Local author Nan Soul-Hart’s debut book will be released on Monday. )Photo provided)

MARTINS FERRY – Local author Nan Soul-Hart is proving that it’s never too late to follow your dreams.

At 64, Soul-Hart will be releasing her debut book on Monday, called “Company for the Night” that is being published by Authors Arsenal Publishing.

“I’m a young 64. I am a rolling stone, I do not gather moss. I refuse to go down without a fight,” she said. ” I want people to see that you can be vibrant until you’re 120/ The soul doesn’t age, it’s ageless and we just need to let our souls shine and let our creative juices flow. We always need to remember kindness matters. Kindness matters above all things.”

Soul-Hart’s book is a gothic horror set in New England in the 1800s.

“It’s a little bit of a taboo subject, but it’s a PG-13 book, I would say,” Soul-Hart said. “The villain in the story is a necrophiliac and it’s basically from the time of his conception to the night of his reckoning that the book spans. He’s a tormented soul. He was born under very unusual circumstances and he really can’t help what he is. It’s a really neat story and very descriptive.”

She added that the story takes place in the fictional town of Pineville and follows Jebediah Gray and his heroine Flora Rose.

Soul-Hart said that the inspiration for the book came from the Linwood Cemetery in Blaine.

“There’s an old house in the middle of that cemetery, the caretaker’s house. And ever since I was a kid I was fascinated with that house. And my story is based loosely on that house in that cemetery,” she said. “I’ve been writing poetry since I was 12 years old but this story is very near and dear to my heart.”

She added that since connecting with Authors Arsenal Publishing, she will soon have three more books being published in the coming months. Soul-Hart said that although this book is a gothic horror story her next three stories will be a trilogy of fantasy based books.

She expressed excitement about the book being not only released but published by a publishing company.

“This is the first book that I’ve written and it’s going to be published. It’s going to be available on Amazon. It’s going to not only be available in physical form, where you can actually order the book and have it in your hands but also on book platforms where people can order it and read it online,” Soul-Hart said. “It’s a quick read, just 48 pages.”

She said that the working relationship between her and Authors Arsenal Publishing has been a wonderful partnership, adding that Authors Arsenal Publishing let her keep her voice during the editing portion of creating the book.

“My story is 100% mine. They did correct a little bit of misspelled words and things like that but really made sure that it stayed exactly true to the way I wrote it, because it’s my story to tell,” Soul-Hart said. “I really appreciated that about Authors Arsenal. They definitely give their authors the last word.”

She said that the book will cost $16.99 but has also floated the idea of having an audiobook available in the future.

“I’m just so excited to get the word out about my book. I hope people like my style of writing and hope that people will like it enough that they’ll want to read my next stories when they come out,” Soul-Hart said. “This has always been my dream. And basically my whole message to people is you’re never too old to dream. You’re never too old to realize that you can make your dreams a reality.”