Storytellers On Tour is a Blog/Instagram Tour organising service. It was born out of Justine’s (Whispers & Wonder) and my love and dedication toward SFF indie books and authors. Our goal is to give as much exposure to our clients as we can, while we also build a community among our Roadies. Find out more about us on www.storytellersontour.online!
This past week we gave the spotlight to Amethyst, a stand alone Fantasy novella by Jesse Nolan Bailey in celebration of its release! Our Roadies brought a wide selection of content to this show with reviews, interviews and other posts. Now it’s time to bring the show to an end and it’s my pleasure to present you with the encore, including some extra content. Come and learn a bit more about the world of Amethyst through our Q&A!
Shall we?
Enthralled by the magic that written stories contain, Jesse Nolan Bailey has always wanted to be an author. With his debut novel, THE JEALOUSY OF JALICE, and his shorter fiction, AMETHYST, released to the masses, he can now claim such title with relief. He lives in Durham, North Carolina, where he has embraced the equally-gratifying lifework of hosting a trio of spoiled cats and two mini-aussies.
Rashell’s brother has vanished. When the local villagers express no concern, she enlists the help of a stranger from a faraway city to find Teth.
Investigator Derrik discovers the people worship a massive stone known as the Amethyst. Even more bizarre, an ancient relic of a mummy fuels their reverence.
Given limited time, Rashell and Derrik confront these mysterious elements at play, all the while striving to uncover what happened to Rashell’s brother.
Click on the blog name to read their full review or other content!
NOVEMBER 8TH–THE WELCOMING
Whispers & Wonder – interview+ IG spotlight
NOVEMBER 9TH
Cover to Cover – review
“Scenes and moments within the story were described in flourishing detail. This detail amazed me, because it told me that Bailey has some incredible visual material to base his settings on. The descriptions weren’t rushed and their true purpose was indeed to create this weird otherworldly vibe. In fact, the more I let myself truly imagine what author had intended, I was positively creeped.”
@debbiedoesbooks – IG spotlight
NOVEMBER 10TH
OllieSpot SFF Book Review – review
“All in all, I enjoyed all the different elements of the book, and couldn’t stop reading it once I started it. I’ve left out a lot of the story for fear of giving away too much, but its a book in its own category. I hope you give the book a chance, if you haven’t already. Follow the mystery of The Amethyst, and the strange world it’s in.”
Sadie’s Spotlight | @sadiesspotlight – excerpt + IG spotlight
NOVEMBER 11TH
Spells & Spaceships – review
“If you’re looking for a shorter read that will still grab you, startle you and keep you interested, picking up Amethyst wouldn’t be a bad place to start.”
Beneath A Thousand Skies – review
“Once again, I find myself in love with Jesse Nolan Bailey’s writing, it’s visceral and beautiful, and really lifts Amethyst to a whole other level, and a couple of scenes had me well and truly on edge because of that, and there were twists that I didn’t see coming, but were perfectly executed for maximum impact.”
NOVEMBER 12TH
I Can Has Books? – review
“This short story was eerie and horrific. A quick horror fantasy that is very Lovecraftian. If Jesse Nolan Bailey ever decides to expand on this tale I would love to read it. Also need to point out the trans rep in this book. ++ for that.”
Maxine’s Obsessions – excerpt
@theenchantedshelf – IG spotlight
NOVEMBER 13TH
The Unicorn Writer – review
“I will admit to guessing a twist in the story early on, but it did not ruin the read as Bailey has strong, descriptive world building and character development. I highly recommend this book to lovers of weird and strange fantasy with elements of horror – it is a creepily captivating read. Overall, I give Amethyst 4 stars, and I hope to read more by Bailey in the future!”
Welcome to the Asylum, Jesse! Take a seat by the fire, have a glass of beverage of your choice and tell me something about yourself!
Thanks for having me Timy! What a cozy little fire, and I think I’ll have a martini (it’s been quite a year…)
About myself: I’m a self-published author, and my debut novel came out this year. As a gay man, I strive to infuse my fantasy/horror stories with diverse casts, particularly LGBTQ+ rep. I am the type of person who, at a party, will stand awkwardly quiet in the corner until I locate the cat of the house, after which you will find me pledging my undying loyalty to the furball even though it’s not my cat.
The cat will probably be the only personality I interact with at the party.
What inspires your writing? Do you listen to music, stare into the fire, listen to the whispering of the wind, make deals with the Devil?
Inspiration is an elusive thing to pin down. Certainly, there are mundane outlets to boast, such as music, tv, books, etc. But the raw kind that keeps you up in bed at night, taunting you in the corner but refusing to be captured or useful—that inspiration probably comes with a deal with the Devil for sure.
I think my inspiration stems from my awe of the universe and the philosophical questions of what it means to be human. Sure, fantasy adventures and scifi aliens are the entertaining part of a story, but I seek the emotional aspects and the philosophical tones of a story as well. Melding my own experiences and questions of the universe with the fantastical elements of genre fiction is what my stories usually sprout from.
Describe an asylum set in the world of your book, Amethyst!
An asylum set in the world of Amethyst would be an interesting element to explore. In stride with the stories content, a special type of asylum specializing in those afflicted by paranormal and supernatural occurrences probably exists as a branch department of OAPS (that organization Derrik hails from). Individuals with the misfortune of coming across cults—such as the one who worships the Oracle and the Amethyst—and monstrous entities don’t always survive with their mind intact, and OAPS might seek those people out to try and nurse them back to sanity.
Your MC is locked in an asylum. What did he/she do to end up there?
Rashell more than likely ran to authorities in a neighboring village and spouted off all the atrocities and strange occurrences she witnessed within her own village. She ranted about the Oracle—a mummified entity with some sort of ability to astral project itself in people’s minds—and the village’s worship of the Amethyst—a stone that she claims had poisoned and disfigured her own brother.
Without proof of any of this, she was probably deemed unfit to wander the public, especially when she started showing sickly symptoms along with her ravings. Before she could be detained by the villagers she encountered though, OAPS swooped in and ushered her away in the dead of night to avoid any more fuss.
They now keep her under observation with the goal of uncovering the mysteries she claims to have endured.
Which fictional character (it can be one of yours) and/or author would you like to live with in an asylum and why?
Assuming I’m a bit off the rocker since I’m in an asylum, and probably need someone who understands me (and vice versa), I’m going to go with Gurgi (from The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander). Poor little Gurgi is a bit strange and conniving. I think he’d figure out a way to get us out of the asylum.
While you are locked in here for eternity, we will allow you one book – what would you choose?
The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan. It’s got the same structure and storyline as Lord of the Rings, but without the outdated grammar and writing style. I have always loved epics, and although I’d be stuck with just the first in the series, the book would satiate my hunger for high fantasy.
Well then, we hope you’ll enjoy your stay in the Asylum! Any last words? locks door
Wait. You’re locking me in? Does that mean you’re going to bring me Gurgi for company? And where’s my copy of The Eye of the World? Also, why is there a cozy fire in here? Did I start that? I do hope you’re not locking me in with a fire…what a way to go.
At least bring me the martini I asked for.
If you are interested in Amethyst and would like to get in contact with Jesse Nolan Bailey, you can find him on social media:
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