2023 Witchy Award nominee, Jack Townson, a multi-talented artist, is the heart and soul of the thriving FangFam community across various social media platforms, including TikTok, Instagram, and Twitch. Gothic romantasy novel The Lightslayer is the first installment in his new Everdusk series.
With an ever-expanding following that now exceeds 500K devoted fans, Townson has left an indelible mark on the digital landscape, garnering an impressive 5 million likes under the #Fangfam hashtag. Beyond his online presence, Jack is a versatile artist, encompassing the roles of actor, singer, and author.
We talked with him about his journey from content creator to author, why he incorporated art from fans into his new book, and how Anne Rice inspired his writing.
You've created an incredible world of content surrounding your Jack Townson persona. What is the origin story, and how have you shaped this voice throughout your career and various storytelling channels?
Jack Townson began as a whisper, a shadow self I’d always felt lingering beneath the surface. He was born from the intersection of fantasy and memory, of myth and identity. In many ways, Jack is the unfiltered embodiment of the parts of myself I had once buried: the immortal, the outcast, the deeply passionate, and fiercely loyal.
At first, he debuted as a character I’d play in my tabletop adventures of Dungeons and Dragons and Vampire: The Masquerade, but I quickly realized that he was far more than that, and I had to share him with the world. As I shared stories online—through short videos, lore drops, poetry, and live streams—he evolved organically, shaped by my own transformation and by the incredible community that formed around him: my Fangfam. Jack became not just a character, but a vessel for catharsis, for myth-making, and for connection. The Degenerate King with a tragic past and never-ending hope.
Tell us about your journey from content creator to author. How has that background in performing, storytelling, and social media supported your book launches?
I always say storytelling chose me long before I chose it. My work online was born from a desire to be seen, to give voice to the gothic, romantic, monstrous beauty I felt inside. As the audience grew, so did my confidence to go deeper. Social media gave me a space to experiment, fail, connect, and ultimately refine what would become Everdusk. It also allowed me to launch with a built-in readership who didn’t just want a book; they wanted to live inside this world. That support changed everything.
And most importantly, it brought me to my incredible partner and co-world builder, Shayne. Shayne Leighton saw me, my story, and my poetry, and said—people need this world. And it was with her inspiration and encouragement that Everdusk could finally breathe life.
What do you love about the independent publishing process and being an indie author?
Freedom. Fierce, sometimes terrifying, but absolutely liberating freedom. As an indie author, I get to shape every aspect of my world from the voice to the visuals to the very soul of the work. I don’t have to dilute my vision to fit market trends or water down the darker themes. Instead, I can push boundaries. I can blend gothic horror with romance, action, philosophy, and even metaphysical introspection—and I can speak directly to the readers who crave that. Being indie means building your own kingdom instead of waiting to be invited into someone else’s.
"Being indie means building your own kingdom instead of waiting to be invited into someone else's."
Tell us about the process of writing your newest book, The Lightslayer! Any behind-the-scenes stories you can share about its creation or reader response?
The Lightslayer was forged during a time of deep personal transformation. It started as a love letter to the vampire mythos, but it became something far more personal. I poured heartbreak, rebirth, and fury into every line. There were nights I cried while writing, others where I paced the room for hours chasing a sentence that felt right. One behind-the-scenes detail: Arielle became a much larger character than she was meant to be during my planning—the way I write is reactive, fluid—I let my characters walk and talk, and I listen. I become their scribe, detailing their adventures as a watchful observer and hopeful participant.
As for reader response…the fan art, the tattoos, the late-night messages saying, “I see myself in this”—that’s the kind of magic no algorithm can replicate. I was lucky to have the best built-in beta readers, my incredible community. They would spend late nights on our server listening to the story of Jack and his misadventures through the broken world of Draconia—the heartache, the trials, the action, and romance. They would give me feedback, and their cheers and tears would drive me to write like a man possessed. I owe so much to them.
Your book includes some gorgeous illustrations from various artists. What made you choose to incorporate art into your writing?
Aren’t they incredible?! I’ve truly been blessed with an unbelievably talented team of artists—each one so dedicated, passionate, and full of soul. Many of them actually began as fans of the series who created stunning fan art that completely blew me away. The moment I saw their work, I knew I wanted them to be part of Everdusk in an official way.
From the beginning, I envisioned The Lightslayer as more than a book—I wanted it to feel like an epic, almost graphic-novel-meets-fantasy experience. Hand-drawn illustrations helped bring that cinematic edge to the page. It’s always been a dream of mine to see this world in full color, through the eyes of artists who feel the story as deeply as I do. And no AI—just real, passionate, human-made art. When we committed to including visuals, I knew I wanted to give a platform to these incredible illustrators who hadn’t been fully seen yet. I took them on board, and they’ve been phenomenal collaborators ever since. Their work doesn’t just support the story; it expands it.
Immerse yourself in the haunting and spellbinding world of Everdusk
You worked with IngramSpark on Title Discovery Boost as part of your pre-launch strategy. How was that experience, and how did that education and exposure shape your book’s success in the market?
It was absolutely pivotal. Title Discovery Boost helped me validate that this story didn’t just resonate with me—it hit something deep with others, too. Getting early feedback allowed me to fine-tune elements before the official launch, and the visibility it brought helped position The Lightslayer in a competitive space. In a world flooded with new titles daily, having that kind of pre-launch clarity gave me the confidence to move forward boldly, and it showed in the reception.
Your work explores themes of immortality vs. humanity, found family, forbidden love, and—of course—brooding vampires. What draws you to these concepts, and why do you think your stories resonate so strongly with your fans and readers?
Because I think, at the end of the day, we’re all searching for meaning in the shadows. Immortality versus humanity is the war between power and pain, isolation and connection—it’s something I’ve wrestled with internally for years. The idea of found family, of chosen bonds stronger than blood, speaks to the displaced, the orphaned souls still seeking home. And forbidden love? That’s the ache of longing in a world that tells you you’re too much or too little. My fans resonate with these themes because they’ve felt them. I just wrap them in velvet and blood and let them howl on the page.
What book or author changed your life or inspired your own writing style?
The incredible Anne Rice, without question. Her work didn’t just influence me; it awakened something ancient and mythic. Interview with the Vampire was the first time I saw the gothic, the sensual, and the philosophical all braided together in such haunting beauty. She gave voice to the monster’s ache, to the immortal’s loneliness, to the sacred pain of loving too deeply. Her prose taught me that darkness could be decadent, that horror could be tender, and that characters didn’t need to be “good” to be worthy of love. That influence echoes in everything I write—in the way Jack mourns and rages, in the romantic tension braided with danger, in the sacred dance between damnation and desire. Anne didn’t just inspire my writing; she gave it permission to bleed.
The Lightslayer is Book One in your Everdusk series. What can fans expect from future installments? Any exclusives you can spill?
Let’s just say this is only the beginning of a massive universe—one that transcends fate and destiny. Expect more tales of dark romance and found family, of bonds forged in blood or shattered by betrayal. Old foes will crawl from the shadows, and the betrayals ahead... you’ll never see them coming. We’re diving into undead wars, supernatural peril, and the burning mystery: what really happened in New York—and what will become of Draconia?
Fans can also look forward to Side Quests, a new series of stories that explore moments between the flagship books, offering deeper insight into the characters you love (and fear). And of course, brace yourself for the next major chapter in the Everdusk timeline: Wicked Hollow, where we’ll find out if Jack’s love can survive, and if his fractured family can endure the brutal, chaotic world they now call home.
What do you hope your readers take away from the stories you write?
I hope they walk away feeling seen. My stories are drenched in tragedy and blood, yes—but underneath it all, they’re about survival, transformation, and love that defies the odds. I want readers to know that even the most broken, outcast, or misunderstood parts of themselves can be powerful. That they’re not alone in their pain, their longing, or their desire to be something more. Whether it’s through Jack’s struggle with identity and destiny, Vaidrin’s quiet resilience, Verona’s yearning to be loved, or the fractured families that somehow hold each other together, I want people to feel hope, even in the darkness. To believe that their story isn't over. That their chaos, too, can become a kind of crown.
