Interview With Author Penelope-Ann Ashbourne
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Penelope-Ann Ashbourne, and I write atmospheric fiction with a strong sense of place, mystery, and that quiet kind of tension that sneaks up on you. I’m fascinated by what we don’t say out loud—those unspoken histories, odd silences, and the shadows that seem to stretch just a little too far. So far, I’ve written three books: The Bones Beneath Blackwood, The Guest Who Never Left, and most recently, Dark Lullabies: Twisted Bedtime Stories for Adults.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest is Dark Lullabies, which is a collection of unsettling short stories meant to be read at night—ideally when you’re just a little too tired to convince yourself there’s nothing under the bed. The idea came from my own love of bedtime stories, but I wanted to twist the concept. Instead of soothing tales, these are ones that unsettle you just enough to make you think twice before turning out the light. Each story is a little different—some are psychological, some folkloric, some quietly supernatural—but all of them sit in that eerie space between waking and dreaming.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write best when it’s quiet—but not silent. I often have storm sounds or ambient noises playing in the background. And I tend to write in bursts, usually late at night, which is probably when I feel most connected to the eerie energy I try to channel into my work. I also scribble ideas on anything within reach—envelopes, receipts, margins of books—so my writing desk always looks like a soft paper explosion.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Shirley Jackson is a big one—her ability to build dread with such subtlety is something I always go back to. Sarah Waters, for how richly she builds character and setting. And I’ll never stop loving the quiet unease in Susan Hill’s The Woman in Black. I also find inspiration in folklore and old ghost stories, especially those that leave more questions than answers.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on a novel that leans a bit more into gothic suspense—still mysterious, still atmospheric, but with an even deeper exploration of isolation, memory, and the question of whether we ever really leave the past behind. It takes place in a crumbling coastal estate that may—or may not—be haunted. (Spoiler: something’s definitely not right.)
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Honestly, connecting directly with readers has been the most rewarding and effective thing for me. That said, I’ve also found niche communities—especially those focused on gothic fiction or atmospheric horror—to be incredibly supportive. And a good-looking website helps as a central hub where everything lives.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write the book you’d want to read, even if you’re not sure anyone else will “get it.” Also: finish the draft. It doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to exist. You can’t revise what isn’t written. Oh, and give yourself permission to write badly sometimes. That’s how good writing begins.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Trust the reader.” You don’t need to explain everything. In fact, a little ambiguity often sticks with people longer than a fully spelled-out answer. Let them fill in the blanks—and they will, often in more interesting ways than you imagined.
What are you reading now?
Right now I’m reading Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield. It’s gorgeously strange—quiet, sad, and eerie in all the right ways. I love books that blur the line between genres and leave space for interpretation.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’d love to explore more cross-genre work—stories that mix mystery, folklore, psychological suspense, maybe even a little speculative fiction. I’m also thinking about a second collection of short stories, this time centered around urban legends and modern myths.
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?
Oof, that’s hard! I’d take Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier, The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson, The Secret History by Donna Tartt (because it rewards re-reading), and probably something comforting and familiar like The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern, for a little magic.
Author Websites and Profiles
Penelope-Ann Ashbourne Website
Penelope-Ann Ashbourne Amazon Profile
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