Erika M Szabo, author of fiction and children's books, artist

I live in a mansion, drive a fancy car, and adore my fingers with diamonds and sapphires.

Yeah, right! In my dreams!
I’m not rich because I own fancy stuff.

I’m rich because I create things that people enjoy.
Hopefully, hundreds of years from now, readers will still know my name, read my books, and enjoy the art I create. 

I became an avid reader at a very early age, thanks to my dad who introduced me to many great books. The writing bug bit me much later, on a rainy afternoon, when I couldn’t find any new book to read. My daughter had enough of my moping around and snapped at me, “Mom, stop whining! If you haven’t a book to read, then write one.” Her challenge shocked me, but I started playing with the idea and I’ve been writing stories, that I like to read, ever since. I write alternate history, romantic urban fantasy, historical suspense novels as well as fun, educational, and bilingual books for children ages 2-14 about acceptance, friendship, family, and moral values such as accepting people with disabilities, dealing with bullies, and not judging others before getting to know them. I also like to encourage children to use their imagination and daydream about fantasy worlds.

Why do I write fantasy fiction and children's books? 

​I write what I like to read.
I  like to read speculative alternate history fiction, romantic urban fantasy, historical suspense novels when I need to escape from reality.
I also write fun, educational, and bilingual books for children ages 2-14 about acceptance, friendship, family, and moral values such as accepting people with disabilities, dealing with bullies, and not judging others before getting to know them. I also like to encourage children to use their imagination and daydream about fantasy worlds. 

I'm a Publishing Coach and Book Cover Designer at Golden Box Books Publishing

After negative experiences with publishers, I started my own publishing company, Golden Box Books, and I learned to navigate through the jungle of publishing. Although I don't publish other than my books (I want the authors to have full control of their books) I provide help to authors such as book formatting, book cover art, manuscript critique, and if needed, registering ISBN, copyright and if the author is having difficulty uploading the book to publishing sites, I help with that complicated task as well.

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Fiction novels

HISTORICAL FANTASY SERIES: After being thrust into a world of clan mysteries, obscure traditions, and beliefs, Ilona’s life is drastically changing.

HISTORICAL FANTASY SERIES: She must ensure the birth of the Chosen Child in the 4th century in order to save the future of the Hunor Clan.

HISTORICAL FANTASY: An ancient curse cast by a powerful witch sixteen-hundred years ago destroys families in every generation for centuries.

HISTORICAL FICTION: To escape her gloomy future, she sails to the New World with hopes for a better life. What will her future hold? Will she find happiness?

SWEET ROMANCE: Cruel fate allowed them a short happiness and tore them apart. Will they meet again?

DYSTOPIAN LOVE STORY: Caleb lost his soulmate, Valerie. Could it be possible to find her in a parallel universe?

PARANORMAL FICTION: By reading the hieroglyphs, Layla breaks the ancient curse and frees the ghosts of Prince Akhmose.

SUPERNATURAL FANTASY: A love potion made with haste out of jealousy puts Dorian into a comalike state and only a rare orchid could save his life.

UNCONVENTIONAL FAMILY: People are not perfect. We can be happy life or create a chaotic life. It all depends on the choices we make.

SHORT STORY COLLECTION: fun anecdotes, heartwarming stories, and slice-of-life tales that evoke a wide range of emotions.

SUPERNATURAL FANTASY: When her Raven spirit guide warns her, she knows her life is in danger. Who wants her dead and why?

COZY MYSTERY: Her life spins out of control when a snobbish woman brings a worthless painting into her antique shop.

7 NOVELETTES: A story for every day of the week. Magic, mystery, ancient ghost, fate, soulmates, love conquers, deceit, omen.

JOURNAL: When observation and imagination fill the gaps that science can't explain. Most of the perceived omens remain unexplainable myths, but others… you decide. It’s believed that crows are a symbol of bad luck and death. In this short journal, I reveal some of my observations about knowing a crow family for decades, and I also share a great memory of watching and raising a litter of orphaned fox pups.

Kidnapping, sins of the past, love, jealousy, entrapment, tragedy, revenge, betrayal, secrets of a serial killer. The icy fingers of the unsettled past seem to follow bitter rivals from childhood.

Blank Journals

What makes you happy? What are you thankful for? If you start each day by writing down three things you are thankful for, you begin each day on the right note. Do it daily and make it a habit to focusing on the blessings you have been given!

Write a letter to your daughter as you watch her grow and treasure this lovely time capsule keepsake forever. A wonderful way to write down your happy moments, thoughts, feelings, dreams, and hopes. It will make a great gift for your daughter when she’ll be old enough to appreciate it!

Write a letter to your son as you watch him grow and treasure this lovely time capsule keepsake forever. A wonderful way to write down your happy moments, thoughts, feelings, dreams and hopes. It will make a great gift for your son when he’ll be old enough to appreciate it!

Track all your reading, rating, and reviews in this compact 6x9 logbook. Write your favorite quotes and books summaries. Perfect for: book lovers, book club members, bloggers, and book critiques.

Children's books

BILINGUAL STORYBOOK 4-12: Pico speaks Spanish and nobody understands him. His story teaches children acceptance, compassion, and helping others.

STORYBOOK 5-10: Terry finds out why she can talk to animals and why the good witch enchanted her music box so long ago.

STORYBOOK 4-10: A little girl teaches her family and her friends how to communicate with someone who is hearing impaired.

STORYBOOK 5-10: According to the hundred-year-old legend, children disappeared in Seven Pines every year to never be found again.

Picture book for children 2-7: Hophop, the little bunny is sad because he can't read his book. Ollie, the wise owl, shows him the alphabet and teaches him to read the fun and easy way.

STORYBOOK 4-10: Bianca and Daniel stand up to brute bullies and when they see a woman trying to drown kittens in the river, they save them

STORYBOOK 4-10: Lucky, the sweet-natured little monkey was bullied by the animals who didn't take time to get to know her.

PICTURE BOOK 2-6: Penny always wants to do what her big brother does. She imitates his every move and constantly tweets, “Me, too.”

PICTURE BOOK 2-6: When Terry wakes up in the morning, she tells her mother that the fairy showed her the numbers in her dream.

THREE books in one for children 4-10: A Basketful of Kittens, Pico the Pesky Parrot, and Look I Can Talk With My Fingers.

STORYBOOK 4-10: Delivers moral lessons through magic and fun. The story teaches children the importance of art, imagination, and creativity, and if they use their wits, they can solve any problem.

FANTASY ADVENTURE 6-14: Golden Book Award Winner, spooky and funny heroic fantasy adventure series for middle-grade children and young adults.

Spanish & Italian, and Hungarian fiction

FANTASY: Después de ser arrojada a un mundo de misterios de clanes, tradiciones y creencias oscuras, la vida de Ilona está cambiando drásticamente.

FANTASY: Ella debe asegurar el nacimiento del Niño Elegido en el siglo IV para salvar el futuro del Clan Hunor.

SWEET ROMANCE: El destino cruel les permitió una breve felicidad y los destrozó. ¿Se volverán a encontrar?

SUPERNATURAL THRILLER: Cuando su guía espiritual Cuervo le advierte, ella sabe que su vida está en peligro. ¿Quién la quiere muerta y por qué?

FANTASÍA SOBRENATURAL: Una poción de amor hecha con prisa por celos pone a Dorian en un estado de coma y solo una rara orquídea podría salvarle la vida.

SWEET ROMANCE: A kegyetlen sors rövid boldogságot engedett nekik, és szétszakította őket. Találkoznak még egyszer?

FICCIÓN PARANORMAL: Al leer los jeroglíficos, Layla rompe la antigua maldición y libera a los fantasmas del príncipe Akhmose.

PARANORMAL FICTION: Leggendo i geroglifici, Layla spezza l'antica maledizione e libera i fantasmi del principe Akhmose.

Spanish children's books

SPANISH STORYBOOK: Sandra encuentra un sitio web para personas con discapacidad auditiva que explica cómo se comunican las personas sordas.

CUENTOS BILINGÜES 4-12: Pico habla español y nadie lo entiende. Su historia les enseña a los niños la aceptación, la compasión y ayudar a los demás.

LIBRO DE CUENTOS para niños de 4 a 10: Bianca y Daniel se enfrentan a unos matones brutos y cuando ven a una mujer que intenta ahogar gatitos en el río, los salvan

Audiobooks