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Author Interview,  Giveaway,  Hope-filled Fiction

Zoom Author Interview with Erik Steidl & a Giveaway

By Deena Adams

Please welcome author Erik Steidl to the blog this week. I met Erik in an online writer’s group and enjoyed getting to know him in this video interview and I hope you will too.

Erik has a children’s book published and his first middle grade novel, Ayal the Arrow Boy, just released June 1. Erik is offering a free copy of both books as giveaways this week. Be sure to comment on this post by June 8 for a chance to win.



Join the conversation. Do you have any children in your life who might enjoy Erik’s books? Does a novel based on the story of David and Jonathan sound interesting to you? What questions or comments do you have for Erik?

Comment by June 8 for a chance to win a copy of The First Ostrich to Fly and Ayal the Arrow Boy.


Ayal the Arrow Boy by Erik Steidl

Click the book cover for purchase link

Ayal the Arrow Boy tells the story of David and Jonathan from a never-before-seen perspective; that of Ayal, a servant in King Saul’s palace.

Ayal finally has his life going in the right direction. After growing up an orphan on the streets of Jerusalem, he finally has a home in the palace and a good job as a runner for Prince Jonathan. Everything changes when he overhears two men planning to kill David, a commander in King Saul’s army and Jonathan’s best friend. Now the race is on to thwart the scheme, save David, and return peace to Israel. Will he be in time?


Erik Steidl teaches early literacy in Cleveland, Ohio. His students there inspired him to write his debut childrenโ€™s book, The First Ostrich to Fly. However, his work with high school and middle school students at his local church is what prompted him to begin writing novels for teens.


Connect with Erik: Website / Twitter / Instagram


Please share this interview on social media to help promote Erik’s book.

If you missed last week’s interview with Lisa Carter, find it here.

As a Jesus girl for more than thirty years, Deena Adams understands how important hope is to daily life, which fuels her passion to inspire others through hope-filled fiction based on true to life stories. She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and is a multi-award-winning writer, an active ACFW member, and ACFW Virginia president. Connect with Deena through her website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

18 Comments

  • Lynn Moore

    Deena….I really enjoyed the video format!๐ŸŽฅ

    Eric….”thank you” for using your writing talents to engage & draw tweens & teens to the Lord. Blessings to you & your family as you make God your focus amidst all the busyness that life brings! Happy writing! ๐Ÿ“š

  • Erik Steidl

    Hey Everyone! Thanks so much for watching! Feel free to post any follow-up questions you may have. I will do the best I can to answer any and all of them!

    -Erik_

  • Jennifer Cook

    Ayal sounds amazing! I’m always looking for new books for our sons (ages 12 and 15). It sounds like Erik has made a niche story line that could be very appealing to the middle/high school boys especially. Thanks for sharing D! Jennifer Cook, Longwood FL

    • Erik Steidl

      Hi Jennifer! I really hope your sons like the book! Please feel free to send my any input or suggestions that you or they may have so I can incorporate it into future works!

      -Erik-

  • Doreen McAvoy

    Hi Deena,
    Thanks for posting this interview. I first learned of Ayal the Arrow Boy when I visited Erik’s website last month. I am looking forward to incorporating the story into my 9th grade Old Testament course next year. We spend a lot of time on David and the students are always interested in his friendship with Jonathon. And I will definitely check out The First Ostrich to Fly!
    Have a great day!
    Doreen

    • Deena Adams

      How wonderful, Doreen! I’m so glad you’ll be using Erik’s story for your 9th grade class. What a blessing! Thanks so much for watching and joining the conversation.

    • Erik Steidl

      Hi Doreen! I absolutely love that you’ll be incorporating the story into your curriculum! I really hope that it helps you students engage in scripture and the historical accounts there in a new way! Feel free to reach out to me if you would like to try to set up some way for me to talk to your students at all.

      • Deena Adams

        Congratulations to Jennifer! You’re the winner of Eriks’s books! Look for an email from him soon.

        Thanks to everyone who watched the interview and commented. You can still share this interview on social media to help promote Erik’s book.