Through virtual reality, author Helen Lundstrom Erwin is bridging the gap between past and future.

While Helen brings the past to life through her historical fiction, she may also be the first author to create a metaverse space, based on her most recent book, in which live events happen.

That space is The Foremothers Cafe, inspired by her recent book, Sour Milk in Sheep’s Wool.

And there’s an exciting parallel.

In The Foremothers Cafe, which Helen hosts in Engage VR, women meet, to discuss current issues in real time.

Issues, history–and groundbreaking

In Sour Milk In Sheep’s Wool, inspired by Helen’s great-grandmother’s life in Sweden in the 19th century, a main character opens a cafe. By day it serves coffee, baked goods etc.

And by night, women meet, clandestinely, to discuss the issues that affect their lives. Temperance, birth control, and the right to vote are their main topics of discussion. And these conversations lead to action…

For a twenty-first century reader, the fact that they had to meet in secret seems unfathomable–but these “foremothers” paved the way, with discussions, demonstrations and a refusal to accept the status quo–for the opportunities which today’s women enjoy.

Speaking of which…

On November 22nd, Helen’s third book, The Lure of Water and Wood, will be released. You can pre-order it now, and Helen says a release party will be happening in The Foremothers Cafe in the near future.

She also has an invitation for you.

On November 30th, Helen’s mother’s birthday, friends are invited to meet in The Foremothers Cafe–and discuss the “foremothers” who have made a difference in their own lives. More information will be forthcoming on Helen’s website.

Helen talked about her writing career, shared the story of creating The Foremothers Cafe in virtual reality, and offered a preview of what’s next!

On this edition of Over Coffee® we cover:

• How Helen first became interested in writing;

• Why she chose historical fiction as her genre;

• How her great-grandmother inspired her book, Sour Milk in Sheep’s Wool;

• The story of The Foremothers Cafe and how the metaverse space resulted from Helen’s historical novel;

• What visitors will experience, in The Foremothers Cafe;

• Special features to look for, in the cafe;

• A closer look at the two main characters in Sour Milk in Sheep’s Wool;

• Helen’s vision for The Foremothers Cafe, as a place where women from all over the world meet and support each other, as they deal with current issues;

• What surprised Helen most, as she researched her book;

• A preview of her new book, The Lure of Water and Wood;

• The possibility of a second virtual world!

• How to support her, as an author.