Chantel Grayson

The short: 
I write stories with three common themes: fantasy, romance & humor.  RWA member.

The long: 
I never had a soft spot for romance and feel-good stories when I was growing up. As an African American little girl who constantly moved from one part of Texas to the other, I found that laughter helped me through the darkest of times. That and writing. In my cramped composition books I began jotting down my own stories and adventures. From fantasy to fan fiction, inspiration came to me in many forms. 

When it was time to begin thinking about a career, I was encouraged to enroll in a high school journalism program. The world of news and broadcast was where I remained during college and my first three years of adulting. I realized-my very first day of work-that fifty more years of scandals and debates was not where I wanted to be. I went through the motions of figuring things out. I was restlessly searching for the spark and comforts I once had when I was a child. 

After I received my full-time job at a library, working as a graphic designer, I was re-introduced to the world of literature. I found myself selecting random books and graphic novels and reading what I hoped would interest me. Oftentimes, authors would visit the library in order to promote their latest works. I have met Sherry Thomas, Julie Murphy, Jay Kristoff, Alan Gratz, Julie Kagawa, Maurene Goo and the late-and former coworker-Dia Reeves. However, it was Lorraine Heath who inspired me to pick up a pen again. She was promoting her historical romance novel, Beyond Scandal and Desire and passed out free copies. As a backburner employee I am often overlooked when it comes to gifts and swag. But I was encouraged to take one of her books, I read it, and fell in love with love. I fell in love with the late 19th century era and read similar stories that take place within that time period. 

Since then, I have written my books and short stories with three common themes in mind: Fantasy, Romance & Humor.