Wednesday 3 May 2023

A Slice of Cake With... Emily Hornburg

Today I am delighted to have a slice of cake with author Emily Hornburg.

Emily is an author of fantasy novels who has had a life long love affair with stories and the written word. She is the author of the fairy tale retellings series, The Cursed Queens, published with City Owl Press. 

She’s a Chicago South-Sider, aunt to the best niece ever, expert at the fan-girl flail, a wheelchair “part-timer” with Osteogenesis Imperfecta, dog mom, Hufflepuff, coffee addict, and has a degree in youth and theatre ministry. 

When not devouring or creating books, you can find Emily watching Gilmore Girls (for the 20th time), belting out showtunes, attending the latest con, brainstorming how she can go to Disney World (again), or figuring out how to make the perfect combination of chocolate and nachos.

What kind of books do you write?

My books are magical, inclusive, lush, romantic, full of adventure, and inspired by classic fairy tales. They feature women who are making their own way in the world even if it goes against the norms and expectations of their society, showing that strong women come in all forms, shapes, and sizes. Sometimes they carry a sword, and sometimes they don’t, because strength comes in many forms. The romances sizzle, but their adventures are action packed, and you can sink deep into the fantastical magical world. 

Can you describe your writing why?

I’ve been in love with telling stories and the written word for as long as I can remember. I was making up stories before I even knew my ABCs! I love being able to see the world through the lens of different characters who are different than I am and live all of these different lives with them. There’s a certain type of magic in fiction where you can escape our world and go into another one where literally anything can happen. Then, after you close the book (maybe go through a bit of a book hangover after) you somehow feel more prepared for our world and can take it on in a way you weren’t able to before. 

Share with us your favourite passage from the book you enjoyed writing the most

I have such a hard time picking my favorite! I love each of my books in their own way. But, here’s a small section from my first novel, The Night’s Chosen:

“They were afraid. A glimpse at Eira’s new power sent fear through them. A smirk pulled at her lips. Good. Let them be afraid. It showed that they knew there was truth to what she said about her encounter with Luana. She could show them right there, all the power she held. Prove to them Luana had touched her, and that she could throw away this important tradition if she wanted. It wouldn’t be the way to earn back her crown, though. Fear would help, and it could give her the status she deserved for the moment. But she needed more than their fear if she was going to be the queen she wanted to become.”


Tell us about your latest project

The Forest’s Keeper is the third in my Cursed Queens series and is a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. Our main character is Rose, the younger sister of Eira in The Night’s Chosen. I’m so excited to tell Rose’s story. Readers connected with her right away in the first book, and I loved getting to write her story. She’s a member of the royal guard and eager to prove her worth and help save the realm from their step-mother, Amelia. This book definitely has a romance my readers have come to expect and love, but this is one of the most epic fantasy feeling books so far, where Rose’s adventure and journey will take the main stage. I think readers will also be excited to know that Amelia will have a large point of view. In this book, Rose is out to save the enchanted Eral Forest that seems to be poisoned and is drowning, its water harming the residents of the forest. You’ll meet more creatures and characters than you have in the other two books, and see some familiar faces too. 


What is your favourite cake?

I don’t know if you’ve heard of Nothing Bundt Cakes, but they have the best white chocolate raspberry cake in the world. But I also love chocolate! 


You can connect with Emily here:


Join me next week when I will be having a slice of cake with Sara Breaker. 

If you would like to take part in A Slice of Cake With... please get in touch. I'd be delighted to have you.

You can also support my writing endeavours through Kofi and buy me tea & cake - it's what makes the world go round!


Claire Buss is a multi-genre author and poet, completely addicted to cake. Find out more about her books on her website clairebuss.co.uk. Join the discussion in her Facebook group Buss's Book Stop. Never miss out on future posts by following me.

1 comment:

  1. Fantastic writer and even nicer person!

    ReplyDelete