Beneath The Oak: A Horror Novel; A Haunting Family Curse Podcast Episode by Vanessa M. Chattman

When a grieving woman returns to her childhood home, she discovers the ancient oak tree in the backyard is a gateway for restless spirits — and one of them has been waiting decades for her to come back. After the sudden death of her mother, Alyssa Ward returns to the rural home she fled years ago. The property is quiet, untouched, and eerily preserved, except for the massive oak tree towering behind the house. Once a place of childhood comfort, the tree now radiates a strange, oppressive presence. At night, Alyssa hears whispers drifting from its roots, and shadows gather beneath its branches long after the sun has set. As she sorts through her mother’s belongings, Alyssa uncovers journals detailing a family curse tied to the oak. Generations of Wards have been haunted by a spirit bound to the tree a spirit that chooses one family member to “keep” beneath its roots. Soon Alyssa begins experiencing visions of a young girl calling her name, begging to be freed. The more Alyssa investigates, the more the boundary between the living and the dead unravels. When the spirit beneath the oak reveals its true identity, someone Alyssa once knew and unknowingly abandoned, she must confront buried memories and a supernatural force determined to claim her as its next offering. To break the curse, Alyssa must face the darkness beneath the oak… before it drags her down into the earth forever.

About the Author and Screenwriter

Vanessa M. Chattman was born in Newark, NJ. Her family moved to East Orange, NJ a few years later. She graduated from Clifford J. Scott High School in 1989. She joined the United States Army in 1990 served on Active Duty for four years and ten months. She deployed to Desert Storm in 1990, and she received an Honorable Discharge from the UNITED STATES ACTIVE ARMY in 1995. and attended Vincennes University In 1993, then years later received her associate's degree in applied science in 2003. In November 1997, she was accepted into the International Poetry Hall of Fame. Her poems have been published in three different anthologies. “The Poetic Voices of America Anthology.” The “Beginnings” anthology. The poem titled “People” has been published by The National Library of Poetry and has received The Editor’s Choice Award. She is a former UNITED STATES ARMY RESERVISTS and completed her Army Reserves Duty for 10 years from 2008 to 2018. She received a certificate from The Writers Guild of America, West Inc. for The Black Sea of Roses Screenplay in 2020. Her membership with Film Freeway is still active but during Her Film Freeway membership from 2020 to 2024 included receiving 12 best horror screenplay awards, 5 screenplay award trophies and a best horror screenplay award from Luminary Independent Film Fiesta in 2024. Her First Horror Novel “The Black Sea of Roses: (Book 1) was published on October 17th, 2019. Her second Novel “The Black Sea of Roses: A Novel (The Antique shop, Book 2) was published on April 30th, 2021, by The Book Baby Publishing Company. “The Poetry Series” was published on July 4th, 2020, by The Dorrance Publishing Company. On Mar 13, 2020. Her Fantasy Novel, "SPELLMARKED" was published on August 25th, 2025, by Barnes & Noble Press. The Sleepwalking Whispers: Horror Novel written by Vanessa M. Chattman was Published on November 18, 2025