Trish Esden: Where Antique Mysteries Meet Gothic Whispers by Kashish for Pub-Craft

Trish Esden doesn’t write to teach lessons. She writes to entertain and to create a world where readers can lose themselves in buried secrets, antique treasures, and characters with something to hide.

“I’ve always enjoyed writing because it allows me to create adventures that I can get lost in as well as share with others,” she says.  

While her stories are never autobiographical, her imagination is fed by past experiences and a deep love for poetry and gothic novels. That influence shows in the signature tone she brings to each book. Before her chapters even begin, Trish introduces her readers to the mood of the story with a short, rhythmic passage that often leans a little dark and philosophical. “I’ve tried to begin stories without this narrative device,” she adds, “but I always end up adding it in before I’m done writing the first draft.” 

Her upcoming novel, Whisper of Treasure and Lies, continues this tradition. It’s the third book in the Scandal Mountain Antiques Mystery series, where each installment centers on a different antique-related crime.

This time, Trish's main character is diving deep into a mineral springs bottle mystery while also confronting the fallout of a personal betrayal: a forgery charge that sent her mother to prison. With the clock ticking, the story weaves together family loyalty, investigative twists, and an ongoing search for truth.

“The theme is what braids the threads together,” she explains. And for this novel, that theme is secrets. Before chapter one even begins, readers are immersed in her main character’s voice:

“Secrets. Everybody has them, large and small… Some say all secrets eventually come to light… I’m not so sure about that.” 

Trish is no stranger to the twists and turns of publishing either. After eight traditionally published books and years of agent querying, she found herself waiting nearly a year for a decision, only to have her series dropped by the publisher.

Instead of starting the process again, she chose to self-publish. “I can’t get those months I waited back,” she says, but she was determined not to lose her readers. That shift gave her control over her schedule and a fresh perspective on reaching her audience. 

For a long time, Trish admits she didn’t give branding much thought. Her publishers chose book covers that fit the genre, and her website designer built around them. “When I set out to have professional headshots taken, I did purposely wear clothing that blended with the covers and website, but by then I’d started to realize there was a wider reason than personal taste to keep everything consistent.”

Learning the importance of branding came with time, effort, and support. A turning point came when she met Laurie Cooper of Pub-Craft at a Romance Writers of America conference. “I absorbed information on her Facebook page, took her class, and now attend weekly sessions with other Visible Author Method members. As I’ve actively worked toward learning more about branding and marketing, my sales and connections to my readership have increased.” 

That growth was helped by another important decision, choosing to write under a new name. Her earlier fantasy books, written as Pat Esden, had steamy content, but when she shifted to more traditional mysteries, her publisher encouraged her to create a new author identity.

“Readers who skipped my steamier scenes were delighted to have an easy way to tell which books were which. Also, having a clear difference between genres made marketing easier. As a bonus, I could call myself a debut author again which opened the door to new opportunities.” 

Trish has always believed in community. She credits her debut author group with continued support, and her involvement in professional organizations like RWA, MWA, and Sisters in Crime has not only taught her the industry but helped her grow as a writer and organizer. Last year, she became the state representative for Sisters in Crime, organizing events that got her books into bookstores and libraries. 

Her approach to reader engagement is simple: show up. “Be active on social media where your readers hang out, and engage them by always responding to comments,” she says. She also emphasizes community over competition. “Don’t forget authors are readers too!” 

Looking back, one of the most valuable lessons Trish has learned is to define your goals early and be honest about them.

“Think long and hard about why you want to be a published author and what your end goal is,” she advises. “Is it fame? Extra income? Or something else?”

For aspiring authors navigating today’s publishing landscape, she encourages taking the time to polish your novel before rushing into querying or self-publishing. “Time taken at the beginning will save you from heartache later on.” 

Through it all, one thing remains constant: her love for crafting mysteries that offer atmosphere, clever plots, and heroines who aren’t afraid to dig deep, sometimes literally. Whether you follow Pat or Trish, you’re bound to find yourself in a world where secrets don’t stay buried for long. 

Trish’s Positioning Statement from The Visible Author Method Group Coaching 

Program:

Trish Esden is an award-winning author of mystery novels that deliver feisty heroines, devious criminals, and as many twists as a back-country road. Set in contemporary small-town New England, her stories promise skillfully crafted whodunnits fraught with secrets, cunning schemes, and sometimes a touch of romance. Though a dead body or two might surface, Trish’s novels tend to focus on crimes other than murder. If you’re a fan of traditional mysteries with a diverse cast of friends and adversaries, immerse yourself today in an atmospheric world where danger, mystery, and a passion for justice collide.