Author Interview: Emily Hornburg
Tell us a little about yourself. (How did you get started writing? What do you do when you are not writing? Etc.)
I’m from the southwest suburbs of Chicago and have been writing my whole life! Even before I knew how to write, I remember making up stories and doodling them out like a cartoon. It’s been a lifelong dream of mine to be a published author. When I’m not writing I’m usually reading - as cliche as it may sound it’s true! I read about 100 books a year because I’m addicted to the written word. But I also love theatre, Disney, playing my ukulele, playing with my dog, and spending time with my family and friends.
Where does your inspiration come from in your books?
There isn’t one specific place my inspiration comes from. Currently I’m working on a series of airy tale retellings, so it’s safe to say that fairy tales inspire me! But so do other books and movies and TV shows. I get a lot of inspiration when I’m doing research where maybe I’ll find a small tid-bit somewhere and then take it in a new direction. But also my own life experiences. My plot points and scenes are never inspired by real events in my life, but sometimes I’ll cover themes and emotions I’ve personally experienced.
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
Of the books I have published, it’s just the one so far! The Night’s Chosen which is the first of four in my Cursed Queens series. I’m currently writing book 2! I’m so proud of my one book though. It was years in the making, and it’s amazing to see it finally become a real book!
Do you have a favorite character that you have written? If so, who? What makes them so special?
I tend to get very invested in my main characters, that as I’m drafting they become my favorite. I want the reader to dig into them and really root for them. So, I always dive into the main character head first and make sure I fall in love with them. When I was writing The Night’s Chosen, Eira was my favorite. I love how she’s so dedicated to her kingdom and her family and will do anything for them. She’s strong without having to hold a sword, and is one of those people who can hold the attention of a room without even having to say a single word. But now that I’m working on the sequel, my main character is Myra and I’m falling in love with her too. She has such a dark past but still maintains this quiet resilience and endurance. She also has a really unique magic that I’m having so much fun exploring and learning about.
Can you share a brief excerpt from your novel?
What can we expect from you in the future?
I’m currently working on the second Cursed Queens book (no official title yet - but I’m working on it!) which is set to be released March of 2022 with City Owl Press.
