Lynne Howard Weaves Magic and Mythology into the Captivating Dylan Dover Series

PHOTO: Lynne Howard, award-winning author of the Dylan Dover series, brings imagination to life through captivating storytelling and a passion for inspiring young minds.

Mythology, Magic, and the Power of Storytelling

Award-winning author Lynne Howard discusses her Dylan Dover series, inspired by her son and Greek mythology, blending fantasy with themes of identity, resilience, and imagination while championing the joy of reading.

Lynne Howard is a storyteller of remarkable depth, crafting narratives that captivate the imagination and resonate with the heart. A talented author, lawyer, and educator based in Toronto, Canada, she brings a wealth of experience and insight to her writing, weaving together fantastical elements with profound themes of identity, belonging, and resilience. Her acclaimed Dylan Dover series, beginning with Into the Vortex, has enchanted readers with its immersive world-building, gripping adventure, and deeply personal inspiration.

A Golden Wizard Book Prize winner, Howard has carved out a unique space in the realm of middle-grade and young adult fiction. Dylan Dover: Into the Vortex is more than a fantasy novel—it is a testament to the power of storytelling during uncertain times. Born from the challenges of the COVID-19 lockdown, this book became a creative refuge for Howard and her son, Dylan, who directly inspired the series’ protagonist. The result is a compelling journey through an immortal dimension, where magic, mythology, and self-discovery intertwine.

Her second book, Dylan Dover: Orion’s Quest, delves into the rich lore of Greek mythology, adding another layer of intrigue to an already spellbinding saga. With nods to legendary figures like Orion, Zeus, and Poseidon, Howard seamlessly blends ancient myths with contemporary themes, offering young readers a literary experience that is both thrilling and thought-provoking.

Beyond her fiction, Howard’s dual background in law and education gives her a keen eye for detail and a passion for engaging young minds. She writes not just to entertain but to inspire a new generation to embrace the magic of reading. With a love for storytelling that transcends accolades, she remains devoted to her craft, driven by the joy of seeing readers connect with her work.

In this interview with Reader’s House Magazine, Lynne Howard shares the inspirations behind the Dylan Dover series, the impact of her professional background on her writing, and her mission to keep the wonder of books alive in the digital age. Prepare to step into a world of adventure, mystery, and magic as we explore the creative mind behind one of today’s most exciting voices in fantasy fiction.

Lynne Howard masterfully blends adventure, mythology, and heartfelt themes, crafting unforgettable stories that inspire young readers to embrace imagination and self-discovery.

In “Dylan Dover: Into the Vortex”, what inspired the creation of the immortal dimension and its unique inhabitants?

I wrote this book during the Covid Pandemic when the province that I live in (Ontario, Canada) was under a complete lockdown.  My son, named Dylan (no coincidence!) at that time was 12 years old and like so many young people, he was suffering from the effects of social isolation.  He turned to books as an escape mechanism. I wrote Into the Vortex so that he could read and critique each chapter as I created it.  It gave us a creative outlet during a very challenging time!  The fact that the book is in the fantasy genre with an immortal dimension and unique beings inhabiting the world, is not a coincidence either- it was inspired by our desire to take a break from the monotonous reality of living under lockdown and allow our imaginations to flourish!

“I wrote Into the Vortex so that my son could read and critique each chapter as I created it.” – Lynne Howard

How does Dylan’s discovery of his warlock identity in “Into the Vortex” reflect themes of self-discovery and belonging?

The character Dylan was inspired by my son, Dylan.  While my son obviously does not have magical powers, the two are otherwise the same.  It is my son’s voice who drives my writing.  It his lived experiences that motivate me to write about the challenges faced by the character.  Coming to terms with one’s identity, figuring out where you belong in the world, what your values are- these are all issues that I watched my son going through as I wrote the Dylan Dover series.  As he matured and had to face new challenges, so did the character.  Into the Vortex was written during a very difficult time due to the pandemic which exacerbated many issues faced by young people.  Self-discovery and feelings of belonging were especially important when young people had to live in a world where they couldn’t physically go to school or hang out with friends.  These themes became especially important to me, watching my son grapple with the reality of living under lockdown.

Can you discuss the role of Greek mythology in “Dylan Dover: Orion’s Quest” and its influence on the storyline?

I also owe this inspiration to my son, who loved to learn about Greek mythology.  I wanted to include this element to appeal to him and others like him who are fascinated by the legends of Greek gods.  In “Orion’s Quest”, the Greek god Orion plays an integral role in helping the siblings discover more about the prophecy and find their missing sister.  Orion’s role is hinted at in book one by the mysterious birth marks that Dylan and Remy have which mirror the star constellation of Orion’s Belt (you can see this image on the  cover -look at the “Y” in Dylan).  The role of Greek gods does not end in Orion’s Quest. There is far more involvement of Greek gods including Zeus, Poseidon, and Hades later in the series!

How has your background as a lawyer and teacher influenced your writing, particularly in crafting the Dylan Dover series?

My skills as a lawyer helped me to write these novels because of my attention to detail.  There are a lot of moving parts, and I believe that my legal training allowed me to keep track of the various components to ensure that by the end of the series, all of the gaps had been filled.  But it is my current profession as a high school teacher which I think played a far more fundamental role in my writing. My greatest goal in writing these novels was to inspire young people to read!  With technology playing such a huge role in the lives of young people today, I wanted to create something that would get them back to the basics of reading and motivate them to put down their video games and turn off their social media (or at least put it aside!), even for a short time.  I am very cognizant of using words to build their vocabulary and inspire their imaginations, while also being understandable and appropriate for middle grade and young adult audiences. 

“Into the Vortex” has received accolades like the 2023 Golden Wizard Book Prize.  How have these recognitions impacted your approach to writing?

While I am eternally grateful for having been awarded such honours, I don’t believe that these types of accolades have impacted my approach to writing.  I write for the joy of creating something that will hopefully be enjoyed by others.  The awards don’t inspire my writing – the readers do.  That being said, these awards are definitely helpful in marketing and promoting the book.  For me, the absolute best outcome as an author, is when someone (whether it is a book reviewer, a judge from a book competition, or a young person or parent of a child who has read the book) tells me how engrossed they were by the story, how much they loved the characters and the plot, and how much they appreciated what I have created.  You can’t become an author thinking that this is going to be your primary source of income or that you are going to become famous like J.K. Rowling. You have to write because there is a calling deep inside of you to put your ideas into writing, a willingness to be vulnerable, and an inherent desire to want others to be inspired by your words.