Biography – Monica Goertzen Hertlein, author of romantasy, science fiction, women’s fiction, fantasy, speculative fiction
Monica’s Story
My Story
Introvert, cat lover, accountant, writer.
I always loved reading. I wanted to be a writer as far back as I remember, but never thought writing was a real job. So I dabbled with pen and paper and on my Apple IIc (aw, the joy of floppy disks) but took it no further.
In 2014, I began writing again. I shared several works online before finally committing to words the stories I had enjoyed in my head for decades (I still have an early handwritten chapter of one novel circa 1993).
I was thrilled to receive Honourable Mention from the Writers and Illustrators of the Future for a short story in 2022Q1 and even more excited to receive a Silver Honourable Mention in 2023Q1. I am proud to have been invited twice to read from my work at a farewell event for a Saskatoon library Writer-in-Residence (this program is a wonderful gift to the local writing community). My short story entries in the Saskatoon Writers’ Club contests won 2nd place followed by two 1st place awards. In 2023 and 2024, I sold eight stories (and met my goal of over 100 rejections) plus the beginning of my novel Hideaway was published in Embark.
My next goal is to publish a novel. Three of my six completed manuscripts are ready for final edits. While I hope to be traditionally published, I am prepared (and even a little excited) to independently publish.
I don’t have a favourite author or book because there are so many I’ve enjoyed. A few of the big ones are classics like Silas Marner, Pride and Prejudice, and Jane Eyre, as well as recent books such as The Martian and Legends and Lattes. I enjoy Becky Chambers, Barbra Hambly, Sharon Green, Mercedes Lackey, C.J. Cherryh, Valerie Sherwood, Johanna Lindsey, Margaret Laurence, and Lois McMaster Bujold. I really love Mary Stewart’s Merlin series and Melisa C. Michaels’s Skyrider series.
Thanks for being interested enough to read this! I use she/her pronouns if you want to get in touch.
~Monica
Wife. Mother. Runner. Lutheran. Fangirl. Reader. Sociologist.