November Author Feature: Kimberly Nixon
This month, I’m honored to feature Kimberly Nixon, a historical biographical fiction author who published her first book, Rock Bottom, Tennessee, in August of 2022.
I connected with Kim through the Women’s Fiction Writers Association (WFWA) earlier this year and have had the pleasure of critiquing the sequel to Rock Bottom, Tennessee. She plans to release her sophomore novel in February of 2024, which leaves plenty of time for you to read the first!
I hope you enjoy learning more about Rock Bottom, Tennessee (based on a true story!) and enjoy my author interview with Kim! Links to her book and how you can connect with Kim can be found at the bottom of this blog.
This historical fiction novel is based on the true story of a 1920s felony conviction in Appalachia. Life is hard for Ruby, growing up in poverty on the wrong side of the mountain on her grandfather's rural farm in eastern Tennessee, where the sun didn’t shine. In her search for an easier life and belonging, Ruby accepts the local schoolteacher’s job offer to work at the school, enabling her to escape from her childhood troubles. She makes a life with the schoolteacher, but her heart seeks something more.
Leon, a former farm hand on her grandfather’s farm, darts in and out of Ruby’s life on his way toward a life of crime in the hilly woods of their homeland. He entices Ruby to join him, offering all that would make her life whole.
Ruby makes a series of poor decisions, causing her life to tumble into an unexpected outcome, separating her from everything of her past.
This debut novel is set in the early 1900s, where the setting and mountain community become other characters in the story. Based on a real-life tale of the author’s grandmother, the reader gets immersed in Ruby’s choices as she searches for worthiness and belonging. Was the pursuit worth the risk of losing her family? After suffering hardship and loss, will Ruby find the courage, resilience, and honest friendships to allow herself to be loved?
Genre: Historical Biographical Fiction
How do you find time to write? I didn’t start this book until I retired, but even then it took me five years to write it. Now, I have a writing schedule by blocking out writing hours on my calendar.
What is the best time of day for you to write? I can only write when I have four hours to get into it. Mornings usually.
How long does it take you to write a book? I wrote the TRUE story of my grandmother before I wrote the fictionalized version. I included photos of my heritage and published copies for my family only. Then, I wrote Rock Bottom, Tennessee over five years. I’m writing the sequel Rock Bottom Rising in two years. I realized how important “seat time” is to a writer.
What’s your favorite under- appreciated novel? Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
If you could tell your younger writer self anything, what would it be? Ha, I’m in a different situation perhaps because I didn’t start writing until my 60’s. I would have carved out time to write much earlier in my life.
Kimberly Nixon is an emerging author of biographical fiction. She was blessed with a plethora of family stories, featuring strong, determined—and sometimes wild—characters. She wrestles these personalities into main characters in her works of fiction. She is a member of the Women’s Fiction Writing Association, Alliance of Independent Authors, and the Writer’s League of Texas. Kimberly lives in Austin, Texas with her husband Paul most of the year and travels for adventure when she can. Rock Bottom, Tennessee is Kimberly’s debut novel.
WHERE YOU CAN PURCHASE Rock Bottom, Tennessee
KimberlyNixon.com — signed copies!
Amazon
Barnes & Noble