Level 2 Art student Tyler Gayle has recently published his debut horror novel - an achievement that’s been years in the making.
Entitled John’s Wacky Wayland, it is a horror-thriller about seven teenagers who break into an abandoned amusement park, only to find themselves trapped inside with animatronics and a killer clown. Hidden clues and twists feature throughout the layered mystery, with Tyler’s goal always being to stir emotions, spark imagination, and offer readers a thrilling escape.
His journey into storytelling began at age 12, inspired by his love of video games and movies.
Tyler outlined his inspiration, saying: “Playing games and watching films always made me want to create my own world of characters. I was inspired by Five Nights at Freddy’s; people might roll their eyes at it, but it really pushed me to build something of my own.”
Speaking about his process, he said: “I started writing in 2022, and the story went through a lot of changes, but I always had a clear vision. Every reveal, every moment - it’s all there for a reason. I spent months researching horror tropes, reading novels, and even studying horror movie scenes to make sure I found my own voice and make sure everything felt original. When I finally held the finished book in my hands, I cried. It looked amazing.”
A prequel to John’s Wacky Wayland is set to release later this year, with a sequel planned for 2027. Tyler is also working on an action novel and aims to publish two original books every year up to 2030.
For students wondering if they can turn their passions into something real, Tyler’s story is proof that they absolutely can.
To find out more and purchase John’s Wacky Wayland, click here.