The RV Book Fair 2026: Interview with Mandy Eve-Barnett

You write across many genres, from children's books and fantasy to young adult and adult fiction. What inspires you to explore so many different storytelling styles, and how do you decide which genre best fits a new idea?

I find exploring different genres and discovering the technicalities of each one a thrill. It is a personal challenge to see if I can accomplish recognition within a specific genre and cater to the expectations of that genre’s readers. It is also a learning curve to enhance my writing skills and develop my art. Stories lend themselves to a particular genre and age group as I write them, it becomes apparent as the characters, situations and plot develop. Other times I decide on a genre just because it interests me, such as my steam punk novel, The Commodore’s Gift. The genre was new and growing and it intrigued me. After all, if you don’t try you will never know.

Your novel, "The Twesome Loop”, blends the past and present through its characters' journeys. What inspired this story, and what do you hope readers will take away from it?

The idea came from my fascination with reincarnation, which began many years ago when I was nursing. Several incidents led me to read numerous books and research papers on the subject. The past and present characters have similar character traits and these are carried from one life to another. They all have unfinished business and need to correct past problems. As for the take away for readers, I would say it is to recognize our faults, without judgment, so you can rehabilitate and better ourselves. After all karma always wins, sooner or later.

You've published more than a dozen books while also working as a freelance writer, editor, and advocate for authors. How do you balance your own creative projects with helping otherswriters succeed?

I think the easy answer is I’m an OCD organizer! I have weekly and monthly calendars, set deadlines, cell phone alerts and a passion for the written word and the writing community as a whole. Once a story idea comes to me though, I become totally absorbed in it and can write for hours. The characters, setting and plot are pictures in my head just like a movie. I see all, hear all in that world and follow my characters lead.

For me encouraging and mentoring other writers is my way of giving back as without the support of my writing group I would not have written anything at all! Being a community advocate expands my reach to writers and readers alike.

Your stories often include themes of love, mystery, hope, and personal transformation. Why are these themes so meaningful to you as an author?

I have experienced these themes in my life and can pull from those experiences to give depth to my narratives. Love is universal but many people do not realize it is not just romantic love. We feel strongly for relatives, friends, places and the natural world – love is the power that brings about togetherness as well as action. Coupled with this is hope for the future of our future generations and the world they will live in. It is a cliché but life is a mystery – we do not what the future will bring or how it will affect us. Personally, I have transformed from shy schoolgirl, to independent youth, to strong and determined adult. We all change as life gives us struggles and joys, it is what makes us unique so I believe everyone can relate to my stories in one way or another.

You were born in South Africa, raised in England, and now live in Canada. How have your travels and life experiences influenced the worlds and characters you create?

In a word – massively! From drums beats and heat, to ancient sites and lush landscapes, to vast prairies and magnificent mountains – all of these culminate into a rich source of characters and settings for my narratives. Knowledge through learning and physical experience gives me a reliable but endless treasure chest to draw from and use. For example, I have walked through medieval castles and buildings so can relay the essence of someone existing in them to create my fantasy trilogy, The Rython Kingdom, Rython Legacy and Malgraf’s Dawning.

You're very active in the literary community, hosting writers' groups and mentoring fellow authors. What have those experiences taught you about the writing journey?

On a basic level, I see how everyone’s writing comes from a truly personal perspective. This is obvious when my group writes a quick response to a prompt; everyone’s answer is different. It is how our minds work and how we apply our inner source of individual knowledge to create. Writers need to realize their voice is like no other and that is their power.

Many of your novels feature unforgettable settings that feel almost like characters themselves. How important is place when you're developing a new story?

Without a real sense of time and place a reader is adrift with the characters. No one is floating freely in a void. Readers need to know where these people live, what their surroundings are like, who they encounter and what difficulties these pose. I feel settings are as important as the characters; when we know where they are we can picture them in our minds eye.

After writing in so many genres, has there been a book that challenged you more than the others? What made it such a memorable experience?

The Twesome Loop was a challenge as it covered two time periods, something I had not written before. I had to ensure my readers recognized the main characters in each era by their personalities and their actions. I also staggered the chapters from past to present and back again. To accomplish this I printed the entire manuscript and laid it out on the living room floor after banishing my family, then set about ensuring the past and present characters aligned throughout the novel.

What advice would you give to authors who are just beginning their publishing journey?

To have a book published is certainly a writing career high, but if you expect global recognition and mountains of cash, I’m afraid to say, you will be disappointed. Go into the process with realistic goals. Congratulate yourself on being a published author and that your book will be your legacy. Research publishers thoroughly, there are too many scammers out there unfortunately. Make sure your story matches a) what they publish and are asking for b) conforms to the genre expectations c) you are NOT asked for money unless it is a specific tasks, such as editing d) read the submission guidelines carefully and adhere to them e) be patient – replies can take six months or more.

What exciting projects are you currently working on, and what can readers look forward to next?

My twelfth novel, The Giving Thief will be released this month. It is a suspense/coming of age narrative about a young man whose dreary and bullied life is changed irrevocably by a drastic incident. His choices lead him to a life far from normal and the realization he is far more capable than he ever thought.

Mandy Eve-Barnett is an Edmonton Best Seller, multi-genre author, writing children’s, YA and adult books. With eleven books published since 2011, and another nine in various stages of completion, her writing life is full. This does not include her writing in numerous anthologies and magazines, and a variety of non-fiction projects through her freelance business, as well as presenter and panelist positions at various writing conferences and judging writing contests.

Mandy draws on over 16 years experience as a multi-genre author, freelance writer and writing community advocate. She is the current Secretary of The Writers Foundation of Strathcona County and Scouting Manager for Relatable Media. She hosts the local Writers Circle monthly meeting and creates weekly writing prompts for the WFSC website.

Mandy has been blogging since 2010 and the blog has visitors from 209 countries.

Find out more at www.mandyevebarnett.com.

Interview published in The Relatable Voice Magazine - The RV Book Fair 2026 - Special. Download the full magazine for free at The RV Book Fair | Relatable Media.