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Hearts on Paper
Hearts on Paper, by E. G. Creel, is a charming story that follows Emery, a witty and thoughtful teenager whose summer break turns upside down when she discovers her father has remarried and forgotten to mention it. Thrust into a shiny new life with a picture-perfect stepbrother named Dean, Emery stumbles through awkward poolside encounters, a stifling country club culture, and a whirlwind of emotional and romantic confusion. The book is packed with sharp dialogue, heartfelt introspection, and plenty of high school drama, but beneath all the sass and swoons, there’s a deeper story about identity, grief, and navigating the awkward gray areas between childhood and growing up.
Emery’s tone makes this book. She is funny in that quietly savage way that makes you want to follow her around just to hear what she’ll say next. Her thoughts feel real–the kind of thoughts you only admit to yourself. E. G. Creel has this knack for nailing teenage awkwardness without making it cringeworthy. The banter between Emery and Dean hits the perfect balance of playful and emotionally loaded. I caught myself smiling during the quieter scenes, especially when Emery is trying to figure out whether Dean is trouble or just a misunderstood golden boy. It never felt overdone or syrupy. The pacing, especially in the early chapters, was smooth and tight. I was pulled in fast and stayed locked in.
There were moments where the story leaned into tropes. Still, I couldn’t put it down. There’s something magnetic about watching these characters slowly orbit each other, even when the plot takes some predictable turns. The writing keeps things light enough to stay fun but serious enough to give the characters some weight. Creel’s prose never talks down to the reader, and that’s a big part of why the story works.
Hearts on Paper is the kind of book I’d recommend to readers who loved To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before or Everything, Everything. If you’re into slow-burn romance with strong emotional undercurrents, rich teenage voice, and a little chaos in your love life, this one will hit the spot. It’s messy and sweet and complicated, just like being seventeen.
Pages: 226 | ASIN : B0F8WB2PPW
A Quest of Creativity
Dim the Moon is a dreamlike picture book in which moonlight awakens a rooster and the farm seeks slumber once more, reminding young readers that even the liveliest nights must come to rest. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
My rooster, General, was a funny fellow. I would hear him crow and think… The moon must be too bright. Have you ever stood by the window and looked out at a full moon? If you have, then you know what I mean. But I also felt reassured. I knew when he crowed that all was well on “the farm.” Even if it was the middle of the night. Then he’d settle down again and have his second sleep. Something my children often did when they were very small.
How did you approach the balance between whimsy and the underlying message about the importance of rest?
I wanted the words to be simple, so the illustrations could have a chance to speak. Dim the Moon is just as fun to look at as it is to read. A second bedtime story, for when our eyes and minds are too tired to focus on anything overly complicated, but we still need a minute or two to settle.
The illustrations are fantastic. Did you collaborate with an artist, or are they your own work?
I took my strengths as a photographer and created the illustrations. Popcorn kernels as fireflies, pickles, and watermelon made frogs. It was a treasure hunt, a quest of creativity, to find the perfect landscape and item to make my detailed illustrations. I carried a white piece of paper with me to use as a background for random leaves or grasses I might come across. A puzzle of cut and paste, repeated for hours. You’ll find a tiny hidden self-portrait, a signature in the eyes of the owl.
What is the next book that you are working on, and when will it be available?
Children’s Picture Books:
Theodore Won’t Float Summer 2025
Pumpkin Surprise Fall 2025
Magic Makers Winter 2025
Friendship Feathers TBD
Just Too Sweet (Type 1 Diabetes) TBD
Young Adult:
Hearts on Paper Summer 2025
New Releases:
Hurricane Stew
Dim The Moon
Preorder:
The Gobblers (Nov. 25 2025 Clavis Publishing)
Author Links: GoodReads | Facebook | Website | Amazon
Author-illustrator E. G. Creel takes a playful and imaginative approach to her artwork, using photographs of objects found in her garden and pantry to bring the story to life. Pickles become frogs, corn kernels glow as fireflies, and an owl is cleverly crafted from a pinecone, a chicken feather, and an apple slice. The moon itself is a moonflower, softly blooming on the page. Look closely and you’ll spot the artist’s “secret signature” —a tiny self-portrait waving from the owl’s eyes.
Dim The Moon
Dim the Moon by E.G. Creel is a charming and whimsical tale that enchants from the very first page. The story begins with a rooster, stirred by the luminous moonlight, crowing into the night and waking the entire farm. Confused and curious, the animals wonder why the rooster is awake. Irritated by the bright sky, the wise old owl pleads with the wind to soften the moon’s glow. A gentle gust sends clouds drifting in, cloaking the light and restoring peace to the slumbering farm.
Creel weaves a gentle, lyrical narrative, brought to life by stunning illustrations that resemble fine art. The visuals elevate the story, turning each page into a dreamy landscape. Though short, the book is deeply engaging, especially for young readers. Its rhyming text adds a musical quality, encouraging children to explore language playfully while also reinforcing phonetic patterns.
Beneath its soothing surface, Dim the Moon quietly imparts a thoughtful message: that rest is essential, even when the world feels too alive to sleep. By using outdoor animals to convey this lesson, the story subtly emphasizes that everything in nature, even the most wakeful creatures, needs stillness and sleep.
What makes this book even more special is its origin. Inspired by the author’s own rooster, the tale serves as a gentle reminder to young readers that their everyday surroundings can spark imagination and creativity. Stories live all around us, sometimes just outside the window.
A perfect bedtime read, Dim the Moon offers calm, wonder, and a touch of magic. It’s a story to be shared, savored, and remembered.
Pages: 32 | ASIN: B0F3V3256Q
Lily
All who are born as Dubans are born as twins. Lily, unfortunately, is an exception. Due to the unique circumstances of her single birth, Lily is considered an outcast and even cursed from the moment she arrives. Even though she was born alone, Lily has never truly been alone and never will be. To live this way is to be feared, and this is something young Lily will never truly realize if her parents have their way. When her parents attempt to deceive the rest of the community, things take a strange and dangerous turn.
Lily, a short story by E.G. Creel, centers around the title character. Though the bulk of the action revolves around Lily from the time she is born, the narrative focuses primarily on White Beard, a figure who first appears as a Santa Claus-type character. Lily’s circumstances are extraordinary, and Creel has given readers an especially remarkable storyline in which to revel. The stunning world the author has created features amazing creatures, and the imagery conjured is breathtaking.
This short story packs a big punch in just short of 50 pages. With a fairly large cast of characters introduced in a short length of time, Creel’s storyline will fascinate readers right out of the gate. The overall verbiage in the story feels like classic folk and fairy tales; the more modern references don’t seem to add to or blend well with the story.
I recommend the short story Lily by E.G. Creel to readers who enjoy quick fantasy action and adventure stories. Readers will find that this tale is reminiscent of the Brothers Grimm style of fantasy and fairy tales with dark twists.
Pages: 46 | ASIN : B09X4KYZL3
LITERARY TITAN 