About The Author

Payton Rose is a Canadian author based in Sherwood Park, Alberta. A lifelong storyteller, Payton began her writing journey at fifteen, eventually balancing a career in administration with her deep-seated passion for fiction. Today, she uses that professional discipline to fuel the intricate world-building of her romantic fantasy series.

Her work is deeply informed by a love for mythology, especially Greek myths, which she intricately weaves into her narratives to create immersive, legendary worlds. While her own writing focuses on the power of ancient lore, Payton remains a dedicated fan of the broader supernatural genre—reveling in everything from gothic romances to vampire tales.

Now living her dream as a published author, when she isn’t crafting worlds of masks and sorrow, she is likely curled up with a good book or binge-watching her latest favorite series.

Fun Facts:

Favorite Greek Myth:

My heart has always belonged to the story of Hades and Persephone. I’ve always viewed Hades not as a villain, but as a guardian—a guide and judge who cares for the souls in his charge. He isn’t the cause of death; he is the one who meets you at the end of the journey.

I’ve brought that perspective into Lia’s world, reflecting my own belief that even the God of the Underworld deserves true love. Maybe that’s the hopeless romantic in me, but I will always choose a retelling where they are partners in love and power.

What was the first book or show that made you fall in love with the gothic and supernatural genre?

My love for the gothic and supernatural started early with classics like The Nightmare Before Christmas and Corpse Bride, but Sweeney Todd is what truly sealed my fate. It remains my favorite musical to this day. I’ve always been drawn to the "broken man" trope—the monster who isn't evil for the sake of it, but because his soul was shattered by loss.

That same fascination drew me to the 1992 Bram Stoker’s Dracula. The tragic, reincarnated love story between Dracula and Mina spoke to me on a soul level. That theme—finding beauty within horror and loving the monster despite the darkness—is the heartbeat of everything I write.

What was the very first image or idea that sparked the world of A Realm of Masks and Sorrow?

People often ask where the spark for the Passions of Olympus saga came from, and the answer is surprisingly musical. When I was sixteen, on a family vacation in Nakusp, BC, I was listening to the song "Hospital for Souls" by Bring Me the Horizon. I became obsessed with that title and began imagining a girl in a Greek asylum who meets the son of Hades.

For a long time, that was actually the working title of my debut! Over the last ten years, that single seed has grown into a planned five-book series and a novella. It’s amazing how one song title can evolve into an entire mythology.

Do you meticulously plan every plot twist, or do you let the characters lead the way?

I’m a bit of a hybrid when it comes to my process. I usually start as a "pantser"—meaning I get a sudden idea and just start writing to see where the characters take me. As the story unfolds, new ideas start flying at me, and that’s when my administrative side kicks in. I jot everything down, organize the chaos, and slowly it transforms into a solid plot. By now, the entire Passions of Olympus journey is mapped out and ready to be told.

But don't let my plotting fool you. The characters still have a mind of their own, and that is how we went from three books to six.

Meet the Co-Authors

Behind every page of the Passions of Olympus saga is a dedicated team of furry assistants who ensure I never write in peace.

I save the chaos for my characters, not your inbox. Unsubscribe anytime.