Erika Johansen is a debut author, who was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay area of California. She attended Swarthmore College before earning her MFA from the prestigious Iowa Writers' Workshop. Johansen had a successful career as an attorney, but her passion for writing never waned. She continued to write throughout her legal career.
Johansen is best known for her novel series, The Queen of the Tearling, which was inspired by a speech given by then-Senator Barack Obama in 2007. The ideal heroine of the series, Kelsea Glynn, was born out of Johansen's admiration for Obama's words. Johansen began writing about Kelsea and the series' plot during her first year of law school and completed the novel four years later, coinciding with her graduation from law school.
Johansen's writing process was meticulous, taking four years to complete her debut novel while also balancing the demands of law school. Her dedication to her craft is evident in the richly developed characters and intricate plot of The Queen of the Tearling. As a graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop, Johansen is part of a celebrated community of writers, and her work has been praised for its originality and depth.
In summary, Erika Johansen is a talented author who drew inspiration for her debut novel series from a speech given by Barack Obama. Johansen's background in law and her education from the esteemed Iowa Writers' Workshop have contributed to her success as a writer. Her ability to balance the demands of law school while crafting an intricate and engaging novel is a testament to her dedication and passion for writing.