Why are we always intrigued by love stories that seem to span time and space, held back by nothing on our physical plane? Because that’s the way true love is supposed to be, what we want it to be. What would you do to capture a love like that? Would you go through the veil?
I love this tale of how the past often haunts us for a very good reason! Read Through the Veil and other supernatural stories from some very talented authors in Mystic Desire. Available on pre-order until October 1 for 99 cents!
Through the Veil – Jan Selbourne
A beautiful March day in 1875 ends in tragedy when the wagon carrying Helen and Marcus plunges down the mountainside. Generations pass before Rachel Finlay finds an old sepia photo of a man and woman. She knows them but she’s never met them and now, for the peace of mind she desperately craves, she goes back to where it began. In time, through the veil, knowing she may never return.
Jan, Why did you write this story for the Mystic Desire anthology?
When BVS asked for submissions to this anthology, my first thought was ‘Not my genre, I’m a historical fiction author.’ After some not so gentle nudging from my friend and author Dee S. Knight and author Callie Carmen, I thought ‘Why not?’ And I do, sort of, believe in reincarnation. Through the Veil started with an idea and it went from there.
Is there anything in Rachel’s story that strikes home with you personally?
Through the Veil is set in my home state, New South Wales, Australia. The towns mentioned in this story are real, even the ghost town, Dalmorton, where Rachel ‘sees it’ as the thriving gold mining town it once was. It was very satisfying to put my characters on the Great Dividing Range in 1875 and send Rachel on the trip back up the old Glen Innes road in 2019 to find the truth.
Do you normally write short stories? What did you find fun or difficult 
about writing this one?
This is my first short story and at first, I was worried about writing a plot within the word count guidelines. However, once I started it was fun and very enjoyable.
Please provide a short bio and your social media links.
Jan Selbourne was born and educated in Melbourne, Australia and her love of literature and history began as soon as she learned to read and hold a pen. After graduating from a Melbourne Business College her career began in the dusty world of ledgers and accounting, working in Victoria, Queensland and the United Kingdom. On the point of retiring, she changed course to work as secretary of a large NSW historical society. Now retired Jan is enjoying her love of travelling and literature. She has two children, a stray live in cat and lives near Maitland, New South Wales
Find Jan:
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I am so glad that you did try your hand at this genre! It so does work for even historical romance fiction as you saw and writing in new genres stretches us. This sounds like a gripping premise. I love that it’s set in Australia’s past. I can’t wait to read it!
What a great interview! I love how the real town, and even ghost town, was used in this story! I also love stories about reincarnation, and I am so pleased you DID decide to join in with this anthology. 🙂
I can’t wait to read your story Jan. I know you have a great mind for detail (Lies Of Gold was fabulous!) so I’m sure this story will be great.
Very cool the way you used real locations. I have often walked through ghost towns in the states and tried to picture them as thriving towns. When a writer can actually bring them back to life, that’s magical!
The story sounds fascinating. I can’t wait to read it!