Short story writer Steffanie Costigan joins me today to chat about her new fantasy children’s book, which she wrote and illustrated, A Stony Gaze.
Bio:
Steffanie Costigan holds a strong passion for writing despite her severe disability with dyslexia. She has previously released a historic fantasy, Land of the Dragon an award-winning novel. She hopes to release many more books in the future.
She resides in Canada, Alberta, where she was born and raised with her husband and four children. Steffanie is a journalist and hopes to continue her passion for writing books and her dream of continuing as a journalist. Steffanie studied creative writing and took her program in digital communications and media at Lethbridge Polytechnic.
She hopes her writing will resonate with people and inspire those that read her writings. Her passion for writing started at the young age of three years old; She has written a couple of plays. Steffanie also wrote “A Stony Gaze” in a play format and had the opportunity to direct it in 2021.
What do you enjoy most about writing short stories/children’s books/novellas?
I enjoy the simplicity of writing children’s books and I find it incredibly fun developing the illustrations.
Can you give us a little insight into a few of your short stories – perhaps some of your favorites?
I just released “A Stony Gaze” back in August, but I have another children’s book coming out in December called “Crazy Potatoes,” and that one is going to be a lot of fun so I am excited for that release.
What genre are you inspired to write in the most? Why?
Fantasy, growing up I have just always had such a love for fantasy and a big imagination that compliments it. I remember being a little girl playing outside I would feel the gust of wind go by and I just remember looking up at the sky and thinking an ‘invisible dragon just flew past.’
What exciting story are you working on next?
I am working on a novella called, “The Reaper of Love,” it is going to be romantisy so fantasy and romance for tweens/YA.
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I started to write as young as three, so I have been told by my parents. I have just always held such a strong passion for storytelling.
How do you research markets for your work, perhaps as some advice for writers?
I learn best from example if you are just observant of how some of the most popular books are being marketed out there you will notice a pattern and just follow that pattern honestly.
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
Well, I don’t always do this but I like to dress up as the character while writing as it really helps me portray the character as accurate as possible I think of it kind of as actors prepping to play a character.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A writer actually.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
Yes. I am actually dyslexic and you can do anything your passionate about as long as work hard and fight for it even if it in my case is a weakness.
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