Celebrate the magic of storytelling in this holiday episode of Author Express as host Kathleen Basi chats with Kimberly Nixon about her compelling novel, Rock Island Rising. Kimberly's remarkable ability to weave her family's tumultuous past into gripping fiction takes center stage. With tales of a grandmother who once robbed a train and the supportive community of Austin, Texas, where she lives, Kimberly offers a unique blend of historical depth and modern vitality. Whether you are a history buff, a lover of strong female leads, or simply curious about how past traumas shape present lives, this episode will leave you eager for more. Get ready to be captivated by stories that defy the ordinary.

Kimberly considers herself the family storyteller and has built a career around exploring family stories, both for herself and others. She closed her small business, which archived generations of family memories for extended families. For a brief period, Kimberly considered returning to a “real job,” but her grandmother’s story ultimately led her to a writing desk. She first wrote the true story of her family, detailing everything she knew to be fact about her mother and grandmother, for her family’s benefit. Before writing a fictionalized version, she wanted her children and siblings to understand what was true.

Kimberly then enrolled in writing courses and started a writers' critique group. Five years later, she completed the first draft of Rock Bottom, Tennessee.

Not wanting to undertake the difficult task of querying agents, Kimberly founded her own publishing company. With her background in marketing and business, she was well-equipped to manage the process. Rock Bottom, Tennessee was launched in April 2022, and her readers quickly asked for a sequel. Kimberly delivered, and Rock Bottom Rising was released in February 2024, taking readers on a journey from Ruby’s conviction to her quest for redemption and reconnection with her children, abandoned after her arrest.

Kimberly’s next project is a memoir based on retracing her father’s WWII journey across Europe. Her father never spoke about the war, and his records were destroyed in a fire at the National Archive. Kimberly has recreated his daily journey from Africa to Berlin, visiting many of the historic battle sites where he fought and stood where he was wounded for the first and second times during his service.

You can read more about Kimberly’s passion for family stories and news of her upcoming release at her website www.kimberlynixon.com. Follow Kimberly’s writing journey on her Instagram page @kimberlynixon.author

Support your local bookstore & this podcast by getting your copy of Rock Bottom Rising at Bookshop.org

A little about today's host-

Author and musical composer Kathleen Basi is mother to three boys and one chromosomally-gifted daughter. Her debut novel, A SONG FOR THE ROAD, follows a musician on an unconventional road trip. Bestselling author Kerry Anne King writes, “In a novel filled with music, heartbreak, and surprising laughter, Basi takes us on a journey that encompasses both unimaginable loss and the powerful resilience of the human heart.”

Meaty, earnest, occasionally humorous, and ultimately uplifting, Kathleen’s fiction highlights the best within ourselves and each other. She writes monthly reflections on life, writing and beauty on her newsletter. Subscribe at https://kathleenbasi.substack.com/. 

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