GREETINGS, BOOKWORMS! I’m Aisha Kandisha, Head Librarian at Kandisha Press. Join me in the dusty stacks of the library I will never leave again as I chat with some of my favorite Women in Horror. Today we feature author Kim Mixon Hill!
Kim Mixon Hill is an enigmatic wordsmith who dons the chilling cloak of Shauna Klein when venturing into the realms of horror. With a penchant for weaving spine-tingling tales, Kim has left her mark in multiple horror anthologies, where her stories lurk in the shadows, waiting to captivate and terrify readers.
Beyond the realm of horror, Kim has showcased her versatility with a heartwarming children’s book titled “The Twins of Terror (not really),” a delightful exploration of the mischievous adventures of her Belgian Malinois twin dogs. Kim’s storytelling prowess extends beyond the realms of fiction to the captivating world of photography and history. Her works “Abandoned Northwest Florida” and “Abandoned After the Storm: Hurricane Michael” stand as visual and narrative tributes to the forgotten stories etched in the landscapes she has explored.
Based in the sunshine state of Florida, Kim shares her home with her husband, and has kids with feathers, fins, and fur, creating a lively and eclectic household. When not conjuring tales of terror or documenting forgotten histories, Kim finds joy in the simple pleasures of life. A devoted reader, a movie enthusiast, and an avid road trip adventurer, she embodies the perfect blend of the macabre and the mundane.
In the tapestry of Kim Mixon Hill’s life, each thread tells a story, whether it’s the hair-raising horror under Shauna Klein’s pen or the vivid snapshots of forgotten places captured through her lens. With a love for storytelling that transcends genres and an adventurous spirit that embraces the unconventional, Kim Mixon Hill invites readers to embark on a journey where the ordinary and the extraordinary coalesce in a harmonious dance.
What made you want to become an author? Did you have an “Aha!” moment when you knew you were born to write? Or perhaps a beloved book inspired you?
I remember writing stories when I was a young child. I’ve always loved to read, and weave my own stories, so I started young. For years, I didn’t write much – then came computers and the Internet. I could write more easily and find better ways to edit.
What do you believe are your strengths in writing? And when you feel you need to improve on a particular writing skill, how do you go about it?
There are a few. I have stories in my head but putting them on paper (so to speak) is more difficult. That’s what good writers do, and I find that more daunting. I also have issues with using a certain grammar issue wrong, and for the life of me I cannot remember what it is. If there’s an Achilles heel in writing, that’s mine.
What are your thoughts on the book industry today, or more importantly, about the book community? Do you feel it is getting harder or easier to make it as ani independent author these days?
The power of social media is strong. If you get the right post from someone, your work can really blow up and become incredibly popular. In the past, it was strictly traditional publishers, and finding one didn’t seem so easy. Now anyone can write a novel and have the potential for it to become a hit. On the other hand, anyone can write a novel, and some may not be so great. But art is subjective, so perhaps someone likes it when you can’t see why.
Tell us about your work. What story are you most proud of?
I mainly write short stories. From horror to speculative – I like to tell a story in fewer words. As far as full books, I have one anthology written with others called “A Little Twisted.” I’ve also been in multiple anthologies. I have a children’s book called “The Twins of Terror (not really),” which is about our twin Belgian Malinois dogs we had. I also have two photography and history books called “Abandoned Northwest Florida” and “Abandoned After the Storm: Hurricane Michael.” Those are with a traditional publisher I was approached by. I’m especially proud of them. I’ve seen them in the big box stores, and even on sites that used one for training purposes.
What are your upcoming works and plans for the future?
I was supposed to have a contract for a third abandoned book, but it’s on hold for now. It all started with Covid, and I guess their focus has shifted. I was also planning a second children’s book, which I’ve started, but haven’t finished yet due to health reasons. There are a few short stories I send out now and then, and I’ve had a couple of requests for collaborations, but you know how those are. Sometimes they fall through, sometimes you never hear from the person again, but sometimes it’s successful. I’m hoping for the latter.
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