After residing in multiple haunted houses, Eve S. Evans wanted answers. Thus she began her journey by interviewing over 200 people in hopes to find answers. Her interviewing journey led to over 20 published anthologies.
Eve is the host of 3 podcasts: The Ghost That Haunts Me with Eve Evans, A Truly Haunted Podcast, and Bone Chilling Tales To Keep You Awake. She co-hosts a 4th with James Curro, Forever Haunted. Eve also runs the YouTube channel: Bone Chilling Tales.
Eve continues to search for answers. Since 2020 she has begun ghost hunting in haunted locals as well as her own house.
In 2021 she began releasing numerous fictional haunted house novella thrillers. You can find Eve’s books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Eve-S-Evans/e/B0839PZ466 or Eve’s website: www.eveevansbooks.net
The Haunting of Crow House
The Haunting of Hartley House
Haunted Suburbs
Haunted People
True Ghost Stories of First Responders
Voices From Beyond, Real Ghost Stories: Halloween Hauntings
50 Terrifying Ghost Stories
Shadow People
Chilling Ghost Stories
Haunted Hotels
Haunted Hospitals
Seeded From Evil
Haunted Objects
Real Ghost Stories: Disturbing Paranormal Stories Based On True Events
Real Ghost Stories: Paralyzing Tales of Paranormal Encounters
Paranormal Places
Ghost Stories: Horrifying Tales Of The Supernatural
What sets your books apart from all others?
I have lived in multiple haunted houses. One in fact that caused me so much anxiety I had to get medicated. I started interviewing and writing ghost story anthologies to put out a message to others who have been haunted that they are not crazy, these things happen to others ALL the time. Also in hopes others would not feel so alone. I wanted to reach out to people and show support for them in whatever situation they might currently be in.
Who is your target market, who should be reading your books?
Readers that genuinely enjoy my earlier works, a.e. Ghost Anthologies are usually those who have been in similar situations they cannot explain, or people just fascinated with the paranormal. My newer fictional books: The Haunting of Hartley House, The Haunting of Crow House, and coming soon, The Haunting of Redburn Manor, usually appeal to anyone into True Crime, Horror, or Suspense.
What authors inspired you most and how so?
Obviously Stephen King is a huge inspiration. But Darcy Coates is my biggest inspiration. I absolutely enjoy all of her books. She actually inspired me to write about fictional haunted houses.
What advice do you have to offer in support of other authors?
I would say that if you have a message or a story that you want to get out there, don’t be shy. I have wanted to be an author since I was 7 years old. Obviously life happens… kids… marriage… college, etc. and it doesn’t always work out according to plan. But don’t give up on your dream or idea just because you choose to use the excuse ‘I’m too busy.’ If you are always “too busy” it will never get written!
What is your genre of choice and why?
I love suspense and horror. I absolutely thrive at it. But I’ll tell you a secret… I started out writing Romance because I love Hallmark movies. But after the first book I just knew romance was not the genre for me. I then put out my first ghost anthology and lived for it. Then I decided to scrap romance and just do horror.
How’d you come about discovery of your writing talent, gift or ability?
I’ve pursued writing classes my entire life. Always excelled at English and just devoured books. I knew from the moment I could read that it was something I was meant to do. Plus… I was an avid daydreamer. I had so many book ideas always popping in my head but never made the time to write them! Now I’m starting fictional books as well, and loving it. The plotting out process is my favorite. I absolutely love creating the bones of the story and watching it come to life.
What’s next on your authorship agenda?
Honestly, I’m not sure. I have 22 published books so far and I plan to keep going. I’m not sure how many more ghost anthologies I will put out in the future. In 2021 I am focusing more on fictional haunted house books. I have 3 so far that will be out by May 2021. Two of them are going to be a series. So that is my main focus at the moment. I’m trying my best to get out as many as possible this year. I had some people read The Haunting of Hartley House and beg me for the second book. I am actually just finishing up my plotting process on it, so it will be out this year, just not sure exactly when yet.
Is writing for you synonymous with living and breathing, or just something you do as a hobby, and how so and why?
As most writer’s will probably tell you, I wish this was my “full time” job. Right now it is a hobby. I own and run a separate business that is seasonal. I also run 4 podcasts. So between those and kids I tend to have my time full. But I hope some day to just be a full time author.
What do you feel we need to hear or read more of, that is rare today in a book?
I honestly love Darcy Coates’ books. I wish there were more like them! I know Amy Cross writes some and I have yet to test her out. Jeremy Bates is decent and also Kelly Martin does an amazing job at them as well. But I do wish there were more authors of true paranormal or even fictional paranormal books. (And I’m not talking paranormal romance).
What changes in the literary world would you most like to see?
This one is a tough one! I guess the publishing world has really undergone so much change in the last 10 years. So many more authors are able to rise from self-publishing. I guess the only change would be guide’s for new authors on how to get their books out there successfully. So many self-published authors struggle for years on finding the right way to get their books out there and market them. Trust me, I know. I am a self-learner, so I will watch 50 YouTube videos, scour websites and soak up all the information I can and pass it on to other authors I know as I learn it. But I really wish there would be more courses on genre specific marketing. It really does vary depending on the genre you are writing, how to present your books to potential readers. No author’s journey is ever the same. And maybe that is the hard part to getting solid answers.
As for the reader side of changes… I guess I’d like to have more authors, even famous book signings. They usually go to the bigger cities or California, New York, etc. And trust me I understand this logic. But maybe see authors really try to reach out to all locations for book appearances and promotions, so that everyone has a chance to enjoy them, instead of just the overcrowded cities.
Indie/Self-Published Author and/or Traditionally Published? What do you favor more and why?
I am self-published as of the moment. Now I’ve had a few offers to get traditionally published. However, I’ve heard mixed reviews from fellow authors on this. They lose control of their book’s voice… don’t get to choose the cover, etc. And I’m kind of picky. So… for now I’m staying self-published. BUT… I may reach out in the future with a current project. I’m writing The Haunting of Emily Blake right now which will be about 400-500 pages once completed. That is a book I’m considering trying out traditionally.
How is your writing controversial, profound or mind boggling, or how would you describe it?
It really depends on the books. My anthologies are pretty simplistic. I re-write interviews into story format. Now my fictional books I really am trying hard to get you to feel, see, smell, taste everything going on. Hoping to give you that ultimate creep factor. So honestly, my writing is diverse. It depends on what I’m hoping to accomplish with the story.
What do you hope to accomplish with your literary creation? What change or enlightenment do you want to bring about in your reader if any?
With my fictional books, I’m hoping to just entertain others. Give them more outlets of haunted fiction. In my anthologies, just peace of mind and to understand that if they have had things happen to them that they cannot explain, that they aren’t alone.
What’s the greatest compliment that you ever received regarding your literary accomplishments and what did this remark do for you, how did it transform your life or your writing?
Well I’ll tell you about two. My first was someone who compared one of my books to Stephen King. Obviously you can imagine that was a HUGE compliment. The other was for my True Ghost Stories of First Responders book. I had a 911 operator read it and write out this long review that was amazing. She loved the book and how realistic it was. I really dug into my research for it when re-writing the stories because I wanted the readers to understand what daily life can be like for each responder in the book. So that made me feel amazing, that I truly accomplished making that book the best it could be.
What’s the most memorable criticism you received regarding your literary works and how did this remark transform you as a writer or influence your writing if at all?
Oh my gosh. LOL. So when I first started publishing I was using my hubby as my editor because he edits technical documents for a living. Then I got this really bad review. It said to not quit my day job, to get an editor, etc., etc. It was really harsh and like 4 paragraphs long. It honestly put me into a slump for about 2 months. I considered giving up altogether. But I pulled it together, took the book off, ran it through a different editor and re-released it. Now… I hardly look at my reviews, LOL.
If you could ask a question of your favorite author of all time, what would the question be? How would you answer that question -yourself?
So… a few weeks ago Darcy Coates did a live show that I was able to be a part of. So I already really had the opportunity to do this. But I asked her where she found her inspiration and what drove her to writing this genre. She truly is my inspiration right now.
What have you sacrificed, if anything, to be a writer, or to write as you do? What have you gained from writing, how has it rewarded you personally?
Let’s start with what I’ve gained. So… I have made sooo many friends. I love them all. I have fans who I talk to regularly and they are amazing. I also connected with several authors and we support each other which is also truly special. On top of that I’ve made a ton of connections in paranormal circles. That has been quite interesting because the current house I’m residing in is also haunted. So I’ve been experimenting with things. They’ve helped teach me a lot. Protecting myself… my family.. etc.
Now what I have sacrificed. Well, writing and podcasting is really not a part-time job. So I work a lot since I also run a full-time business. So I guess time. I’ve sacrificed a lot of time. I sometimes get anxiety planning a vacation because I have so much on my plate that I feel like I can never have downtime, which is stressful itself. And I do feel guilty because I have 3 kids and I’m always working. So I hope to reduce what I’m doing a little bit and be able to have more relaxation time with my family.
