Hollis Jo McCullum is a fantasy author, designer, podcaster, Bookfest Bellweather, and all around silly person. She writes two different dark fantasy book series: The Raashan Series and the Lost Beacon Chronicles.
With a degree in history and specializations in the ancient Etruscans and medieval Britain, history and mythology are continuous inspirations for her writing, so you'll even get some fun history to rattle off at parties when you read her books.
Tell us a bit about your most recent work.
Most recently, I published the third book in my first complete trilogy! My Raashan trilogy is epic dark fantasy with inspired romantic subplots. It opens on the world of Raashan in a state of post-apocalyptic chaos, where our heroes are striving to survive in a dying world. The first book in the Raashan trilogy, To Save a World, has won two national awards. The second book, The Queen Witch, has also won a national award and has received praise for my original take on fairies. Tear in the World, the third book in the Raashan trilogy, hasn't been entered in any contests yet, but my reader feedback has been excellent. I'm very proud. :)
What are the themes and subjects you tend to revisit in your work?
On the romantic side, I live for a slow-burn romance and those little, sweet moments of nuance that speak of true intimacy and affection. What can I say? I'm a born hopeless romantic!
What happened in your life that prompted you to become a writer?
Like many writers, I love to read and have been reading since an early age. However, what really prompted me to start writing was playing D&D.
