An Interview with Jamie Clarke

Jamie Clarke grew up in a rural town in south wales and fell in love with books and reading in her teenage years, she would even write her own fan fiction and post them to various fanfic websites. This year she and her friends started a book club that reignited that spark of reading! She even found some of her old work, which inspired her to start writing her debut novel. She is aiming for her debut novel to be released in early 2025!

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

When I was younger reading fantasy books was an amazing way for me to escape; I didn’t feel like I fit in where I grew up and reading books like the Morganville Vampire series, Twilight series, and the Fallen books transported me to other places which I loved. That inspired me to start writing fan fiction and post it online. There were websites like fanfic.net and then other sites that were book-specific that I cannot remember fifteen years later. This year I found an old story I started and showed it to my book club—obviously you could tell it was written by a 13/14-year-old, but it had a good premise. So I thought ‘You know what, I could rewrite this into something great,’ which I started before pivoting to my debut novel.

What inspired you to start writing this book?

I started writing The Sixth Dome because of a dream I had. I work with a young woman in my day job and daily she is underestimated by both the men and women we work with and personally I think she is amazing. I’d had a few negative comments regarding her that week and I guess my subconscious mind was thinking of that during the dream; it was the plot for my novel where the main characters are women and they are experienced, talented and just downright amazing.

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

The Sixth Dome came to me super easily actually and I would love to tell you more but I would say you’ll need to read the book and find out.

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

“House of Memories” – Panic! At The Disco

“No Body No Crime” – Taylor Swift

“Whatever It Takes” – Imagine Dragons

“Look What You Made Me Do” – Taylor Swift

“Vigilante Shit” – Taylor Swift

“Natural” – Imagine Dragons

“Centuries” – Panic! At the Disco

Describe your dream book cover.

My dream book cover would be something that incorporates the essence of my story. Something that people walking by would be lured in to read the blurb! I have an artist friend who is going to give it a go and show me what she feels when she reads my novel. So I think that’s all I can say about that right now.

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

I’ve worked on and off in a lot of holiday parks throughout the years. I am currently a leisure manager at a holiday park in the Cotswolds. I’m pretty much an open book so I don’t really have anything that people wouldn’t be able to find out from being on any of my social media accounts.

What books did you read (for research or comfort) throughout your writing process?

I read the Maze Runner books years and years ago, but recently I haven’t really read anything for inspiration. I have however read Fourth Wing and Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros, which did light that little flame deep inside my soul that made me want to start writing again! In terms of comfort, I love the Chestnut Springs series by Elsie Silver! Such fluffy, easy reads in between writing.

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

I hope anyone who reads my novel when it’s released takes away that women and men are strong, talented and awesome. I also hope that they believe no matter what jobs you may be in, to not let anyone bring you down or make you feel less than perfect. I also hope it’s an escape for some people, should they need it! I think a perfect reader would just be someone who finds joy in being immersed in another world!

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.