Authors Emily Carpenter and Allison Gunn talk together, during the book signing at Four Seasons Books on April 10. Photo by Ainsley Hall

SHEPHERDSTOWN — Four Seasons Books invited authors Emily Carpenter and Allison Gunn for a book signing for their novels “Gothictown” and “Nowhere” on April 10.

Throughout the event, guests were invited to ask questions, before getting their copies of the books signed.

Carpenter is a New York Times bestselling author known for books like “Burying the Honeysuckle Girls” and “The Weight of Lies.” Her book, “Gothictown,” is a mystery thriller set in a town in Georgia. It follows Billie and her family as they move from New York City to get a fresh start and open her new restaurant. However, something feels off about this small Southern town.

Meanwhile, Gunn is a debut author from Charles Town, who just published her first horror novel, “Nowhere.” The story follows Rachel Kennan and her husband as they deal with the grief after losing their son. Inspired by Appalachian folklore, Gunn created a dark thriller to pull her readers in.

As Gunn was looking for local bookstores to visit to promote her book, she was invited to visit Four Seasons. She was excited to have the opportunity to talk with Carpenter about their books and writing process.

Carpenter said that, before she even got the message about doing the event with Gunn, a bookseller told her she had to read “Nowhere,” because it was the flip side of her own story.

“I bought the book, and within hours, I got a notification that they changed the name of the event,” Carpenter said. “It was really something magical.”

Both Carpenter and Gunn shared that to them, writing is something they just must do. They are passionate about sharing stories with others. Gunn even added that it’s closely tied to her mental health.

“I’m writing books I want to read,” Carpenter said. “I love stories, whether it’s in a book, movie or show. I always have a story in my head, and writing helps me get it out.”

“It’s the same for me,” Gunn added. “I don’t care how it comes out. It can be absolute garbage, but that’s okay, because I can always tweak it later — as long as it’s out of my head and on the page.”

Carpenter recently announced that a “Gothictown” TV adaptation is in development with AMC. Abby Ajayi, who worked on shows like “Inventing Anna” and “How to Get Away with Murder,” will be the executive producer, while Carpenter will be the co-producer.

During the question-and-answer session, Carpenter talked about how she was inspired by how the pandemic impacted people and incorporated that into her story. She read an article about a restaurant that closed during the pandemic and how those involved were forced to say goodbye to a period of their life. She wanted to capture those feelings.

Around that time, she worked as a hostess at a friend’s restaurant and thought it would be interesting to weave something those experiences in her own story.