An Interview with Oshane Palmer

Oshane Palmer, a graduate of Knox Community College, holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management. His academic journey led him to a culinary career but also ignited a passion for writing. His literary menu offers a flavorful blend of thrillers, suspense, mystery crime, and young adult novels. His debut, a two-part series titled The Viral Witness, invites readers to embark on a thrilling journey. Currently residing in Florida, Palmer’s heart remains in his native Jamaica. His work is a delightful treat for those who relish gripping narratives and captivating plots.

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

For as long as I can remember, I have always enjoyed thinking about stories. But I never wrote them down or told anyone; it all happened in my head as I created each chapter and character. This was always my unique method of passing the time, but I eventually realised that sharing these stories with others would be more satisfying, especially if my readers enjoyed reading them as much as I did creating them.

What inspired you to start writing this book?

What led me to write this book were my personal observations of several videos of altercations that were captured and posted on social media. Anyone can be in the wrong place at the wrong time and become a witness to a crime in the blink of an eye, similar to Chloe, the main character in my novel. The distinction might be that instead of posting the video on social media, it can be taken to law enforcement so that the situation can be dealt with accordingly.

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

To say my brain overheated while deciding on a title would be an understatement. My first draft title was ‘Insta Kill’, but I was dissatisfied since it did not reflect the genuine essence of the story and I did not want the title to be specific to one social media site. So, after days of questioning myself, it dawned on me that the narrative is about a young woman who went viral after witnessing a crime and posted it on social media. So I decided to give it the title to what we now know as The Viral Witness.

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

In my bio, I stated that my literary menu offers a blend of thrillers, suspense, mystery crime, and young adult novels. This emphasised the fact that I am a professional chef and I have eight years of experience.

My readers wouldn’t know that I am a shy person. However, public speaking and social engagement helped me overcome this. I consider myself to be a work in progress.

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

Throughout the writing process, I came upon Daniel Hurst’s Novel Influence. This is a contemporary novel with a social media theme.

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

I envision my dream reader/readers to indulge in my writing style, understanding that you are a part of the process, narrating and seeing things through the eyes of all the characters in the novel, notably the antagonist, but at the same time holding on to the objectivities of life and moralities.

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