About the Author

J.K. Raymond received her Bachelor of Arts from Fontbonne University in St. Louis in 1995 where she fell in love with everything in St. Louis and under it! Additionally, she obtained a Missouri teacher certification in 1995 for art K-12. J.K. continued her education at Fontbonne University in 2005 adding an additional teacher certification for elementary education for grades 1-6.

Infinite Mass

In a reality that is a theological melting pot of less-than-perfect, godlike characters’, souls are backing up and time is slowing down, but why? How? And can a teenage runaway be the key to saving everything?

Morna JoAnn Stahr had become the town pariah at age ten. Beyond her control she managed to pull a religious miracle from the bowels of holy stardom, and try as she may, absolution never came. Sure, some things can be forgotten or outlived, but not this kind of thing, especially if you’re a girl.  Just ask Mary of Magdalene. 

So Morna got busy doing what seventeen-year-old lepers do best—gathering up what was left of the best pieces of herself and getting the hell outta dodge. Without a soul the wiser. No souls but Silla’s that is, Who by all accounts would forever be included among the very best parts of her.

Now, one accomplice, a fake I.D., and many miles later, Morna is slinging drinks at a local blues bar for tips. New me, who dis, right? Wrong. Because beneath Morna’s new found feet is a rag-tag horde of mythical beasties and while they enjoy it, they are not here for the music. 

What is the Story Behind Your Story?

When I sat down to write this book I was determined to write the book I wanted to write. It’s funny but as an author when you’re writing you begin to think about what this person in your life might think about this sentence, paragraph or idea in general. I struggled with that for a bit and realized that if I continued to let those things haunt me, I wouldn’t be writing my book, I’d be writing theirs. And not only theirs, but any other friend or loved ones opinion could sneak in and none of it would flow, you know? So, I decided to hell with it, I’m going to write exactly what I want to write exactly how I wanted to write it. It was so freeing! Especially when you consider mixing theology, science, and fiction. I am fully prepared that a lot of people will not be pleased with my creation. But, I am, and that is where you find your authentic voice.

What Was Your Journey to Publication?

My track to becoming a published author was very different than most. I never queried a single agent, or major publisher. As a matter of fact, I never queried anyone. Through TikTok I had become friends with Abigail Wild who is the founder of Wild Ink Publishing. I had met her prior to her opening the publishing house and had no idea that was her path when we decided to “follow” each other on social media. When she announced she was opening Wild Ink Publishing I approached her as a friend and told her I had a manuscript if she wanted to look at it and she agreed. Shortly after that with a few agreed tweeks to my manuscript, I was signing a contract with an actual publisher. Yes, I realize how lucky I am. My advice is to not be afraid to utilize social media as a way to get your name out there. Get in the sub culture of the internet, in my case booktok, bookish, publishing etc. and don’t worry about how many times you post or talk about your book, you never know who’s watching.

What Surprised You the Most About Publishing?

Editing. Hands down. I edit as I write. Not for punctuation so much as what I’m writing. Making sure each sentence makes sense within the paragraph as a whole and can it be clearly visualized by the reader. I assumed there would be more editing on my part down the line but that the editor would take care of most punctuation and grammar issues I didn’t catch. WRONG! Editing is a nightmare from the seventh circle of hell that I was in no way prepared for. I never took any higher lever writing courses besides English 101. So, Imagine my surprise when I found out about developmental edits, then the editor goes over it and makes suggestions you have to implement, then it goes out to the ARC readers for their input and guess what happens next? That’s right, more editing! And that aside, it is shocking how many typos you keep finding no matter how many times it’s been through the editing process. I can safely say editing is my kryptonite. (edited) 

Are You a Plotter or a Pantser and What Is That Process Like for You?

I spend a couple of weeks laying out a framework for world-building and researching tools and items I know I can use to tie together in that world so that everything that comes next will make sense in that world. In the beginning, I use a three-ring binder with little tabs, then I use poster boards and sort of Venn diagram the outlines because I’m a visual learner. Then it’s just pantser all the way. In the beginning, I go back and reference my research but mostly it’s just my imagination and the internet.

I’m famous for saying that the inmates have taken over the facility, because after a while my characters are writing everything and I’m just there to type. lol!

What is Your Favorite Writing Tool?

I’m really going to show my age here, lol. But my honest answer is the computer and the internet. Writing now compared to writing twenty-five years ago is a literal walk in the park. Don’t get me wrong being a writer is a commitment and a labor of love that makes you question your sanity, but I remember only having White Out and the encyclopedia. I’m also new to being a professional writer and I’m sure there are tools out there I’ll learn about that will help me grow in the future, but for now, I’m just glad someone invented the wheel.

What is Your Favorite Writing Resource?

I think I accidentally answered that in the previous question, but to add to it the little bit of planning I did in the beginning, the internet, and research. I research a lot and it doesn’t bother me a bit. I love diving down rabbit holes until I can find some wild connection between two things you would never believe had anything in common.  After researching for years I’ve come to believe everything is connected if you dive deep enough, which is super helpful when writing fiction.

What’s Next?

My debut novel “Infinite Mass” is being released December 19, 2023 and is part of the “All Saints” trilogy. So I’m already thinking about what book two will look like, where it will take place and who will be the main characters in it. I have a large number of characters in “Infinite Mass” and each has a back story in my mind, a reason why they are the way they are. So, needless to say, I have a library of information in my head to work with, it’s just choosing wisely that weighs on my mind. I also have a children’s book I’m hoping to write and illustrate, but there is no official date for it’s release. And to top those off I love participating in Wild Ink’s anthologies. I’m working as the guest anthologist for “Ten Penny Dreadful”, a horror anthology due out in April of 2024. I also had a few pieces in “The Carnation Collection”, released in September of 2023. And right now, I’m working on my website jkraymond.com, which I hope to have completed by the end of 2023

What is Your Number One Tip for Writers?

Set a time of day you are going to write and show up. If your muses do not show up (which they often won’t because they do as they please) then just blog or journal, but stay at your computer, writing. Eventually, those sessions will turn into paragraphs that will turn into chapters, that will turn into your book.

Where Can People Find You?

TikTok @aquariusmoonauthor and @jkraymondauthor

x or Twitter @jkraymondauthor

Instagram @jkraymondauthor

Threads @jkraymondauthor

Facebook jkraymond.

It’s funny but as an author when you’re writing you begin to think about what this person in your life might think about this sentence, paragraph or idea in general. I struggled with that for a bit and realized that if I continued to let those things haunt me, I wouldn’t be writing my book, I’d be writing theirs.

J.K. Raymond