June 24, 2020 Interview from Strands of Thought Blog by Kai Strand
Today we are visited by middle grade author, Ann Searle Horowitz. Ann is here to talk to us about her book, Trident.
Ann, can you tell us about yourself?
I was a high school All American swimmer. I’m also a mother of multiples. So no surprise when I admit to knowing far too much about goggles and the twin bond, both of which provided inspiration for Trident. When I’m not working on its sequel, I coach YMCA swimming, play team tennis, and hang out with my husband and three kids at our home just outside of New York City.
As a young reader I could often be found in my basement fort, bingeing on Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys mysteries. Now I can be found online at https://annshorowitz.wixsite.com/author
Kai: Tell us about your book.
Twelve-year-old Richard Tomlin has almost given up on finding his dad. Instead, he focuses all of his energy on being the youngest swimmer ever on his team to qualify for Junior Olympics.
But everything changes when his new goggles transport him to the Lost City of Atlantis!
Confronting shapeshifters and dark magical forces, Richard channels his inner science geek and the power of positive thinking to stay alive. As he struggles to tame the magic of his goggles, his strong-willed twin, Lucy, finds a way to join him under the sea, and the siblings are thrust into the War of Generations.
To win the war—and save the planet—Richard must embrace his role in an ancient prophecy. Problem is, the prophecy appears to predict his own death. So what’s a warrior to do?
Trident, my debut fantasy-adventure for readers age 8-12, is available in hardcover, paperback, and ebook on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Trident-Ann-Searle-Horowitz/dp/1734150319
Barnes & Noble at https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/trident-ann-searle-horowitz/1135240413
And on the shelves at Arcade Booksellers in Rye, NY.
Kai: What inspired you to write Trident.
Believe it or not, inspiration began at age three. My parents took me on a multi-day canoe and camping trip, handing me my own mini paddle when we launched on day #1. We took the trip with close family friends; I‘ve watched home movies of their daughter and me doing something called "the Kool Aid dance" around a campfire at night. It all looks very Lord of the Flies.
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"WHAT were your parents thinking," you might ask, "taking a three year old on such a trip?"
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Whatever it was, they ignited my lifelong love of all things water and water sport, which included a competitive swimming career from age seven through college and into adulthood. My most recent job? Coach of a YMCA swim team.
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The first time I had success with writing was in fifth grade. I won an essay contest and a tree was planted in front of my elementary school as an award. I got to dig the first shovelful of dirt while the local paper took a picture. I felt like a real writer, and I really liked the feeling!
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These two early passions—water and writing—finally came together in Trident.
Some story ideas came from people and experiences in my own life: Trident is about a competitive swimmer; its protagonists are twins. And Richard’s goal at the beginning of the book is to qualify for the Junior Olympics, which my son competed in when he was in high school.
An important theme in Trident is pulled from my involvement as an athlete and as a coach: Positive affirmations. Athletes use these all the time to achieve out-of-reach goals. In Trident, Richard uses them to save his life.
But the story isn’t all about my experiences—not even close. Richard and his twin, Lucy, are named after characters from 50s TV sitcom I Love Lucy. And I definitely haven’t been attacked by a shapeshifter—yet.
Trident’s main story and setting inspiration came from two subjects that intersect right at my mythology nerd sweet spot: The Greek god, Poseidon, and the Lost City of Atlantis.
Here’s the myth:
Back in the day, Poseidon’s brothers, Zeus (ruler of the earth), and Hades (ruler of the Underworld, a.k.a. the world of the dead), both had special cities.
Poseidon was pretty steamed about this.
At long last, the people of Atlantis chose Poseidon as their patron god.
Poseidon's ten sons ruled Atlantis wisely, but their sons and grandsons didn't.
Atlantis went from being the world's greatest civilization to the worst.
When the people of Atlantis forgot to worship Poseidon, the sea god lost it.
He used his trident to start a catastrophic earthquake, sinking Atlantis beneath the ocean waves.
Before signing off, I’ll leave you with some fun then-and-now trivia.
Then: Fishermen in the ancient world caught tuna with a (you guessed it) trident. Cool, right?
Now: People still believe that Atlantis was real. And people keep looking for it, somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean.
Kai: Where can readers connect with you?
My website is https://annshorowitz.wixsite.com/author. Visit for short stories, trivia, events, and fun facts about Trident.
I’m also on FB (https://www.facebook.com/AnnSearleHorowitzAuthor/) and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ann-searle-horowitz-5a75555/)