Category Archives: A Writer’s Life

2023 Preview

Posted on 30 December 2022 by Barbara Howe

I love mysteries, fantasies, and science fiction, so what could be better than a good murder mystery in a fantasy or science fiction setting? There are a number of those in my TBR pile, so it’s not surprising they figure … Continue reading →

Posted in A Writer's Life, Speculative fiction | Leave a comment

2022 Recap

Posted on 16 December 2022 by Barbara Howe

I started off this year with a post about the half-dozen books on the top of my TBR pile, and was only happy with one of them (When the Tiger Came Down the Mountain). What about the others? I loved … Continue reading →

Posted in A Writer's Life, Fantasy, Kiwi author, LGBTQIA+, Mysteries, Science Fiction | Leave a comment

Death and Taxes

Posted on 1 April 2022 by Barbara Howe

Death and taxes: the only things certain in this world, and they’ve taken a toll on us over the last few weeks. Between a funeral (of a friend and former neighbour, not a family member) and some complications in our … Continue reading →

Posted in A Writer's Life, Historical Mysteries, Mysteries, On Reading | 2 Comments

Book Launch Reminder

Posted on 20 January 2022 by Barbara Howe

Reminder: the launch of The Forge, the fifth and final book in the Reforging series, will be held this weekend, on Sunday, 23 January, at 1:00pm New Zealand Daylight Time. If you haven’t been following the series, here’s on overview: … Continue reading →

Posted in A Writer's Life, Epic Fantasy, Noblebright Fantasy | Leave a comment

The Forge Book Launch

Posted on 10 January 2022 by Barbara Howe

The launch of The Forge, the fifth and final book in the Reforging series, will be an online event on Sunday, 23 January, at 1:00pm* New Zealand Daylight Time. Looking forward to seeing you then! Reminder: IFWG Publishing Australia is … Continue reading →

Posted in A Writer's Life, Epic Fantasy, Kiwi author | Leave a comment

2022 Preview

Posted on 1 January 2022 by Barbara Howe

My family are the best! They gave me books, chocolate, and a lovely large blank book for the next instalment in my reader’s journal. I’m all set. Between the books in the picture above, and several more on my e-reader, … Continue reading →

Posted in A Writer's Life, On Reading | Leave a comment

2021 Recap

Posted on 18 December 2021 by Barbara Howe

For this end-of-year review, I’ve come up with a baker’s dozen of books, or set of books—some old, some new—that were most memorable or most fun for me this year. There’s lots of engrossing fiction being published, so winnowing them … Continue reading →

Posted in A Writer's Life, On Reading | Leave a comment

Reforging Complete

Posted on 4 December 2021 by Barbara Howe

With the release of the The Forge, book 5 in the Reforging series, the series is complete! It has been a long time coming (I started writing the first book, The Locksmith, in 2010), and it feels terrific to see … Continue reading →

Posted in A Writer's Life, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Book Announcement: The Forge

Posted on 8 August 2021 by Barbara Howe

The Forge, the fifth and final book in the Reforging series, is scheduled to be released on 3 December. I’ve just seen the cover art, and it’s gorgeous: The artist, Catherine Archer-Wills, has done a fantastic job with all five … Continue reading →

Posted in A Writer's Life, Epic Fantasy | Leave a comment

A Life Well Lived

Posted on 29 May 2021 by Barbara Howe

My father, Lamar Howe, died on 17 May. I’m writing this on Saturday morning, a week after the funeral, at the time when we would have been having our regular video chat. It hurts to know I’ll never be able … Continue reading →

Posted in A Writer's Life | 25 Comments