I’m Autumn Ware, a writer, podcaster, and wanderer exploring the coast of North Carolina.

Join me as I scout the landscape for stories.

From my earliest memories poring through my grandmother’s timeworn collection of Edgar Allan Poe, I’ve been spellbound by the art of storytelling. I began my career guiding young writers as an award-winning teacher. Now, I spend my days crafting narratives that connect, inspire, and occasionally unsettle. Whether celebrating the soul of the Crystal Coast via my podcast EPIC Carteret or conjuring the spirits of the region through speculative fiction inspired by local folklore, I’m always searching for the strange and beautiful in the world around us.

The Other Blog

Visit The Other Blog to study the craft of masterful writers of the macabre and surreal like Fritz Leiber and Daphne du Maurier, to tap into writing exercises that take you out into the world for tangible inspiration, and to find out what’s going on in my world – from new kittens to ghost story competitions.

Not just another blog. The Other Blog.

Subscribe to The Other Blog to explore folklore, writing craft, and writing news from the Crystal Coast!

What makes the Crystal Coast such an enticing anchorage?

Come along with me and my special guests on a limited-run podcast odyssey from Down East to Western Carteret County to find out.

This project is supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, with administration by the Craven Arts Council & Gallery.

In 2025, we’re going far°off.shore’.

Join us as we go in search of an island lost to time, space, and memory in a new immersive docudrama podcast by the producers of EPIC Carteret. If you enjoyed Pacific Northwest Radio’s Tanis or Jeff VanderMeer’s Southern Reach series, get ready to take a trip far°off.shore’. Learn more.

Upcoming Events for Local Word Lovers

Find information about local workshops through Carteret Writers and Carteret Community College as well as other events in the local literary community as I learn of them.

Winter Hauntings 2025

January 29 @ 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm EST

Writing with Autumn helped me bring out new creative ideas. She knows how to tap into what moves a person and leads with a genuine spirit, communicating consistent encouragement.

Dom Wilkins, Former Writing Student | Current Technology Expert with Cisco Meraki

Autumn is very knowledgeable about the craft and process of storytelling and always gives great feedback. She’s passionate about literature and loves helping others become the best writers they can.

Joe Cockrell, Former Writing Student | Current Storyteller in the Film Industry

Writing with Autumn was one of the most powerful experiences I’ve had. Not only did I learn about the craft of creative writing, but she gave me the confidence and tools I needed to believe I could write something worth reading.

Holly Brantley, Former Writing Student | Current NC State MFA Program Student

PERILOUS & SPARKS

I published the first two Perilous & Sparks adventures Les Stone Cold Killers and The Kowloon Jukebox between 2018 and 2019. Though I’ve been on hiatus to work on other projects in the intervening years, I haven’t abandoned this campy Cold War YA series. I hope to return to the girls in 2025 to finish the third book Two to Tangier, in which an uneasy alliance of Aquarian Age gurus and mystics are on the hunt for an enigmatic artifact reputed to give power to whomever holds it. Will the girls beat them to the prize, or will they have a bad trip on the notorious Hippie Trail? Stay tuned to find out.

FROM THE P&S INNOCENT POSTCARDS BLOG

Hold onto hope

Fulfill your mission

Look under the bed

How do readers describe Perilous & Sparks?

Fearless

This book is everything the blurb promises — a campy, cloak-and-dagger story in which the crack team of Perilous and Sparks combat the evil Omega Foundation and locate a dangerous weapon that could destroy the planet. The author has created captivating characters — including two amazingly fierce, fearless, and stylish female secret agents — she writes incredible action scenes, and her descriptions of France will make you want to book your next holiday there. I had so much fun reading this book and can’t wait for the next one in the series. James Bond — watch out, the girls are in town!

Ellen Jacobson, USA Today Bestselling Author of The Mollie McGhie Mysteries

A delight

Imagine the TV show The Americans, but campy, set in the 60s, with gender-bending protagonists sleuthing the streets of New York and Paris. It’s intrigue, it’s resourceful soubrettes, it’s careening through the French countryside in an Aston Martin and spy gadgets that freeze or explode to keep you guessing. This book is flying first class when you thought you’d be in coach. It’s a delight. Looking forward to book number two!

Charlotte Kaufman, Author and Founder of Women Who Sail

Thrilling

What a clever fantastic story. It’s got sassy strong female leads, super spies with gadgets, high fashion, action, and murder. What more could you ask for? I seriously can’t wait for the next one! All the fun quirky characters were a blast to read about. Sparks and Bette are definitely my two personal favourites of them all. A.Ware’s descriptions wove a detailed scene for her thrilling tale to take place. It was truly wonderful how easily I could close my eyes and be in Paris whizzing around on a Vespa.

Stephanie Gautreaux, Author of the Alice LeBlanc Mystery Series as S.J. Fowler