Master Storyteller: Vannetta Chapman calls Lampasas home
By AMY ROGNLIE | Photos courtesy of VANNETTA CHAPMAN
Tell me a story.
“Those four words are powerful, and that’s what I try to do, across quite a few genres,” said Central Texas resident and bestselling author Vannetta Chapman. “I tell a good story because I think the reader deserves that.”
Chapman, who lives in Lampasas, released her 52nd book in 2025 with titles in inspirational romance, Amish romance, Amish cozy mystery, dystopian, techno-thriller and inspirational thriller.
“I write across various genres, but all my stories share characters you’ll care about. Whether they’re surviving the apocalypse, chasing a cyber terrorist, or solving a murder mystery, you’ll be cheering them on, turning pages to find out what happens next. Stephen King said, ‘Art should be a place of hope.’ In my books, you’ll find that glimmer of hope and themes that reflect our shared human experiences,” Chapman said.
Since moving to the Texas Hill Country 18 years ago from the Dallas area, Chapman has taught English at Lampasas High School and Central Texas College. As a big reader herself and with a master’s degree in English literature, Chapman enjoys participating in local writing groups and helping to mentor new and/or aspiring writers.
“If you have a story to tell, find a way to tell it,” Chapman said. “There are a lot of avenues available to writers today, and a lot of experts willing to help. I’d also encourage people to keep reading. In our technologically saturated day and age, it’s easy to get out of the habit. Reading is something that is worth doing. It brings us together in a way that few things can.”
Living in Central Texas for many years, Chapman appreciates the sense of community. She and her husband often volunteer with their church’s disaster relief organization.
“We’ve been through so many difficult times in Texas in the last 18 years — floods, wildfires and tornadoes, to name a few. I am always amazed at how people come together to help one another, and we always come away humbled by all that people do for one another.”
Though Chapman has been fortunate to hit all the bestseller lists including USA Today, the New York Times and Publishers Weekly, and won numerous awards including first place in the 2024 Daphne Du Mauer Award for Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, she is most proud when she receives correspondence from readers telling her how a story helped them through a rough patch.
“Readers have told me that my books helped them find their faith again, reminded them to reach out to friends, and encouraged them to believe in what they were able to accomplish,” Chapman said. “Those types of letters are a bit intimidating to me, as I think of myself as simply telling a story, but if that story can help someone through a tough time in their life, I’m grateful for that.”
Chapman plans to continue writing two books a year while teaching high school English full time, but enjoys the challenge of both. She plans to release two cozy mysteries and a women’s fiction title in 2026.
Website: www.vannettachapman.com
