I’m thrilled with our guest today. Erin Rhew is here to share a little about herself and her great young adult books. Erin and I go way back. She’s one of the most supportive and enthusiastic fellow authors I know. She and her husband, Deek, make me smile. I was an idiot and didn’t take advantage of them living just hours away by meeting them in person. Now, they are on the far side of the country and I fear I’ll never get another chance. Welcome Erin! Tell us about yourself.
My name is Erin Rhew, and I’m an editor, the operations manager for a small press, and a YA fantasy and sci-fi author. Since I picked up Morris the Moose Goes to School at age four, I’ve been infatuated with the written word. I went on to work as a grammar and writing tutor in college and am still teased by my family and friends for being a member of the "Grammar Police."
A Southern girl by blood and birth, I spent years in a rainy pocket of the Pacific Northwest before returning to my roots in the land of hushpuppies, sweet tea (which I hate—don’t tell my Mema!), and pig pickin’.
I married a fellow author—my critique partner turned love interest—the amazingly talented (and totally handsome) Deek Rhew! We have a 12 pound grumpy cat named Trinity and a 6 pound terrified chihuahua/rat terrier mix named Gus (that’s his pen name). Yes, she outweighs him by double, and he’s absolutely her minion!
Kai: Tell us about your books.
I am the author of a young adult fantasy trilogy called The Fulfillment Series. It’s King Arthur legend meets a not-so-deadly Game of Thrones about a girl who is proclaimed the fulfillment of an ancient peace prophecy and who is then kidnapped by religious zealots who don’t want the peace to happen.
I am also the author of a young adult sci-fi novel called The Transhuman Project. It’s about a world where every moment of people’s lives is recorded and broadcast, like YouTube on steroids. It explores what it means to be authentic under constant scrutiny.
Kai: I gave The Transhuman Project 4 bright, shiny stars! What inspired you to write it?
I think the rise of social media first got me thinking about The Transhuman Project. So often, you hear about people putting the best parts of their lives on social media, the “highlight reel” so to speak, and how it can lead to feelings of jealousy or inadequacy in others. And I began to wonder what the world would look like if every moment were recorded. How would we even develop our authentic selves in that type of environment? In the story, Molly is thrust from obscurity into the spotlight. She must deal not only with the sudden fame but also the truth behind a society built solely upon image.
Kai: Okay, now we want to get to know a little about the women behind the book. Share with us you “Top 3’s” from the list below:
Top 3 places you like to write
1. In bed
2. On the back porch
3. In the car during a thunderstorm
Top 3 favorite books (you didn’t write)
1. The Extractor by Deek Rhew
2. Percy Jackson and the Olympians Series by Rick Riordan
3. Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare (technically a play, but ya know...)
Top 3 professions you wanted to be when you grew up
1. Mommy
2. Teacher
3. Nurse
According to my Mema, I used to say it like it was one thing: Mommy-Teacher-Nurse. LOL! You know though, when I think about it, they definitely could be one thing. ;)
Kai: Erin, I love when you visit! Thank you so much for stopping in and sharing your work and a peek at your life with us. Where can readers connect with you?
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