Interview With Author KIMBERLY TAYLOR
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a special needs teacher, mental health advocate, and author from Chillicothe, Ohio, who has spent the last several years blending my passions for storytelling, education, and community. I’ve battled depression for more than 30 years, and those experiences—along with watching family members struggle—have shaped the heart of everything I write. Whether I’m diving into the dark corridors of 19th-century asylums or creating bright, inclusive children’s books, my goal is always the same: to give a voice to the people who are too often forgotten.
To date, I have published my debut historical fiction novel Delusional Madness, along with several children’s books that celebrate disabilities, hometown pride, and hands-on career exploration. I also have multiple new projects in development across several genres.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest novel is Delusional Madness, a haunting historical fiction set inside a 19th-century insane asylum in Ohio. It was inspired by my personal passion for mental health awareness, my father’s experience in a mental institution as a young man, and the often-overlooked history of how the mentally ill were treated. Through extensive research, I discovered heartbreaking real-world accounts that shaped the story, and I knew I wanted to honor those voices through fiction.
I also write children’s books, including What Makes Us Special and Santa Gets Stuck in Chillicothe, each inspired by my students, my own family, and my love for my community.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
Absolutely—I tend to write in emotional “waves.” When a scene hits me, I have to get it down instantly, even if it’s 3 a.m. My best ideas usually arrive in the middle of the night. You will often find that I will write nonstop throughout the night while the rest of the family is sleeping.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I’m influenced by authors who write with emotional honesty and who shine a light on humanity’s raw edges—writers like Edgar Allan Poe, Margaret Atwood, and Kristin Hannah. I also love heart-pounding mysteries, dystopian novels, and anything that digs into the psychology of characters. Their ability to make readers feel something deeply is what I strive for in my own work.
What are you working on now?
I always seem to be working on several things at once. Currently, I’m expanding Delusional Madness into a larger literary universe by creating a short-story prequel titled “The Letter Hidden in the Walls.”
I’m also building out a full trade-careers children’s book series, multiple disability-focused picture books, a keepsake book for grandparents, and my nearly completed dystopian novel The Island: A Father’s Unforgiving Life Sentence.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My strongest promotional tools have been BookFunnel, Facebook, and my author website. BookFunnel has helped me grow my email list through reader magnets, while Facebook has allowed me to connect directly with my local community—especially for my Chillicothe-themed books. Word of mouth, local small-business partnerships, and engaging visuals/memes have also been incredibly helpful.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write bravely. Write imperfectly. Just write. There will always be someone who loves your work and someone who doesn’t—neither should stop you. And don’t wait for the “right moment”—start now, learn as you go, and let your passion lead.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
“Your story doesn’t have to be perfect—it just has to be told.” That reminder gave me the courage to publish my first novel instead of letting fear and self-doubt bury it in a drawer forever. Maybe few will read it, but regardless of how many do or do not, I am proud of myself for pushing through the fear and self-doubt that has held me back for so long.
What are you reading now?
My stack is always eclectic–it keeps my creativity alive. I am currently alternating between a psych thriller, a bunch of short stories (not only because I love them, but because they fit into my schedule.
What’s next for you as a writer?
To continue expanding my author platform, finish the second novel, build out my children’s book library, and grow the world of Delusional Madness. I also hope to release more community-centered picture books featuring my hometown, and I’m developing a SparkNotes-style study guide for my novel.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Delusional Madness by ME
Shawshank Redemption
The Green Mile
To Kill a Mockingbird
The Fault in Our Stars
KIMBERLY TAYLOR’s Social Media Links
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