Rhen Garland is an accomplished Mystery-Fantasy author trailblazing a new space in the Gaslamp genre. Blurring the lines between Historical Fiction, murder mystery and other aspects of the Fantasy world, What We Reading spoke to Rhen about everything from her Versipellis Mysteries series and her life as an independent author, to the motivations and influences behind her work!
Thanks for speaking with us, Rhen! First off, tell us a bit about yourself and what led you to the world of writing.
I am a Grey Kitchen Witch with a great appreciation for Prosecco, English Breakfast tea, hot-buttered crumpets, 1980’s films, and Golden Era murder mysteries. I am also a total movie geek; I can recognise actors on film from the backs of their heads…it’s a very strange talent.
I started writing my first book, A Portrait of Death, shortly after I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I had the choice of either going mad staring at four walls or finding something I could manage in very small bursts to keep myself occupied.
I see in images, not words, and one day a particular scene arrived in my head and I thought “there’s a story in there”. I wrote down what I could see, and the rest of the book arrived over the course of the next few years.
Talk to us about your Versipellis Mysteries Series. You’ve just had a new release, right?
Book four should hopefully be out by early/mid September 2023.
The Versipellis Mysteries are Gaslamp fantasy mysteries set in the late Victorian era that follow the adventures of two immortal detectives who solve mysteries while searching for the reincarnations of their murdered wives.
The series includes a cast of immortals with strange abilities, devious humans, calculating killers, sadistic toymakers, airships, and one very spoilt Labrador.
What is the number one goal you want the series to have with readers?
To know that my characters and their exploits are enjoyed by my readers… that is my goal.
What do you think makes you stand out as an author? Are you someone who throws themselves into the stories they write?
I am your classic introverted author. I will go out of my way to not stand out while hoping my books do.
I think my books are a little different from the usual. They’re Gaslamp Fantasy Mysteries, and as a genre, it’s a bit niche; they aren’t really Urban Fantasy, they aren’t Occult Horror, they aren’t Historical Fiction, they aren’t Steampunk, and they aren’t pure Murder Mystery. They’re a very peculiar mixture of all five, with occasional extras like humour, espionage, and cultists thrown into the mix.
I am a complete pantser. I have the occasional idea about plots, which I scribble on post-it notes, but I usually wing it. Part of what I enjoy about writing is finding out what happens next; usually as I’m typing.
I throw myself into the writing and absolutely knacker myself in the process. I still have CFS, and sometimes, if a scene is flowing, I keep on writing until it’s finished, and that exhausts me.
“Part of what I enjoy about writing is finding out what happens next; usually as I’m typing.”
Talk to us about one of your biggest successes so far.
I had a difficulty with one of the sites where I sell my books. They shall remain nameless, but they are known for not taking any prisoners, and they very rarely back down. It took me over a month of constant emails, and a total loss of book sales, before they reinstated my account.
If you could go back in time to one book you read for the first time, what would it be and why?
The first fantasy book I ever read was The Elfstones of Shannara by Terry Brooks. I read it when I was ten, and it just blew me away. To go back to the wide-eyed enjoyment I felt as I first read about Wil Ohmsford, Amberle Elessedil, and Allanon? That would be lovely.
What do you think is the biggest obstacle facing independent and aspiring authors these days?
Because we’re independent authors, we not only write, but we also have to organise everything that traditional publishing companies deal with on behalf of their authors; marketing, advertising, promotion, editing, formatting, cover design, appearances, and writing the dreaded blurb. Even if you manage to do most of it yourself, it can still cost a great deal in both time and money.
If you could go back in time and give your younger self one tip, what would it be?
When I was ten years old, a teacher took great delight in telling me I would never amount to anything. She then ripped up my essay in front of the class. It utterly destroyed my confidence, and I wrote nothing for twenty years. I would tell my younger self that she was an unpleasant person abusing her position and that I should ignore her, and carry on doing what I loved.
And finally, what do you hope the future holds for you and your writing?
I have ideas for another five books in the series, and some sketchy thoughts about a few short stories. I would love if someone made a TV series out of my books.
Check out all of Rhen’s work on her website or on Twitter
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
