About the Author

Haddessah Anne Brice (Haddie for short) an American born dreamer, cat mom, universal auntie, and logophile with Celtic ancestry (mainly Irish/Scots-Irish) has been writing and dreaming for most of her life, but until recently lacked the confidence to pursue publication.

She was born and raised in West Virginia but found her “heart home” in the Greenville area of South Carolina. 

Though she enjoys and writes in multiple genres, her “accidental” children’s book is her first published work.

Once Upon a Tower

What’s the Story Behind Your Story?

A very dear friend of mine told me when we were much younger women that I had “maiden in a tower syndrome” in reference to how I’d been raised. Years down the line, I used this same phrase to try and explain something about my upbringing to another friend. She still didn’t understand what I meant, so over the next few hours the original rough draft came into existence. She loved it and asked if she could tell it to her boys as a bedtime story. I was surprised but told her, sure. For years I polished as I had time.

What Was Your Journey to Publication?

I lucked out because I met Abigail Wild founder of Wild Ink Publishing through TikTok and didn’t have to experience the rejection that I had long feared and dreaded. The rest, as you say, is history.  She signed me under Wild Ink for my children’s book.

Are You are Plotter or a Panster and What Does That Process Look Like for You?

Definitely a pantser. Usually an organized pantser, but very much a pantser. My process varies, dependant on the book. I have a very different approach for my kids books than I do for my adult fiction books, and both methods are nothing like what I do when writing poetry.

What is Your Favorite Writing Tool?

Pixie Sticks and Mountain Dew. Not so much the Mountain Dew these days as I try to avoid most caffeine, but sugar is definitely a major component to my process.

What is Your Favorite Writing Resource?

I’ve read a lot of how-to writing books, but my favorite and the one I recommend to everyone is “Noble’s Book of Writing Blunders (and how to avoid them)” by William Noble. His approach to the topic was with humor, instead of textbook drudgery and he reiterates his goal throughout the book is to teach you the “rules” of writing, so that you can effectively break them. And when you break them, do it on purpose.

What Has Surprised You the Most About Publishing?

That someone liked my work enough to take a chance on me.

What’s Next for You in Your Author Journey?

They are Legion… LoL

I have a couple kids books floating around in my head that haven’t solidified yet and my other penname has multiple projects in various stages of completion; mostly not yet.

What’s Your Number One Tip for Writer’s?

Feed the muse what it wants, then write. You can’t edit what’s still in your head.

Where Can People Find You?

You can find out more about me on my website along with all of my social media links by clicking here.

About the Illustrator

Emily St. Marie is an artist in the Pacific Northwest. She creates art for a wide variety of publications, including children’s literature, middle school grades, and adult literature (fiction and non-fiction). She loves creative dystopian literature that inspires new ways of viewing the world, dolls, tea parties, history, and languages. She has a degree in Linguistics from the University of Alberta. 

To find out more about Once Upon a Tower’s illustrator you can check out Emily’s website by clicking here.