Location: United States
Member Since: Oct. 17, 2013

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Stephanie Barr

Biography

Although Stephanie Barr is a slave to three children and a slew of cats, she actually leads a double life as a part time novelist and full time rocket scientist. People everywhere have learned to watch out for fear of becoming part of her stories. Beware! You might be next!

Smashwords Interview

How do you approach cover design?
That was actually a big deal because I'm completely devoid of artistic talent. So, I talked to a bunch of people hogging artistic talent and tried to get them to do what I envisioned. Friends and family and total strangers who would work for vastly different levels of pay (or none at all).

Lots of talent going on, but some artwork was forthcoming in a reliable way or the work didn't have the look or feel I wanted. They had beautiful work but it didn't fit my books (in my opinion). In the end, I was reduced to teaching myself paintshop skills, looking for stock photos I could license for this and building them myself. I had to simplify my original thoughts, but I'm actually pretty pleased with the results. And I learned new skills which, as a rocket scientist and an engineer, I can't help but be pleased with.
What are your five favorite books, and why?
Five? I can't say for sure. But, at this moment, I'd say, "These Old Shades" by Georgette Heyer, "The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress" by Robert Heinlein, "Partners in Necessity" by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller, "Imitation in Death" by JD Robb and maybe the "Bleach" series by Tite Kubo, but I could have readily picked any of a few dozen other books I go back and reread for entertainment over and over.

The books I write and the books I read have one thing in common: characters, characters I want to spend time with, care with, feel for, identify with. You get extra credit if you can add humor (as I try to do myself).

Characters I identify with must have some internal integrity and genuinely care, if not about everyone, about someone outside themselves. I'm particularly fond of protective characters who falls for protagonists who are quite capable of taking care of themselves and/or turning gender stereotypes on their ear (as I frequently do). Characters should also have flaws and learn and grow, because static characters are flat and uninteresting. I also, personally, prefer them to be intelligent and sarcastic, given that that's my favorite form of humor. But it's not enough that the author TELL us they're intelligent - we have to see it in "action." I especially like books where the character's personality comes out quickly in the dialog or actions.
Read more of this interview.

Where to find Stephanie Barr online

Website: http://stephaniebarr.us
Twitter: @stephanieebarr
Facebook: Facebook profile
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/profile/view?id=204621982&trk=nav_responsive_tab_profile
Blog: http://stephanie-barr.blogspot.com/

Where to buy in print

https://www.amazon.com/kindle-dbs/entity/author/B00N9W84YK

Series

Modern Demons by
On Earth, magic has become mainstream--everyone but demons, who humans did their best to kill. That might have been a mistake.
Demon Spawn
Price: Free!
Add a Cup of Chaos
Price: $4.99 USD.
Library at Castle Herriot by
Adventures with a library of unique books capable of taking you right into the story. But can you get back out?
Altered Page
Price: Free!
The Library at Castle Herriot
Price: $4.99 USD.
Catalyst by
The mundane world was severed from the magical world millennia ago. Now it's time to bring them back together but will the threat that drove the magi to tear the realms apart still threaten them when they return together?
Fated Encounters
Price: Free!
Catalyst
Price: $4.99 USD.
The Bete by
Crash-landed on an unknown planet, unable to return home, more than a thousand teens and a handful of adults must scrabble to survive. Among them are a tiny band of shapeshifters and psychics who could help them all survive, if the humans can get over their fear and distrust of their powers.
Power Struggle and Other Stories from the Bete Novels
Price: Free!
Beast Within
Price: $4.99 USD.
Nine Lives
Price: $4.99 USD.
Twice the Man
Price: $4.99 USD.
World of Dracul Morsus by
In a world where the power of Gods and Goddesses still holds sway, none have been born so powerful as the mage Dracul Morsus. Or have they?
Second Slavery and Other Stories from the World of Dracul Morsus
Price: Free!
The Taming of Dracul Morsus
Price: $4.99 USD.
Chroz Industries by
Genius is the heart of Chroz Industries and nowhere there so strongly than in the mind of young Dylan Chroz, but it's not enough to keep him out of trouble.
Saving Tessa
Price: $4.99 USD.
Technical Difficulties and Other Stories that Follow Saving Tessa
Price: Free!
Tarot Queen by
Tarot Queens are imbued with great power, but there is always a price. In restrictions. In limitations. And implications for what is predicted can be far more powerful than even the Queen can envision.
King of Swords (and other prequel stories to Tarot Queen)
Price: Free!
Tarot Queen
Price: $4.99 USD.
Jenri World by
In the world of Sword and Sorcery, in the land of Ferrell, women are chattel or less. All except the Jenri
Delicate Dangerous Queens
Price: Free!
Curse of the Jenri
Price: $4.99 USD.
Randian Empire by
In this part of the Galaxy, the Randian Empire reigns supreme, unchallenged, and ruthlessly. Until now.
Easy Prey
Price: Free!
Ideal Insurgent
Price: $4.99 USD.

Books

Anathema and Tidbit by
Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 97,500. Language: English. Published: October 15, 2023 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » General, Fiction » Fantasy » Epic
Rejected by her own kind, Anathema, the albino dragon, always thought she’d live her centuries alone. Until she rescued a tiny black cat. She called him Tidbit, unaware that his small body hid a powerful persona capable of changing the life of almost anyone he touched.
Dangerous by
Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 287,000. Language: English. Published: September 8, 2023 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Short stories, Fiction » Fantasy » Short stories
Sometimes a short story isn't enough to satisfy. Ten big bite stories when you need something with a little meat. That's Dangerous
Inner Worlds by
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 140,570. Language: English. Published: October 24, 2022 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Short stories, Fiction » Fantasy » Short stories
Stephanie Barr is back with another startling collection of short stories, as surprising, entertaining, and thought provoking as she's ever been. From rewriting classics tales to challenging SF canon. From stories that tug the heartstrings to stories that make you laugh out loud. Some were previously published in magazines or anthologies, others have never before been in print. All are amazing.
Meow O Ween by
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 42,780. Language: English. Published: September 26, 2021 . Categories: Fiction » Children’s books » Animals » Pets & domestic animals, Fiction » Fantasy » Short stories
Spooky, scary, otherworldly, magical… You can find all kinds of stories in this collection of haunting cat stories for children. And if you think the perfect solution to a frightening dilemma or phantom is a kitty or two, well, you might just be right. But don't make them angry… Discover all sorts of tales in this collection of haunting children's stories for the kid in us all. All proceeds fr
Add a Cup of Chaos by
Series: Modern Demons. Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 111,620. Language: English. Published: June 24, 2020 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Paranormal, Fiction » Romance » Paranormal » General
What do you do when the human world and the demon world are in the midst of a bitter conflict? Throw in an alien invasion, of course Add a Cup of Chaos
Demon Spawn by
Series: Modern Demons. Price: Free! Words: 24,340. Language: English. Published: May 12, 2020 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Urban, Fiction » Fantasy » Short stories
Two stories, two strange worlds. One little demon that makes a difference.
The Library at Castle Herriot by
Series: Library at Castle Herriot. Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 80,910. Language: English. Published: March 1, 2020 . Categories: Fiction » Romance » Paranormal » General, Fiction » Romance » Time travel
Who knew the secret library Sophia stumbled upon at Castle Herriot would sweep her into the ancient past and leave her only a torturous path to return home? The castle's caretaker couldn't help her though he's just was trapped as she was. Crazy and eclectic, so why did he set her aflame? Those stupid cats got her into this. Maybe they can get her out.
Altered Page by
Series: Library at Castle Herriot. Price: Free! Words: 19,090. Language: English. Published: February 8, 2020 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Paranormal, Fiction » Romance » Paranormal » General
(5.00 from 1 review)
A bored wizard who can't seem to find his magic specialty stumbles into a different world in his pursuit for a good story, but he hadn't intended to become part of the story. He finds magical creatures and a cursed woman, but, can he do what he needs to find his way back home? Does he want to?
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde - The Classic Tale and an Anthology of Twists, Retellings, and Sequels by &
Price: Free! Words: 100,570. Language: English. Published: November 25, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Classics, Fiction » Anthologies » Short stories - multi-author
The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson and an anthology of twists, retellings, and sequels by today's emerging talents.
Catalyst by
Series: Catalyst. Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 109,200. Language: English. Published: November 5, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Romance » Paranormal » General, Fiction » Romance » Fantasy
What if you could change the world as easily as waving a wand? What if there were repercussions? What if the only men who knew anything about magic wanted you to stop? What if you did it anyway?
Fated Encounters by
Series: Catalyst. Price: Free! Words: 16,470. Language: English. Published: October 14, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Anthologies » Short stories - single author, Fiction » Fantasy » Short stories
Ever wonder why magic is so pervasive in history yet absent today? What if there were an explanation? Have you ever wondered why smart girls stayed with men who mistreated them? What if there was an explanation? Every wondered why cats can be total jerks but we still love them? Of course not, they're cats. Encounters that change the trajectories of their lives. Precursor tales to Catalyst
Pussycats Galore by
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 98,140. Language: English. Published: July 30, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Anthologies » Short stories - single author, Fiction » Fantasy » Short stories
Cats. Fluffy, soft, and cuddly... Keepers of the amazing purr... Vicious, deadly, killing machines. That choose to share their lives with us. Twenty stories celebrating the mystery, magic and mayhem of cats by someone who loves them like you do.
Challenge Accepted by , , , , , , &
Price: $2.99 USD. Words: 103,770. Language: English. Published: March 29, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Short stories, Fiction » Fantasy » Short stories
A blind spaceship pilot. Cops and maintenance personnel in wheelchairs. Taking on bad guys with only one leg or no arms. It's not what you are that makes you something special. It's who you choose to be. Seventeen stories about people who rise above anything that tries to stop them, even their own limitations.
Twice the Man by
Series: The Bete, Book 3. Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 95,810. Language: English. Published: March 19, 2019 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Space opera, Fiction » Young adult or teen » Science Fiction
Facing new enemies, old prejudices, surprising friends, tricky alliances, and a litter of shipkittens, Rem and the Bete will have to survive without the powers that make them Bete. Cil will have to open his heart and mind if he's to help save his own people, while Darma will have to call on their former foes if they want to survive... And all before nightfall...
The Taming of Dracul Morsus by
Series: World of Dracul Morsus. Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 89,200. Language: English. Published: August 1, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Epic, Fiction » Romance » Fantasy
Mage Dracul Morsus has renounced the world of men. Or so he thought. When Xana shows up on his doorstep, she has every intention of changing his mind. Xana is the last thing Dracul thinks he needs. She is, in fact, a woman who will drive him to hell and back again. Literally. More than once. Because the most powerful thing in every realm is Xana's force of will.
Technical Difficulties and Other Stories that Follow Saving Tessa by
Series: Chroz Industries. Price: Free! Words: 19,390. Language: English. Published: June 13, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Anthologies » Short stories - single author, Fiction » Humor & comedy » General
After an adventure that nearly got Dylan Chroz, Tessa Miller, and Nathan Lawrence killed, one might think they'd want anything but more adventure, but what could be more intrepid than getting married. Short stories from New York, Rome, and places closer to home demonstrate that, for anyone associated with the Chroz family, trouble is always on the menu.
King of Swords (and other prequel stories to Tarot Queen) by
Series: Tarot Queen. Price: Free! Words: 22,300. Language: English. Published: June 12, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Short stories, Fiction » Fantasy » Epic
(5.00 from 1 review)
Tarot Queens are imbued with great power, but there is always a price. In restrictions. In limitations. And implications for what is predicted can be far more powerful than even the Queen can envision. Follow Melan as she navigates the dangerous shoals of her own power. Find also a story to introduce Dante da Silva and his methods for success.
Power Struggle and Other Stories from the Bete Novels by
Series: The Bete, Book 0. Price: Free! Words: 15,950. Language: English. Published: June 10, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Short stories, Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure
Before the Bete and the other castaways crash landed on their new home across the universe, they fought different battles on the land of their birth. Meet Xander, Laren, Rem, K'Ti, Sinda El and Kindren Forn before they all bound themselves together in a fateful journey that would alter the course of their lives and and the lives of those they left behind.
Second Slavery and Other Stories from the World of Dracul Morsus by
Series: World of Dracul Morsus. Price: Free! Words: 23,750. Language: English. Published: June 8, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Short stories, Fiction » Fantasy » Epic
Dracul Morsus was born a magic user of incredible power, but he's forsaken the world of men. Xana was a slave. Fylyx and Xylyx, well, defy description. What brings them all together? What indeed.
Delicate Dangerous Queens by
Series: Jenri World. Price: Free! Words: 30,360. Language: English. Published: May 1, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Epic, Fiction » Anthologies » Short stories - single author
Four prequel stories for key players from the Curse of the Jenri. Delicate Dangerous Queens - Saldomar finds his familiar and a bit more. Not a Doxy - Cristo thinks she's over her head, but maybe he is. Hidden Treasure - holding off an attack alone might be the best thing that happened to Denra. Not Quite a Knight - Riko finds people who won't let him do his job alone - damn good thing.
Ideal Insurgent by
Series: Randian Empire. Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 102,820. Language: English. Published: March 13, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Science fiction » Space opera, Fiction » Romance » Sci-fi
The two top analysts escape their intellectual enslavement, intent on taking the Empire down using any method possible, not the least of which were their great analytical minds. Bryder was well-suited for this task, a chaos agent with laser-sharp instincts, a grudge against the Empire, and contacts with rebels throughout the Empire. But Nayna was the one they'd really have to watch out for.
Easy Prey by
Series: Randian Empire. Price: Free! Words: 20,030. Language: English. Published: February 17, 2018 . Categories: Fiction » Anthologies » Short stories - single author, Fiction » Science fiction » Space opera
Three short prequel stories for Ideal Insurgent, but these stories can stand on their own. Find out how Bryder meets Nayna, Bryder meets Damon, and what makes Nayna so damn special, especially paired up with Bryder.
Legacy by
Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 132,590. Language: English. Published: August 4, 2017 . Categories: Fiction » Anthologies » Short stories - single author, Fiction » Fantasy » Short stories
Life brings setbacks to us all, but the suffering does not define us. Our choices do. We are who we choose to become.Some stories introduce new and unforgettable characters, while others offer new glimpses into the personal histories of characters familiar to readers of Stephanie Barr's novels. All focus on those who refused to bow their heads to fate and instead forged their own futures.
Curse of the Jenri by
Series: Jenri World. Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 138,910. Language: English. Published: January 28, 2017 . Categories: Fiction » Fantasy » Epic, Fiction » Fantasy » General
(4.00 from 1 review)
Finally, a Sword & Sorcery epic like it ought to be: manly hero who swings a massive sword and stumbles into spells, lovely wife who can kick his ass, a fleet of fiery and fierce compatriots, dastardly villains with vile intents, even griffons, all that and a dragonet. Oh, and six kittens. Because every manly man needs kittens, right? RIGHT?!?
Musings of a Nascent Poet by
Price: Free! Words: 39,430. Language: English. Published: December 15, 2014 . Categories: Poetry » Epic
What do you call poetry that rhymes, has rhythm, tells stories (accessible to normal people not just intelligentsia) and runs longer than 20 lines, sometimes far longer? Unsellable in today's market. Also charming, thought-provoking, evocative, even brilliant, the kind of stuff that, if written 150 years ago, would have been taught to you in school. But written today. Sort of.
Saving Tessa by
Series: Chroz Industries. Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 101,380. Language: English. Published: November 19, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Romance » Sci-fi, Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure
In 2045, smart tech is everywhere and the teenage prodigy Dylan Chroz is the best. But being the best means being in demand sometimes by any means necessary. So what do you do when they steal your girl to make you perform? Do what they want? Or do you outsmart them and do your damnedest to smoke out every one of them so they never can do this again? That is, if Tessa doesn't beat you to it.
Nine Lives by
Series: The Bete, Book 2. Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 99,680. Language: English. Published: September 15, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Science Fiction, Fiction » Science fiction » Adventure
Laren's "perfect" foster brother had no business getting sick with a deadly, and potentially contagious, disease just when the other colony was taken over by humans that hated the shapeshifters (Bete). Or when Darma was showing signs of Bete powers when she wasn't riling Laren up in ten different ways. What they needed now was a cool clear head. Who would have guessed it would be his?
Beast Within by
Series: The Bete, Book 1. Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 104,720. Language: English. Published: June 30, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Young adult or teen » Fantasy
When a spaceship filled with teenage refugees ends up stranded on a strange planet, few would guess that there were those aboard as strange as anything they would find. The shapeshifting Bete hidden among the rest are driven to hide their talents when those same talents may mean survival. In the end, what makes a beast? An animal shape? A touch of magic? Or a paranoid mind?
Tarot Queen by
Series: Tarot Queen. Price: $4.99 USD. Words: 99,310. Language: English. Published: May 15, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Romance » Fantasy
A talented diviner leaves her home of four centuries to find a cure for the demon who woos her, only to find his demonic condition is the least of their many worries. Despite his many capabilities, she will have to depend on her own talents, skills and ingenuity far more than anyone ever envisioned.
Conjuring Dreams or Learning to Write by Writing by
Price: Free! Words: 72,200. Language: English. Published: April 9, 2014 . Categories: Fiction » Anthologies » Short stories - single author
(5.00 from 1 review)
Magic-wielders, shape-shifters, mermaids, empaths and diviners and even teddy bears and computer programmers wander through 26 stories, written into life for situations thought-provoking, compelling or absurd.

Stephanie Barr's tag cloud

action    action adventure    adventure    alien insects    alien invasion    aliens    animal mc    bete world    biology    castle    cat    cat lovers    cat magic    cats    character driven    characterdriven    charity    children    classic    comedy    cooking    crime    current events    deaf and disabled    demons    divination    divinination    domestic abuse    drag queen    drag queens    dragon    dragons    epic fantasy    espionage    eva    fantasy    fantasy romance    fate    feminism    friendship    genius    ghosts    golems    halloween    horror    humanism    humor    interdimensional    intrigue    legends    library    literature    lycanthropy    lyric    mage    magic    magic cat    magic clothing    magical cats    mermaids    modern magic    mythology    myths    necromancy    netherworld    new york    novella    novels    oracles    orbital mechanics    paranormal romance    phoenix    portals    precognition    prequel    psychic power    racial tension    reincarnation    rhyme and rhythm    rocket science    romance    rome    save the world    science    science fantasy    science fiction    scotland    sexual innuendo    sexual situations    shapeshifter    shapeshifters    shapeshifting    short stories    short story collection    smart female protagonist    smart heroine    sorcery    space    space colonoization    space opera    space travel    spaceships    special olympics    speculative    stories    storytelling    strong female protagonist    strong female protagonists    survivalist adventure    sword and sorcery    tarot    technology    telepathic cats    time travel    urban fantasy    urban fiction    valkyrie    vampires    violence    weddings    wish fulfillment    witches    young adult    zombies