EPCHS Alum In The Spotlight: Emily Hornburg, Class Of 2004

EVERGREEN PARK, IL — For as long as she can remember, Emily Hornburg has wanted to become an author.

“I’ve loved books my whole life, and some of my earliest memories are wanting to learn how to read when I started preschool and kindergarten,” said Hornburg, now an author of two fantasy novels and a 2004 Evergreen Park Community High School graduate.

Hornburg is wrapping up her third book, The Forest’s Keeper, in her The Cursed Queens series. The first two books in the series, The Night’s Chosen and The Shadow’s Heir, are both available online or upon request at your local bookstore.

“I grew up on Disney movies and devoured the Harry Potter books when they came out, so fantasy books along with my love of music and theatre all seemed to combine together!” Hornburg said. “I love reading other genres too, but whenever I sit down to write I can’t help but throw some sort of magic in there. I love exploring all of the possibilities, and fantasy is a way we can escape reality for a little while, but at the same time learn how to face our day to day life in a new way.”

Hornburg’s love of music and theatre only got stronger during her four years at EPCHS, when she was involved in nearly every music and theatre program the school had to offer.

“Band, jazz band, choir, madrigals, the musical plays, drama club; I pretty much lived in the music hallway!” she said. “I spent so much time with the Kazins and Ms. Michalek, and loved every moment of it.”

After graduation, Hornburg remained involved in music and theatre at Concordia University Chicago, performing in their theatre ministry, with the Artists of Concordia Theatre, the ministry group, “Fish out of Water” and the chapel choir.

From there, she went on to become a youth director in Missouri before returning to Chicagoland to work at preschools, hotels, and now, a medical office.

But the arts, namely writing, have remained her greatest passion.

“I’ve wanted to write my whole life and have worked on various books and projects, but over the last decade I’ve been learning about the publishing industry and working on my craft.”

It’s a craft that Hornburg dates back to her trips as a child to the Evergreen Park Public Library, the Waldenbooks at Chicago Ridge Mall and the beloved former Borders store east of Western in Beverly.

Attending EPCHS certainly helped fuel her creative side.

“It was where I learned to express myself and form bonds with friends who I still talk to and support my writing,” she said. “I’m always remembering what the Kazins and Ms. Michalek taught me about music and theatre and helped me to believe in myself and what I could accomplish. They taught me how to have fun, but how to work hard too so I can become the best artist I can possibly be.”

“I made the best friends there, and it was such a formative time to help me explore my creativity and discover my passions in life and how to tell a compelling and entertaining story through music, performance, and writing. We worked hard, and there were some long hours outside of school between band camp, competition, rehearsals and performances. But it was so worth it.”

The Cursed Queens series are a group of adult high fantasy books inspired by fairy tales, Hornburg said. The Night’s Chosen is Snow White, The Shadow’s Heir is Cinderella and The Forest’s Keeper is Red Riding Hood.

The fourth book, set to be released in March 2024, will be inspired by Sleeping Beauty.