24 Apr 2018 Thomas finds success as fantasy writer

By day, Remy Thomas is a student at the University of Central Arkansas majoring in secondary education. At night, she works as a critical care worker at Conway Regional Medical Center. She is married and is the mother of two young girls, ages 2 and 4. 

But during the quiet times when her children are asleep, Remy assumes the role of Angel Blackwood, a writer who has two published novels — “Kindling” (2016) and “Waxing” (2017) — under her Obsidian Embers series. Book three of the series, “Devouring,” will come out later this year. 

These fantasy works combine romance, dark comedy, brute force, feminist strength, destruction and magic. Dark fantasy is a genre she is drawn to and loves to explore. The readers of her series draw comparisons to “Game of Thrones.”

Getting published was not an easy process. She’s learned to persevere and said that getting rejection letters has only increased her persistence and desire to write. Now she has an agent who shops her work to publishers. She enjoys getting validation about her writing through feedback from her readers, and she uses a Facebook page, her website and a Twitter feed to respond to their questions. 

For inspiration, Remy keeps an extensive Word file filled with ideas. She doesn’t do a lot of plot mapping but does know how the story will start and end. The action and characters develop along the way, and sometimes even she is surprised at the decisions her characters make. Reviewers compliment the complexity of her characters and the believability of even the magical scenes. She takes pride in researching topics in order to make scenes more authentic and credible.

Angel has signed a book contract with The Ed Greenway Group (TEGG), a newly-formed powerhouse specializing in publishing fantasy.

After graduating from UCA, Remy hopes to teach high school English. Eventually she would like to get her Ph.D. and teach at a university where she will assume another moniker, Dr. Thomas. 

She says it’s good she can operate on very little sleep and lots of caffeine.

To find out more about Angel Blackwood’s novels, short stories and anthologies, visit her website (angelblackwood.wixsite.com/angelblackwood). Her books are available from Amazon and other online book sellers. 

Susan Peterson

Susan Peterson holds a PhD in education and taught at the University of Central Arkansas and Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania. She retired in 2004 and now spends her time doing artwork (painting and pottery). She is the executive secretary of the Arkansas Reading Association, a professional organization for educators that has about 800 members statewide.