Author Q&A: Stephanie Erickson

Some of us (OK, this interviewer) wanted to be like Matilda from Roald Dahl’s novel of the same name.

Others, like paranormal/fantasy author Stephanie Erickson, took different inspiration from the novel. Like the desire to evoke the same emotions that it did, through writing.

Years later, Erickson is still writing, and if the reader recommendation that we interview her is any indication, it seems that she’s achieved her goal of bringing the same joy into readers’ lives.

The full-time author and mom took some time after meeting a book deadline to chat with us. Here’s what she had to say.

SADYE: You’ve been writing from a very young age and even still have some of the work — any especially funny or memorable things you wrote back then? 

STEPHANIE: My best friend and I wrote a story about a hole these kids found that led them to an entirely different world, Narnia-style. But it was in a sinkhole, not a wardrobe. I mean, we live in Florida, not Europe! They're fun to read now.

SADYE: What made you decide to seek publication?

STEPHANIE: Ever since I was a kid, I dreamed of being an author. My husband was working a lot at the time, so I decided to finish The Blackout finally, and just put it out there and see what happened to it.

And I'm so glad I did! Indie publishing was a new world at the time, and I didn't expect it to do much. But when it took off, it opened quite a few doors for me!  

SADYE: You mentioned in a previous interview that you and your husband came up with the idea for The Dead Room together — do you two often collaborate, or was that a unique experience?

STEPHANIE: My husband is my business partner, so he's very involved in many parts of the process, although he doesn't often help with plotting.

And I would say he played a larger role in the plot of The Blackout, since one of the main characters is also a pilot and he helped me with all the technical things.

But he tends to stay out of the creative stuff, favoring the business side of things.

SADYE: What has been your proudest moment so far as a writer?

STEPHANIE: Probably seeing The Blackout available for sale for the first time. 

SADYE: What drew you into vampire novels from the post-apocalyptic/dystopian world you’d been in?

STEPHANIE: To say that I was drawn into vampire novels is a bit of a stretch, since I just wrote the two novellas with vampires!  I've also always had the two genres going, paranormal romance and post-apocalyptic.

But when Karpov Kinrade invited me to write in her world, I couldn't say no! It was such a fun project, and I'm so grateful. I'm not sure I'll do any more vampires any time soon, but who knows!   

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Learn more about Stephanie Erickson on her website, where you can also purchase her books; like her on Facebook; and follow her on Instagram.

Know an author you'd like to see featured? Email us with a recommendation!

Know an author you'd like to see featured? Email sadye (at) thefussylibrarian.com with a recommendation!