An Interview with Nancy Golden
Nancy Golden is a wordsmith with an inquisitive mind and adventurous spirit. She has held many positions in her life, ranging from assistant manager of a pet shop to a semiconductor test engineer, and most recently, a mentor and coach to software boot campers. She has always had a heart for pouring into her community, including teaching ESL and starting a writers group. Nancy has always loved space and has been a Trekkie for as long as she can remember. She has a love for learning about other cultures and believes we are much richer when we open our hearts and minds to one another. She also finds the more we get to know each other, we discover we have more in common than we are different. Nancy wonders if that will hold true when we make our First Contact—she hopes so! In the meantime, she’ll keep riding horses and bicycles and writing stories that stir the imagination. Nancy Golden’s books provide a great reader experience with well-crafted writing that will brighten your day. Her best piece of advice: Never pass up the opportunity to ride a dragon and keep reading!
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
I think writing has always been important to me. My mom instilled a love of reading in me at a very young age and that eventually bloomed into a love of storytelling. Fun fact about the first book in my fantasy trilogy that culminates with Key of Power: the first draft of Sword of Fate was written in 1986 on a typewriter! I dragged it around in a manila envelope all of these years and pulled it out and dusted it off a couple of years ago. I started work on it again and that is how my fantasy trilogy came to be. Don’t give up on your dreams even if you have to put them on the shelf for a while—they will be there waiting for you when you are ready!
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
Oh, my goodness, the list is long! I think everything I have done in the past informs my writing in some way, but regarding science fiction—I was an electronics engineer for many years and that definitely had an impact on my science fiction novel, Alien Neighbors. I have been a horsewoman all of my life and horses are an important part of Key of Power (and the entire Dynamis trilogy).
Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
Key of Power is the third book in a planned trilogy that is referred to as the Dynamis series (Dynamis is a supernatural/magical power that is integral to the world my stories take place in). The stories unfold in the kingdom of Elayas and in the first book, Sword of Fate, an evil usurper has taken over the throne. Unbeknownst to our young hero, he is destined to battle the evil king in an attempt to restore the throne to the rightful king. The rightful king is identified by the three symbols of office for the kingdom of Elayas: the Sword of Fate (Book 1), the Ring of Rosin (Book 2), and the Key of Power (Book 3).
What part of publishing your book made it feel real for the first time?
Knowing that people are buying the book and reading it has been very meaningful. To think that my stories are having a positive impact on my readers is both humbling and very exciting. That makes all of the hard work worth it. Also, seeing reviews of my books is very exhilarating. That makes the fact that people are reading it tangible and knowing it touched them in some way that caused them to take the time to do so means the world.
What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?
I am personally thrilled with how Key of Power turned out. I am a “panster,” so I never quite know what is going to happen, and I have to write it to find out. I must say writing Key of Power has been a very exciting and satisfying journey. While I don’t want to give away any spoilers, it is my hope that the themes of the book and the positive messaging serve to encourage and uplift my readers, and they have a lot of fun reading it.
What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?
Key of Power is dedicated to my big brother, Eddie Venetucci. Eddie was my biggest fan, and I am so grateful he got to hold the proof copy of Key of Power in his hands and read the dedication before he died. I worked very hard to finish it in time for that to happen and I am grateful I was able to bring it to him in the hospital on the last day that he was coherent and able to do so. I wish you could have seen the smile on his face whenever he talked about my books, his face would light up like a Christmas tree.
Eddie fought bravely against pancreatic cancer these past months, and he is now residing in his heavenly home. I miss him so much already, but I also take great joy in knowing he is no longer suffering and is in the presence of his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. The vibrancy of his faith, his love of family, his life of service, and his love for others will continue to echo through the lives of all who knew him.
Key of Power dedication:
To my big brother and forever friend, Eddie Venetucci.
Having a brother is wonderful! It means always having someone cheering you on and being understood and loved for all eternity. Eddie, your love and care for our family and your compassion and nurturing nature for others is a blessing and an inspiration for all of us. I am so grateful God picked me to be your baby sister. You’ll always be my Maytag repairman.* Much love always.
And to Eddie’s beloved wife, my sister-in-law, Susan Venetucci. She has such a sweet and loving spirit and is the sister of my heart.
*Family joke dating all the way back to grade school
What creative projects are you currently working on?
I write speculative fiction (fantasy and science fiction) and Christian nonfiction. I have switched gears and am working on the latest book in my Taking Back series. These books are nonfiction Christian devotionals and discipleship books that are intentionally easy to read for busy people. Taking Back Bible Study: Moving Deeper into the Word of God will be released in August of this year. I also have a very fun historical fiction / magical realism mashup slated for the spring of 2026.
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