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Who am I and Why Do I Write?

Lisa H. Owens
Member: The Author's Guild since 2020
Member: Writer's League of Texas since 2021
Inclusion in: Who's Who of Emerging Writers 2021 
Featured: Black Ink Fiction's Women in Horror [February, 2022]​
Visit: Author Page on Amazon
Visit: Author Page on Spillwords
​​Visit: Author Page on The World of Myth Magazine
Visit: Author Page on Reedsy

Podcasts 

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"The Haunting of a Cracked Window," Creepy Pod's 31 Days of Horror [Episode: October 6, 2022 beginning at 18:40] photo Creepy Pod home page
Anthologies Available for Purchase!
See Lisa H. Owens \ Author Page on Amazon
Read excerpts of each story here.
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"Christmas in Four Parts," "Thank You for Choosing BOSSJourneys," and "Digging to China." [Available on Amazon]
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"A Symphony of Plastic Recorders" [Available on Amazon]
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Episode 18 - by Lisa H. Owens [Available on Amazon]
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A Love Letter To..."Granddaddy" [Available on Amazon]
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"Haleakala: House of the Sun" [Available on Amazon]
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"Nothing Says Love Like a Handmade Card" [Available on Amazon]
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"Bella-Strange" [Available on Amazon]
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"Maneuvering an Air Pocket" [Available on Amazon]
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"Was it Just a Dream?" [Available on Amazon]
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Journeys II: Out of the World - "Wanderlust" & "Murray the Martian's Mission" & "Reaching for Stars" & "An Endless Christmas Eve" [Available on Amazon]
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Thuggish Itch: By the Seaside - "Uncle Flappy's Boats and Bait" [Available on Amazon]
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"When It's Your Birthday and All You Want is a Hot Dog on a Stick" [Available on Amazon]
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"When Someone's Trash Becomes Your Treasure" [Available on Amazon]
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Timber Ghost Press: Out of Time - "The Hall with Seven Doors" [Available on Amazon]
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"An Ode To Cigarettes" [Available on Amazon]
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"Purple" [Available on Amazon]
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Ruby Winner: "Bella-Strange" [Available on Amazon]
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"Jambo's Revenge" & "Unique Opportunity: BYO Animals," & "Coming Soon: New Exhibit at the Zoo" [Available on Amazon]
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"Be My Frankenstein" [Available on Amazon]
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"Birds Just Wanna Have Fun" part of The Night of the Killer Flamingo Series [Available on Amazon]
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"The Last Storyteller" [Available on Amazon]
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"Chuck" [Available on Amazon]
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"When the Nail Lady is Sketchy AF" & "Viva Las Vegas, Baby" & "The Cost of Winning" [Available on Amazon]
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"A Macabre Easter Tradition," "Spring Cleaning" & "Hare-y Roadside Assistance" [Available on Amazon]
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"The Haunting of a Cracked Window" [Available on Amazon]
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"The Potter and the Clay" & "The Art of Sculpting a Face" [Available on Amazon]
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Horror Anthology: "Apartment Number 609," "Cupid's Last Delivery," "Nothing Says Love Like a Handmade Card," & "The Hunt" [Available on Amazon]
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"The Odd Trial of the Gaffer" [Available on Amazon]
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"The Potter and the Clay" [Available on Amazon]
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"A Story Told a Thousand Times" [Available on Amazon]
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"Love and a Three-Layer Cake" [Available on Amazon]
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"Her Chair" [Available on Amazon]
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"We're All Broken Here" [Available on Amazon]
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"The Curse of the Draw" [Available on Amazon]
Anthologies Coming Soon!
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That Time Wyatt Robbed an Innocent Cactus & A Senior Varsity Linebacker's Gridiron Hoax & He Became a Missionary for the Wrong Reasons [Release TBD]
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Beware the Thylarctos Plummetus Tour & Magnetic Eyes & Analysing a Film [release scheduled for December 2023]
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"Tinsel Bombs," "Cookie Dust," "Reindeer Games" & "Sally's Stocking" [release scheduled for November 2023]
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The Robin's Extraordinary Spring: three-parts [Release TBD]
PictureLisa H. Owens [p. 153-154}
History: I was born in Burlington, North Carolina in 1961, the tail-end of the generation known as the Baby Boomers. Growing up, my family moved around—a lot. I attended a total of nine schools-in six cities-in four states before my first year of college in 1980.

Following a gap year, I moved to Oklahoma to attend college, graduating from the University of Oklahoma in 1984 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education. Not able to land a job in my chosen profession in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, I began a 25-year career as a flight attendant with Delta Airlines, retiring in 2009.

Even before fully retiring, I started a new career working for an environmental corporation in Tarrant County Texas founded by my husband shortly after we married in 1987. It has been a welcome change of pace and affords me the flexibility necessary to write and pursue other interests and hobbies.

“By day,” I am an environmental compliance manager, writing as well as editing technical reports. The creation of job-specific Excel spreadsheets and GAEA Winlog Soil Borings, something I approach with gusto, has earned me the coveted title of nerd among my office peers.

"By night," (and weekends) I can be found at my home in North Texas sending out queries for my recently completed first book or writing short stories inspired by numerous moves when I was a child—from north to south and east to west—with my oddball family. A number of these stories (24) were published, beginning in April 2018 in the form of monthly columns for two local area newspapers. Currently, on a freelance basis, my work has been published on The World of Myth Magazine, Beneath the Surface News, International Lockdown Journal, WOW! Women on Writing, The Muffin, Spillwords, Short Story Avenue , Dark Nowhere, Short Story Town, My New Zealand Dream and Coping Magazine. My monthly column essays are in archived hard copy with the Stephenville Empire-Tribune and the Glen Rose Reporter.  A couple of honors as a writer (and super validating), are that my bio was included in "Who's Who of Emerging Writers 2021," and I was featured as one of many Women in Horror on Black Ink Fiction in February, 2022.

Writing: My interest in the written word began at a young age. I guess I have always had a love affair with books and began to read many of the classics (Little Women, Mark Twain, Oliver Twist, The Call of the Wild, Don Quixote, Treasure Island, The Iliad, The Odyssey, and Gulliver's Travels to name a few) as early as third grade (1969) when my Daddy would drop me at my hometown public library in Graham, North Carolina almost every Saturday. I would occupy myself for hours reading, curled on the floor with a stack of books by my side. I always considered books to be my educational babysitter. 

My love of reading inspired me to try my hand at writing, beginning in fifth grade when I won a school-wide essay contest at Graham Elementary School with my submission titled, Why I Love My School. Continuing in high school, I won a class-wide songwriting contest, creating an original Christmas Carol, Christmas Time is Here Again. Following the creation of a musical score (also created by my classmates), the song was performed at our annual Christmas Chorale Performance.

Moving forward to keep things fresh, I love to challenge myself by entering online nonfiction and flash fiction contests or taking inspiration from writing prompt or image prompt challenges. Many have been published on literary ezines. Most recently, I completed my debut novel, an epistolary memoir, during the year of the pandemic, 2020; and have been working on a children's illustrated book inspired by my personality challenged rescue dog, Fred. Lastly, five of my short stories/poems were chosen to appear in three anthologies in 2021 and my profile was selected to appear in "Who's Who of Emerging Writers 2021." 2021 and 2022 (thus far) have been fantastically creative years, as you can see! (All highlighted below.)

Home life: I have two children. My daughter, born in 1987, was a news editor and an award-winning journalist for two North Texas newspapers for several years and now works for a translation service corporation. She is also a gifted musician, a weekend volleyball enthusiast and avid planner of weekend-with-friends activities. My son, born in 1989, is working in an executive position for a Fortune 500 company in Boston, Massachusetts. He loves to travel, having already created a bucket list of places to see, and is an outdoor-sport enthusiast, participating in a variety of weekend activities and adventures.

I can often be found at home, in the North Texas county in which I have resided since 1995, working, writing, swimming, gardening, reading, painting, binge-watching one of many binge-worthy television series, or walking through a nearby park with my two rescue dogs.

Thank you for visiting my website. I hope you are able to find some of my musings of interest and may they bring a smile to your lips.

WIP Manuscripts:
  • Dear Melinda, How I Met Your Brother: a humorous epistolary memoir describing my first year as a  new-hire flight attendant.  [manuscript 2020 - Editor: Chelsey Clammer]   
​       Status: On Hold - Publisher and Literary Agent Progress: 1 Contest Entry [not a finalist] / 29 Queries / 8 Rejections by Traditional Publishers / 2 Contract Offers by Vanity Presses / 0 Responses from Agents [as of December, 2021]
  • Fred is Grumpy: an illustrated book geared toward preschool children inspired by my personality challenged rescue dog, Fred.       [work in progress]                                                   
​        Status: On Hold - Publisher and Literary Agent Progress: 1 Contest Entry / 2 Queries - 0 Responses [as of September, 2021]

Books and Anthologies - Published:
  • ​Who's Who of Emerging Writers 2021: inclusion as one of 128 selected authors [p. 153-154] - published by Steve Lester Carr and Sweetycat Press. [Now available on Amazon.]
  • The Whole Wide World Anthology: inclusion as one of 80 international authors in a compilation mystery thriller solving the case of the missing   Limp Noodle Sauce Recipe - published by Steve Lester Carr and Sweetycat Press. [Now available on Amazon.]
  • Journeys (The Writer's Journey Blog Anthology): inclusion as one of 42 international authors in a compilation of multi-genre "journey" themed stories - published by Elaine Marie Carnegie and Barrio Blues Press (proceeds to be donated to Doctors Without Borders). Christmas in Four Parts, Thank You for Choosing BOSSJourneys, Digging to China. [Now available on Amazon.]
  • Around the World: Landscapes & Cityscapes: inclusion as one of 200 selected authors in this poetry anthology, a compilation of places holding special memories. Haleakala: House of the Sun - published by Steve Lester Carr and Sweetycat Press.  [Now available on Amazon]
  • Love Letters (or Poems) to...: inclusion as one of 200 international authors in this anthology comprised of letters and poems to special people. Dear Granddaddy - published by Steve Lester Carr and Sweetycat Press.  [Now available on Amazon.]
  • Stories & Poems in the Song of Life: inclusion as one of 175 international authors in this music-themed anthology. A Symphony of Plastic Recorders - published by Steve Lester Carr and Sweetycat Press.  [Now available on Amazon.]
  • Beautiful: In the Eye of the Beholder: inclusion as one of 200 international authors in this anthology comprised of short stories and poems related to beauty. Bella-Strange - published by Steve Lester Carr and Sweetycat Press. [Now available on Amazon.] ​
  • Heartless Anthology: inclusion in this anti-Valentine's Day anthology filled with 100-word tales of love gone wrong. Nothing Says Love Like a Handmade Card. - published by Black Ink Fiction [Now Available on Amazon]
  • Poetica #4: inclusion as one of 32 worldwide authors in this anthology comprised of a variety of poems. An Ode to Cigarettes - published by Grant P. Hudson and Clarendon House Publications. [Now Available on Amazon]​
  • Poetica #5: inclusion as one of 32 worldwide authors in this anthology comprised of a variety of poems. Purple - published by Grant P. Hudson and Clarendon House Publications. [Now Available on Amazon]
  • ​Poetic #7: inclusion as one of 30 worldwide authors in this anthology comprised of a variety of poems. Was is Just a Dream? - published by Grant P. Hudson and Clarendon House Publications. [Now Available of Amazon]
  • ​Poetica #12: inclusion as one of 39 worldwide authors in this anthology comprised of a variety of poems. Her Chair - published by Grant P. Hudson and Clarendon House Publications. [Now Available on Amazon]
  • Poetica #13: inclusion as one of 35 worldwide authors in this anthology comprised of a variety of poems. We're All Broken Here - published by Grant P. Hudson and Clarendon House Publications. [Now Available on Amazon]
  • Thuggish Itch: By the Seaside: inclusion as one of many international authors in this seaside-themed horror anthology. Uncle Flappy's Boats and Bait - published by Gypsum Sound Tales [Now Available on Amazon]
  • Movement: Our Bodies in Action: inclusion as one of over 200 international authors in this anthology comprised of short stories and poems related to movement. Maneuvers in an Air Pocket - published by Steve Lester Carr and Sweetycat Press. [Now Available on Amazon]
  • Galaxy #5: inclusion in an Inner Circle Writers' Group Science Fiction and Fantasy Anthology - When It's Your Birthday and All You Want is a Hot Dog on a Stick - published by Grant P. Hudson and Clarendon House Publications. [Now Available on Amazon]
  • Galaxy #7: inclusion in an Inner Circle Writers' Group Science Fiction and Fantasy Anthology - Be My Frankenstein - published by Grant P. Hudson and Clarendon House Publications. [Now Available on Amazon]
  • Galaxy #9: inclusion in an Inner Circle Writers' Group Science Fiction and Fantasy Anthology - The Last Storyteller - published by Grant P. Hudson and Clarendon House Publications. [Now Available on Amazon]
  • Galaxy #10: inclusion in an Inner Circle Writers' Group Science Fiction and Fantasy Anthology - The Odd Trial of the Gaffer - published by Grant P. Hudson and Clarendon House Publications. [Now Available on Amazon]
  • Galaxy #12: inclusion in an Inner Circle Writers' Group Science Fiction and Fantasy Anthology - The Curse of the Draw - published by Grant P. Hudson and Clarendon House Publications​www.amazon.com/dp/B0CJXBHR83?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details. [Now Available on Amazon]
  • Jewels in the Queen's Crown Best of the Best Anthology: inclusion with a Ruby Award story alongside 171 winning stories in this "best of the best stories published by Sweetycat Press" - magical realism story, Bella-Strange. [Now Available on Amazon]
  • ZooAnthology: inclusion as one of 200 international authors in this anthology dedicated to a chance encounter with an animal – a farm, at the zoo, in the ocean, trekking through the woods, or on safari. When Someone's Trash Becomes Your Treasure -published by Steve Lester Carr and Sweetycat Press. [Now vailable on Amazon]
  • Journeys II: Out of this World Anthology: inclusion as one of many international authors in an Out of This World themed anthology about some type of Journey that could not happen to you in everyday life. Anything from a dream to another planet, including any Journey that would not be likely to occur in everyday life! - published by Elaine Marie Carnegie and Barrio Blues Press (proceeds to be donated to the Reach Out and Read Foundation). Murray the Martian's Mission - a poem, Wanderlust - a 100-word drabble and Reaching for Stars - a magical realism short story. [Now available on Amazon]
  • The Animal Cage Anthology: inclusion as one of many authors in this anthology dedicated to things gone awry at the zoo or circus or anywhere animals, real or monstrous creations, may inhabit. Jambo's Revenge: part-one, Unique Opportunity: BYO Animals: part-two and Coming Soon: New Exhibit at "The Zoo" - published by Black Ink Fiction. [Now available on Amazon]
  • Out of Time: True Paranormal Encounters: inclusion as one of 26 authors in this anthology dedicated to true ghost stories. The Hall with Seven Doors - published by Timber Ghost Press [Now available on Amazon]
  • ​Unwelcomed: Stories of Hauntings and Possessions: inclusion as one of many authors in this fiction anthology dedicated to univited ghouls. The Haunting of a Cracked Window - published by Zombie Works Publishing [Now available on Amazon]
  • The Gift: inclusion as one of 200 international authors in this anthology dedicated to holiday gifts. The good the bad the ugly. The joy, the sadness, the horror. Anything goes. Chuck - published by Steve Lester Carr and Sweetycat Press. [Now available on Amazon]
  • WTF An Anthology of Horror Volume 2: inclusion as one of twenty-one authors (the sole woman author) in this second in a series of horror anthologies (the first: Symphony of the Damned Volume 1). The Potter and the Clay and The Art of Scuplting a Face - published by TroyAnthony Schermer and Savage Realms Press. (warning: explicit graphic content) [Now available on Amazon]
  • Encore: inclusion as one of 83 international poets in this special "by invitation only" charity poetry anthology. The Cost of Winning, When the Nail Lady is Sketchy AF and Viva Las Vegas, Baby! - pulished by Jimmy Broccoli and All proceeds wil be donated to PALS (Pets are Loving Support) [Available on Amazon]
  • Year Four: Dark Moments & Patreon: a cumulation of all the nano-tales published in the Black Hare Press Dark Moments online archive, and all the tales published on Patreon during 2022. Birds Just Wanna Have Fun part of the Night of the Killer Flamingos.
  • Love Me, Love Me Not: inclusion in this horror anthology devoted to love gone awry. The Hunt, Cupid's Last Delivery, Nothing Says Love Like a Handmade Card (reprint) and Apartment Number 609 - published by Black Hare Press Dark Drabbles. [Available on Amazon]
  • Run Rabbit Run: Dark Drabbles: inclusion as one of many internationally published authors in this anthology of horror where no one is safe from the bunny rabbits. A Macabre Easter Tradition, Spring Cleaning and Hare-y Roadside Assistance - published by Black Hare Press and Patreon. [Now Available on Amazon.]
  • ​Midsummer Madness 2023 Anthology: inclusion in this creative writing anthology published biannualy by a Northern Ireland based Indie publisher. It features poetry and fiction that is experimental, offbeat and one of a kind. A Story Told a Thousand Times - published by Heavenly Flower Publishing and Bindweed Magazine. [Now available on Amazon]
  • Land of 10,000 Nightmares: Minnesota Tales of Terror: inclusion in this anthology dedicated to the U.S. state, Minnesota, and its many tales of terror. The Potter and the Clay - published by Joe Pawlowski Publishing [Now Available on Amazon]
  • No One Should Kiss a Frog: Love Gone Wrong Anthology: inclusion as one of many authors from around the world writing to the theme of "love gone wrong." Love and a Three-Layer Cake - published by C.A. MacKenzie and MacKenzie Publishing

Books and Anthologies - Coming Soon:
  • 42 Stories: Answers to the Universe in 42 Words: inclusion as one of 1,764 authors in this anthology of 1,764 forty-two word stories in the vein of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy's" speculation on the number 42 as it pertains to the meaning of life, the universe and everything. That Time Wyatt Robbed an Innocent Cactus (western-themed), A Senior Varsity Linebacker's Gridiron Hoax (sports-themed) and He Became a Missionary for all the Wrong Reasons (Indigenous-themed)  -  published by B.A. Mullin and the 42 stories anthology team [work in progress - release TBD]
  • Daily Flights of Fantasy: inclusion in this fantasy themed anthology dedicated to flying. "The Robin's Extraordinary Spring: in three parts" - published by Iron Faerie Publishing. [work in progress - release TBD]
  • Year Five: ​Dark Moments & Patreon: inclusion in a culmination of all the nano-tales published in the Dark Moments online archive, and all the tales published on Patreon during 2023. Beware the Thylarctos Plummetus Tour, Magnetic Eyes and Analysing a Film - published by Black Hare Press Dark Moments.  [Pre-order on Amazon]
  • Ho Ho Ho: Macabre Minama: inclusion as one of many international authors in this anthology of terrifying Holiday micro-tales of horror. "Tinsel Bombs," "Cookie Dust," "Reindeer Games" and "Sally's Stocking" - published by Black Hare Press Dark Drabbles [release schedulued for November 2023]

Nominations: Awards: ​
E-Zine Publications:​ Narrations / Podcasts: Author Interviews:
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Daughter Autumn Playing Volleyball in Texas [2020]
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Autumn - "A Little Nighttime Guitar" [2020]
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Son Al Snowboarding in New Hampshire [2019]
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Al - Kyoto Japan "Learning the Art of the Samurai" [2019]