Erik Daniel Shein, originally born as Erik Daniel Stoops in Northfield, Ohio, emerges as a visionary storyteller deeply captivated by the paranormal and a fervent champion for animal welfare. His artistic flair spans various genres, seamlessly merging his love for storytelling with a profound commitment to animation and the welfare of animals.

Erik's odyssey in the realms of publishing and animal welfare commenced alongside editor Sheila Ann Barry at Sterling Publications. Together, they crafted six non-fiction children's books about animals, presented in an engaging question-and-answer format. His exploration extended to the fascinating field of herpetology, where he refined his expertise as a trained authority on reptiles and amphibians.

As a consultant for both local and federal fish and wildlife services, Erik immersed himself in the intricate world of these creatures, contributing invaluable insights to conservation endeavors. This rich background served as the bedrock for his eventual transition into the enthralling realms of written and visual storytelling.

In addition to his illustrious career, Erik has published and co-authored over 50 books, spanning fiction and non-fiction across multiple genres. His literary contributions have transcended borders, with translations of his works available in numerous languages around the world over the years.

Beyond his literary endeavors, Erik's advocacy transcends into the realm of animal health and welfare, a true reflection of his heartfelt dedication to the well-being of all living beings. With an imaginative spirit and an unwavering commitment to fostering positive change, Erik Daniel Shein stands as a distinctive and inspirational voice in the spheres of storytelling, animation, and animal advocacy.

I loved to read from the moment words made sense to me. When I fell in love with a story, it inspired me to create my own stories. From silly poetry when I was a child, to young adult romance and fantasy when I was a teenager, writing was always every part of who I am.

I truly believe that you have to follow your dreams until you have a firm path before you. Life has a way of throwing you lots of curves, bumps, and bruises, but you have to believe that the journey is worth it. I have been blessed with so many supportive people over the years and I am truly thankful for them.

You know what you love, even when you are young.

I decided that writing had to be on the back burner, that I needed a career to support myself and writing was not always a sound market. I obtained my B.S. in Elementary Education from Illinois State University and spent several years teaching. My favorite position was when I was a School Improvement Teacher for an Elementary School in Bloomington, IL. My role was teach writing across the grades to help improve student performance on the Illinois Standards Achievement Tests. That job was a blast! I got to instill a love for writing to my students and that helped remind me to take the time to follow my dreams.

As time went on...

I continued to write and teach, until it was time for me to start a new chapter in my life: motherhood. I left the teaching world and took the time to enjoy raising my children. Along the way, I discovered the writing bug had never left me. I released a few books under another adult pen and then decided it was time to write something my own kids would be able to read. I wrote as Emma Bloom for a few years and am now rebranding her books.

Life has had its ups and downs, as with anyone, but I still have a great joy for writing and creating worlds that other people can lose themselves inside any time they read my books.

L.M. Reker is an educator and author and has written for many years with very diverse groups: gifted, developmental English, humanities, and courses in critical thinking, up to his current position of college professor of English. He has written for an Associated Press newspaper in New Mexico, advertising agencies in Phoenix and LA, has helped write and produce two college texts, and became an assistant chair in the English Department after only one year with that group. He currently collaborates with Mr. Shein on various projects, books, and films.