At Gothic Bite Magazine we love welcoming new patients to become part of our asylum. We question them and learn about them. It doesn’t matter what creative field they are part of because they’re our patient now. This week, we welcome Ariel Dawn.

Patient Name: Ariel Dawn

Hi! I’m Ariel Dawn! I’m a real-life mermaid. Seriously, ask me about my mermaid tail, cosplayer, fangirl, PA and author!

I grew up as an avid reader and a creative soul. I write primarily plot-driven paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and reverse harem, but I also write in many other genres, including contemporary romance and sci-fi romance.

When I’m not writing, I can often be found in costume at conventions, reading all the books, as one does, hanging out with family and friends, and playing video games and board games with my retro gamer husband.

Look for her on her website!

THE QUESTIONING

GOTHIC BITE MAGAZINE (GBM): When did you know you wanted to write novels?

ARIEL DAWN: I’ve always been a writer, even when I was young. I started with writing poetry and always worked on “my book.” I actually had about three books I wrote for over ten years, but it wasn’t until 2020 that I decided to try to make publishing a reality. 

I have ADHD, so I never thought I had the discipline to finish a project. I signed up for a charity anthology to push myself out of my comfort zone, to give myself a deadline and a chance to see if I could finish a NEW project. My first short story, Faded, was released in April of 2020, and it’s been history ever since.

GBM: What genre do you write, and what category best describes your writing?

ARIEL DAWN: I write a little of everything, but what I write mostly falls in the paranormal romance realm. Gothic fiction, monster romance, reverse harem, and even urban fantasy all fall under that umbrella with my books. 

I do write contemporary romance as well, and I’m working on a sci-fi romance as well.

GBM: You mentioned your work, which is all in paranormal or Gothic settings. Would you tell our readers why you are more attracted to that genre?

ARIEL DAWN: I grew up watching Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Xena The Warrior Princess kick butt every week, but I also grew up reading books like Dracula and Anita Blake. My mom was pretty into the paranormal, read tarot cards, and was pretty witchy by today’s standards.

So, I guess you could say it’s just in my DNA. Tough, strong FMCs who save the day and don’t mind getting a little bloody and slay monsters? Sign me up! And even better if there are vampires *swoon.*

GBM: When writing about the paranormal, do you do research, and if so, how far do you go with your research?

ARIEL DAWN: Yes. When writing my Forevermore books, I did a lot of research, which occurred in different historical periods. So, part of that research was historical accuracy, which involved the societal undertones of magic and the paranormal during those periods. For instance, during the 1920s, fortune telling was just as criminal as prohibition, but fortune telling was still quite popular in tea rooms, so I included that. 

I also research current practices and rituals to ensure I’m being as accurate as possible when writing for many reasons. The main reason is that I don’t want to depict any modern practicing witches in a negative light.

I also attend classes with my witchy besties, where I learn about many different aspects of magic, which also helps with my writing.

GBM: What is most important to you when writing your novels?

ARIEL DAWN: Connection. I want you to connect with my characters and their stories, even if they are in fantasy worlds. Take Jenna Hellsing, for example, from my Monsters of Ashwood series. Jenna is a survivor of trauma, abuse, and attempted suicide. 

Her journey of acceptance and justice, as well as her journey of healing, is something I hope can be a beacon for others who have been through similar things. 

And because I research things for my books, I spoke with a psychotherapist when writing treatments and diagnosis, as well as specific behaviours, to make sure I was depicting everything correctly. My own struggles and those in my life who struggle with our mental health and have our own diagnosis infused Jenna just as much as the research did. 

Books may be fiction, but they still have power, and the power of connection is the most important part to me. I want my stories and my characters to be inspiring and relatable.

GBM: Which authors influenced your writing and why?

ARIEL DAWN: I think fandom influences my writing more than other authors. Buffy, Xena, Supernatural, and even Twilight significantly influence my writing. 

Author-wise, though, I’d have to go with Anne Rice, Laurel K. Hamilton, Stephenie Meyer, and even E. L. James is all authors that definitely influence my writing, but I think more of my indie author friends are the biggest influencers.

Like my co-authors Quell T. Fox, Margo Bond Collins, Stella Nova, AJ Mullican, and my publisher Gina Kincade. Other indie authors like C. Rochelle and Alisha Williams are definite favourites who inspire me and my writing.

GBM: Which of your novels is your favourite, and why is it your favourite?

ARIEL DAWN: The Ava Crowley Vampire Slayer series is my absolute favourite.

In The Blood was my second book, and it was an actual love letter to my fascination with vampire romance. Readers loved it so much that I gave Ava and Cas their own series, spawning an entire universe.

The main influences of Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Supernatural are very prominent, and there are many other fandom nods in the series. The characters are very close to my heart, and there are a lot of bits and pieces in that series that come from my real-life inspirations, like my husband, besties, and even my mother, who I know would have loved the series if she was still here. 

It is an ongoing series and, by far, my favourite world to write in.

My second favourite is my series with Quell T. Fox, Shifters of Starfall Creek. It was the first reverse harem book I wrote, my first foray into steamy writing, and my first time writing a bisexual character, and the series arc is one of my favourites. The characters are also very close to my heart. I’m biased, but I’m obsessed with this series and its characters. Especially Dustin Blackridge. He’s just…*chef’s kiss*

GBM: Do you believe in the paranormal?

ARIEL DAWN: Absolutely. It’s hard not to when you’ve had your own experiences, right? And I definitely have my own experiences with the paranormal throughout my life. 

GBM: What was your reaction when you learned a publisher wanted you as part of their authors? / What made you decide to be self-published? 

ARIEL DAWN: I met my publisher when I wrote my first book, In The Cards, part of an anthology she was running. She loved my debut, and after I sent her my second book, In The Blood, I accepted the offer to be part of Naughty Nights Press LLC. 

I was stunned then, and I am still stunned three years later. I can’t imagine my author career without her influence and support. Before I signed with my publisher, she’d been a source of knowledge and support and was pivotal in helping me start my journey.

Self-publishing is what I started with. The charity anthology I signed up for and the collection my publisher ran were composed primarily of indies, and I just settled in the indie author community. 

I hybrid publish, so I’m part traditional publishing, with my publisher, and part self-publishing. I like the freedom I have with self-publishing.

GBM: What sets you apart from other paranormal and Gothic authors?

ARIEL DAWN: Besides my ADHD and my mermaid tail? I seriously own a mermaid tail. I swim with it in my pool.

I like to think we’re all unique in our own way, and I think my “special sauce” is my descriptive, dramatic prose and my musicality. I’m a sensory person in life and reading, so my writing is very descriptive and immersive. 

I also intertwine music and soundtracks into all my books so you can check out a playlist, set the scene, and immerse yourself a little more. Many readers describe this as feeling like they are reading or watching a movie, and my soundtracks are one of their favourite things about my books aside from the stories themselves.

GBM: What can readers look forward to from Kailyn Trainers-Walters in 2024?

ARIEL DAWN: I publish a lot in a year, so I’ll just hit the highlights. There will be more Ava Crowley, Vampire Slayer and Hunter Games books, which I’m the most excited about. 

I also have more books in the Speed Dating series, the Underworld series, and the Blackthorn Academy for Supernatural series. Margo and I will be releasing more Scared Shiftless books, and I have a couple of other co-writes coming out, too. I’m also hoping to release some more monster romance next year.

I’m also going to be doing some more book cons and events and look forward to travelling.