Welcome to this week's Coffee Chat!
Join me on Wednesdays to meet both new and established authors who love to talk about books, reading, and writing. This week’s guest is Sheryl Steines with her featured urban fantasy novel, Wizard War.
It’s nice to have you on the blog, Sheryl. What may I get you to drink?
SS: I love the smell of coffee but not the taste. Give me a good strong tea with a bit of sugar and I’m in my happy place.
Ally: Coming right up! While I pour my coffee and brew your tea, please introduce yourself to readers.
Bio:
As a self-proclaimed television junkie and an avid reader, Sheryl Steines writes what she loves. From the character/relationship story from one of her writing inspirations (Judy Blume), to the fantastical world of magic and mayhem in another inspiration (J.K. Rowling), to the strong female character of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Sheryl uses the world of magic and mystery, mashed with a bit of detective work, to weave a story of women who face challenges, overcoming them with dignity and honesty, using her own challenges as inspiration. The Wizard Hall Chronicle series introduces the reader to young women battling demons of the supernatural kind and the personal kind, each fighting to find their way.
Sheryl has been writing since she was seven years old, since she picked up her first Nancy Drew novel and hasn't stopped. When she's not reading or writing, she can be found tooling around in her convertible, supporting causes and raising her kids, dealing with extra ordinary challenges.
Allly: Tell me something unique/unusual that isn't in your regular bio: “I love to travel because it’s a great way to learn new things and meet new people. You get a great understanding of people and as an introvert, people watching is like a sport.”
Author Contacts:
www.sherylsteines.com
@SherylSteines
FB – Sheryl Steines Author
Insta - SherylSAuthor
As a self-proclaimed television junkie and an avid reader, Sheryl Steines writes what she loves. From the character/relationship story from one of her writing inspirations (Judy Blume), to the fantastical world of magic and mayhem in another inspiration (J.K. Rowling), to the strong female character of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Sheryl uses the world of magic and mystery, mashed with a bit of detective work, to weave a story of women who face challenges, overcoming them with dignity and honesty, using her own challenges as inspiration. The Wizard Hall Chronicle series introduces the reader to young women battling demons of the supernatural kind and the personal kind, each fighting to find their way.
Sheryl has been writing since she was seven years old, since she picked up her first Nancy Drew novel and hasn't stopped. When she's not reading or writing, she can be found tooling around in her convertible, supporting causes and raising her kids, dealing with extra ordinary challenges.
Allly: Tell me something unique/unusual that isn't in your regular bio: “I love to travel because it’s a great way to learn new things and meet new people. You get a great understanding of people and as an introvert, people watching is like a sport.”
Author Contacts:
www.sherylsteines.com
@SherylSteines
FB – Sheryl Steines Author
Insta - SherylSAuthor
INTERVIEW:
Ally: Where do you get your story ideas?
SS: I read a lot, but I also watch a lot of documentary, informative television shows. There is a wide assortment of myths from across the world. I find the stories interesting especially how they relate to the world history. I enjoy the retelling of these stories in a different way and mix them into the cannon of my urban fantasy world.
Ally: What do you find most rewarding about a writing career? Most negative or frustrating?
SS: I am a creative person by nature whether it was trying my hand at photography or interior design and painting. But I’ve always been a writer and have written creatively since I was seven years old. I enjoy pulling a story together, seeing how it starts at one point and winds itself into a totally different direction. I like exploring the ups and downs of my characters and watch them succeed in their endeavors. I get excited when I’ve met the challenge and complete a book.
What I don’t enjoy is the marketing. It’s frustrating when something works once but not a second time or when I try something new and it doesn’t work at all. The writing itself, keeps me moving forward through the book series.
Ally: Talk about your main characters. Are they likable? Do they have off-putting flaws or beliefs? Is it important for them to be real or relatable?
SS: My main characters, Annie Pearce and her best friend/boyfriend Cham Chamsky are likeable characters. They’re good people who work as Wizard Guards (magical police officers) who do what they need to do to keep the magical world safe from magic. I wanted them to be real and relatable so the reader would want to continue reading about them and join them on their adventures. Since the books are really about Annie’s life I will say, one of the things that drive readers crazy (including my editor), the men she works with as well as the vampire she’s hunting, call her ‘girl.’ While they respect her as a wizard guard, they’ve known her since she was a child and it just became habit. This does play a role in book four as Annie reacts and changes because of uncontrollable events in her life. It was a choice I made when I began the series and yes, it’s supposed to upset the reader.
Ally: What’s the most meaningful thing a fan has said about your books?
SS: I had a fan tell me that my books were relatable because as a 21-year-old woman, there weren’t any books with relatable women that they could look up to and that’s why she enjoyed the first book and began reading the series. I was extremely proud that I could give the readers an enjoyable, meaningful book.
Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
SS: I’m currently working on book four of The Wizard Hall Chronicles called Prophecy. The anticipated release date is November 1, 2019.
Ally: Which of the quick answer questions did you pick?
Ally: Where do you get your story ideas?
SS: I read a lot, but I also watch a lot of documentary, informative television shows. There is a wide assortment of myths from across the world. I find the stories interesting especially how they relate to the world history. I enjoy the retelling of these stories in a different way and mix them into the cannon of my urban fantasy world.
Ally: What do you find most rewarding about a writing career? Most negative or frustrating?
SS: I am a creative person by nature whether it was trying my hand at photography or interior design and painting. But I’ve always been a writer and have written creatively since I was seven years old. I enjoy pulling a story together, seeing how it starts at one point and winds itself into a totally different direction. I like exploring the ups and downs of my characters and watch them succeed in their endeavors. I get excited when I’ve met the challenge and complete a book.
What I don’t enjoy is the marketing. It’s frustrating when something works once but not a second time or when I try something new and it doesn’t work at all. The writing itself, keeps me moving forward through the book series.
Ally: Talk about your main characters. Are they likable? Do they have off-putting flaws or beliefs? Is it important for them to be real or relatable?
SS: My main characters, Annie Pearce and her best friend/boyfriend Cham Chamsky are likeable characters. They’re good people who work as Wizard Guards (magical police officers) who do what they need to do to keep the magical world safe from magic. I wanted them to be real and relatable so the reader would want to continue reading about them and join them on their adventures. Since the books are really about Annie’s life I will say, one of the things that drive readers crazy (including my editor), the men she works with as well as the vampire she’s hunting, call her ‘girl.’ While they respect her as a wizard guard, they’ve known her since she was a child and it just became habit. This does play a role in book four as Annie reacts and changes because of uncontrollable events in her life. It was a choice I made when I began the series and yes, it’s supposed to upset the reader.
Ally: What’s the most meaningful thing a fan has said about your books?
SS: I had a fan tell me that my books were relatable because as a 21-year-old woman, there weren’t any books with relatable women that they could look up to and that’s why she enjoyed the first book and began reading the series. I was extremely proud that I could give the readers an enjoyable, meaningful book.
Ally: What is your next writing project? Anticipated release date?
SS: I’m currently working on book four of The Wizard Hall Chronicles called Prophecy. The anticipated release date is November 1, 2019.
Ally: Which of the quick answer questions did you pick?
- an item on my bucket list: Visit Shakespeare and Company bookstore in Paris, France.
- hiking or sunbathing: Hiking
- favorite quote: “She believed she could so she did.” – RS Gray
- A guilty pleasure: Watching American Ninja Warrior
- If you couldn't write anymore, what would you want to do? Interior Designer
Wizard War (The Wizard Hall Chronicles #3)
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Murder Mystery
PG-13
When an unexpected foe returns, Annie is rocked to the core.
The newly raised vampire must be stopped, because if the world finds out the truth about the demon, Annie could lose everything.
The journey to catch and kill the vampire isn’t as easy as Annie hoped it would be. The wily vampire slips by Annie and the bodies continue to pile up. With pressure from the other wizards, Annie wallows in self-doubt, threatening the case.
When Annie learns a new truth about the vampire, it puts her and the magical world in danger. She must stop the vampire and catch a killer before a wizard war begins.
Buy Link for series (and available through KindleUnlimited):
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B074CDY5CQ/
PREVIEW: Amazon
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