Keokuk, Iowa may not be the first place readers think of when they imagine expansive fantasy worlds or unsettling psychological horror, but author James E. Hamelton Jr is changing that. Drawing inspiration from the rural Midwest, river towns, and the strange tension hidden in quiet places, Hamelton’s work blends folklore, emotion, and grounded realism into stories that feel both familiar and hauntingly new.
His debut fantasy novel, An Enchanted Heart, introduced readers to his character-focused approach to magic and myth. Since then, he has expanded into psychological horror with upcoming works like Keokuk: Gateway to the Damned and What Lurks on Connable Road, while simultaneously building connected story worlds online through interactive fiction and dedicated lore sites.
We sat down with the Iowa-based author to talk about his creative process, the influence of the Midwest on his storytelling, and what readers can expect next.
Q&A WITH JAMES E. HAMELTON JR
Q: Your work spans fantasy, horror, psychological thrillers, and even interactive storytelling. What ties all your writing together?
Hamelton: No matter what genre I’m writing in, I always start with people. I’m drawn to stories where ordinary individuals are pushed into extraordinary situations, whether that’s magic arriving with consequences or something dark lurking on a lonely road at night. I don’t want “bigger” stories — I want closer ones, where emotions, fears, and personal stakes are as real as the supernatural layers around them.
Q: The Midwest plays a noticeable role in your fiction. What makes the region such fertile ground for your stories?
Hamelton: The Midwest has a quiet eeriness that people often overlook. In places like Keokuk or along rural Illinois backroads, there’s history under the surface — old stories, forgotten landmarks, strange local legends. It’s peaceful one moment and unsettling the next. That contrast is powerful to me. A road like Connable Road might look simple, but when the sun goes down and you’re the only person driving through, you feel the landscape watching you. That’s where my stories begin.
Q: Your debut novel, An Enchanted Heart, blends emotional depth with high-fantasy elements. What inspired that book?
Hamelton: I wanted to write a fantasy story where magic wasn’t just a tool — it was a burden. Every enchantment comes with a cost, and every character carries personal scars. Love, grief, sacrifice… I wanted to explore how those things shape a person more deeply than any spell. The magic system grew out of that emotional foundation.
Q: You have several horror projects in development, including Keokuk: Gateway to the Damned and What Lurks on Connable Road. What made you shift into horror?
Hamelton: I don’t really see it as a shift — more like following another branch of the same tree. I’ve always been fascinated by psychological horror, the kind that disturbs you without relying on shock. Growing up in the Midwest, you become familiar with isolation and silence. There’s something unnerving in those spaces, especially at night. Horror lets me explore that feeling honestly and creatively.
Q: You also build online story worlds tied to your books, including official websites and even interactive fiction. Why is that important to your process?
Hamelton: Stories don’t have to be confined to a single format. Some ideas work better on the page, others make sense as interactive experiences where readers get to make choices. I enjoy giving readers multiple ways to engage with the world. A website like ConnableRoad.com lets people explore the atmosphere of a story before the book even arrives. It’s like stepping into the world early.
Q: What can readers expect from you next?
Hamelton: Keokuk: Gateway to the Damned is my next major release — it dives deep into river-town folklore and generational shadows. After that, I’m continuing work on What Lurks on Connable Road, which has been growing into something larger than I expected. I’m also expanding my interactive story projects and will be releasing additional fiction tied to the myths and themes in my previous works.
Q: Where can readers learn more or follow your work?
Hamelton: The main author site, jehamelton.com, is the best hub for updates, book details, and blog posts. What Lurks on Connable Road has a dedicated site at ConnableRoad.com, and I post interactive fiction on interactive.hamelton.net. The new site jamesehameltonjr.com serves as a focused introduction to my books and worlds. Readers can also find my work on Amazon, Goodreads, and other major retailers.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
James E. Hamelton Jr is an author, developer, and storyteller based in Keokuk, Iowa. His fiction blends emotional realism with elements of fantasy, horror, folklore, and Midwestern history. He is the author of An Enchanted Heart and the upcoming novels Keokuk: Gateway to the Damned and What Lurks on Connable Road. His work extends beyond the page through interactive stories and online world-building projects.
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