We chat with debut creator Felicity Epps about A Grave Inheritance, which weaves sisterhood, seances and unsolved murders… The Society of Free Spirits invitations you to research, on this YA crime sequence with a supernatural twist.
Hello, Felicity! Are you able to inform our readers a bit about your self?
Hello, I dwell by the ocean in Kent, UK, and I like to put in writing spooky tales, with cosy moments working by! I studied English Literature at college earlier than finishing a Masters in Eighteenth-Century Research, the place I researched feminine murderers in true crime writing. I like amassing previous books and exploring cemeteries – I appear to search out the most effective inspiration for my character names on headstones! I even have a one yr previous daughter, who retains me busy by pulling all of the books off the underside cabinets of my bookcases.
When did you first uncover your love for writing and tales?
My two sisters and I had been endlessly creating characters once we had been youngsters, and I stored a “journal” of their adventures! Even once we grew out of enjoying our video games, I nonetheless wrote the tales about our characters. My dad was additionally a tremendous storyteller, making up bedtime tales on the spot, and we had plenty of books in our home rising up. It appeared inevitable that my bed room would find yourself with 5 bookcases squeezed round a mattress and a writing desk.
Fast lightning spherical! Inform us:
- The primary e-book you ever keep in mind studying: Flower Fairies by C M Barker – I beloved the illustrations matched with a poem.
- The one which made you wish to change into an creator: The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi. I used to be obsessive about fairies and folklore, so I adored this sequence.
- The one that you may’t cease interested by: Howl’s Transferring Fortress by Diana Wynne Jones – I’m at all times returning to it once I really feel like one thing whimsical.
Your debut novel, A Grave Inheritance, is out now! If you happen to may solely describe it in 5 phrases, what would they be?
Spooky. Thriller. Gothic. Friendship. Séances!
What can readers count on?
A Grave Inheritance is a gothic homicide thriller. After the mysterious deaths of her father and sister, Dolores Rain is left with the household’s inheritance, and a dismal Victorian home that have to be haunted! Teaming up along with her occult-obsessed neighbour, Ada, and the mysterious non secular medium, Violet, the three ladies plan to dispel the unhealthy spirits from Dolores’ dwelling – and raise the veil on a homicide!
The place did the inspiration for A Grave Inheritance come from?
My inspiration for the e-book started with my predominant character, Dolores. I had a picture in my head of her dwelling in a home draped in mourning, investigating unusual shadows. Every part else advanced round her. A big a part of Dolores’s character is overcoming her nervousness and regaining her confidence. And naturally, this implies she has to confront the ghosts haunting her home!
Have been there any moments or characters you actually loved writing or exploring?
I had a lot enjoyable researching the subject of Victorian Spiritualism for this novel, particularly for my character Violet, who works as a non secular medium. I used to be actually drawn to the concept that whereas younger girls had been usually underestimated within the Victorian interval, they had been capable of finding their voices by talking with the useless. Mediums had the uncommon alternative of reaching their very own careers, with out having to depend on a husband. I wished to have fun this independence in every of my three predominant characters: Dolores, Ada and Violet.
Pictured: Dolores, Ada and Violet (by artist Kim Ekdahl)
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Did you face any challenges while writing? How did you overcome them?
As my novel has a historic setting, I feel my greatest problem was not getting carried away with analysis. I used to be continually looking previous newspaper archives for snippets about mediums, apothecary recipes and mourning customs. I prefer to retailer up fascinating details and adecdotes a couple of time interval, so even when one thing wasn’t related to this novel, I plan to make use of it once more elsewhere!
That is your debut novel! What was the street to changing into a printed creator like for you?
I’ve been writing draft novels since I used to be a young person, so it appears like an extended journey – however I imagine every part occurs on the proper time! I signed with my wonderful literary agent, Jessica Hare, after which it was a technique of revisions and occurring submission. Writing the primary draft of a e-book at all times appears to be the quickest half for me, whereas the enhancing and redrafting retains me busy for months and months. Seeing A Grave Inheritance in bookshops appears like each a conclusion of 1 chapter and the start of one other as a debut creator!
What’s subsequent for you?
Guide 2 in The Society of Free Spirits sequence! I’m so happy that I get to proceed writing séances that includes Dolores, Ada and Violet, and create extra mysteries for them to unravel. The second novel is already written and present process revisions, so I can’t wait to share extra particulars about it quickly!
Lastly, what books have you ever loved studying this yr? Are there any you’re wanting ahead to selecting up?
I’m at the moment studying by the Belladonna sequence by Adalyn Grace, beginning on Wisteria subsequent! I’m additionally excited for Ava Reid’s A Theory of Dreaming to be launched, as I actually loved A Study in Drowning.
