The Authors Speak was an online journal for avid readers, writers, and fans of the written word. Their author interviews were intended to offer inspiration and educate writers and readers alike and to promote literacy as a whole.

Unfortunately, the website is down. I was pleased to be included in it while it lasted and have copied and pasted the lovely moment in history for you below…

Who is Kelli Owen?

Yesterday we profiled our Pre-Order of the Week with the limited edition Maelstrom trio, featuring Brian Keene’s “A Gathering of Crows”. However, cool as you may have thought this to be, most of you were asking me: Who the heck is Kelli Owen?

Good question. And without a doubt she’ll be a name that will live in the horror genre for a time to come. Allow the Authors Speak to make the introductions so that you, fair reader, can say, “Oh, Kelli? Yeah, I’ve been reading her for years!”

Truly, if you’ve read anything by Kelli, you’ve probably done so in an anthology or collection. It’s shorter fiction, sure, but quality writing. Now you have the chance to be a part of history as Kelli releases her first novel, “Six Days”, part of the Maelstrom limited releases.

“Fresh Blood” (which can be purchased here) features Kelli’s story “Left for Dead”. It’s a hard-as-nails revenge tale, tougher than “I Spit on Your Grave”, that surmises the lengths at which a mother will go to avenge her daughter’s abuse. Having heard this story at Horrorfind, I’ll tell you it grabs ahold and does not let go. Guys, you’ve been warned, you will groan in anguish.

“Dark Faith” is a collection that explores, well, as it suggests it explores the darker side of faith. There’s not a whole lot more to say about that. It’s a collection that is topped to the spilling point with talent: everyone from Brian Keene to Wrath James White is here in top form. Kelli’s here as well, but the last name is listed as Dunlap, so don’t let that throw you for a loop. This collection is features 26 short stories and 5 poems that are sure to terrify (as only the best in the business can) but also, and more importantly, make you think.

“Dark Futures: Tales of Sci-Fi Dystopia” includes the tale “Black Hole Sun”, co-written by Owen. While this collection does not exist in the realm of horror, the writing is still in pitch-perfect form. In fact, this particular piece is unique in that the end of the world is told through two teenagers emailing and tweeting back and forth. Surely a perfect (and foreboding) method of telling a tale of dystopian collapse in this day and age.

Now do you see? Can you see? Brian Keene hand-picked this talented writer for the first run of Maelstrom Books. Obviously, I cannot endorse the novel “Six Days” as it hasn’t been released. But, I’ll toss a good word into the arena: Kelli Owen is going places, and you should jump on the bandwagon now. Fans of shorter fiction, revenge tales, dystopian futures, horror…c’mon. What are you waiting for?

Again, I was delighted to be included—thank you, Eric. Maybe the website will come back someday…