Ainsley James

I’m a dark fantasy romance author and book coach obsessed with Halloween, vampires, my precious cat, and finding inspiration during evening strolls. When I’m not obsessively perfecting my latest story, I’m probably overanalyzing something I said (oops).

Other things about me: I’m a Virgo Sun with a Pisces Moon—impossible to predict, yet full of passion and imagination. When the mood strikes, you’ll find me dressed as a witch at a Renaissance festival, brewing ideas for my next dark romance tale.

FAQs

  • At the moment, all of my writing is available on Wattpad! I’ve got an ongoing spicy story available there called Fated to the Vampire Prince, which is updated twice a week! But the big news? I’m planning to indie publish my debut spicy fantasy romance in April 2026! It’s a sizzling dark romance inspired by the world of Alice in Wonderland, full of dream realms and unusual characters—so stay tuned and get ready for trip down the rabbit hole!

  • While Wattpad is known for fanfiction, it’s so much more than that! It’s a vibrant platform where authors of all genres, including fantasy, romance, and dark fiction, can share their original stories with a passionate community of readers.

    As a Wattpad Originals author, all my stories are written with professional editorial assistance. I like being able to connect directly with my readers through the in-line comment feature.

    So while you’ll definitely find fanfiction there, you’ll also find plenty of unique, original works—like mine—that transport you to worlds of magic, danger, and sizzling romance!

  • The short answer: My brain moves at warp speed, and I have an overactive imagination—so it’s the perfect storm for writing stories! Sometimes, I like to think of my anxiety as a superpower. 😅

    Much of my inspiration comes from my elder millennial upbringing—shows like Charmed and Buffy the Vampire Slayer shaped my love of magic and strong, flawed characters. I also have vivid memories of flipping through the horoscope section of Cosmogirl magazine, dreaming of a life filled with magic. My best friend and I would spend our lunch money at the local New Age shop, buying crystals and oils, hoping for a little supernatural intervention.

    I always dreamed of a magical being whisking me off to a world of adventure... Spoiler alert: it never happened. But now, as an adult, I get to write those magical worlds into existence. And trust me—plenty of dark romance, magic, and twists are in store!

  • Ah, the eternal question! First off, let me say: If you have a passion for telling stories, you’re already halfway there. My advice? Just start writing. Seriously. It doesn’t need to be perfect. It doesn’t need to make sense. What matters is getting those words down.

    For me, inspiration came from the nostalgia of my wayward youth and awkward twenties. Start by drawing from your own experiences, your favorite shows, your wildest dreams. What excites you? What makes your heart race? Those are the things you should be writing about.

    And don’t worry if you’re feeling anxious or self-doubting (we’ve all been there! I’m currently still there). If you’re struggling with a story, remember—sometimes you just need to dive into the chaos and see where it leads.

    Finally, connect with other writers. Whether it’s on Wattpad, in writing groups, or on social media—having a community to support you and share ideas with can make all the difference.

    If you’re really committed to saving money and time, check out my coaching page and see if working with me is just what you need to motivate you to move forward.

    Remember, writing is a journey, not a destination. Keep writing, keep dreaming, and most importantly—have fun with it!

  • Honestly? Because I’ve been where you are—staring at a blank page, screaming into the void, and wondering if my story was secretly terrible (spoiler: it wasn’t, and neither is yours).

    While I loved working with clients in a therapeutic sense, my true passion has always been writing.

    So, after years of mentoring writers, finishing a dozen manuscripts of my own, I took a leap.

    I combined what I know about positive psychology and goal setting and my experience mentoring and crafting compelling stories, and came up with the plan for book coaching using The First Five—my process; your solution to a saggy opening.

    I know how overwhelming writing can be, and I also know the magic of having someone who believes in your story as much as you do (or even more, on those rough days).

    Now, I get to help writers like you take those glittering ideas and turn them into drafts that make readers swoon, agents say yes, please, and get you a few feral fans. Because let’s face it: every story deserves a little love, and every writer deserves a bestie who gets it. 💖✨