Queen of the Mountain follows a sad older woman who arrives in a tiny village where she meets a young farm girl who relates to her feelings of loss and befriends her. What was the inspiration for your story?

My inspiration for this story began with a hike through Switzerland. I hiked through some of the areas where the Countess of Kent (Queen Victoria) visited in Switzerland. She put them on the tourist map for early English travellers. Furthermore, as a child, it was the kindness of my elders who helped me to overcome and deal with some painful losses in my own life.

What were some ideas that were important for you to share in this book?

The main idea for this book was to encourage and foster empathy in children. Also to show that friendships can form organically across generations and backgrounds with kindness and openness.

What scene in the book did you have the most fun writing?

This is a difficult question to answer because I enjoyed writing all of it. However if I had to choose, I would say the part that show’s Vicky, the young farmer girl, following the Countess of Kent and discovering that despite her age and otherness, she likes and appreciates the same thing that Vicky does in nature and that they have both experienced loss.

What is the next book that you are working on and when can your fans expect it to be out?

I am currently working on three projects: submitting a chapbook for publication, my first novel and a collection of envirnonmental poems.

Realistically I think the chapbook will be available next fall, given I find a new publisher for it soon.

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