Journalist and newly published author, Jasmaine Payne is a ‘Special Person’

Sep 21, 2025 News

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Contributing to Guyana’s literary landscape for in excess of 15 years…

By Shania Williams

Kaieteur News – In a country where careers in engineering, medicine, and law often dominate, the field of English and the literary arts can sometimes be overlooked.

Yet, 37-year-old Jasmaine Payne has proven that a passion for language and storytelling can be fulfilling.

A proud mother and now a published author, Payne is not only making her mark in the world of literature but also contributing meaningfully to the English landscape in Guyana, earning her the title of this week’s “Special Person.”

On Saturday September 20, 2025, the new author officially launched her debut novel Leech, a psychological thriller that marks the beginning of what promises to be a prolific writing career. In an interview with The Waterfalls, she shared her background in communications and the journey that led her to authorship.

Payne has 15+ years in journalism and a passion for psychological thrillers. Her debut novel, Leech, makes her the first female Guyanese author to publish a full-length psychological thriller.

“I’ve spent over a decade in the communications field, working across media and the energy sector, but storytelling has always been at the heart of everything I do,” she said.

MODEST UPBRINGING

Born in Georgetown and raised partly in Berbice (Region Six), Payne grew up in a disciplined, faith-based household that laid the foundation for her values. “My upbringing was deeply influenced by my mother, who is very Christian. I was raised with strong values—discipline, time management, and honesty. My Guyanese upbringing instilled in me a solid foundation, and I see those values play out in every role I take on today. I’m extremely grateful for them,” she said.

Payne attended St. Agnes Primary School before moving on to St. Rose’s High School and then Queen’s College for sixth form. Even during her early school years, she developed a passion for arts and writing. “I was always artistic, and in the arts stream at St. Rose’s, I really began to nurture my love for writing. I actually won my first competition at age 11, but it was during my time at St. Rose’s—studying English literature and writing fan fiction with friends—that writing truly began to flourish,” she recalled.

Though her heart was set on English, Payne initially hesitated to pursue it at the tertiary level due to societal discouragement. “After QC, I initially wanted to pursue a bachelor’s degree in English, but I was discouraged by those who said it would only lead to teaching,” she shared.

However, she eventually followed her passion, completing a Bachelors Degree in English through the University of London and later earning an MBA in Marketing from the University of Bedfordshire.

“Throughout it all, my love for writing never left me, and I’m grateful I stayed true to that path,” she said.

PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY

Her professional journey began in an unlikely place—as a bank teller, where she was responsible for writing loan proposals. Her manager at the time recognized her writing talent and encouraged her to explore it further. This led her into journalism, and eventually into marketing and communications roles. “She encouraged me to explore it further, and that led me to journalism. I loved the writing aspect, but the job itself was too taxing at that stage in my life. I then moved into marketing, which allowed me to combine creativity and communication—something that’s served me well in promoting my own work,” she said.

Even as she advanced professionally, Payne continued to freelance, keeping her writing skills sharp and her creative spirit alive.

Then in 2013 concept for Leech came to her. What began as an idea eventually grew into a project she nurtured for 12 years before it finally reached readers in 2025. “I’ve always wanted to be an author. For anyone deeply in love with writing, authorship feels like the ultimate goal. While I’ve written short stories, I’ve always been drawn to long-form work. When the idea for Leech came to me in 2013, I knew I had to commit.

It took time (twelve years, in fact) but I’m thrilled that it’s finally complete and about to reach readers. I gravitate toward horror and psychological thrillers because they demand a deep understanding of the human psyche, and I enjoy that challenge,” she explained.

JASMAINE PAYNE – THE AUTHOR

Over the years, Payne’s work and contributions have been recognized through several awards. She received the 25 Influential Women Leaders Award in 2025 for her impact in communications and corporate social responsibility. Her debut novel Leech was also shortlisted for the Page Turner Awards, under both the Writers Award and the Phoenix Award subcategories.

Reflecting on her proudest moment, Payne said, “In my career, publishing Leech is without question my greatest achievement. I worked on it for over a decade. As someone who often lets go of things when they get too difficult, I’m proud that I stayed committed to this project and saw it through. Seeing people enjoy it now makes the journey all the more rewarding.”

Balancing professional life, motherhood, and writing is no easy feat, but Payne credits her military-disciplined upbringing for helping her manage it all. “My father, a former Army man, always stressed timeliness and discipline. That shaped me into someone who deeply respects time. I stick to deadlines, avoid lateness, and pride myself on being prompt. That skill has been a major asset in managing everything I do: juggling a nine-to-five job, family responsibilities, and my creative pursuits. It means my days can get very full, but with a good schedule and consistency, I make it work,” she said.

Of all her roles, motherhood is the one Payne holds dearest. “Becoming a mother has been the most significant moment of my life. It’s a huge responsibility, one filled with constant learning. I don’t always get it right, but I strive every day to grow and to be the best version of myself for my son,” she shared.

Payne also spoke about some of the values that continue to shape her journey. “One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of honesty. I tend to be honest to a fault, but I’ve learned to balance it with tact. I believe in speaking my mind while being kind and helpful to others. Kindness always comes back around when you need it most,” she said. “I try not to be judgmental. Everyone has their own struggles and makes mistakes—I’m no different. That openness helps me build strong relationships; people tend to feel comfortable coming to me.”

Looking ahead, Payne revealed that she is already working on her next two novels. “Leech is my debut, but my second and third books are already in development. My next novel is a modern retelling of the Moongazer myth from Guyana, and I’ve already started working on it. I hope to finish it much faster than the first,” she said enthusiastically.

As she continues to carve her path in literature, Payne remains passionate about contributing to Guyana’s literary culture. “I’m so excited to write more books so that Guyanese can enjoy published fiction by writers right at home. Here’s to many more stories!” she said with a smile.

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• author, Guyanese author, Jasmaine Payne, journalist, Special Person

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