Born in Chicago, Illinois, Joni left the windy city at the age of 8 with her family to Japan where they lived near a US Army base. Upon return to the United States, she lived in Phoenix, Arizona where she graduated high school and began college. Discouraged, Joni quit college and joined the Navy where she became a photographer. After 3 years, she returned to college and got married. She got a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and an MBA before she decided to return to the Navy. While in the Navy, she was selected to attend the Army’s Command and General Staff College and graduated with a Master of Military Arts and Sciences degree. After 22 years in the Navy, Joni retired to travel the United States in a motor home with her husband. When he died unexpectedly, she returned to work in the federal government in a civilian job. Then, she got the writing bug and left her job to devote more time to her new passion. She currently lives in Texas and is a member of the Writers’ League of Texas and the Writer’s Garret.
Tag: fantasy
Top d20 Signs You May Be An Epic Fantasy Writer
While I usually try to keep Ed’s Casual Friday to topics that might be of general interest to writers / readers of all kinds, today I admit I am staying in my wheelhouse. What follows is a list relating mostly to writers of Epic Fantasy, though some items will fit any sort of writer with a couple different words substituted. Others are probably unique to the species. Also, if you at any time sense an implication that I am saying you MUST have been (or still be) a Dungeons & Dragons nerd to write Epic Fantasy, I am really not saying that. Though I will say that it helps. 😉 Continue reading “Top d20 Signs You May Be An Epic Fantasy Writer”
Featured Author: Christie Meierz
Christie Meierz was born in Chicago and grew up in southern California. She began writing at the age of seven, pouring her young heart into an epic that took five years to write – and which she is thankful has been lost to posterity. All she remembers of it now is that Barnabas Collins played a significant role in it.
While her loved ones told her repeatedly over the years that she had a gift for writing, it wasn’t until her children were grown and she was recovering from a serious illness that she set out to write a novel. Over the course of a summer spent engrossed in writing, she produced two novels, half of a third, parts of a fourth, and an even half dozen short stories and novelettes, all set in her Tolari universe. Her debut novel, The Marann, is the first of the two complete novels. It quickly caught the attention of readers and made it onto seven category bestseller lists on Amazon, including the top 100 bestsellers in science fiction & fantasy, making it into the top 10 in space opera bestsellers. She couldn’t be more thrilled with its success.
When she’s not writing, Christie can be found reading, quilting, knitting, and trying (unsuccessfully) to keep her menfolk from telling odious puns. Continue reading “Featured Author: Christie Meierz”
Book Brief: Gerald and the Wee People
Gerald and the Wee People
by Greta Burroughs
Genre: MG/YA fantasy
60,946 words (approx)
Gerald and his best friend, Vernon discover a mysterious spot in the woods where Gerald visualizes a miniature village complete with wee inhabitants. He enjoys going back to that spot and watching the day to day activities until trouble starts in the village and he tries to convince Vernon that the “visions” are real and the wee people need help.
While trying to prove that the whole thing is just Gerald’s wild imagination, the boys literally fall into the new world and get caught up in a war. The boys come up with ways to keep the invading force from entering the village but another solution has to be found in order to put an end to the conflict.
Along with a few companions from the village, Gerald and Vernon embark on a quest to face down the deranged forest god who instigated the mayhem. The dangerous path is laid out by an ancient prophecy, but not everything goes as planned.
This title is available from Amazon, Smashwords, and Barnes and Noble. Continue reading “Book Brief: Gerald and the Wee People”