When I heard about the popular novel Phantom Wedding, I knew I wanted to talk with the author about how she combined scares with laughter and romance — that isn’t easy to do! Then I found out it’s her first novel and is inspired by true events, making it even more special. Here is our conversation about the book, which is far more than just a ghost story.
Disclosure: In this sponsored interview, get to know A.N.Porter, the author of Phantom Wedding, a supernatural thriller receiving rave reviews. I do not receive any affiliate income from the links in this post.
Interview with A.N.Porter
A wild story began our conversation when the author told me about misprints in the first editions of the book. Her debut novel sold for £399, making them collectors’ items.
A.N.Porter is multi-talented, having worked in the music PR industry as well as the corporate world in investment banking, oil and gas, human resources recruitment, and cybersecurity. Her creative soul shows with her fashion and music projects, including penning the song Amazing Love. Below, we focus on her book Phantom Wedding.
Your novel combines supernatural suspense with humor and romance. That’s not a combo I see every day — Did you intentionally set out to combine these elements?
Phantom Wedding is a socio-political psychological thriller / socio-political horror. It encapsulates political and social themes of racism, colorism, capitalism, class, status and power, socialism, religion, and new age ideas and practices. It also explores the theme of the ‘Power of celebrity’ and pop culture as a construct and the influence that ‘celebrity’ has on individuals and of course, it embodies of all this within the world of the supernatural.
The romance stems from the relationship between the protagonist Patsy and her fiancé Ben. Readers are taken on their journey and there are other romantic elements which arise, but I don’t want to give too much away! Likewise, the drama is peppered with suspense and humour arising from the slightly absurd events which unfold which lightens the mood at times.
Phantom Wedding is also unique as it goes beyond the usual ghost story. Can you give us an example?
Various themes exist within the book which are not normally found in horror. For example., Elements of colorism and racism, which Patsy herself at times has experienced. The book also explores the theme of the ‘Power of celebrity’ highlighting people’s attitudes towards the pop star Tia Sash.
Patsy, the protagonist of Phantom Wedding, experiences a series of eerie and unexplainable events in her new flat. How much of Patsy’s journey was inspired by your own personal experiences?
It is inspired by an incident that occurred in my north London flat that startled me. I turned over in the middle of the night, opened my eyes and saw two ghosts. It is the first and last time I have ever had this experience.
Readers have been deeply affected by Patsy’s journey, even organizing treasure hunts related to her. Can you explain more?
Yes, Patsy’s story has struck a chord with the public. The character detail and story seem to ‘draw the reader in’ and they have become passionate about her and what happens to her.
Did you anticipate the responses you’re now receiving for Phantom Wedding, between that and the great reviews? Were you thinking about any of that while writing it?
I did not have any expectations, so it has taken me by surprise.
Do you have any plans for future writing projects? Will you publish more novels?
Yes, I am currently working on the sequel.
Exciting! What advice would you give to aspiring authors who are working on their own debut novels?
Trust the creative process, trust your instincts and what you feel is intrinsically right for you, in terms of the story you want to tell, character, plot, and outcomes. Try not to worry about what people think or fitting into a mold. Just write and enjoy your own personal writing experience.
More about Phantom Wedding
Reader reviews
“A modern urban chilly novel that will have you laughing and jittery simultaneously… one thing is for certain… you will not want to put this book down…”
“It is a fresh modern voice which takes the reader on a synchronous rollercoaster journey of stomach-churning laughter and fear.” (Amazon)
About the book
Patsy, a twenty-nine-year-old graduate working in music PR, was elated to receive the keys to her new North London flat. After all, acquiring a flat in the capital these days was like gold dust – so she couldn’t have been more pleased. But she soon realises that this is no ordinary flat. She gets an eerie feeling, accompanied by strange sightings and unsettling noises. It quickly becomes apparent that there is something or someone else occupying the same space. She is not alone… Her world is soon turned upside down when strange unexplainable events unfold. What or who is determined to make their presence known? Patsy has hopes and dreams of getting married and starting a family with her fiancé Ben, but she quickly realises, that she may just get more than she’d bargained for…
Read Phantom Wedding and connect with the author
Get your copy of Phantom Wedding online on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Waterstones, as well as select bookstores and libraries. The book is also available on the author’s website www.alison-naomi.com.
Follow the author online too for book updates and more! Find A.N.Porter on Instagram.
Thank you for being here, A.N.Porter
I like Porter’s advice to aspiring authors about trusting the creative process. Trusting your intuition is important, in the arts and other areas of life. I am cheering her on as she writes the sequel!
What part of the interview resonated with you the most? Do you have an eerie story of your own to tell?
Exciting! Congratulations to A.N. Porter!
I’m sure she’ll love having your support!
Goodness me, the themes of this book are very complicated. An interesting post, Christy.
There’s a lot to unravel! A sign of a book you won’t want to put down. Just keep the light on in case the read gets too scary ;)