Welcome Megan Easley-Walsh

February 19, 2017

Welcome Megan Easley-Walsh

Dear Readers,

Please welcome Megan Easley-Walsh, author and editor. Over the next few months, she'll be guest posting on a few topics--the time element in her novel What Edward Heard, a piece for the Literature and Life series, and several pieces on researching historical novels and the writing craft. Meet Megan!

Hello! I'm excited to be here. Thanks for having me, Laura!

About my Books:

I am an author of three published historical fiction novels. In Flight Before Dawn, Victoire believes that being part of the French Resistance in Normandy in 1943 is the biggest secret of her life. When the man who she's had watched for over two years arrives on her doorstep, he uncovers a twenty-five-year-old mystery with her at its heart.

In What Edward Heard, Francesco paints a portrait in Venice in 1566 of the woman he loves. Edward Jamison returns from the trenches of the Western Front in 1916 believing that the most life-changing events are behind him. He soon encounters something profoundly more powerful, the portrait, and begins to hear the strangest things, but he's the first. For centuries, the painting has touched the lives of all she meets. What Edward Heard combines magical realism with historical fiction.

In North Star Home, Ann Scarlet rides into Red River Rock Falls, Nebraska intent to get back her brother’s stolen land. While there, the sheriff, Nathaniel Crambert, catches her with her hands full of land deeds and money, Ann is no thief, but she might just steal his heart. North Star Home is lighter in tone the first two and focuses on the love story between Ann and Nathaniel.

I also have an ebook, currently free, available to help writers.

My Background:

I'm an author of historical fiction, a researcher, and a writing consultant and editor at Extra Ink Edits. I'm an award-winning writer and I've taught college writing in the UNESCO literature city of Dublin, Ireland. My degrees are in history-focused International Relations. I am American and live in Ireland with my Irish husband. I grew up in an Air Force family.

How I started writing:

For me, writing chose me. I didn't choose it. It's always been a part of me. I wrote my first story when I was three. I couldn't actually write yet, but my mom recorded it for me.

How long I've been writing:

I've been writing since I was three, but I've been writing full time for eight years. During that time I've completed over ten novels, which I'll be releasing over the next year.

When my first book was published:

My first novel, Flight Before Dawn, was published in November 2016.

How I was inspired to write What Edward Heard:

My second novel, What Edward Heard, explores the world of art. I've always loved art history and enjoyed reading meanings in paintings. In What Edward Heard, that's turned on its head as the painting becomes the one to read the people.

My number one piece of advice to new writers:

My number one piece of advice for new writers is to read. The more you read, the better you can write. You can also pick up my free ebook full of tips for writers here.

My publications:

My ebooks are available through Macmillan (Pronoun) and my printed copies, hardcover and paperback, are available through Ingram. My books are available in 195 countries around the world.

What motivates me to keep going:

Befriending characters in need of an author is on my website and what I do. I'm honored that my characters choose me to tell their stories. I'm devoted to doing so and reaching new readers. That inspires me to keep going every day!

What I'm working on:

My fourth novel and the next to be released is Across the River. In the English countryside in 1774, Caleb Haroldson and Rebecca Turrington are destined to be together. For her, he'd go to the end of the world. When she disappears, he might have to. Stealing her inheritance to fund the life of her choosing with Caleb seems like an easy enough task for Rebecca, as she schemes with him beside the river late one night.

But Rebecca is not the only one making plans for her future. When Turrington Manor is ravished by flames and a mysterious hooded figure on horseback appears, Rebecca is swept into a plot of revenge and revolution. Is anyone safe in a land where hundreds have gone missing? As Rebecca struggles for her freedom and Caleb endeavors to find her, both sides of the Atlantic are poised to erupt and everywhere lurks the haunting phrase “Across the River”.

Author Bio:

Megan Easley-Walsh is an author of historical fiction, a researcher, and a writing consultant and editor at Extra Ink Edits. She is an award-winning writer and has taught college writing in the UNESCO literature city of Dublin, Ireland. Her degrees are in history-focused International Relations. She is American and lives in Ireland with her Irish husband.

My websites:

www.NewHistoricalFiction.com

www.MeganEasleyWalsh.com

(Other links to retailers can be found at www.MeganEasleyWalsh.com)

Thank you, Megan, for being here, and I look forward to reading your books and your upcoming posts!

COMING UP:

February 19 and 26: I'll be reading on the Vehicle of Expression, part of the Art Shanty Project
February 25, 2017: I will co-host Food Freedom on AM 950 with Laura Hedlund and Karen Olson Johnson. Guests: Michael Agnew, craft beer expert and Ross Fishman on Russian literature. We'll taste Russian beer: listen to the whole program from last month.