the sun doesn't fear it's shadows
WHO IS SHELEY RAYNE?
Author
YA Dark Fantasy Horror,
Sultry Dystopian fiction, Paranormal Circus Romances, & non-fiction companion guides for writers!
Life is a journey!
Sometimes it takes you to
unexpected places.
Hey there, fellow story-seeker. Pull up a chair.
Let's talk about scars, monsters, and why the
Weird kids always make the best heroes!
When I was young, I was that quirky teen who rummaged through condemned buildings and played among tombstones. I haven't changed much. I write my Cabinet of Curiosities newsletter because I'm obsessed with circuses, roadside attractions, and quirky things. If it's weird, wonderful, or a little bit wrong, I'm interested. I love rusty things, old things, and things people overlook.
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I see magic in the ordinary. Maybe that's why I write paranormal romance, dystopian fiction, and young adult horror, set in all the places your parents warned you about, gypsy camps and circuses, pirate ships and steam trains, self-contained bio-domes and alternate realities where the rules of physics don't apply. Werewolves, trolls, fallen angels, demons, gargoyles, and darklings populate my worlds, the kind of creatures that wreak destruction upon the human race.
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But here's the twist: those monsters aren't the ones that scare me.
The real monsters? ​They're never the things with fangs and claws. My characters face impossible odds against supernatural threats, sure, but the battles that matter most are those that happen inside of them. Against fear. Against shame. Against the voices that tell them they are too broken, too scarred, too much or not enough. I write about these things because I believe something fierce: Our scars make us unique and beautiful. No matter what the outward battle is, the ones we face inwardly are the most important. We are all curiosity cabinets filled with shadows of wonder, gifts and talents, light and darkness, all jumbled together.
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That's not something to hide. That's something to celebrate.
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My novels explore transformation, redemption, and change. They're about characters who face controversial machines, science gone sideways, and questions of faith in altered realities. They're about teens who discover that the things that scar our individuality can become our biggest strengths. We are all precious, because with enough pressure and heat, simple ash transforms into diamonds.
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I created the Dust to Diamond oracle cards as a side companion to my YA fantasy horror, Ashes to Ashes, to help young people confront their fears and reimagine their scars. For my fellow writers, I created Fiction Meets Fortune, a writers companion guide that bridges ancient tarot wisdom with the practical craft of storytelling. This isn't about divination; it's about using the 22 Major Arcana cards as creative catalysts for developing compelling characters, intricate plots, and meaningful themes.
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And because I'm a teacher at heart, I offer workshops and motivational talks that challenge students to confront preconceived ideas about themselves, where we explore how self-acceptance can make you shine in a dark world. So whether you're a writer looking for inspiration, a teen trying to figure out where you fit in this weird world, or just someone who believes that the best adventures happen when we dare to explore the shadows, you're in the right place.
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Welcome. Let's get lost in something extraordinary together.
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Sheley Rayne​
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ABOUT