RK Salters

Hey there! I'm RK Salters, and I write the kind of dark, twisted stories that make my family members raise their eyebrows and probably question my mental health. (Don't worry, I'm perfectly sane... mostly.)

I never set out to write about remote jungle lodges and morally ambiguous characters, but here we are. My journey into writing started in the most cliché way possible – I was that kid who always had their nose buried in a book, usually something wildly inappropriate for my age. While other kids were reading Sweet Valley High, I was sneaking Stephen King novels under my covers with a flashlight. Sorry, Mom!

After years of working in corporate communications (soul-crushing, but it paid the bills), I finally took the plunge into fiction writing. "Butterfly Ranch" was my debut novel, and let me tell you, it's not your typical tropical getaway story. I took a famous detective novelist, threw him into the Mayan jungle, and watched chaos unfold. Poor Tristan Griffin probably wishes I'd given him a nice beach vacation instead.

My writing style? Think Gothic atmosphere meets psychological suspense with a heavy dose of "what the hell just happened?" I love exploring the darker sides of human nature, those gray areas where right and wrong aren't so clear-cut. And yes, I do extensive research about remote locations and their local legends – which has led to some pretty interesting browser history that I hope the FBI never sees.

I'm particularly drawn to stories where isolation plays a major role (probably because I spend too much time alone with my laptop and coffee). In "Butterfly Ranch," the jungle becomes almost like another character, beautiful and deadly all at once. There's something fascinating about taking characters out of their comfort zones and watching them either rise to the challenge or completely unravel.

When I'm not writing, you can find me exploring off-the-beaten-path locations (research, I swear!), attempting to grow a jungle-inspired garden (failing miserably), or convincing my cat that my keyboard is not, in fact, the most comfortable spot in the house to sleep.

What can you expect from my books? Complex characters who aren't always likeable (sorry not sorry), atmospheric settings that'll make you feel like you're there (minus the actual danger), and plots that'll keep you guessing until the very end. I don't do neat, tidy endings where everything works out perfectly – life's messy, and my stories reflect that.

I'm currently working on my next novel (no spoilers, but it involves an abandoned lighthouse and some very suspicious local legends). My writing process involves way too much coffee, extensive plotting boards that look like something from a crime show, and occasional breaks to question all my life choices.

To my readers: thank you for joining me on this weird, wild journey. Your messages about staying up all night to finish "Butterfly Ranch" make all those 3 AM writing sessions worth it. And to those who've asked – yes, some of the creepier scenes are inspired by real experiences. No, I won't tell you which ones. Some mysteries are better left unsolved.

If you enjoy authors like Gillian Flynn and Tana French, or if you like your suspense with a side of "maybe I should sleep with the lights on tonight," you might just enjoy my brand of storytelling. Fair warning: my books pair best with a strong drink and an even stronger stomach for psychological tension.

You can find me on social media, where I post about writing updates, behind-the-scenes research, and my ongoing battle with writer's block (spoiler alert: the block usually wins). I love connecting with readers, so don't be shy – unless you're asking about that one scene in Chapter 17. Then maybe be a little shy.

Welcome to my dark little corner of the literary world. Make yourself comfortable... but not too comfortable.