Please tell our readers a bit about yourself in 50 words or less.
Award-winning author, Joie Lesin is a life-long fiction writer and poet. She is most recently the author of The Passenger (The Wild Rose Press, 2024). She has long been fascinated by anything otherworldly including mermaids and ghosts. Joie writes character-driven, emotional, atmospheric tales about heartache and hope.

What is your board position?
Back in the early 2000s, I was the editor-in-chief of the then FF&P newsletter, Out of this World. After returning to FF&P following time away, I wanted to get involved and thought returning to the newsletter role would be a great way to do so. Not to mention, I enjoy it!

What are you hoping to get out of the board/chapter during your tenure?
I hope to contribute to the board and chapter in a positive way and have fun while doing so.

Do you write full-time or part-time?
After many years of fitting in writing during stolen moments, I now am writing full time.

What brought you to FF &P?
I returned to FF&P, because I missed the camaraderie and being amongst people who have similar imaginations and interests.

What genres do you write?
Magical realism — I am currently writing historical fantasy and soon will be polishing a contemporary fantasy. My stories tend to be cross-genre and do include romantic elements.

Are you traditional, hybrid, or indie published? Why did you go this route?
I am traditionally published. For me, working with a traditional publisher is ideal. While they do the heavy lifting for production and distribution, I can focus my energy on the writing process and the promotion. In addition, I’ve found the chance to collaborate with a top-notch editor at my publishing house is a definite bonus.

Do you have any odd/strange/fascinating rejection stories to share?
There are many odd, strange, fascinating things that have happened in my life. However, none of them are related to the rejections I’ve received on submissions. The ones I’ve received were all run of the mill, everyday rejections.

What is your writing routine like?
When it comes to my day-to-day writing, I tend to go with the flow. I know what I want to accomplish but often find myself going in a different direction. When this happens, I’m not surprised because I’m a puzzler when it comes to both drafting and editing. For me this means I spend a significant amount of time thinking about the story. I tend to work out the story in my head like a problem that needs to be solved. This also means part of my writing routine may look like I am just staring into space, but I am working hard—honestly.

Name three of your favorite sci-fi or fantasy authors.
Diana Wynne Jones, Elizabeth Haydon, and Sara Douglass.

Tell us about your latest release(s) and what’s coming next for you.
My current release is The Passenger, which is a 1940s ghost story set in the California wine country. It tells a tale of family connections, life-changing choices, and love—lost and found.

As for what’s next, I’m working on the final draft of the story that takes place two decades after The Passenger ended. Like its predecessor, it’s a ghost story. What I can share about it now is: It’s 1969 and the ghosts are gathering.

Where can readers find you online?
Website | Bluesky | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook