’s book of the year.
Her second children’s novel, Flame Chasers published in 2024 by Firefly Press was translated into German and was named Children’s Book of the Week in The Times.
Julie has an MA (with distinction) in Creative Writing for Young People from Bath Spa University and gave the valedictorian speech at her graduation ceremony. She lives in the Forest of Dean, on the border between England and Wales, where she adventures under the canopy with her Border Collie, Spock.
She is passionate about adventure stories, volunteering in schools and libraries, helping children find stories that excite them.
The stories she read as a child inspired her to have real-life adventures as an adult. She has trekked to Everest Base Camp and the peak of Kilimanjaro, tandem skydived over the great lake of New Zealand, and camped on the Great Wall of China in a lightning storm!
As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy epic fantasy then check out my award winning Sentinal series, which is now complete. If you like fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love my SoulMist series, start with SoulBreather. Prefer Dystopian Science Fantasy? Then try Harmony. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.
Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator). You can withdraw your consent at any time. The data will be processed until the consent is withdrawn.
Reviewed: August 25th, 2024 Released: July 22nd, 2023 Genre: MM Fantasy Romance
Apprentice magician Talisman Morning has always been lucky. It’s a problem.
Talis knows his luck is a magical talent — but he can’t control it. And good luck for him can mean bad luck for other people, and a lot of trouble. He’s beginning to wonder whether he belongs with the magicians at all, or whether he should give up and run away … until he meets a royal guard who asks for his help.
King’s guard Jeryn de Machaut could use a magician. He thinks he’s overheard a plot against the king, but he has no evidence and no support. But a wayward apprentice with a knack for being in the right place — and stumbling over hidden objects — might be exactly the luck Jer needs.
Together, Jer and Talis will uncover a palace conspiracy, save a king, and find their own best chance at love. Read My Thoughts…
I am very pleased to welcome Erica Sebree to my blog this week, and we’re chatting about her fantasy Wild Heart series.
Helen: Welcome Erica. I am very excited to learn more about your series. I saw your latest book, Wild Heart of the Magic released on May 1st, 2024 and you’re working on book four. Tell us a little about it.
Erica: I’m currently working on the fourth book in the Wild Heart fantasy series. Because it’s a series, I’ll tell you a little about books 1-3. Wild Heart of the Storm is the first in the series, and follows the classic fantasy quest trope. The main character comes into her magic unexpectedly when she brings a dead wolf back to life. Not long after, assassins track her down, and she’s forced to flee with the mysterious town metalsmith. Book one features secret identity, found family, untamed magic, and confronting the past. Book two, Wild Heart of the Crown, dives into court intrigue, ancient secrets, and a desperate attempt to heal a barren landscape. Court members continue their scheming in book three, Wild Heart of the Magic, which grows to include hordes of prospective noblemen. With the alarming truths revealed in book two and the barrenness continuing to spread, hidden objects imbued with dark magic must be found (and destroyed) before it’s too late. Book four, Wild Heart of the Darkness, tackles the fallout of the events at the end of book three, and includes a journey back across the sea.
Helen: I love the colours of your covers. What were your thoughts behind the cover design?
Erica:Wild Heart of the Storm features a vast landscape that represents both the starting and ending points of the main character’s journey. It also features her strongest magical ability, wielding storms.
Wild Heart of the Crown takes place mostly in the capital city, so I wanted to feature a portion of the palace—particularly the glass dome of the throne room—and the magical lights (a reflection of magic in the land) in the night sky.
Wild Heart of the Magic revolves around…magic! The unordained priestesses also become more central in book three, so illustrating the opulent temple from the beginning of the book seemed like the perfect setting.
Helen: I love learning the detail behind the covers. I think titles are sometimes even harder to think up! How did you come up with your titles?
Erica: The title for Wild Heart of the Storm came about in a couple of different ways. When I first started compiling a list of all the keywords that described the book, I kept coming back to “wild heart” and was reminded of the movie I saw when I was a kid, Wild Hearts Can’t be Broken. It’s a story about a woman who performs high-dives into tiny pools…on a horse! How incredible is that? So I knew I wanted to include “wild heart” in the title. More specifically, the title highlights all of the main character’s magical abilities: wild represents her ability to grow and direct plants, heart represents her life-giving power, and storm represents her storm magic. But wait, there’s more! “Wild heart” also represents the main character’s independence, and “heart of the storm” illustrates the final battle in book one. As for the series, I wanted to carry that naming structure through to each book. Wild Heart of the Crown focuses a lot on the main character’s new role as queen, and Wild Heart of the Magic brings the magic of their world to the forefront.
Helen: Writing a series is such fun, beacuse you can really dig into the characters and thier backstories. Who was your favourite character to write?
Erica: Both Hazel and Cadwyn are my favorites! I just love fiercely loyal friends. Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of the love interests too (I read a lot of romance), but the unwavering friendships are where the heart of the story is.
Helen: If your main character could answer this question, why would they say we should read your book?
Erica: She would tell you that strength is always inside you, even when it feels out of reach. She’d tell you to find small moments of joy, and to laugh even when things feel beyond overwhelming. She’d tell you to take care of the people, animals, and land under your protection—though the author argues that self-sacrificing isn’t the only way to do this. And finally, she’d tell you that family can be found anywhere, and those who seem prickly at first might end up being your fiercest allies.
Helen: Lovely answer! Which genre do you prefer to write?
Erica: I love writing fantasy because I have the privilege of creating the world. It’s incredibly freeing. There’s a lot that goes into it—geography, history, government, social structures, magic systems—but it also means I get to create a space that’s more equitable and inclusive. And just like reading fantasy offers an escape from the stresses of our lives and the chaos of the world, writing fantasy does too. I feel like I’m able to correct some of the injustices I’ve experienced or witnessed. It’s far from perfect, but it’s a small way I can take action—even if only for my own peace of mind.
Helen: I love world building as well. I sometimes think the new world is almost another character with its own quirks and foibles. If world building frees you, which element of the writing process do you find most challenging and why?
Erica: I have such a hard time with transitions! I’m a very organized writer, so I know all the plot points and character arcs. I find inspirational images for locations, structures, weapons, clothing…you name it! But when it comes time to flow from one scene to the next, I get stuck. I don’t always feel like a scene break is appropriate, especially if only a short amount of time passes between the two scenes. I also want the transition to contribute something to the story. Even if those couple of lines don’t move the plot forward, I hope they offer a glimpse into the fantasy world or the dynamics between characters.
Helen: Most indie authors work as well write. How do you fit writing into your everyday life?
Erica: I’ve tried a lot of things over the years (while working a full-time job), and I’ve found that writing for about an hour most evenings is ideal. When I attempted to write in the mornings before work, my mind was free from distractions, but my creativity was lacking. By waiting until the evening to write or outline, I find that ideas and words come to me more easily. And with all my tasks completed for the day, my mind doesn’t wander much.
Helen: Do you plan your books, or are you more of a pantser, making it up as you go?
Erica: I’m a bigtime planner! I had over one-hundred pages of outlines and character descriptions before I started writing the first book in this series. My planning technique of choice is the Snowflake Method. It’s about starting small, then expanding. Over and over. For example, you start with one sentence that describes your story, then expand it to two sentences, then a paragraph, then a page, then four pages. By that point in the process, the plot is pretty clear. Next comes the character summaries. Along with their own sub-plots, each character needs a backstory, motivations, goals, conflicts, and an epiphany (or two). Finally, you outline every scene in the book. I use a spreadsheet so I can reorganize as needed. Others might prefer a text document or a program like Scrivener. The thing I love most about this process (aside from all the organization) is that it’s difficult to run into writer’s block with everything planned out so well. I highly recommend it for anyone that prefers planning or needs guidance with building out their characters.
Helen: There are a lot of methods out there, I think it is key to find the one that works for you. Every writer experiences self-doubt. How do you overcome the fear and the little voice in your head to keep writing?
Erica: Before I wrote my very first chapter, I listed all the things that scared me about taking on this huge project. I worried my writing wouldn’t be any good. I worried I wouldn’t finish the book, let alone five. I worried no one would read my books, or if they did, that they wouldn’t like them. That small exercise took away a lot of my anxiety about writing and publishing. When I need a confidence boost, I go back and read that list. Then I remind myself that I did write a book (three so far), that people do actually read them, and most seem to like them!
Helen: What is the most useful piece of writing advice you’ve received, and by whom?
Erica: Owen and Jodi Egerton spoke at a writing conference that I attended several years ago, and they were delightful! I felt so inspired that I immediately bought their book, This Word Now. There’s a lot of wonderful advice in that short book, but the part that really stuck with me was about writing for yourself and no one else. I have to remind myself of that whenever I start thinking about the audience or doubting my work.
Helen: Great advice. I write for the joy of it. I am fortunate that when I decided to self-publish, my books were well recieved. You have to enjoy your writing in the first place. When you encounter writer’s block, what do you do to overcome it?
Erica: Luckily, writer’s block doesn’t happen too much for me (except with those pesky transitions), but when it does creep up, I step away from my computer. Going for a walk is ideal, depending on the time of day. But any mundane tasks—cooking, folding laundry, or watering the plants—really help to reset my creativity. And the adage that great ideas come to you in the shower is one-hundred percent true!
Helen: Thank you so much for joining me today, Erica. It has been great meeting you. Just to finish, what advice would you share with aspiring writers?
Erica: Find what works best for you! When I first started writing, I heard a lot of the write-every-day advice, and that simply didn’t work for me. I had to figure out what my own process looked like, as I think every writer should. If writing is—or becomes—a struggle, try something different. Does writing in the morning or the evening work better for you? How long can you write and still feel like your creativity is flowing—one hour, four hours, 20 minutes? Where do you write best, at home or at a coffee shop? Do you need absolute silence or does music help? Experiment with different methods of writing. If plotting and outlining isn’t working, try stream of consciousness writing. Does your story flow better when you write in a linear fashion or should you jump around to different scenes? And if a particular scene isn’t coming out the way you’d intended, try writing it from a different character’s point-of-view.
About the Author
Erica Sebree
Erica Sebree lives in Austin, Texas, where she works in public service as a graphic designer. She reads too much romance and drinks too much tea—usually at the same time. She makes frequent attempts at gardening, and will happily talk to any animal who crosses her path. She believes lists should be written in colorful ink, and dreams of one day having a farm sanctuary with many adorable cows. When she escapes into fantasy worlds, it’s to places where magic is vital, animals are guardians, and a stubborn bodyguard’s only weakness is the fierce, reluctant heroine he’s sworn to protect.
As an Amazon Associate I may benefit from purchases made using these links.
If you enjoy epic fantasy then check out my award winning Sentinal series, which is now complete. If you like fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love my SoulMist series, start with SoulBreather. Prefer Dystopian Science Fantasy? Then try Harmony. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.
Sign up to my newsletter and download a free novella called Sentinals Stirring and get notified when my next books are published.
By clicking the sign up button above, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and the newsletter platform provider to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.
By signing up to my newsletter, you agree to receive commercial information from Helen Garraway, located at 61 Bridge St, Kingston, Hertfordshire, UK (Data Administrator). You can withdraw your consent at any time. The data will be processed until the consent is withdrawn.
Author ofthe middle grade series, Tally and the Angel.
I am very pleased to welcome Eleanor Dixon to my blog this week, and we’re chatting about her fourth book in the Tally and the Angel series, The Sands of Time.
Helen: Welcome Eleanor. Congratulations on your new release. I am very excited to learn more about your series. Tell us a little about it.
Eleanor:Tally and the Angel: The Sands of Time is a middle-grade (8 to 13 yrs) adventure that whisks readers to a sun-drenched Greek island where Tally faces her most thrilling quest yet. As the fourth book in the series, this standalone story blends fantasy and everyday life, letting readers explore Greece through Tally’s eyes. Having lived there for twenty years, I’ve infused the book with authentic details, making readers feel like they’re right alongside Tally.
Helen: What a wonderful way to introduce history to young readers. Your cover has a flavour of the mediterranean. What were your thoughts behind the cover design?
Eleanor: The cover of The Sands of Time captures the book’s essence: a churning sea mirroring Tally’s inner turmoil as the mighty Poseidon looms. It’s a visual invitation to join Tally on a high-stakes adventure. I wanted to evoke a sense of wonder and danger, enticing readers to dive into Tally’s world. It’s also great for a summer launch!
Helen: When did you realise you had a passion for writing?
Eleanor: The spark ignited young. School essays were my escape, where my imagination could run wild. I remember crafting stories at five, and by nine, I’d penned a full-length play (though sadly, never performed). My father was a superb storyteller and maybe I got some of those genes. It was many years before that passion turned into writing novels, but I always wrote a daily journal (and still do) and, from age ten, wrote weekly letters to my mother until she passed away when I was in my late thirties. Mum kept and catalogued all my letters and I still have them. They are sometimes a great source of inspiration for plots.
Helen: It’s wonderful to see your series going from strength to strength. They do look great together. Who inspired you to write?
Eleanor: Authors such as Tolkein, C S Lewis, Enid Blyton and J K Rowling all inspired me to write, but the person who kick-started me on my writing career is my best friend Phillipa. We danced, and lived, in Greece at the same time. One day I was telling her about a story I had made up in which I wreaked vengeance on someone who had wronged me. She persuaded me to ‘write it down’ and her encouragement led me to a creative writing course, where I discovered a talent I didn’t know I possessed. However, life and love briefly sidetracked me when I came back to England, and my writing was pushed aside. Eventually, it was my husband who encouraged me to take it up again. And I have never looked back. It was as if he had opened a floodgate. Ideas that had lain dormant for many years tumbled so fast out of my head, I couldn’t keep up. I am so grateful that he saw what was missing in my life and for his unwavering support ever since.
Helen: How do you get the ideas for a new book?
Eleanor: Ideas are like unexpected guests—they burst into my mind uninvited! A single word, a fleeting image, can spark a world. If I am starting a new book with no clear idea, I surf the internet and random phrases seem to ignite something in my brain. The curse that threatens the Yukon village in Tally’s second adventure was born from a trailer for a movie. One word in the movie’s title was the eureka moment for me, but I can’t tell what it was because it would be a huge spoiler! Other times, I lie down in a quiet place, close my eyes and visualise characters and settings until one captures my imagination. I also swim a lot and this is a brilliant time for examining my brain for themes. The time just whizzes by while I’m working out glitches or plot twists.
Helen: Ideas come from all over the place. With so many ideas, what are you working on next?
Eleanor: I’m currently weaving enchantment into the fifth book in the Amberwood Hall Ballet School series, which I write alternately with Tally and the Angel. Blending my ballet background with the supernatural means that Amberwood is not just any ballet school: it has ghosts! The idea for the first book came from an event that happened to me when I was ten years old and was a boarder in a girls’ school at the spookiest old house in the country. The fantasy element, which I love, is a big part of the series and readers don’t need to be ballet fans to enjoy Amberwood any more than one must be a wizard to enjoy Hogwarts.
Helen: What a wonderful combination, boarding school and ghosts!! With all these ideas flowing, do you find you plan your books upfront, or are you more of a pantser?
Eleanor: I started out as a pantser, but my editor has moulded me into a planner. She insisted she couldn’t work with me unless I write out the storyline, which we then discuss, and then a complete chapter breakdown before I write the actual novel. At first I really struggled! I toyed with the idea of writing the book, then going back and summarising it for her, subsequently wowing her with how quickly I finished it! But I never did that. I soon realised that I write much better for plotting the entire novel in advance. Of course, things change along the way and nine times out of ten, a character turns out to be totally different from the original idea. But having a frame to work to means I work much more efficiently. Plus, I don’t get sleepless nights wondering where it’s all going to end. It’s a wonderful preventative to writers’ block.
Helen: It sounds like you have an excellent editor! Have you ever experienced self-doubt as a writer, and if so, how have you dealt with it?
Eleanor: Self-doubt is a constant companion, but I’ve learned to channel it into motivation. Positive feedback from my editor and readers is a powerful antidote, reminding me of the joy writing brings. I always read the reviews for my books and this can be so uplifting.
Helen: Thank you so much for joining me today. It has been lovely learning about you and your books. Just to close us out, if you didn’t write middle grade what genre would tempt you?
Eleanor: The allure of adult fiction beckons. With a wealth of experiences as a young dancer, I have a world of stories to explore. So, I would like to write an adult novel using some of the events that happened to me. It is something I think about a lot. It would be a daunting task after Middle-grade literature because adult novels are so much longer. I’m used to wrapping everything up in about 40 to 50,000 words. I would enjoy the challenge of finding enough material and complexities of plot to fill 80,000 to 120,00 words.
About the Author
Eleanor Dixon
Eleanor Dixon writes exciting, page-turning, high-stakes books for young people (though many adults enjoy her books too!). Her Tally and the Angel series (recipient of Mom’s Choice and Literary Titan Gold Awards) are travel adventures with each book taking place in a different country. The series takes its inspiration from Eleanor’s extensive global travels. Visit different countries with Tally from the comfort of your seat. And help her and Jophiel, the angel, foil dastardly plots.
Eleanor used to be a ballerina and taught in her own school in Athens, Greece (she speaks Greek fluently!) and is well qualified to write her Amberwood Hall Ballet School series, about a ballet school with a difference: it has ghosts! The first two books have been shortlisted in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards and The Graceful Ghost, the first, has also been shortlisted in the UKSelfies2020 awards. If you want a free taster, download The Ghosts of Amberwood onto your Kindle for nothing! It is the prequel and tells how Grace and Rodney became… the ghosts of Amberwood.
Eleanor adores animals and always has dogs, cats, hens, sheep and an abundance of wildlife at her UK home.
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If you enjoy epic fantasy then check out my award winning Sentinal series, which is now complete. If you like fantasy books with a touch of romance then you will love my SoulMist series, start with SoulBreather. Prefer Dystopian Science Fantasy? Then try Harmony. Start the adventure and stay for the journey.
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