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An Interview with Ashley Fraley

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Ashley lives in rural West Virginia with her husband, three kids, and a myriad of animals. She loves the Lord, all things funny, 90s, and spooky.



Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I have been an avid reader all of my life. Riley Sager, Megan Miranda, Gillian Flynn, and Mary Higgins Clark are some of my favorite authors. At some point during COVID lockdown I had read so many books, I just thought “Why don’t I try writing one?”

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I have worked in the hospitality and retail industries, which, might I add was extra hard for me because I am the most introverted hermit you’ve ever seen.

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

I am a complete “pantser” when I write. There is no structure, I just get all my thoughts out, then put it in order. I was about 75% through writing Trail of Ashes when the title came to me. I was bouncing ideas around with my husband for the final twist to bring everything together when that “Aha!” moment came.

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

I was really proud of my book cover. Being a one-income family with three small children, there wasn’t extra money to pay for a cover designer, so I had to wing it myself. I studied the covers of popular thriller books that were out and did my best to create my own.

If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?

I want to say any song you’d find in an episode of Scooby Doo because I don’t take myself that seriously.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

I hope readers enjoy going on a journey of healing past hurts and childhood trauma with Harper and the rest of the gang in Trail of Ashes, all while solving a decades-long mystery.

I envision my perfect reader to be someone who enjoys a mystery with lots of dark family secrets/drama, and just a touch of second-chance romance.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

Knowing that I finished something. I am a serial project starter, not so much a finisher.

What new writing projects are you currently working on? Or, other projects that are not writing?

It is taking longer than I expected, but there is a sequel to Harper’s story coming!


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