From Swamps to Shadows: St. Johns County Horror Author Victoria Nations Brings Florida’s Weird to Life
Florida’s wild beauty and eerie natural spaces have long inspired storytellers — but for St. Johns County author Victoria Nations, that inspiration runs deliciously dark. A biologist by training and a horror author by passion, Nations has carved a place in the world of gothic, weird, and atmospheric horror that reflects her deep roots in the Sunshine State.
“I’m a native Floridian and an elder goth,” Nations said during her interview on Jolene’s Book and Writer Talk. “I love writing about my home state — its liminal spaces, its quirky communities, and its swamps and marshes. There’s a lot of weirdness to be found here.”
Her short fiction and poetry appear in multiple anthologies and magazines, including Dark Spores from Chrome Girls Press and Gothic Blue Book VI: A Krampus Carol. Her story “Fruiting Bodies” in Dark Spores captures the haunting intersection between human emotion and fungal horror, exploring how people find family and connection even amid apocalyptic decay.
Beyond her writing, Nations is a passionate advocate for Florida’s literary and horror communities. She’s an active member of the Horror Writers Association (HWA), which now includes a Southwest Florida chapter, offering virtual meetings and networking opportunities for authors across the state.
“The HWA is such a welcoming organization,” she explains. “You don’t have to be published to join — even fans of horror writing can become members. It’s all about community and growth.”
Nations credits social media with helping her connect with fellow writers and readers. Though she’s been active on Twitter for over a decade, she says BlueSky has become her new digital home for literary conversations. “BlueSky’s where the author community feels most alive right now. It reminds me of what Twitter used to be — positive, interactive, and supportive.”
When she’s not writing or engaging online, Nations is working on a new supernatural novel set in Ybor City and The Villages, blending themes of immortality, aging, and desire with her trademark blend of romance and dread.
“I’m very excited about it,” she said. “It’s about what happens when we chase eternal youth — and the cost that comes with it.”
For aspiring horror authors, Nations offers simple but powerful advice: just write. “Don’t question whether your story is ‘horror enough,’” she said. “There’s a place for every kind of dark tale — from realistic dread to full-on supernatural madness. Find your people, share your work, and grow together.”
Her tips for writers include
- Join writing associations that fit your genre.
- Participate in online pitch parties like Dark Pit or BlueSky’s upcoming events.
- Use QueryTracker to research agents and publishers who truly understand dark fiction.
- Surround yourself with readers who ‘get’ your work.
Victoria Nations’ love for storytelling and her scientific background bring an authenticity to her horror — proof that the creepiest tales are often rooted in truth.
To learn more about her work, upcoming releases, and newsletter
Website: https://victorianations.com/
Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/victorianations.bsky.social
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@leaves_cobwebs
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Leaves_Cobwebs
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/victoria.nations.2025/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-nations-writer/
Substack: https://victorianations.substack.com/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Victoria-Nations/author/B08N8Z5262
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/VictoriaNations
Email: leavesandcobwebs@earthlink.net
A Note from our Editor
We would encourage any North Florida Writers who would like to submit a Guest Post on our online magazine or be a featured author on the North Florida Writers Tour website then please get in touch using their CONTACT US form. Our other Online Magazine called “Webs and Blogs for Writers” does featured articles on authors not in our area CLICK HERE TO READ. For those who wish to be a guest on Jolene’s Book and Writer’s Talk podcast visit the Southern Dragon Publishing Information page.
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