🏰 Author Interview Featuring Barbara Jean Weber, Author of 'The Welcome Sign'

Barbara Jean Weber lives in Skagit County with her husband and two daughters, where she works as a speech and language therapist. Her novel, The Welcome Sign, was inspired when she was gifted a mermaid welcome sign. The more she studied the sign, the more her story evolved. She is currently an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Visit her website at https://www.barbarajeanweber.com/. 

I’d like to know more about you as a person first.  What do you do when you’re not writing?

I am a full time speech-language pathologist (since 2001) and I work with preschool and elementary school aged kids. I am a mom to two teenagers and have been married for 28 years. I love rubber stamping, doing arts and crafts, reading, water aerobics and spending time with my husband and kids. I enjoy watching movies, writing letters to pen pals and playing with our cats. 

When did you start writing?

I've always enjoyed creative writing as a kid when I was in school. The initial concept of The Welcome Sign began about 18 years ago. There was some time of not writing on it, changing it, developing the story and characters, etc but I finally completed it. The Welcome Sign is written to be book 1 of 3. The second book is written but not edited or printed and book three is still in the outline form. 

As a published author, what would you say was the most pivotal point of your writing life?

That's a tough question. I started getting the idea for "The Welcome Sign" when I was pregnant with my 1st child. I had always loved creative writing as a kid so the interest and energy for writing was always present in my life. I had never written anything quite like this before. I had my master's thesis published when I was in graduate school but had never written a fiction book before. When the idea for the story came to me, inspired by a beautiful metal welcome sign with a mermaid on it that I received as a gift, the whole thing just evolved over time and became the book you see today.

If you could go anywhere in the world to start writing your next book, where would that be and why?

The Oregon Coast. That's where I first started writing The Welcome Sign. We were on vacation in Lincoln City, Or when I started outlining the book. The Welcome Sign centers around the ocean and being at the coast gave me the perfect ocean/coastal environment to inspire events from the book. I find the coast to be very relaxing with the crashing waves, lovely ocean views. A very nice place to unwind and write.

If you had 4 hours of extra time today, what would you do?

I would catch up on mail, I love pen palling and binge watch Stranger Things with my oldest daughter.

Where would you like to set a story that you haven’t done yet?

This is something I have been thinking a lot about. I have another book that I was co-writing with my mom before she passed away that is still being worked on (not related to The Welcome Sign). I also have a third project in outline form (also not related to The Welcome Sign). I am still working on locations for both of those pieces. I did quite a lot of research to find the perfect location for The Welcome Sign and am still working on putting in that same the kind of effort for these other projects.

Why was writing "The Welcome Sign" so important to you?

Having an interest in creative writing from an early age allowed me an outlet for writing about things that really interested me.  I had written short stories for assignments but had never tackled anything quite like this. I've always had a fascination with mermaids and magical realms so when I received the metal mermaid welcome sign as a gift, I had an amazing dream about the origin of the sign. That dream was the inspiration and basis for the "The Welcome Sign." As it evolved, it became a fun adventure story that I was eager to share with my family and others as I felt they would also enjoy reading it.  A project that once seemed overwhelming and daunting was replaced with the joy of creating magical worlds, interesting characters, intrigue and battles between good and evil. It's fun to believe that my metal mermaid welcome sign might really have a magical origin story. You just never know.  

 

🏰 Author Interview Featuring Karen Charles, Author of 'Evan's Gift'

Karen Charles grew up in West Africa and traveled to countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Her rich background and lifetime experiences are reflected in the depth of her writing. In her stories, she transforms real-life narratives into gripping fiction thrillers. Her novels intricately weave the threads of truth into a tapestry of suspense, intrigue, and riveting storytelling. She is the author of two children’s books, “Freeman Earns a Bike” and “Evan’s Gifts,” and three thrillers based on true stories. “Fateful Connections” takes place in the aftermath of 9/11, and “Blazing Upheaval” takes place during the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles and the Northridge earthquake. “A Glimpse Too Far” offers all the mystery and heart-pounding suspense of a psychological thriller and is based on a true story.

Karen Charles has two businesses—a global company that trains international teachers to teach American English and an Airbnb on a beautiful bay in Washington State, where she currently resides with her husband. 

Visit her website at www.weaveofsuspense.com. 

Connect with her on X, Facebook and LinkedIn.

 

🏰Can you tell us a little about yourself? Are you a full-time author?

I wear a few different hats. I’m a part-time author, but storytelling has always been part of who I am. My primary work is training teachers internationally to teach American English, which allows me to connect with people and cultures around the world. I also run an Airbnb year-round, which keeps me grounded in hospitality and human connection. Writing fits naturally alongside these roles because all of them, in one way or another, are about people, empathy, and communication.

🏰Can you tell us about Evan’s Gift?

Evan’s Gift is a story about a young boy who faces a simple yet powerful choice. Evan dreams of getting a new bike, but when he sees a greater need, he makes a decision that changes not only someone else’s life, but his own. The story gently shows children that kindness, compassion, and generosity often come at a cost, but the rewards are far greater than anything we can buy.

🏰Can you tell us a little about the characters?

Evan is a thoughtful, kind-hearted boy who represents the best of what children are capable of when they listen to their hearts. The supporting characters, his family, dorm parents, roommates, classmates, and friends, help shape his understanding of empathy and responsibility. Each character plays a role in showing that even small actions can create meaningful change.

🏰How can people benefit from reading Evan’s Gift?

Children learn that kindness matters and that their choices, even small ones, can make a difference. For parents and educators, the book opens the door to meaningful conversations about empathy, gratitude, and social responsibility. It’s especially useful in classrooms and homes as a gentle introduction to social-emotional learning.

🏰Is Evan’s Gift your only book?

No, I’ve written books for both children and adults. My adult novels are psychological thrillers based on true events, while Evan’s Gift reflects my lifelong work with children, education, and cross-cultural experiences. Although the genres differ, all my writing explores human behavior, compassion, and the choices we make. 

🏰Thank you so much for this interview, Karen. What’s next for you?

Thank you, it’s been a pleasure. I plan to continue training teachers internationally while sharing Evan’s Gift with schools, libraries, and families. I’m also always writing, sometimes children’s stories, sometimes novels for adults, because storytelling remains one of the most powerful ways we connect and learn from one another.

Where to purchase the book:

https://store.bookbaby.com/book/evans-gift

Where to find Karen:

https://www.weaveofsuspense.com