Do Easter Eggs Belong in Your Writing?

I enjoyed the post last month by my fellow blogger Renee Roberson about her family being captivated by the streaming show The Summer I Turned Pretty. I was also escaping into author Jenny Han's world of young love, heartbreak, and beautiful beach houses. 

Then I went online.

Sure, there was the standard debate of the love triangle. Were you Team Jeremiah or Team Conrad? But it was more than just that simple question. 

Social media was flooded with discussions of every detail of the show and books from the use of color to movies (Sabrina and Bye, Bye Birdie made several appearances) to the symbolism of numbers, food, music, clothes, home decor. These super fans were investigating even the smallest detail as they went over each scene, each word, each pause with a fine tooth comb. What was the meaning behind that song, that dessert, that seating at the dinner table?

It began because author Jenny Han confirmed in interviews that there were "little breadcrumbs" giving hints to the final outcome as well as some that were tributes to her favorite songs, her other books and more. I think for many people "the hunt" to try and decipher what was going to happen before it happened was as fun as watching the actual show.

Could authors do this in written works? Leave easter eggs that are so subtle they are almost unnoticeable but when they are revealed produce an "ah-ha" moment? As writers, we dream of people not only reading our words but remembering them, recommending them to others, interacting with them. Hidden puzzles could be a way to make that happen. An extra to keep readers anchored in your world even after they've read the last page.

I often place my own version of easter eggs in my writing but they are only noticeable to my family and close friends. My fictional characters might have the initials, favorite foods or quirky habit of a loved one. Many are secret little tributes to each of my children.

Many books through the ages have included that hidden layer that are easily overlooked on the first read through: The Great Gatsby, The Narnia series, Alice in Wonderland, the books of Dan Brown and Stephen King. That hidden layer encourages you to hold on to a book - reading it multiple times, searching for the hidden. It becomes more than just a book - it becomes an experience.

What do you think about literary easter eggs?

Jodi M. Webb writes from her home in the Pennsylvania mountains about everything from DIY projects to tea to butterflies.  She's also a blog tour manager for WOW-Women on Writing. Get to know her  blogging at Words by Webb. 

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3 comments easter eggs, Jodi M. Webb, puzzles, symbolism, The Summer I Turned Pretty

Interview with Amanda McIntyre: Spring 2025 Flash Fiction Contest Third Place Winner

Amanda’s Bio: Amanda McIntyre is a published author of a memoir detailing her family’s harrowing Covid journey, entitled Dying to Live. A retired primary school headteacher, she is an aspiring picture book author and mother of three grown-ups. Amanda is deeply passionate about writing and crafting imaginative worlds where readers can immerse themselves and embark on unforgettable adventures. Her stories are woven with rich, memorable characters, inviting readers of all ages to journey alongside them. In 2025, Amanda is a prize winner in the PB & KJ writing competition for children’s stories and a prize winner in the Writer Advice’s Flash Fiction Contest. Additionally, she received an honourable mention in the Morgen with an E, 50-word story competition. Amanda’s current focus is on writing stories that engage young minds and develop the love of reading she enjoyed as a child. She has two Labradors and enjoys exploring the Scottish countryside with them. More information is available at her website amandamcintyrebooks.com, which is currently under construction. 

If you haven't done so already, check out Amanda's award-winning story "The Selkie's Promise" and then return here for a chat with the author. 

WOW: Congratulations on placing third in the Spring 2025 Flash Fiction Contest! What excited you most about writing this story? 

Amanda: What truly excited me about writing this story was the chance to revisit cherished memories of reading with my children, particularly a much-loved picture book featuring a Selkie. The allure and mystery of these Scottish shapeshifting legends have captivated me ever since. I am drawn to the Selkie's duality: their enchanting presence as humans and their graceful retreat to the sea. Entering the flash fiction contest felt like the perfect moment to delve deeper into Scottish folklore, bringing this fascination to life on the page. I was especially eager to experiment with the concise, impactful nature of flash fiction, a form that, like picture books, demands precision and emotional resonance in very few words. My aim was to weave an atmospheric tale that captures the raw feelings of grief and loss, immersing readers in Mara’s haunting journey and leaving them pondering what might unfold between her and the Selkie. This project was both a personal challenge and a creative departure from my usual writing, making it an exhilarating experience. 

WOW: I am continuously amazed by the thoughtful precision and crafting that goes on behind the scenes of any piece of writing, particularly with flash pieces. What did you learn about yourself or your writing while crafting this piece? 

Amanda: Through the process of crafting this piece, I realised just how swiftly you must draw readers into the world of flash fiction. The genre’s brevity means every word counts, so I found myself meticulously selecting and refining language to build an immediate sense of place and emotion. It became clear to me that establishing an atmosphere and forging a connection with characters is essential, almost like leading a group on a guided tour, ensuring no one drifts away because the journey is compelling from the very first sentence. This experience also highlighted the centrality of Mara’s grief, yet I wanted to ensure a subtle sense of hope lingered in her encounter with the Selkie. Having mostly written for children before, I discovered a new enthusiasm for writing with an adult audience in mind, and I am eager to pursue that further. 

WOW: You’ve published memoir, children’s stories, flash fiction, and more. How does writing in multiple genres inspire you and your writing? Do you have a favorite genre, and why is it your favorite? 

Amanda: Writing in multiple genres continually re-energises my creativity and keeps my perspective fresh. Each form brings its own set of challenges and delights. Writing a memoir allowed me to reflect deeply and find meaning in a difficult experience, while children’s stories invite a sense of wonder and playfulness. Flash fiction, on the other hand, offers a thrilling constraint, the need to distil emotion and narrative into a handful of impactful words. I find that moving between genres prevents me from getting stuck in a rut; lessons learned in one style often inform and enrich my approach to others. As for a favourite, I am becoming very fond of flash fiction. Although maybe that is because I have been lucky enough to have been placed in two competitions this year. There’s something invigorating about the discipline it demands and the immediacy it creates between writer and reader. The genre’s brevity is a little like writing for children, challenging me to say more with less and to trust the reader to fill in the gaps. That sense of collaboration and shared imagination is what keeps me coming back to flash fiction, even as I continue to explore and enjoy other genres. 

WOW: Having trust in your readers is a crucial element to good writing! Thank you for sharing that. What are you reading right now, and why did you choose to read it? 

Amanda: At the moment, I am engrossed in The Tenant by Frieda McFadden. I have long been an admirer of her work; she is a true expert when it comes to suspense and crime thrillers. Our book club selected this novel as our latest read, and I jumped at the chance to begin it. What I appreciate most about McFadden’s writing is her knack for crafting intricately layered plots filled with unexpected twists, always managing to keep readers guessing right up to the final pages. Her fast-paced, straightforward prose makes her books thoroughly engaging and a breeze to read, which is ideal for me, especially in the evenings when I am seeking a captivating yet undemanding story to wind down with. It is the perfect way to lose myself in a different world before bedtime. 

WOW: If you could give your younger self one piece of writing advice, what would it be and why? 

Amanda: If I could offer my younger self one piece of writing advice, it would be to embrace the messiness of the first draft and not let the pursuit of perfection stifle creativity. I used to spend far too long agonising over each sentence, afraid to move forward until everything was just so. With time, I have learnt that the real magic often emerges in the process of revising and reshaping, and that it is far more important to get words on the page than to get them right the first time. Trusting in the journey and allowing yourself room to experiment opens unexpected possibilities, both on the page and within yourself as a writer. 

WOW: Yes, you make another very important point about trust as a writer; not only do you have to trust your readers, you have to trust yourself, too! Anything else you’d like to add? 

Amanda: Yes, I would just like to add how grateful I am for the various opportunities that writing has brought into my life, whether it is connecting with readers, engaging in lively discussions with fellow writers, or exploring new genres that challenge and inspire me. Each project, no matter how small, offers a chance to grow and discover something new about myself and the world. I am constantly reminded that writing is as much about curiosity and courage as it is about craft, and I look forward to seeing where the next story leads me. 

WOW: We look forward to it, too! Thank you so much for sharing your story and your thoughtful responses with us. Happy writing! 

Interviewed by Anne Greenawalt, founder and editor-in-chief of Sport Stories Press, which publishes sports books by, for, and about sportswomen and amateur athletes. Connect on social media: @greenmachine459.

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Leave a Comment Amanda McIntyre, Anne Greenawalt, Spring 2025 Flash Fiction Contest, Third Place Winner

The Soundtrack of Storytelling by Heather Snodgrass

 

By Heather Snodgrass

Music has a way of weaving its way through all of our lives like thread. Some may use it as background noise while they are studying, working, or even to fall asleep. I am a person who retains what I read with music in the background and that is one reason I like to listen to music while I read. Many of us use it to tell our stories. Musical theater and concerts are not the only ways to convey thoughts and emotions to a live audience through music. Whenever a person is reading or watching a film, they are the live audience for that story, and I have really wanted to marry music with reading in a unique way. 

In my debut novel, A Love Letter to Reading, Ariana is an assassin, contracted by her father’s business. As events unfold, she finds herself joining a book club where her target is a member. Though music is her first love, she quickly becomes an avid reader as she navigates grief and revenge. After she befriends her target, she finds herself in a race against time to bring down her father’s crime ring before they get to her. In A Love Letter to Reading, music and books are interwoven throughout the story, and they ignite Ariana’s evolution.

Throughout the novel, I use music to put the reader in the scene with the main character, Ariana, or whichever character they are following in the story. Scorpion is Ariana’s assassin alias, and she uses music as her anchor during her assignment. She relies on that anchor to remind herself about her target’s worst traits. As an assassin, she lives by a code when she kills. She curates playlists for her targets based on her justification for following through on her assignment. 

Personally, lyrics are what inspire me the most to create stories. They put my mind into creative overdrive. If you’ve ever watched a movie where a song makes you feel as much as the actor on screen, that is what I draw upon when writing while listening to a great song. 

In building A Love Letter to Reading, I drew upon timelines from my own life. My most vivid memories are the ones that have a song to anchor the memory in the timeline. I made sure to include this detail when creating the characters. Like Ariana, I build playlists for almost every reason in life. I have a playlist about myself, I have playlists for dealing with grief, preparing for auditions, public speaking, social engagements, etc. I create playlists for each character I write. I utilize music as a framework to establish traits and personality while I am writing to help ensure each character is unique. 

I wrote so much of Ariana and Sam’s relationship around the song “River” by Leon Bridges. I made sure to write that song into a scene specifically for those two people where I described what the lyrics mean to Ariana. To Ariana, that song is so perfect for their relationship even though Sam can’t hear it. It is important to her to be able to convey it to Sam. 

Incorporating the Mamma Mia! and Aladdin soundtracks were very specific to the two men who inspired Larry. One happened to be an actor in Mamma Mia! early in his stage career. The mention of the Aladdin soundtrack is based on a true story. Both are excellent soundtracks and have been influential in my life.

Soundtracks have always been so important to me in movies. I have always fallen more in love with a movie that has a great soundtrack. I enjoy musical theater a lot because it combines music and storytelling. I love using music to express the story or character. One specific time I remember completely falling in love with the presence of the music in a scene was in X-Men: Days of Future Past. The audience is introduced to Quicksilver and his super-speed abilities during a battle while “Time in a Bottle” by Jim Croce plays over the scene. It almost seemed counter-intuitive, but it was so perfect. That scene stuck with me, and I knew I wanted to tell stories with music that just works. In A Love Letter to Reading, I envisioned Scorpion killing to music she feels describes the target. Some of it may be more fast-paced, and some may be a bit slower. 

Being a millennial, I grew up with an eclectic ear palette. I loved it all. Many of my friends around my age were the same way. We rocked out to everything from oldies to metal, and we really loved the music. We listened to the lyrics. We analyzed the meaning behind the lyrics. We bonded at concerts. We were truly together in those times. Whether you’re a Swiftie, a Monster, a Beatlemaniac, a Bruce Tramp, Beyhive, a Pig, or any of the fandoms that exist, I see that same bonding happening around the world. It was important for me to create a character that resonates with readers from around the world who just love the music. Music really can unite the world. People all around the world are currently experiencing a form of grief, and unification is needed now more than ever. 

I created an unofficial soundtrack on Spotify for A Love Letter to Reading for the very reason of listening to songs in the scene and chapter titles. Being a book where music is such an important theme, I wanted to give readers the connection between this book and the music that brings it to life. The second edition of my book will be released soon and it will have a QR code where readers can connect to the playlist if they choose to do so. Music does not need to be limited to movies and shows in order to add that depth to the scene. I invite all readers to step into the rhythm of this story.

***

Heather Snodgrass has a lifelong love of novels, movies, and the creative arts. A graduate of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, she has explored multiple avenues to bring stories to life. She lives in Colorado with her husband, JD, and their dogs, and enjoys traveling, gardening, and playing video games. Like her character Ariana, she keeps a playlist for everything and invites others to share theirs in return. Her debut novel, A Love Letter to Reading, explores complex characters in a world where the arts reveal the best of the human spirit. She recently received the International Impact Book Award (July 2025).

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Leave a Comment A Love Letter to Reading, book music, book playlist, Heather Snodgrass, music and writing

Interview with Leah Gastman Rosasco - WOW! Q3 Creative Nonfiction Essay Runner Up

Leah Gastman Rosasco, a runner up in the Q3 2025 Creative Nonfiction Essay contest with Hiding Spaces, joins us today to talk about her writing journey as well as her winning essay.

Leah considers writing her first love and counts it among her most consistent and reliable companions. Her writing includes poetry, songs, creative nonfiction and visual essays. With hundreds of essay and novel starts over the years, and no endings, Leah credits a recent writing workshop with helping her find her path to developing her work from beginning to end. By shifting her focus from employing writing as an instrument, to viewing writing as her craft – although she has been writing for as long as she can remember – Leah feels she is just getting started.

In addition to writing Leah likes to spend her time baking, hiking, doing yard work, thrifting, and restoring the occasional piece of old furniture. Leah lives in a small(ish) town in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada where she and her husband share a 1940s home with their three rescue dogs.

WOW: Congratulations on your winning essay, "Hiding Spaces". Your essay focused on sadness until the end when BOOM, I'm laughing. But it was as if the humor made the sadness even more powerful. Did you consciously combine humor and sadness or did it just happen?

Leah: It wasn’t a conscious decision to write it that way, it just happened. That being said, it was definitely the presence of both sadness and humor in the situation that made me realize I needed to write this essay. There is a lot going on in this piece – longstanding sorrow, feelings of inadequacy and loneliness – but I liked that the humor and the hope kind of floated to the top at the end. 

WOW: It seems you've had a long and winding journey, like so many writers while working in a non-writing profession. When was the first time you considered yourself a writer? 

Leah: I am still working on getting comfortable with calling myself a writer, although I have known for as long as I can remember that writing is a special, soothing, beautiful place for me to spend time. The first time I understood my writing might be something beyond how I felt about it was when my 5th grade class was learning about poetry and my teacher printed a line from a poem I had written on a banner and hung it over the chalk board in our classroom. The line was nothing terribly spectacular (…where there’s a pencil there’s a poem…) but the teacher loved it for that lesson and saw it as an inspiring visual for her classroom. It was a foreign and wonderful feeling to see my words shared like that and it made me feel like maybe there was more to my writing than I knew. 

As an adult the first time I felt like a writer was in 2020 when I hit “SEND” to submit my first essay to the Women on Writing contest. My essay did not advance past the first round but I was elated just to submit it and get feedback on it. Since that moment I have consistently moved closer to considering myself a writer. "Hiding Spaces" was my second submission to this or any contest and having it chosen as a runner up has certainly helped me get a little more comfortable with considering myself a writer. 

WOW: I think we should definitely start calling you a writer. Placing in the second writing contest you entered is quite the accomplishment! Although you are a long time writer, in your bio you mentioned feeling like you are starting anew as you change your outlook from writing as instrument to writing as craft. Can you share what you mean by this and how it has changed your writing life?

Leah: For most of my life I have used writing, mostly journaling, as therapy. It was the most effective and consistent tool for helping me work through issues. I would write creative pieces, poems, fiction and nonfiction essays and even songs once in a while, but for the most part I felt like I was writing for emotional survival.

WOW: I can understand that, writing is a coping mechanism for so many people. But what changed? 

Leah: About a year ago I started thinking about being more intentional with my writing, which was not something I had considered before then. I had hundreds of pieces started but none of them ever felt finished. This desire to focus on writing as a craft rather than therapy led me to sign up for the Spark Your Story creative nonfiction workshop, which opened doors. I realized there were so many interesting stories, including things I had journaled about for years, that I could approach as an intentional craft. I could look at a topic and figure out which genre I felt told the story the best, make choices about narration, setting, language, cadence, etc. I was ready for this shift and it’s been an amazing experience. Approaching some of these topics in this way has absolutely helped me grow creatively, but I have also noticed that telling stories about these issues or situations or behaviors (like hiding) as an intentional craft has helped me see them as something other than a problem I need to solve. They are just part of my story as a human being and I’m having a lot of fun writing them.

WOW: I'm so glad you're having fun with your new outlook on your writing. Do you have a writing tip you'd like to share with us?

Leah: Let your writing come out as it does, even if it seems like a waste of time. Some of my favorite writing has come from a single line after writing pages and pages of what feels like nonsense, and it often takes me in a direction I could not have imagined before I sat down to write. I think this is what I have learned to love the most about writing, how it flows out and reveals something I did not know existed. Also, when seemingly random ideas or words or sentences pop into your mind, write them down! I have mourned the loss of many great ideas over the years simply because I thought, “That one’s so good I’ll never forget it!” and I do, within five minutes. It’s maddening.

WOW: Oh yes, those ideas or snippets of dialogue that come to you just as you're drifting off to sleep. You wake up and they're gone and all you remember is they were so good! Aside from striving to write every idea down, what’s up next for your writing career?

Leah: I appreciate this question because it is one I have been asking myself. I have written a few essays that I really like that may need some final edits but are pretty much done. I’d like to submit some of these pieces to contests or for publishing consideration. I have also begun the process of looking back at some of my older writing and have found quite a few topics I want to rework into CNF (Creative Nonfiction) essays. I am not sure what is going to come of this and at the moment I honestly don’t have a specific goal or vision other than being open to seeing what develops from this exercise.

WOW: The life of a writer doesn't often have a clear blueprint. It seems there are always more questions about what we should do (and write) next.  We wish you all the luck finding homes for your work and look forward to reading more. 

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Leave a Comment Contestant interview, Jodi M. Webb, Leah Gastman Rosasco, WOW! Q3 2025 Creative Nonfiction Essay Contest

Scenes from a Small-Town Bookstore

Last month, I took a job working part-time at the independent bookstore in our small college town. I’ve admired the female-owned bookstore from afar and as a customer, attending many author events there and meeting some of my favorite writers. But as we all know, writing can be a lonely business. Most of my days as an empty nester are spent talking to my dogs, researching and recording podcast scripts, working on essays, short stories, and longer lengths of work. It can be days before I leave my neighborhood and sometimes it feels isolating. 

So, when I saw the opening for a part-time bookseller, I jumped at the chance to apply. Fortunately, the owner knew me from my previous job as editor of a regional magazine. She hired me and I began my training last month. I work two or three days a week, which is perfect for my schedule. I work with a large group of women with very diverse backgrounds (the owner if a former high school biology teacher), the store manager writes in the romantasy genre, another co-worker studied data sciences, a member of the town’s historical society and a former archivist, and so on. You get the idea. We have a wide range of interests, which helps us assist our customers no matter what type of book they are looking for. Because there are so many of us, the job offers us the flexibility we need. 

One of the first things I noticed on the job was how happy the customers are. I never realized how busy the bookstore is, but it makes sense. It’s on the main street of a small college town, and we have a diverse group of customers walking into the store every day. They are so happy to find us, because we have a carefully curated selection of not only books, but stickers, journals, puzzles, and gift ideas. Children happily skip into the store to search for the next book in a series they are devouring, readers come in looking for their most current book club selections, and parents visiting their students at the college say they love visiting the store whenever they’re in town. Because our store is small, we can’t carry everything in stock but have created a system where customers can place orders with us with no shipping and the book are usually available within three to five days. 

With inflation on the rise and more people budgeting their money carefully, I’ve noticed books are a comfort item people are willing to splurge on. 

In the past few weeks, I’ve seen: 

• A man with a National Parks employee patch on his polo shirt searching for a copy of Jack Kerouac’s On the Road so he could take it backpacking with him over the weekend.

• A neighborhood mom and her friendly black lab, Scout, who visit weekly to pick up books or simply chat about what we’re all reading these days.

• A middle-aged couple and their son picking up a copy of Yellow Face by R.F. Kuang because they are reading it for their family book club.

• Children from the local elementary school stopping in to pick up a book for their grade’s new reading club.

The list goes on and on. With only one register, there are times I’ll look up and see a line wrapped around the front of the store, but people are happily clutching their books and have no problem waiting. It brings me joy to be surrounded by book lovers such as myself, even in these tumultuous times. 

Renee Roberson is an award-winning writer and creator/host of the true crime podcast, Missing in the Carolinas. In 2023, the bookstore she works in appeared in the movie, The Other Zoey.

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3 comments book nerds, independent bookstores, life as a bookseller, Renee Roberson, the writing life, true crime podcasts

Interview with Rachel O'Cleary, 2nd Place Winner in the Spring 2025 Flash Fiction Contest

 

Rachel O'Cleary studied English with a creative writing emphasis at the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, and then wrote mostly in secret for nearly 15 years before joining Writers HQ. She moves around quite a bit, but for the present moment lives with her family in the UK. Her stories have been printed in such wide-ranging publications as Smokelong Quarterly, Milk Candy Review, The Forge, and Reader's Digest, among many others. Her writing has been selected for the Wigleaf Top 50 and been nominated for the Pushcart Prize. You can find a list of her published work (and not much else) at https://rachelocleary.wordpress.com. 

 ----------Interview by Renee Roberson 

WOW: Congratulations, Rachel, and welcome! “Belly Full of Stones” explores family dynamics and the impending loss of a loved one. How did you first get the idea to write about this topic? 

Rachel: "Belly Full of Stones" is a story from a novella-in-flash that I spent quite a bit of time dreaming up and writing a while back, which I recently opened again to see if I still liked it! In the novella, the main character has always had a difficult relationship with both of her parents, but especially her father, the parent who ends up surviving in the story. I think a lot has been written about making peace with a dying parent, but less so with what you do with all the anger and hurt when the two people with a difficult relationship are suffering a loss at the same time. I really wanted "Belly Full of Stones" to explore that dynamic, and to imagine this challenging parent in a different light, if only for the space of one piece of flash. As a parent myself, I am painfully aware of how easy it is to get it wrong, even when you are trying to get it right, so I really wanted there to be some nuance to the story, something to show that the story you are telling yourself can look completely different with the slightest perspective shift, and that you can find small pockets of peace and understanding even in the midst of big losses, and even if you can't forgive completely. 

WOW: In addition to this entry, you’ve had numerous short stories published. What is your process for finding good markets to submit your work? 

Rachel: That's a great question. When I first started submitting stories, I would just send them off to magazines or online publications that I liked, hoping one of them would publish me. But I also read a lot, so as I got more and more into flash fiction, I found myself reading all the publications that publish flash. The more I read, the more I get to know the aesthetic of a particular publication, and the better I now am at matching a particular story to the publication that will be best for it. That said, I still get plenty of rejections from places that I thought would be a perfect match, so in part it really is just being resilient and playing a numbers game of sending out my very best work and then polishing it and sending it out again if it's rejected. It's best not to be too precious about rejections, as I think I probably average 9-10 rejections for every acceptance now, and I think that's a really good number - that ratio used to be much worse! 

WOW: One of your published pieces, "What She Would Rather Tell a Stranger,” appeared in Reader’s Digest as part of a 100-word story competition. Did you find it difficult to pare down an idea to such a brief word count? 

Rachel: Yes! But that's why flash is fun. It's all about trying to figure out how much you can leave out of the story and still expect the reader to fill in with their own imagination. Can I imply things without having to say them outright? Can I maybe even make my readers fill the gaps with their own ideas? And having good editors helps. That particular story I ran by a good writing friend of mine, Fiona McKay, and she helped me to cut it from its original 130-something words down to the precise 100-word requirement. Writing is a team sport! 

WOW: It really is! What advice would you give a writer just starting to explore the craft of flash fiction regarding finding story ideas? 

Rachel: The lovely thing about flash is that you can get your ideas from anywhere. They don't have to be  enough ideas to sustain multiple plots and sub-plots, and 300 pages of exposition, so this is a big question, but I guess I would say two things: 

1. Find other writers to support you and to share your work with. They don't have to live down the street from you - all of my best writer friends are people I've met online. I started doing flash during the pandemic when Writer's HQ had a weekly challenge called Flash Face-Off. I met so many amazing writers there. We were writing to themed prompts every week, and it was inspiring to see what other writers were doing and it really helped me to figure out what worked, what didn't, and why. I think they still do a monthly flash challenge at WHQ - my schedule is, unfortunately, not what it used to be, so I haven't joined in a while, but any way of finding writer friends to bounce ideas off of is a good idea. 

2. Remember that flash is small, so the ideas don't have to be huge. They can be, as very big themes are often tackled in tiny stories, but sometimes the best ones are also very simple. A tiny, but universal, thought that you have, that you have always wondered if other people feel, too. One of my favourite of my own stories, "Flight Reflex," published in Smokelong Quarterly, was based almost entirely around a conversation I actually had with my 6-year-old, where he said something silly, and I made it into a real story. 

WOW: We’d love to hear about some of your favorite authors. 

Rachel: Oh, no! Does anyone really know how to answer this? I have such a huge number of favourite authors out there in the world! I love, and have always loved, Gabriel Garcia Marquez for his magical realism which is both beautiful and brutal at the same time. Leone Ross is also an absolute marvel to me. Recently, I have been working my way through Elena Ferrante's Neapolitan novels, and am really enjoying them. For flash, I am in absolute awe of Jo Gatford, Kim Magowan, and obviously, Kathy Fish. That is not even mentioning all the amazing writers I have had the pleasure of workshopping stories with. I could talk about this all day, but I'll leave it there for now. Thank you for the lovely and thought-provoking questions, Renee, and I look forward to hopefully speaking with you again in the future.

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Leave a Comment 2nd place winner, Contestant interview, Rachel O'Cleary, Renee Roberson, Spring 2025 Flash Fiction Contest, writing advice

The Reckoning of Grace by Ron Chapman Blog Tour, Author Interview, and Book Giveaway

We here at WOW! Women on Writing are excited to launch the blog tour for The Reckoning of Grace by returning author Ronald Chapman. 

This book is perfect for anyone who enjoys mystery, action, and/or psychological thrillers. Read on to find out the author's inspiration behind this novel in an intriguing author interview, and enter to win a copy! 

Here's a bit more about The Reckoning of Grace: 

The Reckoning of Grace is an exceptionally timely novel that captures the deep spiritual reckoning behind America’s political and cultural unrest. This third installment in the Saga of Grace series showcases Ronald Chapman’s inspirational fiction at its finest—an exploration of post-traumatic growth, emotional healing, and spiritual courage.

Through unforgettable characters and profound narrative arcs, the novel invites us into the heart of reconciliation, challenging us to become agents of grace amid turmoil. A powerful and thought-provoking read for anyone navigating transformation in uncertain times, this book—and the Saga of Grace series as a whole—is essential. 

The Reckoning of Grace

Book 3 of the Saga of Grace series

Paperback ISBN: 978-1-948749-89-3

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-948749-96-1

Library of Congress Number: 2025915402

Pub Date: September 14, 2025

The Reckoning of Grace is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Bookshop.org. You'll want to add it to your Goodreads list. 

About the Author - Ronald Chapman:

Ronald Chapman is owner of an international speaking and consulting company, Magnetic North LLC and a specialty company Leading Public Health. In addition to international accreditation as a speaker and national awards for radio commentary, he is the author of four novels, from the Saga of Grace Series: Book 1 - A Killer's Grace (2016), Book 2 - The Dark Side of Grace (2023), and Book 3 - The Reckoning of Grace (2025), and a spiritual allegory, My Name is Wonder (2016). He has also authored three works of non-fiction, Progressive Recovery through the Twelve Steps: Emotionally Sober for Life (2019), Seeing True: Ninety Contemplations in Ninety Days (2008) and What a Wonderful World: Seeing Through New Eyes (2004) and produced three audio sets, Seeing True: The Way of Spirit (2016), Breathing, Releasing and Breaking Through: Practices for Seeing True (2015), and Seeing True – The Way of Success in Leadership (2005). Ron provides a wide array of social media content at his Seeing True blog site, content for people in substance abuse recovery on his ProgressiveRecovery platform, and other content from his master Ronald Chapman site. He holds a Masters in Social Welfare from The University at Albany (New York.) Prior to his relocation to Atlanta, Georgia in 2008, he was a long-time resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico where much of his philosophies and practices came to life. He is also a wanderlust and adventurer, as well as a sculptor

Find Chapman Online:

Author website: https://www.ronaldchapman.com/books

Blog site(s): https://www.seeingtrue.com/blog and https://www.progressiverecovery.org/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ron.chapman.5/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Ronald-Chapman/author/B002AGK4J4

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seeing_true/ 

 ----- Interview by Crystal Otto

WOW: Well Ron, I love that we find ourselves in this position again; thank you for contacting WOW, and trusting me to help with The Reckoning of Grace! As you know, I’m a huge fan of your work, but I have to ask: When do you sleep? You always seem to be doing and creating something or another. How do you do it?

Ron: Yes, Crystal, here we are again, and I’m pleased to have your support with The Reckoning of Grace. The truth seems to be that creativity has its own energies and its own timeline. The “muse” has its way with me, typically early in the morning. It’s as if a creation cannot be contained, though my initial reaction is to resist the urge. I remember reading that a number of creatives in the past routinely awakened in the middle of the night, so I guess I’m in good company. Resistance really does seem to be futile where creative energy is concerned.

WOW: You’re out there supporting everyone else—from nursing students, other authors, starving artists, orca whales if I recall correctly…and the list goes on. Who is it that is supporting you Ron Chapman? What helps you stay so positive?

Ron: Clearly you’ve been watching my social media feed … LOL! It’s interesting to have you reflect this back to me, Crystal. Like most of us, I just go about the business of my daily activities and don’t think too much about where my interests take me. Upon reflecting though, some time ago I realized that there is a lot that interests or attracts me, and that at times it would be a lot. So I do regroup and reprioritize with some frequency. More importantly, I discovered that going wandering in my car, or a visit to botanical gardens, or an art museum or gallery is really restorative for me. So too with yoga, sound baths, massages and other somatic practices. Broadly, I think of it as self-care, and a requirement for me to attend to my interests. At some point in time, most of my professional clients will hear me remind them: self-care, self-care, self-care. Apparently, I teach what I most need.

WOW: Where did it all start for you? When did you know that Ron Chapman was an author and did you ever feel like you were an imposter along the way? What advice do you have for others who are writing but maybe don’t have that confidence just yet to say “I’m an author”?

Ron: Great question, Crystal. For me the first callings were to books and the local library, which were childhood refuges for me. So much so that to this day, I am fundamentally attracted to stories of all kinds. Given that, I suppose it was only a matter of time before I would begin to write. My first book, What a Wonderful World: Seeing Through New Eyes, was the result of the urgings of a book promoter who knew me from my interviews of authors on public radio. With the editing support of my daughter, I was able to shape that collection of vignettes. Then the “muse” had me in its grip, something just clicked within me. From that point on, I was always in the process of writing something, so in some ways, writing became habituated. Perhaps that’s the best guidance of all, and consistent with prolific work and advice of Stephen King, just write and the rest will take care of itself.

WOW: You’ve got a lot of published books under your belt now. What advice do you have for authors who are sitting on a book idea wondering where to go from here? What do you know now that you wish you had known at the very beginning of this journey?

Ron: Well, consistent with the last question, just write! Beyond that though, I was surprised that the publishing realm is so competitive. I recently heard that Amazon publishes more than 400,000 books every year. Perhaps the best advice is to check one’s expectations. Then to explore one’s motivations. In the end, I’ve been far more satisfied with the entire process by reminding myself that I write because I love it. I have a sometimes slightly expensive hobby, as one friend reflected to me. And our hobbies are passions or pastimes for us. The result of that mindset is to feel good about the books no matter what. As an aside, I do sometimes marvel that somehow seven books have found their way through me. As a favorite character from My Name is Wonder, Boboso the Bear says, “The way is made with every step."

WOW: What’s in the hopper right now? I feel like you already have something in the works for 2026; can you give us a sneak peak?

Ron: As a matter of fact, the day before this interview, I was dragged out of bed by my psyche at 3:30 am. By 6:00, after contemplations and journaling and time in stillness, the plot and content for the next book in the Saga of Grace series fell into my awareness. I’d had a general idea before, but literally, the structure just appeared in my thoughts. If ever I needed proof of the “muse,” this would be the kind of demonstration. So now I know how to proceed, and I’ve set aside time on my calendar after the promotional activities of The Reckoning of Grace. In short, Book 4 will be twenty-five or thirty years in the future, and I will re-imagine that future consistent with the storyline in The Reckoning of Grace and the psycho-spiritual development of the protagonists, Kevin Pitcairn, an investigative journalist, and his beloved Maria Elena, who has become the voice and face of a social movement. Their story is not done, so the author is not done. As an aside, I’ve been known to say that if something is your life’s work, it will take your life.

WOW: Ron, what have you read recently that you think everyone else should add to their TBR pile and why do you think it’s important?

Ron: Oh wow (pun intended)! I’m thinking of the incredible, contextual writings of Heather Cox Richardson. I find them to be powerful reflections that help me think about the world in which we find ourselves. Setting aside political implications, she is so very good at framing the history and timing of what’s occurring and unfolding now. It keeps me grounded and curious at the same time. Since that’s a daily affair, I balance it with the daily, spiritual contemplations from Father Richard Rohr. A daily does of reality, and one of the spiritual seems to be very useful to my own contemplations.

WOW: I know you talk about seeing the light and being optimistic especially with all the chaos that seems to be in our world today; how do you stay so positive and what do you do to bring yourself positivity when you just aren’t feeling it some days?

Ron: Rest assured, like most everyone, I have inner challenges that arise with some frequency. Interestingly enough, I use some of the practices that are in the plot of The Reckoning of Grace. Breathwork, meditation, journaling and somatic practices bring me out of the messiness of thoughts and into my lived experience in the moment. Probably more importantly though, the result of exploration into the psycho-spiritual realm reflected in the Saga of Grace series, I’ve come to experience the world as a place of wonder and adventure. That’s been a slow process admittedly, which began more than twenty-five years ago when my mentor suggested I might want to take a good look at my discontentedness. He’d seen that I was forever at odds with life and with living. After resisting his suggestion, I finally delved deeply. I discovered that my expectations of myself, others and my life were simply not realistic. It was actually a life changing awareness. Today, as one might hear in the rooms of recovery, “living life on life’s terms” is powerful practice. It turns out there is a kind of magic that is ever present. I didn’t know that previously. I’ve come to count on it now.

Crystal - I wanted to add one more exciting surprise for all my WOW! friends - 

We’re celebrating the release of The Reckoning of Grace with a special giveaway! 

Three lucky winners will receive a Transformation Gift Pack that includes: 

 📚 A signed 3-book set of the Saga of Grace series (A Killer’s Grace, The Dark Side of Grace, and The Reckoning of Grace) 

 💳 A $25 gift card to any local bookstore of the winner's choice 

 🌟 A set of inspiring stickers 

 All you have to do is click this link to fill out a google form to enter. This contest is available for US and Canada participants only. The winners will be randomly selected. 

The giveaway closes November 15 - just in time for the holiday season! Don’t miss your chance to win this inspiring gift pack!

Check out this hashtag to stay up to date with this tour, the book, and it’s author: #reckoningofgrace #reckoningofgracechapman 

----Blog Tour Dates

September 22 @ The Muffin

What goes better with coffee in the morning than a muffin? Join us at the WOW blog to celebrate the launch of author Ronald Chapman’s The Reckoning of Grace. You can read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of the book.

https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com/

September 23 @ A Storybook World with Deirdra Eden

Deirdra Eden has fellow author Ronald Chapman in today's spotlight with his latest book: The Reckoning of Grace. Find out more about the third book in the Saga of Grace series!

https://www.astorybookworld.com/

September 24 @ What Is That Book About

Author Ronald Chapman finds himself in today's spotlight at What Is That Book About with his latest best seller: The Reckoning of Grace. You’ll want to run as fast as you can and snag this third book in the Saga of Grace series!

https://www.whatisthatbookabout.com/

September 25 @ A Wonderful World of Words

Author Ronald Chapman pens today’s post at A Wonderful World of Words. Read this enlightening post titled: "Characters and Characters" and find out more about Chapman’s latest book: The Reckoning of Grace. You’ll want this third book of the Saga of Grace series on your nightstand today! 

https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/

September 26 @ Sarandipity’s

Sarandipity’s Spotlight today is shining on Ron Chapman and the third book in the Saga of Grace Series! Stop by today and learn about Chapman’s book, The Reckoning of Grace. This is a book and series you won’t want to miss!

https://sarandipitys.com/

September 27 @ Of History and Kings

Helen Hollick puts fellow author Ron Chapman in the spotlight today! Readers will delight in learning about The Reckoning of Grace, the third book in the Saga of Grace Series! Stop by Helen’s blog today and be sure to add The Reckoning of Grace to your TBR pile!

https://ofhistoryandkings.blogspot.com/

September 28 @ Bring on Lemons

Crystal Otto gives Ron Chapman’s The Reckoning of Grace 5 stars - stop by Bring on Lemons today and find out what Crystal has to say after reading this best seller, the third book in the Saga of Grace Series! 

https://bringonlemons.blogspot.com/

October 04 @ World of My Imagination

Nicole Pyles reads and reviews Ron Chapman’s latest book: The Reckoning of Grace. This is the latest book in the Saga of Grace Series and Nicole gave the first two books 5 stars - will this one gain the highest ranking as well? Find out today!

https://worldofmyimagination.com/my-blog/

October 8 @ Lisa Haselton

Lisa Haselton interviews Ron Chapman about his latest book: The Reckoning of Grace. This is the latest book in the Saga of Grace Series and you won’t want to miss an insightful fast paced interview between Haselton and Chapman!

https://lisahaselton.com/

October 11 @ Storeybook Reviews

Storeybook Reviews has Ron Chapman’s latest book: The Reckoning of Grace in the spotlight today! This is the latest book in the Saga of Grace Series and you won’t want to miss an opportunity to find out more! 

https://storeybookreviews.com/

October 25 @ Words from the Heart

Stop by Words from the Heart as Linda reviews Ronald Chapman’s latest book: The Reckoning of Grace! This is the latest book in the Saga of Grace Series and you won’t want to miss an opportunity to find out more!

https://contemplativeed.blogspot.com/

***** BOOK GIVEAWAY *****

The giveaway is open to US residents for a print copy. Enter to win a print copy of The Reckoning of Grace by Ronald Chapman! Fill out the Gleam form below for a chance to win. The giveaway ends October 5th at 11:59 pm CT. We will randomly draw a winner the next day via Gleam and follow up via email. Good luck!

The Reckoning of Grace Giveaway

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10 comments author interview, blog tour launch, book giveaway, inspirational fiction, ronald chapman, Saga of Grace series, The Reckoning of Grace

Interview with Kelli Leiner, Runner Up in the Q3 2025 Creative Nonfiction Contest

 

While she obviously left her heart in San Francisco (and the surrounding Bay Area), Kelli moved to the other coast nine years ago where she currently resides in Wilmington, North Carolina with her husband, 15-year-old son, and their menagerie of critters. Kelli has worn a variety of ‘hats’ over the years, from school psychologist and grant writer to a brief, though misguided flirtation in software technical writing (read: technology is not her friend). But her very favorite writing will always be creative, especially stories that illuminate women’s experiences. As such, she is currently nearing the final pre-submission draft of her debut women’s fiction novel and hopes to get it out of the gate sometime soon. When Kelli’s not reading or writing about messy humanity, she can be found hitching a ride on (someone else’s) boat, drinking good wine, or cheering for her son at his basketball games. 

 ----------Interview by Renee Roberson 

WOW: Congratulations, Kelli, and welcome! Your essay about your mother’s final days, "The Blink of a Life," provides a heartfelt takeaway at the end. Having lost both of your parents in a short amount of time, how often do you think of them when wrestling with your own questions about parenting your son? 

Kelli: I think about my parents almost every day, particularly when I’m getting a dose of typical teenage behavior (take what you will from that, lol). It’s very humbling. The hubris I once had pre-kid (for example, “I will never do xyz with my own child…”) died a quick death after becoming a parent. Having a teenager keeps adding nails to that proverbial coffin! I regularly think about what I would say to my parents now and without a doubt the short version would be, “I’m sorry and…thank you!” 

WOW: How did your first draft of this essay change by the final version? Do you have any editing tips for our readers just starting out in this genre? 

Kelli: After I shared the essay with one of my writing groups, I kept most of the content but took some of their advice and changed the order a bit to add more interest to the beginning. Readers know what draws them in and keeps them reading. With that being said, the following are a few editing tips that have worked for me: 

1. Get other eyeballs on your work. There’s no replacement for outside feedback no matter how many times you’ve fine-tooth combed your piece. You might find that something you wrote seemed incredibly clear to you but doesn’t quite land in the same way for others. However, keep in mind that one person’s feedback is not the end all, be all. I usually split the difference. For example, if I’m getting the same feedback from multiple sources, it’s pretty solid. 

2. Walk away. Come back a few days—or, if needed, weeks—later and try to read it with new eyes. Does it still have the same impact? 

3. Read your work out loud. If something doesn’t flow well, consider rewording until it does. 

4. Trust your instincts. It’s easy to have too many voices in your head when you’ve been receiving feedback, a lesson I’m still learning. At the end of the day, however, this is your work. Your voice. If you can maintain anything in the editing process, let it be this. 

WOW: I love this advice. What inspired you to enter this particular writing contest? 

Kelli: I’d been following WOW! for some time and had just finished revising my essay with a local writing group when I stumbled on the contest. It seemed kismet. I must confess, though, that my submission was impulsive, as it needed to be. I struggle with the vulnerability of being judged and other than a nonfiction essay contest in high school (many, many eons ago), I’d never entered one. I made sure to submit it before I lost my nerve! 

WOW: That's incredible! I'm so glad you decided to submit it as it obviously struck a chord with our judges. You mentioned finishing you are working on a novel in the women’s fiction genre. Could you share what some of the themes in it are? 

Kelli: My book,"Wild Bend," currently in its third draft and making its way around beta reader groups, deals primarily with grief and the emotions that often accompany it. I’m a huge fan of messy humanity on the page, so the story also touches on mental illness (including inequitable access to care), romantic love, friendship, found family, and self-forgiveness. 

WOW: Who are some of your favorite writers and what books of theirs would you recommend to us? 

Kelli: I adore anything by Barbara Kingsolver, a writer who makes prose sing like poetry, and Emily

Henry, whose books pose as fluffy beach reads on the shelf, but sucker punch you with an incredible amount of depth, entertainment, and wit. I’m currently reading a book by Amy Jo Burns called, "Mercury" and am digging it! I’m thinking about using it as a comp title and would highly recommend it to anyone who loves to dive deep into messy family stories tinged with intrigue. "The Bright Years" by Sarah Damoff is also one I would recommend in this category.

WOW: Kelli, thank you so much for being here again today. We loved learning more about you and wish you all the success with your novel!

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Write in Spite of, Not Because Of

 

Lately, I've been dealing with a lot of anxiety. It's been off and on and comes in varying waves of intensity. And I have to admit that it's affected my writing his year. I started out strong with an excellent method that worked for a while.

Then, I had a lot of ups and downs with my writing gigs. One major one disappeared, yet again, sending me into a spiral of not being sure what to do about it. I've managed okay, but there's also been a lot of scrambling to make up the income that has me on edge.

So, not a lot is happening in the creative department.

Recently, and forgive me that I cannot think of where, I ran across advice on how someone responded to a period of stress.

And they said that throughout their day when they recognized their typical stress response, they asked themselves: what would I be doing if I wasn't stressed? How would I respond or conduct my day if I wasn't feeling this way?

And I may be paraphrasing this terribly, but it resonated with me. 

Lately, in response to my own anxiety, I ask myself: if I wasn't battling anxiety, what would my creative efforts look like?

Because a lot of the creative realm requires a stillness in our soul. A listening. And I can't do that if I'm worried about my budget spreadsheet and trying to convince the income column to increase all on its own.

Whether you are battling stress or anxiety, or simply struggling with not being in the mood to write (but wanting to despite that), think of this: how would you express your creative side if anxiety/stress/anti-creative moods weren't on the table?

Then go ahead and create. In a way, you'll be writing in spite of how you are feeling and not because of it. 

Now, it's time for me to go on and take my own advice.

Nicole Pyles is a writer living in Portland, Oregon. Her writing has appeared in Sky Island Journal, Arlington Literary Journal, The Voices Project, The Ocotillo Review, and Gold Man Review. A poem of hers was also featured in the anthology DEAR LEADERS TALES. Her short story, “The Mannequin of Lot 18,” was nominated for Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy for 2024. Since she’s not active on social media very much, stay in touch by following her writing blog at World of My Imagination or her Substack, Nicole Writes About Stuff. 

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Interview with Emily Rinkema, First Place Winner in the WOW! Spring 2025 Flash Fiction Contest

Emily Rinkema lives and writes in northern Vermont. For her real job, she works as a district curriculum and instruction leader, supporting and facilitating professional learning for teachers and administrators. She has written about education for years, but has now shifted almost entirely to writing fiction, partly as a way to escape the world, and partly as a way to understand it. Her stories have recently appeared in Fictive Dream, Variant Lit, Flash Frog, Ghost Parachute, and Wigleaf, and she won the 2024 Cambridge Prize and the 2024 Lascaux Prize for flash fiction. When not writing or working, she enjoys spending time with Bill, her husband; Chet, her dog; and Jack Reacher the Cat. You can read her work at https://emilyrinkema.wixsite.com/my-site or follow her on X, BS, or IG (@emilyrinkema).

--interview by Marcia Peterson

WOW: Congratulations on winning first place in our Spring 2025 Flash Fiction competition. What prompted you to enter the contest?

Emily: The timing was just right. I came across the reminder about the WOW deadline online, and I thought I had a story that would be a great fit. I have a spot in my heart for WOW as it was the first flash comp I ever entered, so I was excited to try again.

WOW: Can you tell us what encouraged the idea behind your story, “Huff and Puff?”

Emily: After a long day at work, a man I ran into decided to explain AI to me. It was sort of the last straw in a series of similar experiences and so I came home and rage-wrote the first draft (there was a lot more violence in that first draft…). I decided to incorporate the fairy tale components because there’s a common template and expectations in fairy tales that I thought played well with my main character’s situation. And honestly, it was really cathartic to write.

WOW: What advice would you give to someone wanting to try writing flash fiction for the first time?

Emily: This isn’t mind-blowing advice, but I’d tell them to read flash every day. One of the great things about flash is that there’s always time to read a complete story. I’d find a few flash journals or sites that you admire and go to them whenever you have a few minutes (instead of doom-scrolling, for example). One of my go-tos is Matt Kendrick’s site (https://www.mattkendrick.co.uk/resources), but I also recommend Bluesky, which has an amazingly prolific and supportive flash community. SmokeLong also has an incredible Fitness offering on their site; so many of the stories I publish were started in SmokeLong Fitness.

WOW: Are you working on any writing projects right now? What’s next for you?

Emily: I love writing (and reading) flash, so for the foreseeable future, that’s what I’ll continue to do. Maybe someday I will publish a collection!

WOW:  Yes, keep writing! Thanks so much for chatting with us today, Emily. Before you go, do you have a favorite writing tip or piece of advice you can share?

Emily: I guess I would say to find what you love to write and then just do a lot of it. I spent a few years trying to be a kind of writer that I’m not, beating myself up for not having discipline and for not writing a novel and for not doing all of the things that I thought a “writer” was supposed to do. But then I just gave into what I really love, which is flash fiction, and I’ve been so happy (okay…like it’s all relative, right? I mean the world is a complete $h*tshow, so my happiness is balanced by a good dose of existential dread, rage, and despair, but in terms of my writing life? Happy.).

***

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Lost Heart In King Manor by Celeste Fenton: Blog Tour & Giveaway

I'm always excited to introduce readers to fun characters that seem to leap off the page like those in Lost Heart in King Manor. But it's even better because author Celeste Fenton is launching a series and her characters will stop by for welcome visits in subsequent books. Celeste has finally made that timeless question "What do I feel like reading?" unnecessary. Her debut novel gives us a pinch of everything: cozy mystery, suspense, romance, second chances, humor, beautiful settings.  Join us as we celebrate the launch of this book with a giveaway of the book and a $25 Amazon gift card and an interview with the author.

But before we get to that, here's more about her book:

Lost Heart in King Manor is a thrilling story of love, passion, and determination. The plot has twists and turns that will keep the reader guessing all through. 

Because some secrets are worth killing for.

And some hearts don’t break quietly.

At 45, Gabby Heart isn’t looking for drama—just quiet days on Dost Island running her village gift shop, teaching art, and keeping her past tucked safely away. But when her mother suffers a sudden health crisis, Gabby is pulled into a storm of family secrets, betrayal, and a dark legacy buried within the walls of the once-grand King Manor. 

What was supposed to be a safe place for her mother’s recovery becomes the backdrop for a chilling mystery. Strange incidents begin to unfold, and it becomes clear: someone inside King Manor has a deadly agenda. As a hurricane traps Gabby inside the sprawling estate, she’s forced to work alongside two very different men—her maddeningly attractive officemate and a charming new neighbor, both hiding dark secrets. 

One man may want her heart. The other may want her dead. But can she trust her instincts before it's too late?

Publisher: Independently Published (April 15, 2025)

ISBN: 979-8280071773

AISN: B0F2ZML3M9

Print length:  347 pages

Purchase your copy on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and Bookshop.org. You'll also want to add it to your GoodReads reading list.

About the Author, Celeste Fenton

Celeste Fenton holds an M.Ed. and Ph.D. in education and has over thirty years’ experience in higher education. Her writing is fueled by a lifelong love of mystery, a fascination with the complexities of the human heart, and just enough real-world experience to keep things interesting. A widow, mother of adult twin sons, proud grandmother, dog lover, and semi-retired professor living in Florida, she weaves imagination with insight to create stories that are both emotionally rich and laced with suspense.

When she’s not writing, reading, or plotting her next twist, she’s often off exploring small towns across America—setting out solo for month-long adventures, much to the awe (and occasional alarm) of friends and family. Her latest obsessions include escape rooms, mastering the perfect miter cut for a DIY bathroom remodel, and making the impossible decision of where to travel next.

Website: https://celestefenton.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/celeste.fenton.9/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/celestefentonwrites/

Twitter/X: https://x.com/CFentonWrites

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@celestefenton

--Interview by Jodi M. Webb

WOW: Congratulations on your debut mystery, Lost Heart in King Manor. As a big fan of the mystery genre, I’m always eager to know why you chose to write in the mystery genre?

Celeste: Thank you! Even as a kid, I loved a good mystery—especially the kind that kept me up way past bedtime with a flashlight under the covers. Growing up, I read everything in our small-town library, from Nancy Drew to Victoria Holt, and eventually moved on to Agatha Christie, Sherlock Holmes, and romantic suspense. I was a huge Murder, She Wrote fan—still am, really. I think I fell in love with the idea that even in a chaotic world, a clever woman with a sharp mind and a stubborn streak could find the truth. Writing Lost Heart in King Manor felt like coming full circle—mixing suspense, family secrets, and a little romance with characters I’d actually want to have coffee with… or interrogate.

WOW: Tell us a little about your writing journey. When did you begin writing and what led to the decision to write a book?

Celeste: I’d been putzing around with writing ideas for years—jotting things down in journals, daydreaming about stories—but like a lot of people, life and work always seemed to get in the way. That was my excuse, anyway. Then in 2021, everything shifted. My husband passed away, both of my beloved dogs died, and I lost a dear friend to cancer. It was a season of deep loss. 

But in the middle of that grief, I realized something: life wasn’t going to wait for me to write a book. And when I really reflected on it, the truth was not that I had been too busy to write. It was deeper: I was afraid. Afraid of failure, of rejection. If I had a story to tell—and I did—it was time to get moving. I had to stop waiting for the “perfect time” and start now. I gave myself permission to let go of the fear and finally chase the dream. And once I did, the story poured out. 

WOW: Finding that elusive "perfect time" to write. Was that the most challenging part of writing?

Celeste: The most challenging part? Hands down—marketing. I didn’t even have a social media account when I started. I thought TikTok was the sound my clock made. Now I’m learning hashtags, filming videos, and figuring out how to post reels and tag folks! I’m terrible at it, but getting there!

WOW: And then, just when you feel like you've got a handle on marketing, something new pops up! That's how I feel, at least. So what's been the most rewarding part of writing?

Celeste: The most rewarding part is watching the story come to life. Seeing the characters evolve into people I care deeply about. And hearing from readers who love them too—or who yell at me because of something a character did. That connection is magic. Knowing something I wrote made someone laugh, or cry, or stay up too late reading? That’s magic to me.

WOW: Do you belong to a writing group or have a group of beta-readers that helped when you were writing your book?

Celeste: When I started writing… I really just dove in. Quite naively, to be honest. I wasn’t even aware of writing groups or beta reader networks—I just had a story I needed to tell and hoped for the best.

I didn’t belong to a formal writing group, but I had what I like to call my “squad”—four trusted friends who read early drafts and gave me feedback, kindly but honestly. And one especially dear friend who re-read and edited so many times, I’m fairly certain she could recite the book by heart at this point. They helped me see what worked, what didn’t, and most importantly, they kept me going when I wanted to toss the whole thing in a drawer.

Now that Lost Heart in King Manor is published—and the sequel, Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle, releases September 22—I’m exploring beta reader teams, ARCs, and maybe even a writing group. I’ve learned that writing might be solitary, but publishing thrives on community.

WOW: We hope you find a welcoming group here with the WOW community. Why did self-publishing appeal to you for your mystery series?

Celeste: At first, I thought I’d try the traditional route—but once I started researching, I realized self-publishing gave me something I really valued: creative control. I wanted to shape the series the way I envisioned it—everything from the cover design to the pacing of the release schedule to how I connected with readers.

And let’s be honest, I’m not twenty-five. I didn’t want to spend years waiting on gatekeepers to tell me yes or no. I’d already waited long enough to start writing. Self-publishing let me take ownership of the process, and while it’s definitely a learning curve, it’s also incredibly empowering. Plus, I’ve discovered a whole world of supportive indie authors and readers, indie bookstores, and resources  out there. 

WOW: After reading Lost Heart in King Manor, I want to visit Dost Island! Is it based on a real place? How do you think a great setting adds to a book?

Celeste: I love this question because one of my passions is traveling across America, especially through small towns. There’s something so charming about those little towns and villages—where the Main Street still has a neighborhood hardware store, and everyone waves at you even if they don’t know you. I’ve spent a lot of time in New England and absolutely fell in love with those seaside communities and postcard perfect charm. Dost Island was inspired by that—but with a touch of my own imagination and mystery stirred in.

For me, setting isn’t just a backdrop—it’s part of the story. Small towns create this illusion of safety, of community, of knowing everyone’s business. There’s a sense of tradition, fellowship, and comfort. But what I love about writing mystery is pulling back that curtain—asking, what’s really going on behind those white picket fences? That cute little shop? That contrast—the cozy surface and the darker undercurrent—is perfect for suspense.

A setting like Dost Island lets me play with that tension. It can feel warm and familiar one minute, and eerie the next. And in a mystery, that’s gold.

WOW: I definitely felt the contrast of the charming down and the secretive undercurrent in your book. Tell us more about your main character Gabby. Is she your literary counterpart? 

Celeste: Well… I think my curiosity, impatience, and a little spunk definitely found their way into Gabby. She’s not me—but she thinks fast, feels deeply, and sometimes blurts things she probably shouldn’t, and… well, let’s just say that felt familiar!

But honestly, there’s a little bit of me scattered across many of the characters—not just Gabby. Some of them carry my snark, some my passions or old wounds. Others reflect people I love. I’ve borrowed some of the best traits from my friends and family—kindness, wit, loyalty, that fierce protectiveness—and tucked them into the people on the page. I do think most writers weave themselves into their characters, whether they mean to or not. It’s like we crack open parts of ourselves and rearrange the pieces into someone new. That’s where the truth—and the fun—lives.

WOW: What would we find if we took a peek at your bookshelf?

Celeste: I think I’m kind of moody when it comes to reading. Depending on my mood, I’ll binge mysteries, or suspense, or romance (could be contemporary or historical), thrillers…when Game of Thrones was dominating HBO/Max, I binged George R.R. Martin. My bookcases are stocked with M.C. Beaton, Janet Evanovich, Charlain Harris, Linda Howard, J. D. Rob, C.J. Box, for romance Lisa Kleypas, Sarah MacLean, Eloisa James, Emily Henry, Elizabeth Berg, Elizabeth Strout…I could go on and on. 

I’ve always been inspired by authors who mix strong characters with a compelling sense of place. I love a story that’s a little mysterious, a little emotional, and makes you want to step right into the world they’ve created. Lord, I cried buckets over The Tale of Edgar Sawtelle.

Right now, I’m reading The Atomic City Girls by Janet Beard—a wonderful novel inspired by true events during World War II. I’m a sucker for historical fiction with heart and grit. Waiting in the wings on my nightstand are The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Rodham, and People We Meet on Vacation—so you can see I’m all over the map, genre-wise! 

  

WOW: But that's half the fun! Now you've gicven me a few books to add to my TBR list. What’s up next with your writing career?

Celeste: Well, the adventure continues! My second book in the Mysteries of a Heart series—Captive Heart at Brantmar Castle—releases September 22. Gabby and a few familiar faces journey to Scotland, where a remote castle, buried secrets, and an incoming snowstorm create the perfect storm for a twisty, emotional mystery. Meanwhile, back on Dost Island, loved ones are grappling with an unsettling crisis of their own—unraveling the truth behind a string of missing boys.

Following that, Broken Heart at Avalon Chateau is scheduled for winter 2026. Jay offers a much-needed escape to his newly inherited chateau in northern Canada… but let’s just say peace and quiet aren’t on the itinerary. As Gabby and the gang uncover danger and deception up north, their friends back on Dost Island are trying to solve the murder of the island’s beloved librarian.

And there’s more! Book Four—Wild Heart at Crest Edge Villa—takes Gabby and friends to Tasmania after Anna’s half-brother dies under mysterious circumstances. A cryptic letter leads them deep into the wilderness in a motorhome (what could go wrong?), where a wrong turn becomes a survival story with eerie twists, ancestral secrets, and a stalker in the shadows. Book Five—Rescued Heart at Water’s Edge—is also outlined. After barely escaping Tasmania, the group ends up shipwrecked on an uncharted island. 

It’s been a wild ride, and I’m loving every moment. I never imagined I’d be here, doing this, at this stage of my life—but I’m proof it’s never too late to chase a dream… or write yourself into a mystery.

WOW: I love that your characters are going to be popping all over the world chasing adventure - and danger. Thanks for giving us a sneak peek and sharing your inspiring writing journey with us.

--Blog Tour Calendar

September 15th @ The Muffin

Join us as we celebrate the launch of Celeste Fenton's debut novel filled with romance and suspense: Lost Heart in King Manor. Read an interview with the author and enter to win a copy of her book.

https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com

September 16th @ All Things Writing

Don't miss author Celeste Fenton's advice on Setting the Stage for Suspense.

https://www.caitrincking.com/blog

September 17th @ Chapter Break 

Today's guest is Celeste Fenton, telling the story of Publishing at 69! It’s Never Too Late for a Story.

https://chapterbreak.net/

September 19th @ What Is That Book About 

The spotlight's on romance and suspense with Celeste Fenton's debut novel Lost Heart in King Manor.

www.whatisthatbookabout.com

September 22nd @ Lisa Haselton's Reviews & Interviews

Meet Celeste Fenton, the author behind Lost Heart in King Manor and the Mysteries of a Heart series.

https://lisahaselton.com/blog/

September 25th @ Words by Webb

Jodi reviews a novel for reader that like a good dose of adventure with their romance: Lost Heart in King Manor.

https://www.jodiwebbwriter.com/blog

October 1st @ Avonna Loves Genres

Start the month off right with a review of Lost Heart in King Manor & a book giveaway.

https://avonnalovesgenres.com/

October 2nd @ Some Thoughts. Everything Creativity

Stop by for a review of the first book in Celeste Fenton's mystery series: Lost Heart in King Manor.

https://www.kaeceymccormick.com/blog

October 3rd @ Books R Us

Author Celeste Fenton is visiting today with the guest post From Barbie to Breakdown: Writing About Complex Women

www.booksrusonline.com

October 4th @ Three Things on a Saturday Night

Searching for some Saturday fun? Lost Heart in king Manor made the list of Three Things on a Saturday Night! Check out the review.

https://nicolepyles.substack.com/p/3-things-on-a-saturday-night

October 7th @ A Wonderful World of Books

Enter to win a copy of Lost Heart in King Manor. Author Celeste Fenton also share a guest post: Cozy Mystery Doesn’t Have to be Cute: Grit and Grace in Your Cozy.

https://awonderfulworldofwordsa.blogspot.com/

October 9th @ Knotty Needle

Stop by for a review of Lost Heart of King Manor by Celeste Fenton.

http://www.knottyneedle.blogspot.com

October 10th @ Some Thoughts. Everything Creativity

Novelist Celeste Fenton is posting about Using Weather as A Metaphor. 

https://www.kaeceymccormick.com/blog

October 19th @ Just Katherine

Everyone loves a romance! Find out how Celeste Fenton writes it with the guest post Second Chances, Slow Burn: Crafting the Romance in Lost Heart.

https://justkatherineblog.wordpress.com/

***** MYSTERY NOVEL & GIFT CARD GIVEAWAY *****

The giveaway is open to US residents for a print copy. Enter to win a print copy of Lost Heart in King Manor by Celeste Fenton and a $25 Amazon gift card! Fill out the Gleam form below for a chance to win. The giveaway ends September 28th at 11:59 pm CT. We will randomly draw a winner the next day via Gleam and follow up via email. Good luck!

Lost Heart in King Manor Giveaway

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42 comments author interview, blog tour, Celeste Fenton, Lost Heart in King Manor, Mysteries of a Heart, mystery, romance, suspense