Carrie Lehtonen is an entrepreneur, passionate animal advocate, and storyteller. Her work has been featured in Elephant Journal, YOGA+ Life, and Well magazine. She earned a Master's degree in Organizational Leadership and spent over eighteen years working in Human Resources. After surviving a heart attack at thirty-one years old, Carrie chose to pursue an education in health and wellness. Carrie attended the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to become a Holistic Health Practitioner. She also trained to become a Registered Yoga Teacher and Educator. Carrie eventually left her career in Human Resources to start her own business, Firefly Community LLC. Pawsitive Perspectives is Carrie's first book.
Atmosphere Press is proud to bring readers the Atmosphere Press Presents author interview series. We’re happy to have this archive of excellent interviews and author success stories for you to enjoy. Learn about writers and their books, from book title origin stories to music playlists that relate to their writing to what it was like seeing the cover for the first time.
Atmosphere puts the author experience first, and these interviews make up just one facet of a meaningful and rewarding author journey. Please share your favorite interviews and author success stories on social media, and stay in touch so you can be the first to know when new posts are published. Sign up for our newsletter to receive updates on interviews, Atmosphere Press Presents readings, and other news!
My journey into writing goes way back—back before I graduated high school in a small town in northwestern Oregon in 2004. I don't remember exactly when my passion for creating began, but as it blossomed somewhere around middle school, it started in the form of writing. Words were something I had a way with, and so they became my tool for creating the worlds I dreamt of in my mind.
Zachariah was raised on horror. From Friday Fright Night movies, his love of the scary and macabre was born. Today, he lives in the Kansas City area, a twelve-year veteran of firefighting and EMS. He has seen the best and some of the worst human beings are capable of. Zachariah uses his own personal trauma experiences and recovery to enrich his characters and scenes.
Thomas A. Thomas was born in Illinois to a medical-doctor mother and a ballet-dancer father, and spent a lot of time off by himself in the woods, prairies, and fields, day and night, in all seasons. Thomas found his way to the University of Michigan (U.M.), where he studied with Donald Hall and Gregory Orr, and workshopped some poems with Robert Bly. He won Minor and Major Hopwood Awards in Poetry, and his poem “Approaching Here” was choreographed and performed at U.M.
Abigail Mabus grew up devouring books of all kinds, but was especially captivated by fantasy. To this day, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings remain her favorite series. After some adventures of her own, she is returning to her dream of writing, with the goal to “either write something worth reading or do something worth writing.” (Benjamin Franklin) She currently resides in Lynchburg, VA.
Ana Cecilia Moreno is a working single mother and daughter of Colombian immigrant parents. She has a Bachelor’s in Communications. She lives in Miami, Florida, with her son and loves to explore different creative outlets. She was inspired to write this story while she was pregnant with her son fifteen years ago. It has been her dream to publish it ever since. Lucas the Lion Makes a Friend is her first children’s book.
The story of Lightborn came to me in a dream. I had the vivid image of a young girl running from something sinister. She raised her hand and opened a portal, racing through and snapping her hands shut before she could be followed. The next day, I wrote the first chapter, using this image. The rest progressed from there.
India L. Harris is a passionate advocate for autism acceptance and a talented author dedicated to spreading awareness through her heartfelt storytelling. Drawing from personal experiences as a mother of two autistic sons, India brings an authentic voice to her work, championing the beauty of neurodiversity. She is the author of The Enchanted Instruments, a children’s book inspired by her sons’ love for music, and is currently working on The Secret Book of Dreams, a magical tale about a young girl’s adventure with a dream fairy.
In my book I share with you the good, the bad, and the ugly of infertility, as well as the physical, financial, and emotional impact this journey had on me and those closest to me. I tackle subjects such as mental health, emotional and physical struggles, relationship dynamics (partner, friends and family), blended families, work, finances, fertility, and IVF.
Originally from Rochester, New York, I have been a lifelong enthusiast of epic fantasy and world-building. My debut novel, Sons of Wunduria, reflects my passion for creating immersive worlds and unforgettable characters, inviting readers on an enthralling journey filled with ancient civilizations and fearsome creatures.
