Interview With Author Lionel Nay
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m a historian and author with a deep passion for London’s forgotten stories. My work explores the fascinating intersection where historical fact, folklore, and mystery meet. I have written two books that guide readers into this hidden world: The Vampire of Highgate Cemetery and its full-length sequel, The Inner Sanctum.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is The Vampire of Highgate Cemetery. I was inspired by the real-life media frenzy that gripped London in the 1970s. It was a perfect storm of local folklore, genuine eyewitness accounts, and paranormal investigation that has since been largely forgotten. I wanted to uncover the true story of what happened and explore why this legend had such a powerful hold on the city.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
My most important habit is visiting the actual locations I write about. Before writing about Highgate, I spent a great deal of time walking through the cemetery, trying to absorb the atmosphere. There’s a certain truth and authenticity you can only find by standing in the place where history actually happened
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m heavily influenced by Peter Ackroyd’s masterful books on London, which treat the city itself as a living, breathing character. On the paranormal side, the meticulous (if sometimes eccentric) research of Montague Summers is a constant inspiration. And of course, it’s impossible to write about vampires in a Victorian setting without acknowledging the long shadow cast by Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
What are you working on now?
I am currently preparing for the release of the next book in my series, The Inner Sanctum. While The Vampire of Highgate Cemetery introduces readers to the world of London’s hidden supernatural history, The Inner Sanctum is a full-length novel that plunges them into a secret society of occult investigators. It picks up on the threads of history and folklore and weaves them into a much larger, more dangerous mystery.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My best method is to connect directly with readers by offering a free book. Giving readers The Vampire of Highgate Cemetery for free is the perfect introduction to my world. If they enjoy that deep-dive into a real-life legend, they know they will love the thrilling mystery that awaits in The Inner Sanctum. It builds trust and a loyal audience.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write the book that you desperately wish you could find on a dusty library shelf. If a topic fascinates you, if a story sparks your imagination, chase that feeling relentlessly. Your genuine passion is the most powerful marketing tool you have. Do the research, honor the story, and write with absolute conviction.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Done is better than perfect.” It’s easy to get lost in endless revisions, but at some point, you have to trust your work and share it with the world. You can’t build a career on a masterpiece that only exists on your hard drive.
What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold. It’s a remarkable work of social history that reclaims the narrative for the victims, and it’s a masterclass in historical research.
What’s next for you as a writer?
After the launch of The Inner Sanctum, I plan to continue the series, delving into other forgotten legends and secret histories of London. There are countless stories waiting to be unearthed, from the phantom of the London Underground to the secrets of the city’s ancient Roman foundations.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
1. London: The Biography by Peter Ackroyd (for endless exploration).
2. The Complete Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle (for perfect logic and atmosphere). 3. A Dictionary of Phrase and Fable (as a source of infinite new stories and ideas).
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