Today we are very excited to share an interview with Author Randi-Lee Bowslaugh (A Little Scare)!
Meet the Author: Randi-Lee Bowslaugh
Randi-Lee was born and raised in Ontario, Canada and from a young age she had a passion for helping others. She attended Niagara College and graduated at the top of her class from Community and Justice Services, after completing her placement at a recovery house for alcohol and drug addictions. Post-graduation she worked at a Native Friendship Centre for two and a half years while pursuing a university education in psychology. Randi-Lee continued working in social services for another four years as an employment counselor until she left to pursue her other passions.
Randi-Lee is an author and outspoken advocate for mental health sharing her true story with honesty. From the age of 14 she struggled with depressive thoughts. There were times in her life that she wasn’t sure how she would continue. Depression continues to be a battle in her life but she is glad that she continues to live. She has spoken at events that promote wellness and compassionately shares her experiences with her own mental health. In 2021 she started a YouTube channel, Write or Die Show, to spread awareness about various mental health issues and to end the stigma associated with mental health.
Growing up she never felt that she fit in, being the last to understand jokes and confused about many emotions that she saw on others. In 2021 she finally had answers to the questions about herself that had been nagging at her. She was diagnosed with moderate Autism.
Another of Randi-Lee’s passions is kickboxing, which she has been doing for about 10 years. She was a Canadian National Champion in kickboxing in 2015, competed at the World’s kickboxing tournament later that year and in 2016 competed at the Pan-Am games where she received silver in her division. In 2020 she was chosen as one of the coaches for the Ontario Winter Games where she inspired and coached young athletes.
Randi is a mom to two, her youngest child has autism and grandma to one. Randi encourages and supports her youngest child’s entrepreneurial spirit as he follows his dream of being an artist. When she can she incorporates his art into her stories.
About the Book: A Little Scare
You won’t know what lies around the corner in this collection of ten unique and diverse scary stories. Each story shares in the overall creepiness of the collection. From a family camping to a trip to an abandoned house you won’t be disappointed.
The illustrations add to the stories’ overall creepiness. This book is perfect for the tween in your life who loves twisted, odd tales. Each story is a short read that you won’t want to put down.
~Author Chat~
YABC: What gave you the inspiration to write this book?
It’s a collection of short stories, and each story was inspired by something different. The one thing that is common with all of them is that they’re all inspired by things that I’ve seen in the world and turned into something a little more spooky. A couple of them were inspired by pictures that my son had drawn and are in the book.
YABC: Who is your favorite character in the book?
My favourite character is the circus ringmaster. He gives off such creepy vibes.
YABC: What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?
The scene in Beauty Comes at a Price where the girls first wake up is one that I can really relate to from my teenage years. It didn’t happen the way it did in the book. But I think most teenagers can relate to that story And how we are just never quite satisfied with our own bodies.
YABC: What came first, the concept, landscape, characters, or something else?
The overall structure of the book came first the idea that I wanted to do a collection of short scary stories. Once I knew that, the rest kind of came into place fairly quickly.
YABC: If you could only write one genre for the rest of your life, what would it be and why?
That’s a really tough choice because most of my books are non. Fiction. However, I really love horror, and I think I would rather stay in that genre if that were the only thing I was allowed to write.
YABC: How do you keep your ‘voice’ true to the age category you are writing within?
I try to put myself in their mindset. With this book, I also got my kid to read the stories so they fit perfectly within the age range.
YABC: What is your favorite snack when writing?
I don’t know if this counts as a snack, but hot chocolate with whipped cream.
YABC: If you were able to meet them, would you be friends with your main character?
In this book, most of the main characters are creatures, and I don’t think I could be friends with them because I don’t think they have friends.
YABC: What’s up next for you?
Right now, I have another children’s book that can be pre-ordered. It’s called Woofie Says Goodbye, and it’s for younger kids and helps them be brave. I am also halfway through a book of poetry and nature pictures.
But what I am most excited about is I have a laid-out plan for a full length suspense novel. That 1 has been in the works for a little while. The first two chapters are finally written.
YABC: Is there anything that you would like to add?
Follow your passions and you never know what kind of amazement you will find.
Title: A Little Scare
Author: Randi-Lee Bowslaugh
Illustrator: Levin Bowslaugh
Release Date: Sep 7, 2021
Publisher: RB Writing
Genre: Horror
Age Range: 11 – 15
