Interview With Author Vanessa Amohia Jones
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I’m Vanessa Amohia Jones, a Tasmanian-based author, ghostwriter, and indie publisher with a deep love for haunted landscapes, ancestral stories, and evocative fiction. I live in rural Tasmania, where storytelling is woven into the rhythm of the land. I write historical fiction and spiritual tales rooted in Australasian history. I’ve written and published two works available in paperback and ePub—including Heart of a Warrior, a haunting novel set during the New Zealand Wars, and They Dwell With Us, a collection of creepy Tasmanian short stories. I also write regularly on Medium, where I share reflections on writing, publishing, and the emotional journey of creative life. Through NorthWitch Press, I’m actively building a literary brand that honours both history and heart.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is They Dwell With Us—a chocolate box of eerie tales drawn from the haunted soil of Tasmania. It’s a collection of short stories that explore the uncanny, the ancestral, and the quietly terrifying presences that linger in rural landscapes and family memory. The inspiration came from living and working across two farms, where the veil between past and present often feels thin. These stories are rooted in folklore, grief, and the strange beauty of isolation. They’re my way of honouring the whispers in the bush, the shadows in old houses, and the spirits that dwell just out of sight.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I suppose my most unusual writing habit is that I always have multiple tabs open—both on my laptop and in my brain. My friend Heather and I joke that it’s like running several novels, historical rabbit holes, and emotional plotlines simultaneously. One tab might be a 19th-century map of New Zealand, another a quantum theory article, and another a half-written scene about a haunted orchard. It’s chaotic, but it’s how I weave depth into my stories. I write in layers—letting ideas simmer across tabs until they collide in unexpected, beautiful ways.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My influences are eclectic—ranging from the lyrical historical fiction of Hannah Kent to the dark psychological landscapes of Stephen King. I’ve long admired Anne Rice’s lush, gothic sensuality and Nora Roberts’ mastery of romantic tension, especially when she blends the paranormal with emotional realism. As a child, I was deeply shaped by Tove Jansson’s Moomin stories—I hope her quiet magic, philosophical undertones, and empathy for solitude echo in my work.
What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m working on a trio of wildly different projects. One is the tale of a malevolent entity lurking in a small Tasmanian town—an eerie story steeped in local folklore and psychological tension. Another is a transgressive, sensual chronicle of vampires in early Van Diemen’s Land, exploring colonial power, desire, and the monstrous. And in between, I’m dabbling with erotica—experimenting with poetic language, emotional intimacy, and the seductive pull of the unknown.
Want a version that leans more literary, more mystical, or more playful? I’m ready for the
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I am very active on Facebook as Vanessa Amohia Jones and Instagram where my tag is vanessa_amohia_jones. I also have a website https://www.vanessaamohiajones.com/
Do you have any advice for new authors?
My advice for new authors? Firstly—just do it. Write the book, even if it’s messy, even if you’re unsure. The act of finishing something is powerful. Secondly, research everything. There’s a growing ecosystem of support for indie authors—grants, consignment opportunities, platforms like Ream, and communities that want your voice. And thirdly—never stop. Writing is a long game. Some days you’ll feel like a genius, other days like a ghost. Keep going. Your stories matter, and the world needs them.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The best advice I’ve ever heard comes from Stephen King: “To write is human, to edit is divine.” First drafts are wild and raw, but editing is where the story finds its soul. That quote reminds me that the real magic happens in the shaping, the refining, the quiet chiseling of words until they sit perfectly on the page.
What are you reading now?
I’m currently reading Black Convicts by Santilla Chingaipe—a powerful and necessary work that sheds light on the overlooked stories of African convicts transported to Australia. It’s deeply researched, challenging the dominant colonial narratives and expanding our understanding of who shaped this country. As someone drawn to hidden histories and ancestral echoes, I find it both inspiring and unsettling in the best way.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Next for me as a writer is wrangling my haunted Tasmanian novel into shape—a slow-burn story steeped in folklore, grief, and the eerie beauty of isolation. It’s a project that’s been whispering to me for years, and I’m finally ready to give it form. Alongside that, I’m exploring sensuous material more thoroughly—leaning into poetic language, emotional intimacy, and the magnetic pull of desire.
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?
If I were stranded on a desert island, I’d want a mix of soul-nourishing reads. The Good People by Hannah Kent for its eerie beauty and historical depth. Finn Family Moomintroll by Tove Jansson to remind me of childhood magic and philosophical whimsy. The Bone People by Keri Hulme—raw, spiritual, unforgettable. And The Dictionary of Lost Words by Pip Williams, which celebrates the emotional weight of language and the stories that slip between the cracks of history. That stack would keep me company beautifully!
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