Meet author Elizabeth Renich
Susan loves connecting with fellow authors, so let’s chat!
Elizabeth Renich has written four Civil War novels, worked for two NFL teams, and visited all fifty United States of America. International travels have found her in Germany, Japan, Ireland, Israel, Scotland, and England. She hunts historical markers and shares hope as an ovarian cancer survivor. Her love of photography is evident as she documents research trips and life, giving glory to God for the great things He has done.
Tell us about your newest (re-)release.
I have recently re-released my Shadowcreek Chronicles (Word of Honor, Matter of Trust, Not Without Courage, Strength and Glory) as 25th Anniversary editions, and while the inside remains the same, the new covers are lovely! It’s my belief that history shouldn’t change, and so having the chance to re-release them with updated “faces” let’s the history and learning continue. I have a 3rd generation reader and was recently contacted by an author who told me she grew up on my books and in doing so was inspired to write for herself, and so she did.
What inspired you to write your story?
I was approached by a publisher and asked to write a historical novel for them. When I told a friend, she dared me to follow through. One book ended up turning into a four-book series.
What genre do you focus on.
I write historical fiction. My first series was set during the Civil War. There is so much more than what is taught in school and I wanted to share what I learned with others. I was born in California, and I made it a point to go find out what happened in my state during the Civil War. I’ve threaded that information throughout the series.
Why do you write?
I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing something. Little stories. Silly poems. I worked on both the newspaper and yearbook staffs in high schooled. I journaled. Now I write elaborate captions for photo books of my research trips. I write because I have been encouraged to do so, and I thank God for giving me words.
Who is your main character, and how did you choose that name?
Salina Rose Hastings (Barnes becomes her last name once she marries her beau)
I’m not entirely certain what inspired her name, it was just there, right from the beginning. My Salina is a 16-year-old Confederate spy who was inspired by real-life Confederate ladies who nursed in hospitals, smuggled medicine and mail, took pot shots at enemy soldiers, aided escaped prisoners, supplied food and shelter to Mosby’s Rangers, and forwarded messages containing critical information to military commanders: Belle Boyd, Amanda “Tee” Edmonds, Antonia Ford, Rose O’Neal Greenhow, Roberta Pollack, Laura Ratcliff, and Kate Sperry.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing a book?
I hold a “real job” 40 hours a week, Monday-Friday. Writing happens whenever I can get it in during the rest of my waking hours. If I’ve been on a research trip, I take notebook, phone/camera, and laptop with me so as I can get ideas recorded while they are fresh.
What is the hardest part of being an author?
The hardest part is that it’s not just writing. In addition to researching, there’s marketing, signings, designing, collaborating, social media, sales, taxes, business… It’s a second job that never seems to have enough hours to get all I want to get accomplished done. I couldn’t do all the peripheral without my support team, including my agent, encouraging me.
What’s the best part of your author’s life?
When someone (in person or in a book review) says, “I learned so much from your story! I never knew that before.” This is true of historical and faith-based details.
What’s one thing your readers should know about you?
I’m very particular about the details I include in my stories and historical accuracy is very important to me. I have to put away my soapbox when it occasionally sneaks out. I try not to drive more than 12 hours in a day to reach or return home from a research trip. (That’s more than one thing… too many words—ha!)
How have you changed or grown as a writer?
From the time I initially wrote my Shadowcreek Chronicles (the first two were written in Microsoft Works and turned in on 3.5” floppy disks!) to the Track Changes feature we use now, technology is a night and day difference. Personally, I came through chemo treatments for ovarian cancer and so since then, my brain processes things differently than it used to.
What is your favorite pastime?
When I have the time, I love creating photo books on Shutterfly. I also love to read, watch football, and get in the Jeep and go drive to something historical (library, museum, battlefield…).
Do you have other books? We’d love to know.
I have the four Shadowcreek Chronicles (Word of Honor, Matter of Trust, Not Without Courage, Strength and Glory) and I was also published in a non-fiction collection called She Writes for Him: Stories of Living Hope. My submission was Chapter Four, called “Cancer is a Team Sport.”
What are you working on now?
After thinking I was done with writing and through being an author, a few years ago a different friend challenged me to start again—and pick a different time period. My new project starts after Pontiac’s Rebellion (1763) and will make its way through the years leading up to and through the American Revolution. (First book in the new series is set for a June 2025 release – stay tuned for title and cover reveal, newsletter subscribers will be notified first.) Going back in time another hundred years has been a whole new learning experience! The thing that proved a lightbulb moment for me was the fact we were all British until 1776.
Website: Https://telizabethrenich.com
Link to book: Amazon – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DDLH3H5Q?binding=paperback&searchxofy=true&ref_=dbs_s_aps_series_rwt_tpbk&qid=1738522470&sr=8-1
Social media links:
Instagram: @telizabethrenich
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/telizabethshadowcreekbooks
Facebook Group Page (Co-hosted with author Laura Frantz): https://www.facebook.com/groups/305339915561627
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