Look, I’ll level with you – today’s guest is an author who has been around for a long time. Ronald Kelly has been on the Horror world rollercoaster for four decades. His renewed vigor and output have been truly inspirational to watch and not only is one of the nicest guys out there, he’s also one of the most supportive.

It truly is an honor to have Ronald Kelly as today’s 3Q’s guest!

Welcome, Ronald!

Steve: What does your writing time look like? Do you try to write at the same time each day? Do you have a word count you attempt to hit?

RK: Currently, my writing time is pretty much whenever I can fit it in. I mostly write an hour or two after work and late at night – five to six hours – on the weekends. I’m planning on retiring soon and writing full-time, so that will give me the opportunity to be a helluva lot more productive without the stress of having to scramble for writing time between family life and a nine-to-five job. I don’t worry about word counts at all. I just take it as it comes. When the story or novel is finished, it’s finished. Of course, sometimes I have to focus and keep a steady flow going on a daily basis if there are deadlines involved.

Steve: If you could write a story for another author’s fictional world/series, which would it be and why?

RK: There’s a couple of authors’ mythos I can think of offhand that I’d love to explore. First, Manly Wade Wellman’s Silver John and his Appalachian dark magic/horror universe. I always loved those stories and their dark rural atmosphere. Secondly, Brian Keene’s character Levi Stoltzfus has always intrigued me. I can imagine him fighting dark magic and snake critters in Fear County.

Steve: Tell me about your newest release (novel/story/poem/novella) and why someone should read it!

RK: I actually have several. First, my extreme post-apocalyptic horror collection, After the Burn, was just released by D&T Publishing and Crossroad Press has done a new paperback release of my novel The Dark’Un. A couple of old RK favorites that haven’t been available for a while. Also, on September 6th, Stygian Sky Media is releasing my memoir and writing guide, Southern Fried & Horrified, which I’m very stoked about. There’s whole lot of my personal journey and horror genre history in that book, as well as writing advice and tips, and some fun and informative essays. And my three-chapbook series, Somewhere South of Hell, from Death’s Head Press is up for pre-order; a sampling of my brand of Southern-fried rural horror both now and then.

Steve: Bonus Question! Do you have a cherished book?

RK: My favorite book of all time is Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Growing up in the South, I really connected to it when I read it as a fourteen-year-old and motivated me to try my hand at writing. It’s my favorite movie, too. As far as my own work, Fear holds a special place in my heart. Writing it was a pure joy and it was one of those rare occasions in a writer’s career when the prose flowed effortlessly. I consider it to be the best novel I ever wrote… my magnum opus.

Fantastic! Thank you so much!

There is much, much more to discover from Ronald!

Check the links and grab some great books!

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Ronald-Kelly/e/B0055Q14YK/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RonaldKelly4

Website: https://www.ronaldkelly.com/