Where awesome book readers meet awesome writers
Meet Lynn Strong
Lynn Strong has been a writer for more than three decades, but professional fiction is a newer adventure for her. Over the years, she has written hundreds of thousands of pages of news articles, technical documentation, and fanfiction. Now she is channeling all that experience into creating imaginative stories filled with wit, compassion, and creativity.
Lynn already has three books and several anthologies published, another book releasing on September 13, and a trilogy in progress for next year. Her writing blends humor, heart, and the kind of clever world-building that invites readers to laugh, think, and feel all at once.
The Inspiration Behind Haroun and the Study of Mischief
Lynn’s latest book, Haroun and the Study of Mischief, began as a novella for the Cozies for Disability Rights outreach project in spring 2025. As a disabled writer herself, she wanted to tell hopeful and uplifting stories that center disabled characters in positive ways.
The project started with a playful thought: “So, City of Cats. What if Dog though?” From there, the questions grew. What would the medieval version of a terrible knitted granny dog sweater look like? Who would be the blind dog’s seeing-eye human? And how much would that poor human regret having eyes in the first place?
As the ideas multiplied, the novella evolved into a joyful, mischievous adventure a celebration of imagination, humor, and kindness.
Writing Habits That Keep the Words Flowing
Because of her disabilities, Lynn adapts her tools and process to whatever works best on any given day. She writes primarily in Google Docs, but often uses unsent Gmail drafts for quick notes and grocery lists. The accessibility and ease of switching between devices make this system ideal for her.
“It might sound unusual,” she explains, “but it means I can jot down an idea in ten seconds without fighting with another app or file system.”
Her flexible approach allows her to keep creating even when challenges arise, proving that there is no single right way to write.
Authors and Books That Inspire Her
When asked about literary influences, Lynn laughs and says the list could stretch across several shelves and several languages. Her inspirations include:
- Terry Pratchett for humor and humanity
- Miguel de Cervantes for wit and structure
- Robin McKinley, Celia Lake, and Casey Blair for rich world-building
- Hiromu Arakawa for dynamic storytelling
- Historical voices like Apicius, Dafydd ap Gwilym, Gerard Manley Hopkins, and Nawal Nasrallah
- Fandom-to-fiction authors such as KL Noone, whom she knew before publication
Lynn describes herself as “the kind of person who wallpapers with bookshelves,” a phrase that perfectly captures her lifelong devotion to stories.
What She’s Working on Now
At the moment, Lynn is juggling multiple creative and professional projects. Between her day job, marketing two books, writing a third, and plotting two more, she still finds time to coordinate cover art, manage accessibility needs, and prepare presentations for three upcoming conferences one of which she is running herself.
“There are nights when insomnia feels like an accidental blessing,” she says with a smile.
Her energy and drive come through in everything she does, from storytelling to community building.
Promoting Her Work
Like many indie authors, Lynn is still experimenting with marketing strategies. Amazon accounts for most of her sales, and she continues to explore new ways to improve visibility.
She appreciates every review and piece of feedback she receives, especially the ones that say things like “Sometimes you find a gem in unexpected places.” For Lynn, those comments remind her that readers are discovering and connecting with her stories, even in a crowded marketplace.
Advice for New Authors
Lynn’s best advice is simple but profound: find what works for you.
Traditional author advice often assumes everyone can use the same tools and social media platforms. For Lynn, who avoids Facebook, Instagram, and Threads for accessibility and privacy reasons, those methods just don’t fit.
“Between my disabilities and my need to avoid Meta products,” she explains, “the standard playbook doesn’t apply. I’m still discovering the balance that does.”
She encourages other writers to adapt, experiment, and remember that the creative process should serve them not the other way around.
The Best Advice She Has Ever Heard
Lynn studied theater in college, where she often heard the old saying, “If you can do anything else, do that instead.” Over time, she reframed it into something more personal:
“Make your money doing something that isn’t paid creativity for someone else, so you still have your own creativity left at the end of the day.”
That philosophy guides how she balances writing with her career. It keeps her passion alive and her words her own.
What She’s Reading Now
Currently, Lynn is reading her own in-progress drafts, carefully checking for continuity. When your series features a prophet, she explains, you have to make sure every prophecy lines up across all the books. Her editing process is as detailed as it is imaginative.
What’s Next for Lynn Strong
Once Haroun and the Study of Mischief is released, Lynn’s next big project is Chai and Charmcraft, the first book in a new trilogy.
This story flips classic fairy-tale tropes on their heads. Its Prince Charming isn’t a dashing young hero but a sweet, anxious, middle-aged bureaucrat who prefers tea and diplomacy to sword fights and dragon duels. His prophetic visions warn him about danger, but he finds comfort in the City of Cats, where mischief is harmless and far less frightening than true catastrophe.
It’s a fresh, funny take on fantasy and a reflection of Lynn’s trademark humor and heart.
Books She Would Take to a Desert Island
If stranded on a desert island without the internet, Lynn’s essential reading list would include:
- The Whole Earth Catalog – for practical survival knowledge
- A Terry Pratchett omnibus – for laughter and wisdom
- The Thousand and One Nights (unabridged) – for endless stories
- The Joy of Cooking – for comfort and creativity even in isolation
Each book reflects her love of curiosity, storytelling, and good food three things that fuel both life and art.
Learn More About Lynn Strong
Connect with Lynn Strong and explore her works through the following links:
- Website: Lynn Strong Website
- Amazon Author Page: Lynn Strong Amazon Profile
- Goodreads: Goodreads Profile
Lynn Strong writes with warmth, intelligence, and humor. Her stories celebrate imagination, accessibility, and the joy of seeing the world from a slightly mischievous angle. Every page she writes reminds readers that creativity has no limits when guided by passion, resilience, and a bit of laughter
