Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I wanted to be an author when I was in fifth grade. I had written my first children’s picture book when I was in first grade. In fifth grade I read a lot of science fiction and wanted to be like my grandfather, Maxwell Sheridan, who worked with Ray Bradbury and published science fiction. I had also read all the books in the Wizard of Oz series by L. Frank Baum. I didn’t read the Chronicles of Narnia or the Lord of the Rings until I was in graduate school. I just hadn’t been introduced to them. During a snowstorm in Federal Way, Washington I had been reading Stephen Donaldson’s The Mirror of Her Dreams. I had a dream about a princess being kidnapped. That started my fantasy Guardian of the Gauntlet. I have self-published two books now in the Guardian of the Gauntlet series and am working on a third. In addition to this, I have written two science fiction novels, one, a novella, entitled Dolphins which is about Dolphins evolving and taking over the world and another about people who are immortal and wish to become mortal. The last is a post-apocalyptic book which I wrote in high school. At the present time, I have no plans to publish the science fiction books.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
The name of my latest published book is Guardian of the Gauntlet, Book II. It is the sequel to the first, so that, in part, inspired it. Also, someone asked me, “Isn’t she going to do some good with the gauntlet?” That question gave rise to the sequel, which is subtitled, “The Greater Good,” and Camari does do much good in the second book.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I get ideas late at night when I have insomnia. I jot them down in a book entitled “Imagine.” I also do my best writing at night.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
George MacDonald who wrote The Princess and the Goblins was a great influence for me from my childhood. I have a very early twentieth century edition of that book that was passed down in my family and I grew up on it. Also, as I said before, L. Frank Baum and his Oz series was a great influence on me. C.S. Lewis is now an influence on me, though he wasn’t in my early days of writing. I like his symbolism. I would say that, though he hadn’t been an influence earlier, his books are most like mine now.
What are you working on now?
I am working on the third in the Guardian of the Gauntlet trilogy. It is based on the parable of the wedding banquet, as all the books in the trilogy are based on a parable. It will be more serious than the other two. The main characters grow up. I like to put humor in my books, but it will be at a minimum in this book. I won’t say why, because I don’t want to spoil the story.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My own website is the best place to link to where my books are sold. It is http://www.LenitaSheridan.com
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Read through your blurb or description of you book before you publish it, especially if you are self-publishing. Ask yourself how someone else, who is not you, would read it and perceive it. Would they want to buy it?
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Get lots of reviews, lots.
What are you reading now?
The Crystal Keeper: The Caves of Tavannar
What’s next for you as a writer?
To finish and publish Guardian of the Gauntlet, Book III.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The Bible
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
The Sword of Shannara (because I haven’t read it yet)
Author Websites and Profiles
Lenita Sheridan Website
Lenita Sheridan Amazon Profile
Lenita Sheridan’s Social Media Links
Goodreads Profile