Kerri Ann Kadow

I have been an author for nearly my whole life-- over 23 years. I have always been an avid reader as well, and count Stephen King, Nancy Springer, and Diana Wynne Jones among my favorites; I also credit them among those authors that inspire me with their vivid, entertaining prose. I have written over one hundred poems of various styles, several of which have been published in national anthologies.

I have also been an editor for most of my life. Recently I established an online publishing company, Sirius Publications. For four years, I worked as an editorial and administrative assistant at a mid-sized university, where I edited a scholarly journal and wrote all manner of texts (mostly non-fiction.) I am a graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago, where I majored in English- Writing and minored in Psychology.

I have been an underappreciated author my whole life. I prefer the term underappreciated to aspiring. I have written over a hundred poems, several short stories and four completed novels.

I began writing the novel Fallen Angel while in high school, with the constant encouragement of my friends, who were reading it in a serial fashion.

 

My Published Books

Fallen Angel.

Illuminations (Poetry Collection.)

 

Five Words I Would Use to Describe Myself:

creative, silly, compassionate, friendly, independent.

 

Advice to Aspiring Authors

Keep trying and striving to produce your best writing. Don't get discouraged by what other people say, even if they say you are not talented-- after all, who decides who has talent and who doesn't?

I found it encouraging to read about how many rejections famous authors, including King, received before becoming a published author (hundreds!) People told him not to quit his day job. Keep that in mind if you need a boost.

My Favorite Books/Authors

All the following are favorites of mine (yes, I have a lot of favorites!) and are inspiring to me.

• Horror
  • Stephen King
  • Dean Koontz
• Fantasy
  • Diana Wynne Jones
  • Nancy Springer
  • Piers Anthony
  • Patricia Geary
  • Pat Cadigan
  • Douglas Adams
  • Alan Dean Foster
• Classic Authors
  • Edgar Allen Poe
  • Louis Carrol
  • Gothic/Unique
  • Edward Gorey (author and illustrator)
• Science Fiction
  • Isaac Asimov
  • Ray Bradbury
• More links to authors' sites.

 

I Recommend These Writing-Related Sites:

Writing World

Writers' Market

More links to writing related sites.

Other Published books/articles:

My poetry has been published in several anthologies, including the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) Red Shoes Review and the National Library of Poetry anthologies. They received several honorable mentions.

I also worked as a features writer and columnist for the now defunct UIC Campus Chronicle, publishing several music and movie reviews as well as a popular humorous horoscope column.

Favorite Movies

I have too many favorite movies to list them all here. They include Sixth Sense, Neverending Story, and nearly anything directed/written/produced by Danny Elfman and Tim Burton (The Nightmare Before Xmas, Batman), Terry Gilliam (Brazil, Time Bandits), Stephen King (The Shining), the Coen Brothers (Fargo, O Brother Where Art Thou). See my movies page for more.

Favorite Music

Styles: alternative, pop, 80s music, swing

Groups: They Might Be Giants, REM, NIN, Oingo Boingo, Danny Elfman, Bare Naked Ladies, Squirrel Nut Zippers

Songs: Kryptonite by Three Doors Down

Interests/Hobbies

reading, writing, swimming, watching movies

Favorite Quote:

"Quoth the raven, Nevermore!"