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Southern Fried & Horrified
Writers are all about stories. Reading them, creating them, writing them, selling and publishing them. And then there’s living them. Every now and then, if an author is famous, popular, or respected enough, they feel compelled to share their story… and others desire to hear it in return.
I may not fit into any of the categories mentioned above, but I do have a hell of a story to tell…
In Southern-Fried & Horrified, Splatterpunk Award-winning author Ronald Kelly expounds on a lifetime shaped by his love of horror and the macabre, as well as a thirty-six-year career as a Southern storyteller. His early influences, the long road to publication, success as a Zebra Horror author, the devastating collapse of mass market publishing in the mid-1990s, and his ten-year hiatus from writing and horror… it is all here, between two covers, as well as his triumphant return to the genre and a fresh, new resurgence of his creativity and popularity. Sprinkled generously throughout are essays, writing advice, and lists of Kelly’s favorite books and movies, as well as his most cherished heroes, villains, and creatures from the RK mythos.
Pull up a rocking chair, break out the sweet tea and moon pies, and sit a spell. It’s time to be Southern-fried and horrified!
I may not fit into any of the categories mentioned above, but I do have a hell of a story to tell…
In Southern-Fried & Horrified, Splatterpunk Award-winning author Ronald Kelly expounds on a lifetime shaped by his love of horror and the macabre, as well as a thirty-six-year career as a Southern storyteller. His early influences, the long road to publication, success as a Zebra Horror author, the devastating collapse of mass market publishing in the mid-1990s, and his ten-year hiatus from writing and horror… it is all here, between two covers, as well as his triumphant return to the genre and a fresh, new resurgence of his creativity and popularity. Sprinkled generously throughout are essays, writing advice, and lists of Kelly’s favorite books and movies, as well as his most cherished heroes, villains, and creatures from the RK mythos.
Pull up a rocking chair, break out the sweet tea and moon pies, and sit a spell. It’s time to be Southern-fried and horrified!
245 pages, Paperback
First published September 6, 2022
3 people are currently reading
84 people want to read
About the author
Ronald Kelly
98 books411 followersRonald Kelly was born and raised in the hills and hollows of Middle Tennessee. He became interested in horror as a child, watching the local "Creature Feature" on Saturday nights and "The Big Show"---a Nashville-based TV show that presented every old monster movie ever made ---in the afternoons after school. In high school, his interest turned to horror literature and he read such writers as Poe, Lovecraft, Matheson, and King. He originally had dreams of becoming a comic book artist and created many of his own superheroes. But during his junior year, the writing bug bit him and he focused his attention on penning short stories and full-length novels. To date, he has had thirteen novels and twelve short fiction collections published. In 2021, his extreme horror collection, THE ESSENTIAL SICK STUFF, won a Splatterpunk Award for Best Collection.
He currently lives in Brush Creek, Tennessee with his wife, young'uns, and an ultra-hyper Jack Russel named Toby.
He currently lives in Brush Creek, Tennessee with his wife, young'uns, and an ultra-hyper Jack Russel named Toby.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
September 8, 2022
The nitty-gritty: Horror author Ronald Kelly looks back on his long career in publishing in this compelling and eye-opening memoir.
“A story or novel is like a garden; despite how good you believe it is in your ‘writer’s mind,’ there are always weeds to eradicate and bugs to exterminate.”
I rarely read and review nonfiction—make that never—but Southern Fried & Horrified is a memoir by a horror novelist, so it felt right to accept this for review. And I’m so glad I did! Ronald Kelly reminisces on his long and circuitous writing and publishing career, warts and all, in an engaging voice full of Southern charm and humor. I flew through this book in only a day and enjoyed myself immensely.
Kelly recounts his early childhood, growing up in the small, rural town of Pegram Tennessee. Early on, he was introduced to comics, horror movies and books by his mother, a fascinating woman with a touch of psychic ability (she eerily predicted the accidental death of a family member, among other things). His love of monsters and superheroes arose from this exposure and he never looked back. Kelly’s first love was drawing, and for many years he wanted to be a comic book artist. Eventually he began testing the waters of horror fiction, although his path to publication took many more years than he expected.
After countless rejections, he was finally offered a publishing contract with Zebra Books, a mass market paperback publisher popular in the 80s and 90s (and still around today, I believe). Despite Zebra’s somewhat dubious reputation, Kelly published a number of books with them over the course of six years, until the horror implosion that occurred in the early 1990s.
After a ten year writing hiatus, he was lured back into the business by a fellow writer, at which time he became heavily involved with indie publishing. It was fun to hear him talk about current indie horror writers that many of you might recognize—at least I did—like Hailey Piper, Hunter Shea and Sonora Taylor. During this time he also started a professional relationship with Richard Chizmar and his well respected horror zine Cemetery Dance.
Because Ronald Kelly is only a few years older than me, this turned out to be an unexpected stroll down memory lane. I loved hearing him talk about the TV shows and toys of my childhood, and some of his experiences growing up struck a familiar note, even though we grew up in completely different parts of the country. One chapter titled “The Last Halloween” was particularly poignant, as Kelly mourns the end of childhood at age twelve, the last year it’s respectable to go trick-or-treating. Another memory involved a “mystery shot” given at school, and it took me way back to my own elementary school days when all kids were given vaccines at school. I clearly remember standing in a long line in the gym, anxiously awaiting my turn. Talk about a horror story!
Ronald Kelly writes his memoir as if he’s telling a story to a good friend, with an easy, conversational style that drew me in and made me feel invested in each step on his path to publication and beyond. Eventually the Southern sensibility that infuses his work garnered the subgenre name of “southern fried horror,” a term coined by a colleague and the inspiration for the title of this book. Many of his ideas come from local stories and legends, often told to him as a child by his beloved Grandmama Spicer, and he uses familiar Southern locales, especially those in the more rural parts of Tennessee, to infuse his work with a particular ambiance.
And here’s the embarrassing part of this review: before I read this book, I had only heard the name Ronald Kelly in passing, and after searching my personal library database, I was saddened to discover that I don't own any of his books. In his memoir, he mentions many small press publishers that I’ve purchased books from over the years, like Dark Harvest and Mark V. Ziesing, and I suspect that in one of the many anthologies I own, there’s a Ronald Kelly story somewhere. I immediately went online and found a copy of his 1994 novel Fear, which many readers say is his best work, and I look forward to checking it out.
Interspersed between the chapters are short sections entitled “Grits & Bits,” where Kelly dispenses writing and publishing advice. At first I wasn’t sure about these sections, which seemed oddly placed and pulled me out of the main story, but later I came to appreciate them. I think writers in particular will love these “bits,” especially since the author has decades of experience under his belt.
Even if you’re not into horror fiction, Southern Fried & Horrified is worth reading. Equal parts history lesson, childhood nostalgia, coming-of-age story and a cautionary tale about the turbulent publishing industry, Ronald Kelly’s memoir is endlessly entertaining.
Big thanks to Kaye Publicity and the publisher for providing a review copy.
“A story or novel is like a garden; despite how good you believe it is in your ‘writer’s mind,’ there are always weeds to eradicate and bugs to exterminate.”
I rarely read and review nonfiction—make that never—but Southern Fried & Horrified is a memoir by a horror novelist, so it felt right to accept this for review. And I’m so glad I did! Ronald Kelly reminisces on his long and circuitous writing and publishing career, warts and all, in an engaging voice full of Southern charm and humor. I flew through this book in only a day and enjoyed myself immensely.
Kelly recounts his early childhood, growing up in the small, rural town of Pegram Tennessee. Early on, he was introduced to comics, horror movies and books by his mother, a fascinating woman with a touch of psychic ability (she eerily predicted the accidental death of a family member, among other things). His love of monsters and superheroes arose from this exposure and he never looked back. Kelly’s first love was drawing, and for many years he wanted to be a comic book artist. Eventually he began testing the waters of horror fiction, although his path to publication took many more years than he expected.
After countless rejections, he was finally offered a publishing contract with Zebra Books, a mass market paperback publisher popular in the 80s and 90s (and still around today, I believe). Despite Zebra’s somewhat dubious reputation, Kelly published a number of books with them over the course of six years, until the horror implosion that occurred in the early 1990s.
After a ten year writing hiatus, he was lured back into the business by a fellow writer, at which time he became heavily involved with indie publishing. It was fun to hear him talk about current indie horror writers that many of you might recognize—at least I did—like Hailey Piper, Hunter Shea and Sonora Taylor. During this time he also started a professional relationship with Richard Chizmar and his well respected horror zine Cemetery Dance.
Because Ronald Kelly is only a few years older than me, this turned out to be an unexpected stroll down memory lane. I loved hearing him talk about the TV shows and toys of my childhood, and some of his experiences growing up struck a familiar note, even though we grew up in completely different parts of the country. One chapter titled “The Last Halloween” was particularly poignant, as Kelly mourns the end of childhood at age twelve, the last year it’s respectable to go trick-or-treating. Another memory involved a “mystery shot” given at school, and it took me way back to my own elementary school days when all kids were given vaccines at school. I clearly remember standing in a long line in the gym, anxiously awaiting my turn. Talk about a horror story!
Ronald Kelly writes his memoir as if he’s telling a story to a good friend, with an easy, conversational style that drew me in and made me feel invested in each step on his path to publication and beyond. Eventually the Southern sensibility that infuses his work garnered the subgenre name of “southern fried horror,” a term coined by a colleague and the inspiration for the title of this book. Many of his ideas come from local stories and legends, often told to him as a child by his beloved Grandmama Spicer, and he uses familiar Southern locales, especially those in the more rural parts of Tennessee, to infuse his work with a particular ambiance.
And here’s the embarrassing part of this review: before I read this book, I had only heard the name Ronald Kelly in passing, and after searching my personal library database, I was saddened to discover that I don't own any of his books. In his memoir, he mentions many small press publishers that I’ve purchased books from over the years, like Dark Harvest and Mark V. Ziesing, and I suspect that in one of the many anthologies I own, there’s a Ronald Kelly story somewhere. I immediately went online and found a copy of his 1994 novel Fear, which many readers say is his best work, and I look forward to checking it out.
Interspersed between the chapters are short sections entitled “Grits & Bits,” where Kelly dispenses writing and publishing advice. At first I wasn’t sure about these sections, which seemed oddly placed and pulled me out of the main story, but later I came to appreciate them. I think writers in particular will love these “bits,” especially since the author has decades of experience under his belt.
Even if you’re not into horror fiction, Southern Fried & Horrified is worth reading. Equal parts history lesson, childhood nostalgia, coming-of-age story and a cautionary tale about the turbulent publishing industry, Ronald Kelly’s memoir is endlessly entertaining.
Big thanks to Kaye Publicity and the publisher for providing a review copy.
September 15, 2022
Ronald Kelly's SOUTHERN FRIED & HORRIFIED combines two genres I love to read, horror and biography. In fact, SOUTHER FRIED & HORRIFIED is one part memoir, one part writing advice and one part topical essay. The three combine to offer a unique look at a man who has battled through decades of the writing life to come to a place where the story is still being written, but its course is much more sure.
I must admit here, this is the first book by Ronald Kelly I've ever read. His name is held in high regard, maybe even legend of horror book fans of the 90's. After a decade away from writing, Ronald Kelly is firmly planting his stake in the writing world again and a new wave of fans are being sucked into his influential wake. You can count me as another fan after reading his story.
Equal parts inspirational, touching and informative. SOUTHERN FRIED & HORRIFIED is not only the story of a real writer with real struggles who's lived an all-too-real life, but its also an the perfect advertisement for the body of work that his life has produced. I intent to read a lot more books by the man who's life and legend produced them.
And I'll probably read 'em with a side of something fried and a cold glass of sweet tea.
I must admit here, this is the first book by Ronald Kelly I've ever read. His name is held in high regard, maybe even legend of horror book fans of the 90's. After a decade away from writing, Ronald Kelly is firmly planting his stake in the writing world again and a new wave of fans are being sucked into his influential wake. You can count me as another fan after reading his story.
Equal parts inspirational, touching and informative. SOUTHERN FRIED & HORRIFIED is not only the story of a real writer with real struggles who's lived an all-too-real life, but its also an the perfect advertisement for the body of work that his life has produced. I intent to read a lot more books by the man who's life and legend produced them.
And I'll probably read 'em with a side of something fried and a cold glass of sweet tea.
September 21, 2022
Full to the brim with knowledge about the horror fiction industry & tons of relatable stories in Ronald Kelly's memoir, if you write dark fiction, you owe it to yourself to read this book. I learned alot, and the core theme of "never stop chasing your dream, resonated on the deepest level.
November 5, 2022
The number of horror authors who have written autobiographies is relatively small and, after nods in the direction of Stephen King’s
On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
(which just about qualifies), the list shrinks substantially. In actual fact how many others can you list? Of course, biographies detailing classic authors such as H.P. Lovecraft and Shirley Jackson have appeared with regularity and there are numerous personal pieces by/about Ramsey Campbell, but they are more about the ‘craft’ than the great man himself. Other oddities, such as Tim Lebbon’s
Run Walk Crawl: Getting Fit In My Forties
are out there, but they are rare. One wonders why there are so few on the market, as surely there is interest in the personalities behind the genre we love. In light of this, Ronald Kelly is giving us something new, a genuine and highly entertaining autobiography. And if it becomes a hit, perhaps he is going to kick off a new horror memoir craze!
You can read Tony's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
You can read Tony's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.
Read
August 20, 2022Southern-Fried and Horrified is everything you want in a memoir. It's funny, tender, warm, sad, and ultimately triumphant. I was equally inspired and entertained reading Ron's journey though publishing hell and back again. I can't recommend this book enough.
August 20, 2022
With Southern-Fried and Horrified, Ronald Kelly spins his southern yarn in a way only he can- as one of this generation’s greatest storytellers. I felt like I was sitting by a fire, listening to Ronald not only giving advice on writing, but taking us through his storied life all the way from childhood up through his comeback. This is a must read for aspiring writers and fans of horror, and absolutely one that I will revisit time and again as I try to improve as a writer.
August 20, 2022
Ronald Kelly's Southern-Fried & Horrified isn't just the story of how Ol' Ron's tales came to fruition. It's the story of how the man came to be, and shaped these worlds and characters that make you laugh, make you cry, and because this is horror, scare the pants off you. Combined with a lifetime's worth of writing tips and some fun facts, this memoir does what the best stories are supposed to do. Makes you feel every word and learn a little something along the way.
August 20, 2022
Ronald Kelly’s combination memoir and writing guide, Southern-Fried and Horrified, is going to stick with me for the rest of my life. It covers everything an ardent Horror fiend could want: social and racial commentary, the history of Horror from the ‘60’s to present day, interspersed with helpful grits and bits on the writing trade.
I’m sure it’s no secret, but Ron was southern-raised (Tennessee, to be exact). In the period he was raised in, he lived through segregation amongst white people and black people. In one particular Valentine’s Day story, Ron demonstrates that, even as a young boy, his heart was as loving and accepting as the man I’ve come to know. Early in our friendship, he demonstrated empathy, love for everyone, patience and understanding that flows into his writing beautifully. It’s why he’s such a good writer, because no matter who he writes about, no matter their walk of life, his concern is who they are inside. His roots begin at the person’s heart.
When Ron dives into the history of the horror scene, from the point of view of an author that tried getting published since the early 80s, and sold his first story in the latter part of that decade, it’s both educational and fascinating to read about little thing’s I would have never thought of before, such as the author having no control over the covers under Zebra; Ron going from typewriter to word processor to eventually an early computer; the lack of interaction between creator and fan; his wife, Joyce, printing out discussion boards to show Ron people missed his work when he had a ten-year-hiatus. Horror has gone through so much: the general public’s love, hate, and indifference. Horror is uncomfortable. It just is. Some struggle to admit that, but it’s that uncomfortableness which makes up the truest part of what makes our species tick—greed, love, hate, insecurity, self-worth, and so on. All of those elements are so hard for us because it’s what we see when we look in the mirror. Ron handles all of that too, with anecdotes, or revealing things he both feared and loved from the horror literature industry.
I’ve heard some of the stories in here from Ron before, yet, they landed a gut punch and choked me up as if it were my first time hearing them. Some even made me bust out laughing! Displayed through various stories, Ron faces down any challenge that comes his way. If an obstacle blocks his path he’s going to beat it. His unquenchable thirst to craft a story and share it with the rest of us is not only inspiring, but it’s reflective of the human species as a whole—always in need of a story, even if it’s one you heard a time or two before.
Ronald Kelly is a name that not only deserves, but demands, a legacy that matches the likes of Mark Twain, L. Frank Baum, and Richard Matheson. If you love Horror, you’ll learn real quick why you need this memoir in your life.
I’m sure it’s no secret, but Ron was southern-raised (Tennessee, to be exact). In the period he was raised in, he lived through segregation amongst white people and black people. In one particular Valentine’s Day story, Ron demonstrates that, even as a young boy, his heart was as loving and accepting as the man I’ve come to know. Early in our friendship, he demonstrated empathy, love for everyone, patience and understanding that flows into his writing beautifully. It’s why he’s such a good writer, because no matter who he writes about, no matter their walk of life, his concern is who they are inside. His roots begin at the person’s heart.
When Ron dives into the history of the horror scene, from the point of view of an author that tried getting published since the early 80s, and sold his first story in the latter part of that decade, it’s both educational and fascinating to read about little thing’s I would have never thought of before, such as the author having no control over the covers under Zebra; Ron going from typewriter to word processor to eventually an early computer; the lack of interaction between creator and fan; his wife, Joyce, printing out discussion boards to show Ron people missed his work when he had a ten-year-hiatus. Horror has gone through so much: the general public’s love, hate, and indifference. Horror is uncomfortable. It just is. Some struggle to admit that, but it’s that uncomfortableness which makes up the truest part of what makes our species tick—greed, love, hate, insecurity, self-worth, and so on. All of those elements are so hard for us because it’s what we see when we look in the mirror. Ron handles all of that too, with anecdotes, or revealing things he both feared and loved from the horror literature industry.
I’ve heard some of the stories in here from Ron before, yet, they landed a gut punch and choked me up as if it were my first time hearing them. Some even made me bust out laughing! Displayed through various stories, Ron faces down any challenge that comes his way. If an obstacle blocks his path he’s going to beat it. His unquenchable thirst to craft a story and share it with the rest of us is not only inspiring, but it’s reflective of the human species as a whole—always in need of a story, even if it’s one you heard a time or two before.
Ronald Kelly is a name that not only deserves, but demands, a legacy that matches the likes of Mark Twain, L. Frank Baum, and Richard Matheson. If you love Horror, you’ll learn real quick why you need this memoir in your life.
October 26, 2022
When Kaye Publicity reached out, inquiring if I would want to read Southern Fried & Horrified, a memoir by Ronald Kelly, I quickly said yes.
No, I’ve never read a horror novel, but as Kelly is a published horror author, with many works under his belt, (and more to come), I thought this would be perfect for spooky season! It was also my love of memoirs that drew me in, and I knew I hadn’t yet read anything that would be remotely similar to this one.
The first thing that really struck me was how funny Kelly's writing was, and from a horror novelist! Secondly, Kelly adds "Grits & Bits" almost every other chapter, in between sharing parts of his past, and these fascinated me.
These additional chapters were an added bonus, as Kelly shared tips on writing and how to become a published author; an inside look into the workings of the writing and publishing industry, which intrigues me so much.
In another of these added interspersed chapters, Kelly lists the ten books that influenced and changed him as a reader, writer and person. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee (my favourite book) was listed, and I knew that Kelly and I would get along just fine.
"#TrickOrTreat2021," another of these almost bonus chapters, particularily startled and horrified me. This was a Twitter challenge of who could write horror stories with the the 280 characters allowed. One of Kelly's left me with chills down my spine.
As I read, I became nostalgic for a simpler time, one in which I have never lived. I loved how Kelly shares his real past, with the caveat that his life happened at a different time than that of today, and of course many things that happened in his life would not be okay in today’s world.
If you're looking to close out October with a different kind of spooky read, this is the one to pick up! And now that I know about this subgenre, Southern horror sounds like the perfect kind of atmospheric book to start reading horror with!
Thank you Kaye Publicity for the complimentary copy to read and review.
No, I’ve never read a horror novel, but as Kelly is a published horror author, with many works under his belt, (and more to come), I thought this would be perfect for spooky season! It was also my love of memoirs that drew me in, and I knew I hadn’t yet read anything that would be remotely similar to this one.
The first thing that really struck me was how funny Kelly's writing was, and from a horror novelist! Secondly, Kelly adds "Grits & Bits" almost every other chapter, in between sharing parts of his past, and these fascinated me.
These additional chapters were an added bonus, as Kelly shared tips on writing and how to become a published author; an inside look into the workings of the writing and publishing industry, which intrigues me so much.
In another of these added interspersed chapters, Kelly lists the ten books that influenced and changed him as a reader, writer and person. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee (my favourite book) was listed, and I knew that Kelly and I would get along just fine.
"#TrickOrTreat2021," another of these almost bonus chapters, particularily startled and horrified me. This was a Twitter challenge of who could write horror stories with the the 280 characters allowed. One of Kelly's left me with chills down my spine.
As I read, I became nostalgic for a simpler time, one in which I have never lived. I loved how Kelly shares his real past, with the caveat that his life happened at a different time than that of today, and of course many things that happened in his life would not be okay in today’s world.
If you're looking to close out October with a different kind of spooky read, this is the one to pick up! And now that I know about this subgenre, Southern horror sounds like the perfect kind of atmospheric book to start reading horror with!
Thank you Kaye Publicity for the complimentary copy to read and review.
September 19, 2022
In full disclosure, this is the first Ronald Kelly book that I have read, but I am going to correct that immediately, because Southern Fried & Horrified (LOVE the title) gave such incredible insight into who he is as a person, his life-changing experiences, defeats and triumphs, that you cannot help but connect with him as a reader. If this is anything like his fiction, I'm hooked.
There is nothing I like more than sitting down to to read a memoir and instantly connecting with the author's voice. The cadence and flow of Kelly's writing reads as if you are sitting down with a good friend and listening to them recount a story or two. Kelly brings us into his world and opens up about his first enchantment with horror and the idea of writing stories. He also talks about the development of "southern fried horror", if not a term, than at least an idea that many of us in the Southern United States are familiar with. This isn't your typical horror. This branch comes specifically from folklore and local legend shared with you usually from a grandparent. Kelly tells readers that his earliest source of inspiration was his Grandmama Spicer and her unique way of crafting a story, combined with the ambience of a rural settling, all went to work to set fire to Kelly's young imagination.
With great charm and vulnerability is this book written and it is worth your attention if you are at all interested in exploring the underbelly of the publishing industry. Those "Grits & Bits" sections are especially for you. Even if nonfiction isn't your thing (weirdo), I guarantee you will find something wonderfully enjoyable about Kelly's memoir.
Many thanks to the author, publisher, and Kaye Publicity for sharing an early copy with me.
There is nothing I like more than sitting down to to read a memoir and instantly connecting with the author's voice. The cadence and flow of Kelly's writing reads as if you are sitting down with a good friend and listening to them recount a story or two. Kelly brings us into his world and opens up about his first enchantment with horror and the idea of writing stories. He also talks about the development of "southern fried horror", if not a term, than at least an idea that many of us in the Southern United States are familiar with. This isn't your typical horror. This branch comes specifically from folklore and local legend shared with you usually from a grandparent. Kelly tells readers that his earliest source of inspiration was his Grandmama Spicer and her unique way of crafting a story, combined with the ambience of a rural settling, all went to work to set fire to Kelly's young imagination.
With great charm and vulnerability is this book written and it is worth your attention if you are at all interested in exploring the underbelly of the publishing industry. Those "Grits & Bits" sections are especially for you. Even if nonfiction isn't your thing (weirdo), I guarantee you will find something wonderfully enjoyable about Kelly's memoir.
Many thanks to the author, publisher, and Kaye Publicity for sharing an early copy with me.
October 12, 2022
Ronald Kelly may not be in the upper echelon of well-known best-selling authors such as Stephen King and Dean Koontz. But, he has led a very interesting life as we learn in his memoir "Southern Fried and Horrified." It's a very interesting page-turner and you're in store for one hell of enjoyable ride.
A short excerpt from Kelly's memoir -- "Writers are all about stories. Reading them, writing them, selling and publishing them. And, then there is living them. Every now and then, if an author is famous, popular or respected enough -- they feel compelled their story...and others desire to hear it in return. I may not into any of the categories mentioned above. But, I do have a story to tell."
Ronald Kelly was born Nov. 20, 1959 in Nashville, TN and then his family moved out to the country hollows -- building a good-size house in Pegram. Kelly and his wife Joyce and their kids currently live in the hollow of Brush Creek, TN. -- 60 miles east of Nashville. One of the first inspirations for the gift of story-telling came from his maternal grandmother Grandmama Spicer -- who loved when her grandchildren would sit around her. And, she would spin many short story tales. However, at a young age, Ron developed a very good talent at being an artist -- and he had an inclination of first becoming a comic book artist. And, when he was in high school -- he'd send a lot of his art work to many publications. Ron received attention from Jack Davis -- the art director at the time of DC Comics. And, the two of them had a brief correspondence. However, when Jack told Ron the best way to make it as a comic book artist was to move to New York City -- Ron decided to try his hand at writing stories.
A side note -- when Ron was honing his craft of comic book art at his local high school -- he developed a friendship with another student at Cheatam County High School -- Lowell Cunningham who would go on to developed the comic book strip at Malibu Comics that served as the inspiration for the movie "Men In Black."
When he decided to become an author -- Ron decided to focus on Southern-fried horror -- basing his stories in the hollows of Tennessee but branching out to other southern states such as west Texas focusing on Tasmanian devils; the many creatures of the Louisiana bayous. And, his novella "Strong Steps" takes place on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Ronald Kelly is to the south -- what Stephen King is to Maine and Dean Koontz is to California.
One of Kelly's most widely acclaimed novels is "Fear" -- where a horrific snake critter invades a neighboring county -- from the county where it came from -- Fear County -- which we find out is aptly named. It's a coming of age story where the main character is a grade-schooler named Jeb Sweeney.
Ron found his success in mass market publication (paperback books) with the Zebra horror line of a second or third tier publisher. But, horror stories in mass market publication bottomed out in 1996 -- leaving many authors including Ron in the dust.
So, Ron goes on a 10-year hiatus from writing stories. And, becomes a middle-class working man where ever he can find work -- from factories to custodial work ect. And, then we learn about the confluence of events that brought Ron back to being a full-time writer. It involves the internet and social media.
Breaking into the writing business is very hard work -- many rejection slips will find a way into your mail. In many strategic locations throughout the memoir -- Ron offers his "Grits and Bits" about the best way to succeed as an author. In one chapter -- Ron explains the way he developed to have real-life people become the central characters in short stories he'll write.
A short excerpt from Kelly's memoir -- "Writers are all about stories. Reading them, writing them, selling and publishing them. And, then there is living them. Every now and then, if an author is famous, popular or respected enough -- they feel compelled their story...and others desire to hear it in return. I may not into any of the categories mentioned above. But, I do have a story to tell."
Ronald Kelly was born Nov. 20, 1959 in Nashville, TN and then his family moved out to the country hollows -- building a good-size house in Pegram. Kelly and his wife Joyce and their kids currently live in the hollow of Brush Creek, TN. -- 60 miles east of Nashville. One of the first inspirations for the gift of story-telling came from his maternal grandmother Grandmama Spicer -- who loved when her grandchildren would sit around her. And, she would spin many short story tales. However, at a young age, Ron developed a very good talent at being an artist -- and he had an inclination of first becoming a comic book artist. And, when he was in high school -- he'd send a lot of his art work to many publications. Ron received attention from Jack Davis -- the art director at the time of DC Comics. And, the two of them had a brief correspondence. However, when Jack told Ron the best way to make it as a comic book artist was to move to New York City -- Ron decided to try his hand at writing stories.
A side note -- when Ron was honing his craft of comic book art at his local high school -- he developed a friendship with another student at Cheatam County High School -- Lowell Cunningham who would go on to developed the comic book strip at Malibu Comics that served as the inspiration for the movie "Men In Black."
When he decided to become an author -- Ron decided to focus on Southern-fried horror -- basing his stories in the hollows of Tennessee but branching out to other southern states such as west Texas focusing on Tasmanian devils; the many creatures of the Louisiana bayous. And, his novella "Strong Steps" takes place on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Ronald Kelly is to the south -- what Stephen King is to Maine and Dean Koontz is to California.
One of Kelly's most widely acclaimed novels is "Fear" -- where a horrific snake critter invades a neighboring county -- from the county where it came from -- Fear County -- which we find out is aptly named. It's a coming of age story where the main character is a grade-schooler named Jeb Sweeney.
Ron found his success in mass market publication (paperback books) with the Zebra horror line of a second or third tier publisher. But, horror stories in mass market publication bottomed out in 1996 -- leaving many authors including Ron in the dust.
So, Ron goes on a 10-year hiatus from writing stories. And, becomes a middle-class working man where ever he can find work -- from factories to custodial work ect. And, then we learn about the confluence of events that brought Ron back to being a full-time writer. It involves the internet and social media.
Breaking into the writing business is very hard work -- many rejection slips will find a way into your mail. In many strategic locations throughout the memoir -- Ron offers his "Grits and Bits" about the best way to succeed as an author. In one chapter -- Ron explains the way he developed to have real-life people become the central characters in short stories he'll write.
January 19, 2023
Ronald Kelly has been “spinning yarns” since the 80’s and is one of the OG’s of indie horror. Southern Fried and Horrified is non-fiction and touches on impactful moments from his childhood and during his extensive writing career. His unique and southern-fried, casual writing style/voice had me reading the entire work with a slow southern drawl. I didn’t realize till midway that I had given the narrator this southern accent, which shows how natural and comfortable Kelly is in his writing. The book has “Grits and Bits” sprinkled throughout which are tidbits of technical writing advice for those aspiring authors out there, also advice on life and the publishing world, having worked with both big publishers and small. As far as the overall read, I was enthralled with the story, entertained throughout. Although there isn’t as much technical advice on craft as some of the other great books on writing—Stephen King’s “On Writing” or Chuck Palahniuk’s “Consider This”, I found it just as valuable. Ronald Kelly gives hope to those in the writing world; the path isn’t always banana pudding, but persistence and grit pays off. Highly recommend.
August 20, 2022
Finished Ronald Kelly's Southern-Fried and Horrified, and I got to tell y'all, you will want to read this. It only took one page to hook me. Over the past few days, I read it every opportunity I got. I have always adored memoirs, but not everyone has a story to tell. Ronald has a story to tell. Trust me. I was never bored, not one second. His voice came through so clear, I felt like I was sitting in front of camp fire outside, listening to him tell it to me. This book is what I needed to be honest. At times, it made me feel sad, but also, it made me laugh, smile, but most importantly, it gave me perspective. I would and could listen to Ron tell stories forever. In fact, I have to make sure to get my hands on more of his stories that I haven't had the chance to read--YET. Ron is a treasure and all of us are damn lucky to have him. I give this memoir/writing tip book all the stars and all of my gratitude. Beautiful work, Ron. Truly. I am glad you put your hat back on and decided to tell us more stories. This book belongs on every writer's--and reader's--shelf.
October 16, 2022
Relatable, imminently readable, and down to earth. Ronald Kelly tells his tale of decades in and out of the business of writing and selling horror (and the occasional erotic western).
There are a lot of gens to mine from this book, perhaps the greatest of which is just to keep writing and keep trying. and if you need to take a break and do something else, that is okay too. awe all have stories to tell, and if you work at it long enough with enough focus, you can make yours heard.
There are a lot of gens to mine from this book, perhaps the greatest of which is just to keep writing and keep trying. and if you need to take a break and do something else, that is okay too. awe all have stories to tell, and if you work at it long enough with enough focus, you can make yours heard.
September 11, 2022
Compelling, detailed, memorizing tales weaved of how Ronald Kelly became the renowned horror writer he is today. Through trials and tribulations Kelly delves deep into his ups and downs in his publishing career, and gives advice for writers along the way. Don't miss out on this book.
November 5, 2022
This is one of the most interesting and engaging autobiographies that I have read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book for both the personal stories and the “grits and bits” about the writing market and profession. Highly recommended.
December 5, 2022
Triple threat book that offers a coming-of-age story, first-person history of publishing in the last thirty years, and advice to the writer! In all three cases, Ronald Kelly is the perfect companion as he sits you down and lays it all out there.
March 14, 2023
Ronald Kelly writes some amazing stories. Fear is one of my favorite books of all time. This “story behind the stories” is right up there with it.
It reads as a memoir and every other chapter has some tips for those who want to try their hand at the writing game. Ronald’s career has been a roller coaster and this book straps you in for the ride. He details what got him into writing, his rise to being a published author, the downfall of Zebra books and his ten year hiatus, and his resurgence. There are parts of this book that had me in tears and I am so happy that he found his way back to writing. Check this one out
It reads as a memoir and every other chapter has some tips for those who want to try their hand at the writing game. Ronald’s career has been a roller coaster and this book straps you in for the ride. He details what got him into writing, his rise to being a published author, the downfall of Zebra books and his ten year hiatus, and his resurgence. There are parts of this book that had me in tears and I am so happy that he found his way back to writing. Check this one out
January 26, 2023
I'm a huge fan of books on writing. I very rarely learn something from them, but they're a lot of fun and very interesting. This one is part book on writing, part memoir. I've never read any of Kelly's novels, but I've read his short fiction here and there and enjoyed it. I think I'll be looking up his longer fiction now. One part of this book that shines and separates itself from other such books is that all the others never really look at failure, and Kelly has a lot of experience in that department, enough that it turned him off writing for 10 years. I think I gravitated towards this part of his story because I started out my own writing career fairly strongly, but ever since the appearance of Covid my career has not been doing all that great. To the point where each passing year I make less and less money at it. I've been thinking a lot of shifting gears. Never thinking of quitting. I think that's an impossible thought to me. But thinking about other things I could do with my chosen profession. To read about how his own failure crippled him for so long and how he pulled himself out of it was very encouraging to me, especially in this current time.
If you're a writer, you need to read this book.
If you're a writer, you need to read this book.
August 29, 2023
A very inspirational and engaging read. A unique perspective on what it is to be a horror writer throughout the years and what it takes to make it in an everchanging market and in a looked down upon genre. An essential read by a seasoned author. Highly recommended!
January 21, 2023
Excellent book. Loved it.
April 11, 2024
I've had this almost a year. I picked it up from Ronald at Horror on Main where we were both vendors. I also picked up IRish Gothic at the same show. This one languished in my TBR pile. Then I saw he and I were slated for a few of the same shows this year -- the first one being AuthorCon3 and I thought, I better move this to the top of the pile and get it done. The show starts tomorrow. I finished it today. Whew! Only took me 11 months to get around to it.
Sorry I waited but so glad I had read it. Being the same age as this rock star of the horror world made a lot of his biography resonate with me personally. I know what I was doing in 63, or 84, etc. I could easily follow along with the author's journey of ups and downs, successes and failures, all in the timeline of my own life with many similar and historic similarities.
Ronald also puts sections in here that he calls Grits and Bits that give some insight into the industry and the writing journey in general (as opposed to the biographical sections). This is a great memoir from a horror writing icon and legend.
I expect to grab a few more books from him this weekend -- and read them before I see him again at a future show!
Sorry I waited but so glad I had read it. Being the same age as this rock star of the horror world made a lot of his biography resonate with me personally. I know what I was doing in 63, or 84, etc. I could easily follow along with the author's journey of ups and downs, successes and failures, all in the timeline of my own life with many similar and historic similarities.
Ronald also puts sections in here that he calls Grits and Bits that give some insight into the industry and the writing journey in general (as opposed to the biographical sections). This is a great memoir from a horror writing icon and legend.
I expect to grab a few more books from him this weekend -- and read them before I see him again at a future show!
January 3, 2023
I feel a little guilty rating this one three stars seeing that every other review so far has been either four or five. I just found it kinda dull. I read the book in a day and a half, so it was interesting enough that I was never at risk of not finishing it, but as I finish it and put it down I can't think of any part of it that stuck with me. The childhood section which is usually the least interesting part of memoir (to me anyway) takes up over a third of the book.
I enjoyed the section of the book where he was working regularly and also the part where it was ripped away from him and he drifted away. But I feel like this section came and went without a whole lot of time spent. This section should have been nearly the whole book in my opinion, it's the part of his life that is most interesting.
So I'm a little disappointed, but I'll admit it's my first Ronald Kelly book and it won't be the last. I got my wife a copy of Irish Gothic for Christmas that she is enjoying and I think I'll take up Kelly's recommendation of reading Fear.
I enjoyed the section of the book where he was working regularly and also the part where it was ripped away from him and he drifted away. But I feel like this section came and went without a whole lot of time spent. This section should have been nearly the whole book in my opinion, it's the part of his life that is most interesting.
So I'm a little disappointed, but I'll admit it's my first Ronald Kelly book and it won't be the last. I got my wife a copy of Irish Gothic for Christmas that she is enjoying and I think I'll take up Kelly's recommendation of reading Fear.
July 26, 2023
I bought this book a while back from the author's website, and it arrived inscribed with a drawing by the author himself. I finally had a chance to sit down and read it, and I was hooked from the beginning. Ronald Kelly can tell a story, which we know from his fiction books. But not all storytellers can tell their own story well. Fortunately, Ronald Kelly shows us that he can. He did a great job of talking about his own life and how it shaped his desire to become a writer. He shared the ups and downs of writing as a career (and the striving involved in shaping that career). I was rooting for him the whole time, because his writing took me back in time to when he wasn't sure if he would still be writing books today. I am very happy that he is.
And now it's time to reread his old books and pick up the ones I missed along the way. I highly recommend this for people interested in writer's lives, the history of horror fiction, and the state of the genre.
And now it's time to reread his old books and pick up the ones I missed along the way. I highly recommend this for people interested in writer's lives, the history of horror fiction, and the state of the genre.
December 31, 2023
Inspirational!
Ronald Kelly shares his writing journey in this amazing book.
From his early life to his successful stint as a Zebra horror novelist, to his brief retirement, and up to his comeback to our horror hearts.
Kelly's writing is sincere and engaging.
A must-read for horror writers new and seasoned alike.
Ronald Kelly shares his writing journey in this amazing book.
From his early life to his successful stint as a Zebra horror novelist, to his brief retirement, and up to his comeback to our horror hearts.
Kelly's writing is sincere and engaging.
A must-read for horror writers new and seasoned alike.
January 10, 2026
Ronald Kelly is probably the most unsung horror writer of his generation. His novel FEAR is up there right alongside the likes of McCammon's BOY'S LIFE, and I mean it when I say "alongside," all right? Not "almost as good as," but ALONGSIDE. His mean, lean southern prose pierces with an incredible jabbing might that's very rare to find in the horror genre. This man should have been hailed and celebrated in the 1990s during his initial run, but the horror genre was rotting on the vine during this time. Had he been about ten years earlier, there's a good chance he would have been a major, major success story.
That said, I'm glad he's still putting out work after a lengthy hiatus, and you should read this memoir whether you've read his fiction or not.
That said, I'm glad he's still putting out work after a lengthy hiatus, and you should read this memoir whether you've read his fiction or not.
January 25, 2023
A great autobiography
Ronald Kelly is a survivor. He's still writing years after many of his contemporaries died or faded away. His tales of struggles in the publishing industry, his love of horror, and writing advice make this a fascinating read.
Ronald Kelly is a survivor. He's still writing years after many of his contemporaries died or faded away. His tales of struggles in the publishing industry, his love of horror, and writing advice make this a fascinating read.
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