Q&A: Felicity Epps, Author of ‘A Grave Inheritance
We chat with debut author Felicity Epps about A Grave Inheritance, which weaves sisterhood, seances and unsolved murders… The Society of Free Spirits invites you to investigate, in this YA crime series with a supernatural twist.
Hi, Felicity! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hi, I live by the sea in Kent, UK, and I love to write spooky stories, with cosy moments running through! I studied English Literature at university before completing a Masters in Eighteenth-Century Studies, where I researched female murderers in true crime writing. I love collecting old books and exploring cemeteries – I seem to find the best inspiration for my character names on headstones! I also have a one year old daughter, who keeps me busy by pulling all the books off the bottom shelves of my bookcases.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
My two sisters and I were endlessly creating characters when we were children, and I kept a “journal” of their adventures! Even when we grew out of playing our games, I still wrote the stories about our characters. My dad was also an amazing storyteller, making up bedtime stories on the spot, and we had lots of books in our house growing up. It seemed inevitable that my bedroom would end up with five bookcases squeezed around a bed and a writing desk.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Flower Fairies by C M Barker – I loved the illustrations matched with a poem.
- The one that made you want to become an author: The Spiderwick Chronicles by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi. I was obsessed with fairies and folklore, so I adored this series.
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones – I’m always returning to it when I feel like something whimsical.
Your debut novel, A Grave Inheritance, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Spooky. Mystery. Gothic. Friendship. Séances!
What can readers expect?
A Grave Inheritance is a gothic murder mystery. After the mysterious deaths of her father and sister, Dolores Rain is left with the family’s inheritance, and a gloomy Victorian house that must be haunted! Teaming up with her occult-obsessed neighbour, Ada, and the mysterious spiritual medium, Violet, the three girls plan to dispel the bad spirits from Dolores’ home – and lift the veil on a murder!
Where did the inspiration for A Grave Inheritance come from?
My inspiration for the book began with my main character, Dolores. I had an image in my head of her living in a house draped in mourning, investigating strange shadows. Everything else evolved around her. A large part of Dolores’s character is overcoming her anxiety and regaining her confidence. And of course, this means she has to confront the ghosts haunting her house!
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I had so much fun researching the topic of Victorian Spiritualism for this novel, especially for my character Violet, who works as a spiritual medium. I was really drawn to the idea that while young women were often underestimated in the Victorian period, they were able to find their voices by speaking with the dead. Mediums had the rare opportunity of achieving their own careers, without having to rely on a husband. I wanted to celebrate this independence in each of my three main characters: Dolores, Ada and Violet.
Pictured: Dolores, Ada and Violet (by artist Kim Ekdahl)
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Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
As my novel has a historical setting, I think my biggest challenge was not getting carried away with research. I was constantly browsing old newspaper archives for snippets about mediums, apothecary recipes and mourning customs. I like to store up interesting facts and adecdotes about a time period, so even if something wasn’t relevant to this novel, I plan to use it again somewhere else!
This is your debut novel! What was the road to becoming a published author like for you?
I’ve been writing draft novels since I was a teenager, so it feels like a long journey – but I believe everything happens at the right time! I signed with my amazing literary agent, Jessica Hare, and then it was a process of revisions and going on submission. Writing the first draft of a book always seems to be the quickest part for me, while the editing and redrafting keeps me busy for months and months. Seeing A Grave Inheritance in bookshops feels like both a conclusion of one chapter and the beginning of another as a debut author!
What’s next for you?
Book 2 in The Society of Free Spirits series! I’m so pleased that I get to continue writing séances featuring Dolores, Ada and Violet, and create more mysteries for them to solve. The second novel is already written and undergoing revisions, so I can’t wait to share more details about it soon!
Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?
I’m currently reading through the Belladonna series by Adalyn Grace, starting on Wisteria next! I’m also excited for Ava Reid’s A Theory of Dreaming to be released, as I really enjoyed A Study in Drowning.
