Meet Mandy L. Cantrell | Author of The Trace Books Series and More

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mandy L. Cantrell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mandy L., how do you think about risk?
Most of my life has been about risk-taking, whether for good or bad. It is nice later in life to note the good risks you’ve taken, which now exemplify a measure of success, whether fully achieved or on the horizon. I think artists, in general, tend to be risk takers because, at the very least, we are taking a chance just in sharing ourselves. As a writer, you’ve gone beyond sharing an image or a concept, as a painter or sculptor might do. Writers are sharing at an even deeper level of transparency, essentially spelling it out for you: This is what I think, this is what I ‘m thinking about, here’s my take on this idea or theory. You’re sharing what is literally going through your head. That’s scary. That’s being vulnerable. And I think that vulnerability can certainly be risky.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My first passion for art was fashion design. This was something I knew without a doubt that I would do since fourth grade, and so when I graduated high school, that was just the next step. However, life choices (some good, some bad) led me to step away from my college/career path early on. Yet I continued to find myself drawn to creative outlets, however chaotic. I spent many years dabbling in the world of photography and art, and even had a very brief experience with independent filmmaking. I just knew I didn’t want a traditional job, and I needed to do something creative. As a creative-minded person, I don’t think you ever lose that desire. It eats at you and pulls at you, and it comes out anyway, in some form, whether you streamline it for success or not.

It wasn’t until my 30s that I realized I wanted to write. I had written poetry and dabbled with memoir-style writing in my teen and early adult years but had never really considered writing a complete story. Working on my first novel was the total creative package for me. It allowed me to express my thoughts and share creatively how I felt about things, people, and ideas. It was intoxicating and addictive, so in the beginning, I had trouble reeling it in. I never struggled with organizing my thoughts but knowing when to stop was definitely a challenge. I quickly realized I had to step out of my hiding place and learn how other people were doing it and what the writing world looked like beyond my mind and a keyboard. So, I joined a writing group, met people in that world, and truly shared my work for the first time. That’s when the real process began. And it hasn’t slowed down.

When my manuscript became too heavy for a first write, a mentor suggested I take a smaller, bite-sized piece and publish that instead. So, I did! And that was the beginning of my spooky 80’s series called The Trace Books. I took a single chapter from the book I had been working on and stretched it into a novella titled, Trace’n the Devil—a supernatural love story that combined my love for rock n’ roll with the old TV shows I loved, like The Twilight Zone and Tales from the Crypt. It was a blast writing it, but I never expected it to become a series. When the book’s unique ending garnered traction with questions and requests for more, I chose to write a companion book. The Trace Books continued from there. I am excited to announce that my upcoming fourth book in the series, First Born, A Trace Books Origin Story, is scheduled for release in September 2025!

It has been quite a wild ride, with merchandise and 80s-inspired events, as well as a “Trace” corner at a local record store where books and related items were sold and advertised for Trace fans. Later, a stand-alone novel, A Fair in August, followed, and more recently, Spiderflies, which was nominated for Georgia Author of the Year for 2025. Interestingly enough, Spiderflies was also taken from a chapter in that first manuscript.

Writing has also opened additional creative outlets for me, including a collaborative podcast called Curious Conversations and my own storytelling venture, The Collector, which consists of a seasonal spooky walking tour that joins history and local folklore in the quaint historic downtown Adairsville, GA. The Collector began as a promotional project for a book I was working on with the same title. Since its inception, there has been a livestream: a curiosity shop and auction, and even a private field trip to the nation’s largest crime museum. Now, the business continues to grow, and the book that started it all is set for release in 2026!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love this question! I live in a quaint community full of history and unique places that is a breeding ground for creativity. Fifteen minutes from my home is a sprawling 5-star resort that is home to the ruins of a “haunted” manor with beautiful gardens and a small hedge maze. Folklore and tales of the property, combined with superb restaurants and accommodations, make this an obvious go-to for entertaining. Additionally, just a few miles down the road is a castle bed and breakfast!

Not far, in the other direction, is an amazing “outdoor walk-through” car museum that boasts Elvis’s last car, and the other direction has Berry College, a private college known for its beautiful grounds and “European castle-like” buildings. It was seen in the Stranger Things series, along with the Creel House, also in that nearby area.

Additionally, I know many curiously unique spots, such as the childhood home of Pretty Boy Floyd, which makes my walking tour. And not too far from here is the artist Howard Finster’s home/museum, and on a darker note, the Corpsewood Manor ruins that continue to attract True Crime enthusiasts. A unique family-friendly spot known as the “Rock Garden” offers miniature versions of castles and cathedrals, all made by hand. We have an array of independently owned shops and restaurants, beautiful parks, and historic homes nearby. I could find plenty of things to keep guests busy for the week!

Top places to visit: RocknShop, Cartersville, Peacock Junction, Adairsville, Ate Track, Cartersville, Adairsville Coffee Company, Adairsville, When I was a Child Antique Store, Adairsville, and The Crazy Book Lady, Acworth, and Raven’s Lore Bookstore, Calhoun.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Growing up, my mom always told me I could be anything I wanted, and she especially encouraged me when I would use my creativity to express myself. I think that there have been plenty of times that I might have stepped beyond that border or expectation, but she never held me back. Instead, I think she gave me that space to learn on my own, in my own time, where those boundaries should lie. That expression has certainly changed over the years, and I’ve adapted accordingly, but guided by my own parameters and personal guidelines. Looking back and recognizing how those changes occurred due to my own pruning, instead of others, has been both enlightening and empowering in many ways.

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