Oak Lawn author blends fantasy and romance

By Kelly White

Renowned author, Emily Hornburg, has South Side roots.

Growing up in Evergreen Park and currently living in Oak Lawn, Hornburg, better known by her readers as EE Hornburg, has three books published in her Cursed Queens series: “The Night’s Chosen,” “The Shadow’s Heir,” and “The Forest’s Keeper.” All of the novels balance the line between romance and fantasy and have equal elements of both genres.

“I’ve had a life-long love affair with books and stories,” Hornburg said. “I remember being in preschool and coming home after only a few days confused because they hadn’t taught me how to read yet. I was always making big elaborate stories with my toys and making up tales before I knew how to write them down.”

Hornburg, who attended Evergreen Park Community High School, went on to obtain her bachelors in Director of Christian Education with a minor in theology and concentrations in youth and theatre ministry from Concordia University Chicago.

Her first novel, “The Night’s Chosen,” made its grand debut in October of 2020. “The Night’s Chosen” is a fairytale-like fantasy romance about the burden of duty and following your heart.

“There’s a unique sort of magic in being able to share yourself and your thoughts with people, while also transporting to another place and helping them escape their own lives for a little while,” Hornburg said. “Then, when they close the book, they can in a way deal with the real world in a way they couldn’t before.”

Growing up on the South Side has influenced Hornburg’s writing to an extent, she said.

“With the books I’m writing now as they’re fantasy that take place in a made-up world, the influence growing up here (in the Evergreen Park area) is a little more hidden,” Hornburg said. “But I have some contemporary fantasy ideas brewing in the back of my head, and I love learning about local legends and myths.”

One local area nestled in the shadows of Midlothian Turnpike has captured Hornburg’s attention.

“I’d actually really love to write a book focused on the Bachelor’s Grove cemetery one day,” she said.

Hornburg said she is always working and writing on countless unofficial projects; however, her main focus currently is her fourth book in the Cursed Queens series which readers can look forward to coming out next year.

She enjoys every part of the writing process, particularly developing characters.

“I love exploring new characters and what makes them tick, and how they interact with each other,” Hornburg said. “Whether I’m writing a romantic couple, or friends, or families, or even enemies, I love seeing how they complement and contrast with one another. What makes these characters fall in love while they’re enemies with the other? And I’m a huge research nerd. It’s so much fun to research different legends, myths, folk tales, and cultures.”

All of Hornburg’s novels in her Cursed Queen series can be found at favorite online retailers (Amazon, Barnesandnoble.com, Bookshop.org, and more). Readers can also check out Love’s Sweet Arrow in Tinley Park, and request them at a local library.

More information on Hornburg, including latest updates on her books, links to purchase, along with Hornburg’s social media accounts, blog, and newsletter, can also be obtained through her blog, emilyhornburg.com.