Author of the psychological thriller LEECH, Jasmaine Payne writes stories that explore the darker edges of ambition, identity, obsession, and the human mind
The Debut Novel
A haunting psychological thriller spanning Victorian London and modern-day New York, where a dead man’s obsession with immortality collides with a young writer desperate to make her mark
Jasmaine Payne is a Guyanese author, editor and communications specialist whose fiction lives where psychology meets consequence. Her debut novel LEECH, published in 2025, took second place at the 2026 BookFest Awards and was named a finalist at both the 2025 Literary Global Book Awards and the 2025 Page Turner Awards.
Fifteen years in journalism taught her how to listen; more than eight years of professional editing taught her how to shape. Her work has appeared in Guyana at 50, 50 Women 50 Years, GEM Magazine and Lady Magazine, and her short story “Another One for Mother Moon” was shortlisted for the Guyana Annual Competition.
She holds a BA in English from Goldsmiths, University of London, and an MBA in Marketing from the University of Bedfordshire. Alongside her fiction she mentors writers, runs training and workshops, and was named a recipient of the 2025 Influential Women Leaders Award.
Winner – Best First Book of Fiction
Writing a book can be exciting, frustrating, messy, and deeply personal. Jasmaine works with writers at different stages of the journey to help them strengthen their ideas, improve their manuscripts, and move their projects forward.
Personalised one-on-one guidance for writers developing or refining their work.
Professional developmental and editorial support for manuscripts and other written projects.
Professional support for clients who need help transforming ideas into polished written work.
Get occasional notes from Jasmaine, new book announcements, behind-the-scenes updates, events, writing insights, and first access to future releases.
