THE basis of his books have ranged from ouija boards to druids.
Now, Hull-born author Ray Clark has chosen the macabre subject of the Salem Witch Trails for his latest release.
His new book Calix has been released online by Canadian publisher Double Dragon Press, and a paperback version is due out in the new year.
Ray, who lives in Swinefleet, near Goole, and is a former pupil of Hull's Andrew Marvell school, said: "The idea for Calix emerged several years ago.
"I've always had an interest in the Salem Witch Trials.
"I wanted to write a book on the subject but the trick was to find something new which, hopefully, I've managed to pull off.
"The idea of possession was strong in my mind and the hardest part was to somehow link them together and present a new twist."
Ray, 50, began writing in the early 1990s when he was first approached by The British Fantasy Society to write a 3,000-word essay on the author Graham Masterton.
This was quickly followed up with a book-length adaptation, Manitou Man, which was nominated for the World and British Fantasy Awards.
Ray's success continued with a range of short stories published both traditionally and electronically and full-length novels, including The Priest's Hole, which was published in May 2012.
The Priest's Hole revolves around author Mark Farnham and the success of his new novel reaching number one in the US. Mark and his wife Paula invite friends over for drinks when one of them suggests using a ouija board.
But what the author could not have known is that his house is built over an ancient battleground, which saw a clan of druids slaughtered, ending in the horrific torture of their leaders, a French high priest named Chyndonac, whose spirit is released through the board.
Sticking with a paranormal theme, Calix is about the Salem Witch Trials but is heavily based in Yorkshire.
Ray said: "It is basically a story about revenge and how a 17th century curse has travelled through the years, finally affecting an American couple now living in Yorkshire.
"I think some of the villages in the Yorkshire Dales are very well-suited for a horror setting.
"They have that American Werewolf in London feel to them."
For Ray, it is the part before he puts pen to paper that he finds most intriguing.
He said: "For me, the most interesting part about writing a new book is the research – unearthing new clues that change the course of a book is fascinating.
"To make the book as believable as possible, and to capture the darker atmosphere of Salem, I travelled to Massachusetts in 2006 to research the town's history.
"It is a very interesting place, even now.
"There is a pretty creepy atmosphere and you can never quite shake the feeling you're being watched.
"What more could a writer ask for? It's perfect.
"It really helped me to add the authenticity that a book needs."
Calix is now available as a digital download from www.double-dragon-ebooks.com and from Amazon for £3.08.
A print version will be out next year, which will be available in bookshops.
