Beth Barany

Agent info

Award winning author, Beth Barany writes in several genres including young adult adventure fantasy, paranormal romance, and soon science fiction mysteries.

Inspired by living abroad in France and Quebec, she loves creating magical tales of romance, mystery, and adventure that empower women and girls to be the heroes of their own lives.

For fun, Beth enjoys walking her neighborhood, gardening on her patio, and watching movies and traveling with her husband, author Ezra Barany. They live in Oakland, California with a piano, their cats, and over 1,000 books.

When not writing or playing, Beth runs her own company helping novelists as a book coach, speaker, and teacher to help them write, market, and publish their books to the delight of their readers.

FICTION
Check out her award-winning sci-fi mystery series, JANEY MCCALLISTER MYSTERY, about intrepid space station investigator. While each book is a standalone murder mystery, it's most fun to be read in order. Because subplots.

INTO THE BLACK, Book 1
LURED BY LIGHT, Book 2
GONE GREEN, Book 3
RED RUNNING DEEP, Book 4

Check out her series award-winning trilogy, HENRIETTA THE DRAGON SLAYER:

HENRIETTA THE DRAGON SLAYER, Book 1
HENRIETTA AND THE DRAGON STONE, Book 2
HENRIETTA AND THE BATTLE OF THE HORSE MESA, Book 3

Check out her Magical Tales of Romance and Mystery in the TOUCHSTONE Series:

Touchstone of Love (Touchstone, #1)
A Christmas Fling (Touchstone, #2)
Parisian Amour (Touchstone, #3)
A Labyrinth of Love and Roses (Touchstone, #4)
A Cupcake Christmas (Touchstone, #5)

"Travel into a novel to come back home to you."

READERS START HERE for a free book: https://author.bethbarany.com/free-books/

NONFICTION FOR WRITERS: Barany School of Fiction series
Twitter for Authors: Social Media Book Marketing Strategies for Shy Writers
The Writer's Adventure Guide: 12 Stages to Writing Your Book (for Novelists and Creative Nonfiction Writers)
Overcome Writer's Block: A Self-Guided Creative Writing Class to Get You Writing Again
Mastering Deep Point of View by Alice Gaines (Publisher)
Plan Your Novel Like A Pro: And Have Fun Doing It! by Beth and Ezra Barany

Connect with Beth on the social channels:

TWITTER: http://www.twitter.com/beth_barany
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/bethbarany
LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethbarany/

WRITERS, START HERE: Free ebook for writers: 10 Ways To Generate Ideas: https://bethbaranyschooloffiction.teachable.com/p/10-ways-ebook

Smashwords Interview

How did you get started writing books?
I got started writing as a kid of 8 or 9 years, writing stories about our cats. I made a little book and even sewed the binding with a needle and thread. I knew even then I wanted to be published.

Then I moved on to writing limericks and silly rhyming poems at 12, then writing down my dreams by age 13 in a journal.

It was when I was 13 years old that I was sure I wanted to be a writer (because of an inspiring teacher), so continued writing in my journal for years until a clear focus developed in my 20s to do journalism.

Then I started seriously on fiction when I turned 30, 19 years ago.
Where’s your favourite place to write? (One of my British readers asked.)
For my first drafts and some of my edits, I love writing outside, at diners, and at cafes.
Read more of this interview.
De Sade and Grimm, a Steamy Collection of Dark Delights: Four Supernatural Short Stories
Price: $9.99 USD. Words: 110,250. Language: English. Published: March 29, 2024 and represented by Beth Barany. Categories: Fiction » Erotica » Historical / Medieval, Fiction » Erotica » Romance
Salacious Medieval Mysteries is a spellbinding collection of dark tales crafted especially for women who crave stories that push the boundaries of romance. In these tales, the line between force and passion is as thin as gossamer, offering a unique blend of steamy and forbidden, and will challenge your perceptions of desire, consent, and passion.
de Sade & Grimm, a Menace of Silk
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 35,130. Language: English. Published: March 1, 2024 and represented by Beth Barany. Categories: Fiction » Erotica » Suspense & Mystery, Fiction » Erotica » Historical / Medieval
In this racy and romantic paranormal mystery set in the 1200s, Celeste de Sade and Diego Grimm continue their adventures. This time, they face an incubus who will not leave their client alone. Set in Medieval England, Celeste uses her skills of time travel to fight the incubus.
Bullets Aren't Kosher
Series: The Torah Codes. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 94,500. Language: English. Published: April 10, 2020 and represented by Beth Barany. Categories: Fiction » Children’s books » Law & Crime, Fiction » Children’s books » Religious / Jewish
Have you ever woken up wondering where you were, who you were, and why you were wanted for murder? Ezra Barany presents a kosher crime thriller of amnesia set in San Francisco to keep you up all night guessing. Like the other books in The Torah Codes series, and inspired The Sunflower by Elie Wiesel, this novel includes essays reflecting on the Jewish themes of the book.
Breaking Free
Price: $4.95 USD. Words: 26,930. Language: English. Published: January 1, 2020 and represented by Beth Barany. Categories: Fiction » Erotica » Action & Adventure, Fiction » Romance » Suspense
Breaking Free: 36 Questions to Captive Love A captivity dark romance by award-winning author Liz Adams. Read this if stories of captive and captor intimacy often leave your heart in a squeeze and your bedsheets clenched in your fists.
Deborah's Number: A Bank Heist Mitzvah
Series: The Torah Codes. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 92,010. Language: English. Published: December 24, 2018 and represented by Beth Barany. Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Action & suspense, Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Crime thriller
When your beloved is kidnapped by a crazed killer, and you’re trapped in a bank heist, being held hostage is damned inconvenient.
The Torah Codes
Series: The Torah Codes, Book 1. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 74,880. Language: English. Published: April 17, 2014 and represented by Beth Barany. Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Action & suspense, Fiction » Christian » Suspense
(3.00 from 1 review)
Award-winner of the Hollywood Book Festival and of the Mensa Sharp Writ Book Award, bestselling thriller The Torah Codes has been called a Jewish version of The Da Vinci Code. When computer programmer Nathan Yirmorshy discovers he's being stalked by a secret society, he must abandon his home and open his heart to a tarot reader--just as the ancient scriptures have foretold.
36 Righteous, A Serial Killer's Hit List
Series: The Torah Codes, Book 2. Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 97,470. Language: English. Published: February 2, 2014 and represented by Beth Barany. Categories: Fiction » Thriller & suspense » Psychological thriller, Fiction » Cultural & ethnic themes » Jewish
What if you discovered your beloved was on a hit list? Ezra Barany releases this sequel to his award-winning bestselling thriller, The Torah Codes. Included is an appendix of essays and interviews by Rabbi Harold Kushner, Reverend Amber Belldene, Rabbi Daniel Kohn, and others who tackle the question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?"
Goldie's Locks and the Three Men (An Erotic Fairy Tale Fantasy for Women)
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 31,050. Language: English. Published: October 20, 2013 and represented by Beth Barany. Categories: Fiction » Fairy tales, Fiction » Erotica » Action & Adventure
From bestselling author Liz Adams comes this modern erotic retelling of the fairy tale Goldilocks. As a thief, Goldie is always on the run so she can never settle down with one lover. But when she tackles one final job, could the three bearish men inside the mansion she's staking out promise her more than she could ever dream possible? A modern erotic fairy tale for women.
Alice's Sexual Discovery in a Wonderful Land (Fairy Tale Erotica)
Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 47,200. Language: English. Published: October 3, 2013 and represented by Beth Barany. Categories: Fiction » Erotica » Action & Adventure, Fiction » Erotica » Paranormal
(4.00 from 1 review)
Bestselling Author Liz Adams presents: Alice's Sexual Discovery in a Wonderful Land, an erotic version of Alice in Wonderland.

Series

Janey McCallister Mystery series
A series with a slow-burn romance, enhanced humans, cool high-tech gadgets, a futuristic vision of the Earth, and a tough heroine with secrets. "Reading a Janey McCallister Mystery is like watching a Star Trek movie or watching TV shows like the Killjoys or Vagrant Queen. If you like shows like these then you are going to love Janey McCallister." -- Nancy Allen (The Avid Reader)
The Torah Codes
The Torah Codes series by Ezra Barany, A Kosher thrill ride, hold the pickle.
Henrietta The Dragon Slayer
She's a legend at 17, but only Henrietta knows the price she paid for her fame ... and it was much too high. From the Winner of the California Fiction Writer's Book Contest comes this thrilling adventure of a young warrior on an epic quest. Perfect for fans of Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, Collins' The Hunger Games, McKinley's Hero & the Crown, and Paolini's Eragon.
Touchstone, Magical Tales of Romance and Adventure
A contemporary paranormal romance series set in the San Francisco Bay Area and small town France. Magic, mayhem, and sweet sensual romance.

Books

Red Running Deep: A Sci-Fi Mystery
Series: Janey McCallister Mystery series. Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 72,000. Language: English. Published: March 22, 2022 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Women Sleuths
Three murders. Three locked rooms. The race is on to find the killer before more red is spilled.
Gone Green (A Sci-Fi Mystery)
Series: Janey McCallister Mystery series. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 70,400. Language: English. Published: May 14, 2021 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Women Sleuths
L’Étoile’s lead investigator Janey McCallister faces her hardest case yet. On the eve of the hotel space station’s twentieth anniversary celebration, criminals rob the casino vault and kill one security guard. Since the casino has only a day’s worth of cash on hand, she must solve the case before the theft creates a mass panic and puts L’Étoile out of business—and before the killer strikes again.
Lured By Light (Janey McCallister Mystery Book 2)
Series: Janey McCallister Mystery series. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 72,150. Language: English. Published: October 17, 2020 . Categories: Fiction » Mystery & detective » Women Sleuths, Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure
A young woman runs screaming in the high-end casino hotel orbiting Earth. She looks like an abuse victim, but when her boyfriend turns up dead, she becomes the prime suspect. As Janey McCallister casino lead investigator unravels a deeper conspiracy, she and her team will need all the help they can get. If they fail, it could be the end of everyone on L’Étoile.
7 Essential Keys to Planning Your Novel: Story Preparation for Pantsers
Series: Writers Fun Zone Publishing Books. Price: $0.99 USD. Words: 4,310. Language: English. Published: October 6, 2020 . Categories: Nonfiction » Education & Study Guides » Teaching methods & materials / language arts, Nonfiction » Self-improvement » Creativity
A short and sweet instruction booklet to help you plan your novel so you can write it with confidence, clarity, and compassion. This book is by award winning authors and founders of Barany School of Fiction: Beth Barany, certified creativity coach for writers, writing teacher, workshop leader, and novelist; and, Ezra Barany, novelist, teacher, and mentor. Comes with a Bonus Pack: Sign up for it!
Into The Black (Janey McCallister Mystery Book 1)
Series: Janey McCallister Mystery series. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 74,280. Language: English. Published: May 21, 2020 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure, Fiction » Mystery & detective » Women Sleuths
(5.00 from 2 reviews)
Newly-hired as an investigator, Janey McCallister wants to solve her first big case—the theft of a priceless gem. When her case of theft escalates to murder and points to the seedy underbelly of world affairs, Janey has to rely on her new team and trust the mysterious insurance investigator, Orlando Valdez—before a killer escapes into the black.
Plan Your Novel Like A Pro: And Have Fun Doing It!
Series: Writers Fun Zone Publishing Books. Price: $6.99 USD. Words: 23,860. Language: English. Published: December 19, 2018 . Categories: Nonfiction » Education & Study Guides » Literacy » Composition & creative writing, Nonfiction » Reference » Writing skills
This book will help you get excited to plan your novel. The tools shared here are designed to spark your muse and give you confidence when you sit down to write your story. Plan Your Novel Like A Pro: And Have Fun Doing It! is for organic writers and pansters who want a roadmap to follow, so that they can let their creativity loose.
Henrietta YA Fantasy Box Set (Books 1-3)
Series: Henrietta The Dragon Slayer. Price: $9.99 USD. Words: 255,890. Language: English. Published: November 26, 2017 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Epic, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Fantasy
(5.00 from 1 review)
She's a legend at 17, but only Henrietta knows the price she paid for her fame ... and it was much too high. From the Winner of the California Fiction Writer's Book Contest comes this thrilling adventure of a young warrior on an epic quest. This box set contains: Book 1, Henrietta The Dragon Slayer; Book 2, Henrietta and the Dragon Stone; Book 3, Henrietta and the Battle of the Horse Mesa.
Christmas Magic, A Christmas Romance Collection (Two Touchstone Series Books)
Series: Touchstone, Magical Tales of Romance and Adventure. Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 72,630. Language: English. Published: March 5, 2017 . Categories: Fiction » Romance » Paranormal » General, Fiction » Romance » Fantasy
Enjoy these Two Touchstone Series Books! In this collection: A CHRISTMAS FLING and A CUPCAKE CHRISTMAS, 2 novellas for your Christmas reading pleasure!
The Writer's Adventure Guide
Series: Writers Fun Zone Publishing Books. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 27,090. Language: English. Published: September 18, 2016 . Categories: Nonfiction » Education & Study Guides » Adult & continuing education, Nonfiction » Reference » Writing skills
A Self-Coaching Guide to Writing Your Book Considered by writers to be a spiritual guide to writing your book from an experienced author and coach. A home study coaching guide and workbook.
Henrietta and The Battle of the Horse Mesa
Series: Henrietta The Dragon Slayer, Book 3. Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 107,970. Language: English. Published: July 2, 2016 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Epic, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Fantasy
Finally, the sweeping conclusion to the Henrietta The Dragon Slayer trilogy! Parted by destiny, the four friends struggle to rejoin forces and face for a final time, the ruthless sorcerer intent on destroying them all.
A Labyrinth of Love and Roses (A Fairy Tale Romance)
Series: Touchstone, Magical Tales of Romance and Adventure. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 23,610. Language: English. Published: December 25, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Romance » Fantasy, Fiction » Fantasy » Contemporary
French MBA grad Lili Grenault needs to succeed at her pitch meeting to fund her international green tech business. San Francisco investor Brett Barnaby wants to find his great-grandfather's gravesite in Amiens, France, a primary battle sites of World War I. Can these two independent freethinkers work together to prevent chaos from triumphing and find love in time in the labyrinth of roses.
A Cupcake Christmas (A Christmas Elf Romance)
Series: Touchstone, Magical Tales of Romance and Adventure. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 43,140. Language: English. Published: December 25, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Romance » Fantasy, Fiction » Fantasy » Contemporary
Florian MacMillian needs a final job to complete his baking resume—preferably a job where he’s unlikely to blow things up with his unruly magic—before returning to the North Pole and taking his rightful place as Master Baker to all the elves. Kate Delore desperately needs help in her fast-growing cupcake business. Florian is a perfect fit, until things heat up between them.
Touchstone Series: Romance Novella Books 1-4, plus a bonus short story
Series: Touchstone, Magical Tales of Romance and Adventure. Price: $6.99 USD. Words: 111,140. Language: English. Published: June 21, 2015 . Categories: Fiction » Romance » Paranormal » General, Fiction » Romance » Time travel
Travel to worlds where anything is possible—time travel to Medieval France; a cute Santa’s elf hiding in plain sight in San Francisco; a mystery under the city of Paris that only love can unlock; and, love, destiny, and a labyrinth. Four romance novellas plus bonus short story in the TOUCHSTONE series by award-winning novelist, Beth Barany.
Autumn's Kiss: 8 Contemporary & Historical Sweet Romances
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 80,870. Language: English. Published: October 25, 2014 by Open Book. Categories: Fiction » Romance » Short stories, Fiction » Anthologies » Short stories - multi-author
Eight sweet, short stories. Eight ways to celebrate Autumn. From a medieval stonemason to a big-town businessman, Regency England to Napa Vineyards, these Historical, Contemporary, Paranormal and Time-Travel romances will capture your heart. Authors: Nicole Zoltack, Debby Lee, Beth Barany, Kristy Tate, Ruth Roberts, Kathy Bosman, LaVerne St. George, & Patricia Kiyono
Parisian Amour (A Fairy Tale Romance)
Series: Touchstone, Magical Tales of Romance and Adventure. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 25,210. Language: English. Published: May 27, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Romance » Paranormal » General, Fiction » Romance » Short stories
Sarah Redman, a bank project manager, wants adventure in her life. Trainer extraordinaire, Josh Kleine, needs to pull off a successful presentation at a Paris conference to land more clients and save his company. Together they may hold the key to the strange disasters striking the City of Lights. Can Sarah unravel the secrets of the city and of her heart in time to save them all?
A Christmas Fling (A Christmas Elf Romance)
Series: Touchstone, Magical Tales of Romance and Adventure. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 32,860. Language: English. Published: March 12, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Romance » Fantasy, Fiction » Fantasy » Paranormal
What if falling in love put the life you cherished in jeopardy? Dahlia, a Santa’s Elf, has 21 days left before Christmas to create the best toy in the world without using magic or revealing her true identity. Will her innocent Christmas fling help her or land her in trouble?
Henrietta and the Dragon Stone
Series: Henrietta The Dragon Slayer, Book 2. Price: $3.99 USD. Words: 82,700. Language: English. Published: January 31, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Fantasy, Fiction » Fantasy » Epic
Henrietta faced the dragon and won the healing stone—but now faces an even greater test. The young dragon slayer is trusted with a crucial message that will save the Five Kingdoms from war. But to deliver it, she must slip past an evil sorcerer and his many guises. Dark magic is at work within her home kingdom … and things will never be the same. Especially Henrietta herself.
Touchstone of Love (A Time Travel Romance)
Series: Touchstone, Magical Tales of Romance and Adventure. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 26,080. Language: English. Published: January 7, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Romance » Time travel, Fiction » Romance » Paranormal » General
A time-travel romance by award-winning novelist, Beth Barany. When a thunderstorm transports software expert Rose Waldman to thirteenth century France, she meets hunky stonemason Julien, who is secretly creating a gargoyle in defiance of his master mason. Can independent gadget loving Rose trust her life and heart to Julien, and can she really never go home again?
Twitter for Authors: Social Media Book Marketing Strategies for Shy Writers
Series: Writers Fun Zone Publishing Books. Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 19,240. Language: English. Published: October 14, 2012 . Categories: Nonfiction » Publishing » Self-publishing, Nonfiction » Career Guides » Sales & Marketing
Social media book marketing is key to building your author platform and to selling more books. For many authors, the idea of sharing themselves with the world through Twitter and other social media platforms can be petrifying. But in Twitter for Authors: Social Media Book Marketing for Shy Writers, you will discover simple ways to connect with your audience and potential readers.
Henrietta The Dragon Slayer
Series: Henrietta The Dragon Slayer, Book 1. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 65,390. Language: English. Published: March 8, 2011 . Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Fantasy
(4.00 from 6 reviews)
She's a legend at 17, but only Henrietta knows the price she paid for her fame ... and it is much too high. From the Winner of the California Fiction Writer's Book Contest comes this thrilling adventure of a young warrior on one final quest ... against an opponent she swore never to face again. And Henrietta, the legendary Dragon Slayer of Bleuve, can't stomach the thought of another kill.
Overcome Writer's Block: A Self-Guided Creative Writing Class to Get You Writing Again
Series: Writers Fun Zone Publishing Books. Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 10,610. Language: English. Published: February 12, 2011 . Categories: Nonfiction » Self-improvement » Motivation & inspiration, Nonfiction » Reference » Writing skills
Written by a writer and teacher with over 20 years of experience. Do you wonder where all your good ideas went? Is sitting down to write a painful process? You can break through your writer's block and ignite your creativity today! This unique writing guide will show you how! This writing guide was written for writers and artists of all kinds, as well as business professionals and entrepreneurs

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