Clarence Haynes Discusses "The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery" Book

About "The Ghosts of Gwendolyn Montgomery"

• 📚 This urban fantasy novel, co-authored by Clarence Haynes and Mary Calvie, blends secrets and the supernatural within the vibrant setting of New York City.
• 👻 The book explores the literal confrontation with past demons, a theme inspired by Haynes's desire to pay tribute to powerful, glamorous women he knew in NYC.
• 💡 Haynes fused his love for speculative fiction (science fiction, fantasy, supernatural, horror) with real-world characters and settings.

Key Characters and Their Secrets

• 🏙️ Gwendolyn, a high-powered publicist, finds her secrets hindering her professional life, especially when a major event at the Brooklyn Museum is disrupted.
• 🔮 Fonza, the second main character, is a psychic grappling with past trauma and issuing a dire warning about an impending ghost invasion.

New York City as a Character

• 🗽 As a native New Yorker, Haynes aimed to capture the city's essence, including its vibrancy, richness, grime, and unpleasantness.
• 🗺️ The narrative spans across Manhattan, Brooklyn, and the Bronx, reflecting his personal experiences growing up and traveling throughout the five boroughs with his MTA transit worker mother.

Themes of the Past and Intimacy

• ⏳ Haynes is deeply interested in how the past impacts our present, affecting our ability to desire healthily and approach emotional and physical intimacy.
• 📖 He hopes readers will reflect on these themes as they engage with the book.