Saturday Spotlight | Grumpy Old Gods & Author Interview With Juneta Key

In addition to the usual blog posts every Monday and Wednesday about our travel adventures and day-to-day life living aboard a sailboat, I also occasionally post on Saturdays, focusing on things related to writing such as cover reveals, book launches, reviews, interviews with authors etc. So if you're a bit of a book nerd like I am, check in on Saturdays - you never know what might pop up.

Today, I'm featuring an interview with Juneta Key to celebrate the release of Grumpy Old Gods, Volume 2. I'm halfway through this hilarious collection of stories about retired, waning, reborn, and AWOL deities and loving it! It's definitely an anthology well worth checking out, as is the interview below where Juneta shares her thoughts on writing, penguins, and cookies.

Author Interview

1 - What inspired you to write this story?

In order to answer this question, I need to give a little background

This year I and another author engaged in a conversation on a writing forum where we are both members talking about mythology and humorous stories.

We meandered around this topic, and at one point related it to a well-known movie starring Walter Matthew and Jack Lemmon, Grumpy Old Men. We laughed and decided stories about Grumpy Old Gods could be pretty funny and lots of fun to write.

This whole conversation led to us teaming up to create themed anthologies and co-owning Stormdance Publications.

So, to answer your question, this is our second anthology release of Grumpy Old Gods, Volume 2. My inspiration for it came from the title of the book and this photo I found at Pixabay.com. It so cute I couldn’t resist.

2 - Do you have any writing rituals?

Not particularly, but I do like to wear a fedora hat when I write.





3 - What's more important - character or plot?

I think both hold weight in really good stories, but character trumps everything for me. Character generates plot, world elements and the story for me.

I tend to relate best with stories and movies based around a strong main character. I need to care, or I feel I am wasting time.

I want the payoff of some connection, even a good psychological or horror story has character connection when it blows you away.

4 - What do you like best about being an author? What do you like the least?

Best: The story payoff. When someone else enjoys something, I wrote and wants more because they get it or relate to it or just makes them happy.

Least: I could say marketing, but I find learning about that interesting. I think it is the internal struggle within myself I like least when words elude me, or refuse to emerge onto the page, because of some emotional angst or situation that is plaguing me in that moment.

5 - What's your favorite cookie? If you don't like cookies, what's wrong with you? Oops, sorry, scratch that. My follow-up question was meant to be far more polite - "Why don't you like cookies?"

Bought: Keebler Deluxe Fudge Covered Graham & Keebler Coconut Dream Fudge, Carmel and Coconut. (Okay, I admit Oreo’s are right up there too)

Made at Home: All-time favorite, since I was a child, Nestle’s Toll House Chocolate Chip.

6 - A penguin walks through your front door wearing a sombrero. What does he say and why is he there?

“Yo Quiero, Taco Bell. I’m here to replace the little dog.” It is a reboot of the Chihuahua commercial with a twist.

Yeah, one of the best commercials ever. Taco Bell even changed their building design so those commercials really are a step back in time.

7 - What else would you like us to know about you?

I write speculative fiction. Love the short story and flash fiction, so write those often as I can. I am working on three paranormal fantasy series and a sci-fantasy space opera.

By April 2020, we will have published seven Grumpy Old Gods anthologies. We decided to make a brand, but we do have plans to do other types of anthologies in the future once we are established at Stormdance Publications.

About Grumpy Old Gods

Grumpy Old Gods, Volume 2

The Grumpy Old Gods are back in this second installment of mythical fun. Join us for 13 new tales of deities that are retired, reborn, waning, or AWOL from their assigned posts as they hilariously navigate life, death, and everything in between. 

 Buy a copy on Amazon or FREE to read in Kindle Unlimited.

Grumpy Old Gods, Volume 1

What happens when gods wane, retire, or just decide they need a change of employment?

13 writers took up the challenge and let their imaginations run wild in this anthology that is nearly-always amusing, somewhat insightful, and completely irreverent as we imagine the gods of yore in retirement.

 Buy a copy on Amazon

About Juneta

Juneta writes SPECULATIVE FICTION. She loves fantasy and all its subgenres, the paranormal, mythological and space opera. She is a huge proponent of flash fiction and the short story. In 2019, She entered into a partnership with another Indie author as co-owner of Stormdance Publications, their mission, to create fun, quality themed anthologies, especially about grumpy old gods. She is one of seven founders of the Storytime Quarterly Blog Hop founded in 2015. She is currently working on three book series projects.



Connect with Juneta at Amazon Author Page |  Website Writer’s Gambit  | Facebook | Twitter | Stormdance Publications Website  | Storytime Quarterly Blog Hop  | Medium Publication Writer’s Gambit

Editor's Note: Thanks so much for stopping by the blog, Juneta! Homemade Nestle Toll House chocolate chip cookies are my favorite too :)