The World of Myth Magazine

Well, here we are at issue #101 and I am still here moseying about, I know, I am surprised as you are! So, the word came down from the powers that I was charged with another interview assignment. I felt like I have overplayed my Where Are They Now, angle and wanted to put a list together of people that I wanna chat with before I A) get the boot or B) I have to go back to work. While I have assembled an Avengers sized list (comic book fans will know what I did there), I decide to go straight to the top of that list. As someone who knew the original Editor in Chief back in the day if this were to be my possible last interview I needed to pick today's Editor in Chief's brain.

Yes, today, I sit down with the one and only, she is an author, editor, manager and podcaster, Stephanie J. Bardy.

Welcome to the interview section, I know it looks a bit different, but I'm a filmmaker—so, lairs really aren't my thing. Before we delve into your current stint as the boss of this magazine, I want to pick your brain a little. Find out who, Stephanie is.

C.W. Winter: Unless you are hiding under a rock, we know that you are Canadian. How has working this this magazine, changed your views of Americans?

Stephanie J. Bardy: Well, I suppose I never really had much of an opinion before, other than the ones who think we live in igloos and have snow all year round need to pick up a book and maybe read some. But now, most of the ones I have met are interesting, honest, hardworking people, no different than I am. Except for maybe their spelling.

C.W. Winter: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

Stephanie J. Bardy: I was young. I have always been creative, but I wrote my first short story in 1988 I believe it was, and to be able to create people and personalities, put them in situations and control the outcome? I was hooked.

C.W. Winter: As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?

Stephanie J. Bardy: (Giggles) Depends on how young we are talking. I wanted to be a bird for the longest time. But the prevailing career was teacher. Or secretary.

C.W. Winter: Becoming a member of The World of Myth Family was a part of a business deal to publish your first book. Wanna lead us down memory lane on that?

Stephanie J. Bardy: Oh wow…it's one of my fondest memories. I have a wonderful friend, who didn't really want to read my book, so he dropped it into his friends lap. That friend was David K Montoya. Lucky me! He loved it. He said he was interested in reading it after the modern-day version of the elevator pitch. A group text! I was with my Mom when he told me that. I almost fainted. Then, Labor Day for me, Memorial Day for him, 2018, he messaged me, I was with my Mom again, and he said he wanted to publish my book. I do believe, amongst the screaming, crying, and trying to remember to breath, I did faint. I had to write a story each month for 6 months before he would publish it, so I did. Which, incidentally, turned into another book. And I have loved every moment.

C.W. Winter: Speaking of your first book, how long did it take you to write Eternally Bound?

Stephanie J. Bardy:14 long agonizing years. I wrote the first 9 chapters, lost someone dear to me and put it away. It was a silly dream. I would look at it from time to time. Then one day, I took it back out and decided silly dream or not, it was my dream. I finished it. But from start to finish, it was 14 years 6 months and 17 days.

C.W. Winter: At what point did it all become real for you?

Stephanie J. Bardy: Everyone says when they hold that book in their hand. Yes, at that point I felt like an author, a real writer, but it was when a complete stranger called me at work, to tell me she had read my book in a few hours and had loved it. That she couldn't put it down. A complete stranger! That, for me, made it very real. The first autograph at an event, made it real.

C.W. Winter: I also hear that you are flying to California to sell your books at PCE: ScareFaire?

Stephanie J. Bardy: I am. You have some good sources! I was at the first PCE and was honored to be invited back. I am excited to meet last years OCC winner Walter G Esselman, and to get back to being an author, selling my work.

C.W. Winter: So, at what point did you say to yourself, "I wanna be the editor of this magazine?"

Stephanie J. Bardy: I'm not sure I ever said that. Lol! The previous editor nominated me to be his successor. I was terrified! Totally out of my element and so afraid I would screw up and disappoint those who had faith in me. Good thing I am a quick study!

C.W. Winter: A lot of people, including myself wanna know, as the Editor in Chief, and a member of the Board of Directors, how do you schedule everything when you're writing?

Stephanie J. Bardy: Schedule? I'm supposed to make a schedule? Just kidding. I try and make at least two hours every day to write my own stuff. It doesn't always work, or the words won't always come, but I spend those two hours with my characters. If I get more I am beyond pleased, but I won't settle for less. Sometimes it's with my morning coffee, or at the end of the day with a notebook, a pen, and a comfy spot in my bed. But I put at least two hours in.

C.W. Winter: Since we keep veering back to the writer part of you, what would you say is your interesting writing quirk?

Stephanie J. Bardy: (Laughs out loud) I have a list. But my major ones, music. I have playlists. I have to write to music. I also try to avoid naming my characters after people I know. I have to write the story in order. Drives my best friend crazy. She is always telling me to try and write any scene when I am stuck. I can't. It has to play out in order. I just take notes as I watch it in my head.

C.W. Winter: For those who want to tempt fate, exactly how do books get published?

Stephanie J. Bardy: Tenacity, patience, persistence, and luck. It also helps if you can write. If you can't tell a good story, if you don't have a natural ability to weave a tale, no amount of training or classes will help. Mostly, keep at it, don't give up. Someone out there will be willing to take a chance on you.

C.W. Winter: Interesting to know. Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?

Stephanie J. Bardy: I used to think they were random. Until I started to see things from my childhood that have appeared in my work. An old, rusted schooner that I pass every time I go down Niagara way could have been the influence for Lances job in my first book. A fantasy show inspired my second. I see a line in a poem and boom there is Reese. Inspiration is all around me. I draw from that.

C.W. Winter: Here's a fun question. When did you write your first book and how old were you?

Stephanie J. Bardy: Well that first story could be a small book, and I was 15? 16? But what I consider my first book, I was 46 when I finished it. Yup. That was fun. I was old.

C.W. Winter: What do you like to do when you're not creating?

Stephanie J. Bardy: I like to listen to music. Music is a big part of me. I dance, I sing (badly mind you) I watch movies, or I work on the company. Yes, that is fun for me.

C.W. Winter: I would have said, "sleeping," but anyway… What was one of the most surprising things you learned in writing and editing your stories?

Stephanie J. Bardy: Sleeping? No there is no sleeping allowed. I think it's in my contract. One of the most important things I have learned is, I'm not perfect. I make mistakes and things need to be rewritten. And that's ok. I think admitting that was the hardest and the most important. I am my hardest critic.

C.W. Winter: Okay, here is a two parter. First, how many books have you been published in (Your own and Anthologies)? Second, which is your favorite?

Stephanie J. Bardy: Hmmm, well the answer to the first part would be 8. For the second part, I have two favorites. The Chosen, because I got to watch that story develop in the magazine, and I fell in love with the characters, and the new anthology coming out, Natural Instincts. The story in that is very personal to me.

C.W. Winter: Do you have any suggestions to help our readers become better writers?

Stephanie J. Bardy: Don't limit yourself. Write what you want to write, not what you think people want to read. Practice, learn all you can and hone your skill. Don't be afraid to put yourself out there. Rejection is part of the learning.

C.W. Winter: What do you think makes a good story to you?

Stephanie J. Bardy: Believable characters. No matter the genre, if you can believe in the characters, if you can relate to them, connect with them, that will carry the story. You can have the best descriptive of your world, but if your characters are flat and one dimensional the story will be too.

C.W. Winter: With your time with The World of Myth, what would you say was the most important thing you've learned about yourself?

Stephanie J. Bardy: I'm still learning. I have a strong desire to see people succeed. I want to be part of that process. Someone very special to me taught me that.

C.W. Winter: Since we know that you are an author, an editor, and a podcaster, I will simply ask you to list everything you have going right now.

Stephanie J. Bardy: Besides editing this interview? Right now, I am writing my second book in my trilogy, due out December, working on a series in the magazine, fighting with my suitcase, preparing for next years publishing line up, and contributing to the planning of PCE 2022, and falling in love with life.

C.W. Winter: If any of our readers want to contact you via social media, what outlets can they find you at?

Stephanie J. Bardy: Facebook, just put in my name, Twitter is @LupaB Instagram are @stephaniebardyauthor @darkmythpublications, Lupa's Bits can be found on both as well and I'm on TikTok @ladyluhoo

C.W. Winter: Thank you, again, for your time. Before we sign off, is there anything you would like to say as a parting note to our readers?

Stephanie J. Bardy: Thank you for visiting our little magazine every month. Without you we wouldn't be here. We are, at our core, entertainers, and it is you we entertain. So, thank you.