Night Writer - London Clarke

I couldn't be more thrilled to introduce you to author of chills, London Clarke. We're bringing back Gothic Suspense, and I hope you've brought a torch because it is going to get dark in here. 🔦

Author London Clarke

About London

Obsessed with vampires and haunted houses from a young age, London grew up reading gothic tales featuring romantic and tragic heroes like Wuthering Heights and Dracula. She considers herself a recovering runaway and confesses that she once moved to England in search of a man who was the perfect amalgamation of Dracula, Hamlet, Heathcliff, and Mr. Rochester. London graduated from George Mason University with a B.A. in Music and M.F.A in Creative Writing and has had an eclectic array of jobs including receptionist, legal secretary, literary assistant, high school English teacher, and freelance editor.

London lives in a Washington, DC suburb with her husband and two greyhounds. She’s happiest when she’s writing novels, reading books, or re-watching her favorite programs like The Vampire Diaries or Being Human.

About London's Books

Get it Here

WILDFELL

Anne Fleming is running away.

An ill-fated relationship with her graduate school professor drives Anne to dispose of all her possessions, assume a new identity, and board a London-bound plane. But a chance meeting on that flight leads her to Wildfell, a gothic mansion with a cast of strange characters and a long history of disappearances and deaths.

While living at Wildfell, Anne is plagued by voices, ghostly mists, and a mute girl with a sketchbook full of murders. She only remains because of her strong attraction to a fellow inhabitant—gorgeous actor Bain Tierney. But when Wildfell tenants begin disappearing one by one, Anne must decide if she trusts Bain. Is anyone in the house who they claim to be? Or are there are other forces at work inside Wildfell? And will they ever let her leave?

Get it Here

THE MEADOWS

A decades-old murder. A blood-thirsty cult. And a house full of spirits.

When songwriter Scarlett DeHaven leaves Nashville and her old life behind, it’s supposed to be a new beginning, a fresh start in the Shenandoah Valley, where her memories aren’t riddled with drug addiction and rehab. There’s the possibility for healing, tranquility, and love. But after purchasing an abandoned house with a checkered past in the hopes of transforming it into a luxury bed and breakfast, strange things start to happen. Disturbing voices and noises interrupt her new life. Strangers appear, bearing cryptic warnings. A tunnel is discovered underneath the house—one historically used for a local cult’s rituals. After a late-night encounter with an entity that leaves her injured, Scarlett realizes she is being targeted by violent spirits.

Driven to the edge of despair, Scarlett vows to fight back—but she has no idea what she’s really battling. And her nightmare is just beginning…

The Meadows is a gripping supernatural thriller in which the monsters may be
vampires, demons, or flesh and blood. It is a nightmare that will make you
believe it could easily happen to you.

My Q&A with London

Was there anything specific that drew you to this genre?

I’ve been drawn to scary books and stories since I was in the second grade. I think it started with my grandfather asking me to write a ghost story. After that, I read any scary books I could get my hands on. When I was in the fourth grade, ABC started playing re-runs of the 1960s soap opera Dark Shadows, and I became obsessed with Collingwood and Barnabas Collins, and then my whole vampire obsession began. And it has never ended. ☺

What is your favorite Paranormal/Dark/Gothic novel?

Actually, by today’s standards, this probably wouldn’t be considered paranormal, but it’s definitely gothic. Wuthering Heights is really my favorite novel ever. A close second would be Dracula, and then I love all modern/contemporary gothic stuff.

What is your favorite Gothic motif/theme/element? Any particular reason why?

Yes. The house. I love the house on the hill or by the ocean, and the weather’s always stormy and the house itself is creepy and perhaps has supernatural occurrences going on. Maybe it’s actually haunted or maybe it just has the appearance of being so—either way works for me. I adore vampires, of course, and then the idea of the “madwoman in the attic” made so popular by Jane Eyre. Insanity in any form always works well with this genre. These motifs are spooky, mysterious, romantic, and they may or may not have a resolution or a reason for them, but they make for page-turning stories. I love the atmospheric element of the gothic—it’s an escape.

Which resource/s helped you the most in researching for or writing your paranormal/dark/gothic novel/series?

Wildfell was set in London, so I relied on some of my British friends to give me details about places and procedural things. I lived in London for a little while, so I had some idea of areas and layout, but I needed specific streets and answers to “what would happen if…” I also did a lot of Google searches for tube maps and bus schedules.

For The Meadows, I did more research about paranormal groups and their investigations. I watched a lot of Paranormal Witness and A Haunting episodes. I also had to do a bit of research on rural Virginia, but I don’t live to far from the supposed spot of The Meadows, so that wasn’t very hard. Reading popular and bestselling mystery and thriller authors actually helps me a lot with reinforcing my story arc and dialogue.

What’s next for you? Is there anything you can tell us about it?

Yes. Next up is Whickering Place, the second book in the Legacy of Darkness series. It’s the follow-on novel to The Meadows, although it’s set in Asheville, North Carolina. It casts mostly different characters from The Meadows, but demonologist Hunter Massabrook will reappear in the second one as well. It should be out by April. After that, I have a standalone, Dunraven, which will be set in Wales. That one will come out toward the end of the year.

And finally, is there anything else you would like to share with others who write or are looking to write Paranormal/Dark/Gothic Romance? Any tips? Any groups they should be checking out? Any places they should be visiting, etc.

I’m really glad that gothic/scary books are making a comeback. I feel like there has been a huge dearth of such books in the past, and I hope there will be many more people writing them in the future. I suggest Paranormal Romance Guild as a group to join. They’re awesome people, very helpful, and they offer lots of resources to writers in this genre. And I recommend reading the oldies but goodies. Victoria Holt’s gothic romances are just the best. And of course, V.C. Andrews original books. They’re great examples of originality and world-building.

If you can visit England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, do. There is no end to the gothic inspiration in those settings.

Where can we stalk you on the web?

Yes! I love web-stalkers. You'll quickly find out ALL my obsessions.

Website: LondonClarke.com

Facebook: London Clarke

Twitter: @londonclarke2

Pinterest: @londonclarkeauthor


Thank you so much for sharing, London!

Stay beautifully haunted, Night Writers,

🖤 Shadow.

Night Writer - Renee Ross

If you thought Gothic Romance was dead, think again and keep reading. Gothic Romance is not just remembered as a distant memory, but is alive and kicking and is as chilling as ever. Come down the dark hallway with me and meet Gothic Romance Author Renee Ross.

About Renee Ross

I was born in October of 1961. Growing up in the era of the 60’s and 70’s, I was influenced by the Gothic romance writers of the day: Dorothy Eden, Victoria Holt, Virginia Coffman and many others. I was obsessed with the Dark Shadows original series – the Gothic soap opera that ran from 1966 to 1971. In those days, we didn’t have any means of recording programs so, every weekday at 3:15, I would run the few blocks home from elementary school just in time to see the commercials before the music and credits rolled up the screen. I was able to watch whole episodes during the summer months, at least. And today, I have every episode on DVD.

I was a big fan of Vincent Price, Christopher Plummer, and Boris Karloff. In particular, movies made from the novels of Edgar Allan Poe, of whom I’m also a fan. One of my best memories of childhood was the pajama party I had with my mother every Saturday night when we watched those movies in a dark living room with just the flicker of the television screen. I was an only child – very shy and introverted so, I didn’t have many friends. I always preferred solitude, books, and animals over people.

I’ve written six Gothic novels since 2005. My stories and my writing are evolving, with each book in the Thornehaven series becoming darker. I read both the Gothics of old as well as the domestic noir novels of today and find that the former often hasn’t the level of suspense I’m looking for and the latter hasn’t the level of foreboding. In this series, I’ve done a little genre-bending. I’ve kept the heavy Gothic atmosphere that readers expect while cranking up the excitement and plot twists.

Basically, I write the kind of books I want to read: Wuthering Heights meets Alfred Hitchcock. And, as both a writer and a reader, I look forward to what I hope will be the Gothic romance revival of the 21st century.

Can you tell us a bit about what you are currently working on?

I am working on my 4-volume Thornehaven series. Each book can be read as a stand-alone or in any order the reader chooses.

The Reincarnation of Anna, Book 1

When Corinne marries into the Thorne family, she's no match for her cold-hearted step-daughter who has daddy wrapped around her little finger. Julianna is an exact replica of her exquisitely beautiful mother, Anna, who died giving birth. Anna's identical twin sister - grotesquely disfigured in a fire - is convinced that Anna's soul entered Julianna's body as she left this world and her daughter entered it. Corinne finds this hard to believe until the evidence mounts and the threat against her life and that of her unborn child becomes horrifyingly real.

The Haunting of Delilah, Book 2

Lured by the imposing castle on a cliff, the first mistress of Thornehaven's untimely death marked the beginning of many tragedies that would befall its future inhabitants. Delilah, the second wife of handsome, brooding Jonathan Thorne, watches helplessly as unimaginable twists of fate strike those closest to them. When her husband turns his back on her, not even the fact that she's carrying his child is enough to break through the barriers of misunderstanding and smoldering resentment that divide them. As the birth of the long-awaited heir approaches, the wheels of cursed fate are set in motion, and the events that follow are so horrific that no one would blame the young bride if she lost her mind.

The Torment of Cassandra, Book 3 – Soon to be released.

Cassandra Powell is a young woman used to getting her way. So when she falls in love with Jeremy - a man in need of an heir - she keeps her infertility a secret. Not until she's living with the Thorne family does she learn of its horrifying history and about the room at the top of the stairs she's forbidden to enter. Her defiance sets off a fresh wave of tragic events and pushes their fragile marriage to the brink. After a year without conceiving, Jeremy grows darker and more distant than ever. When she intercepts a letter from his pregnant mistress, she hatches a diabolical plan to rid herself of the problem and have the baby she's always wanted. Only this time the price of having her way is so high, death would be a mercy.

The Possession of Juliet, Book 4 – still in the plot planning stage.

What is your favorite Dark/Gothic novel?

I would have to say Daphne du Maurier’s Rebecca. It proves that the Gothic romance is a genre that appeals to a wide audience and maintains its popularity over time. Books like The Turn of the Screw, Wuthering Heights, and Jane Eyre are also good examples of Gothic romance classics.

What is your favorite Gothic motif/theme/element? Any particular reason why?

I can’t choose just one because I love them all. Especially thunderstorms, graveyards, large Victorian mansions, and black cats. I can’t say why either, but things like that have appealed to me in books, television, and movies for as far back as I can remember.

Which resource/s helped you the most in researching or writing your dark stories?

As well as Dark Shadows, I also enjoy watching classic Gothic films on YouTube. Films and books are a great way to study story structure. I love to create storyboards on Pinterest, collect character inspiration, historical fashion, as well as great writing tips.

Do you have plans to continue writing in this genre? If so, is there anything about it you would be willing to share?

Yes. I’ll be writing the final book of my Thornehaven series and then I’ll be sticking with single Gothic romance novels for a while.

Do you have any advice or insights for other Dark or Gothic writers?

Stay true to your preferred genre, and don’t let anyone tell you that Gothic books don’t sell or don’t have an audience. Write what you love, read what you love, and believe in your passion. There will always be a market for dark literature.

Please let us know where we can stalk you.

You can find me on my website reneerossbooks.com. I don’t blog, but please join my mailing list so I can let you know when I have a new release or if my other books are temporarily discounted or free.

I’m on Pinterest as Gothic Romance Remembered. There you can find storyboards for all the books I’ve written. Including The Ghost of Emily Grey and The Craft of the Wise.

I’m on Facebook and Twitter as Gothic Romance Remembred@reneerossbooks. I post Gothic romance covers of the 1960’s and 1970’s. People my age are so nostalgic about these books and I’m surprised and delighted at the number of young people who love them too.

You can also follow me on Amazon and Goodreads.

Thank you so much for sharing with us!

As always, Night Writers, stay Beautifully Haunted,

♥ Shadow.

A Naughty Victorian Primer for Dark Fiction

The Dark and Gothic genres have always dealt with human depravity and included themes of taboo relations and sexual deviance. In the Victorian Gothic this was especially sensational, though in an age that appeared prudish they were anything but.

According to this post by Professor Calamity and Margaret Killjoy for Tor.com, there were approximately 23 patents on fully mechanical dildos in the 19th century, some steam powered. Ouch. Strap-ons, dildos, and a sundry of other devices were available, along with all manners of kink, fetish and BDSM. Also, here is a list provided by Listverse of kinky books written by Victorians, that should give you an idea of just how not prudish they really were.

While I will not be going all Marquis de Sade here, I thought I'd share with you some bawdy terms, as well as a few other resources to assist you in your research. Though if you want to delve into the darkest of dark, reading Marquis de Sade would certainly assist you. He was not a Victorian nor is his work erotic, but both he and his writing are one hundred percent human depravity and sexual deviance.

A Short List of Bawdy Victorian Terms

Abbess - a Madame
Abbot - a Madame's favorite client
Bordello - brothel
Backgammoner - anal sex
Bagpiping - blowjob
Ballocks -  man's testicles
Bawbles -  man's testicles
Cooler - arse
Dollymop - a part-time prostitute
Dugs - breasts
French Envelope - condom
Fruitful Vine - vulva
Harlot - a whore
Knee Trembler - sexual intercourse standing up
Left-Handed Wife - a mistress
Mary-Anne - a male sex worker; homosexual

Night Flower - a prostitute

Prigging - sexual intercourse

Quail-pipe - a woman's tongue

Quim - vulva
Sheath - condom
Tart - an immoral woman
Tip the Velvet - going down on a woman
Toffer - a high-class prostitute
Tool - penis
Tom - a masculine lesbian


For more Victorian slang, I recommend checking out this post by quailbellmagazine.com and the Dictionary of Victorian Slang. There is also the Classical Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue which dates back to before the Victorian Era, but still a great resource.

Recommended Blogs, Websites and Books

TheWhoresofYore.com

ListVerse: 10 Fascinating Facts about Prostitution in the Victorian Era

The Pearl: An almost complete collection of the Victorian Erotic Newspaper (1879-1881)

HistoryUndressed.com

The Dictionary of Victorian London

The Victorian Guide to Sex: Desire and Deviance in the 19th Century by Fern Riddell

Unmentionable: The Victorian Lady's guide to Sex, Marriage, and Manners by Therese Oneill


What other helpful resources have you come across in your writing research? Let me know in the comments and I'll make sure to add it to my list.

Stay Beautifully Haunted, Night Writers,

♥ Shadow.

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