Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I am a new mother, and longtime lover of mysteries. When not thinking of new story ideas, I can be found either reading any genre of book or running around— either as a workout or chasing my two energetic dogs and new baby.
As a lifetime athlete, I grew up playing soccer, basketball, softball, and even rowed crew for two years! After years of hard work, I was fortunate to receive a full basketball scholarship to Holy Family University in Philadelphia.
When I graduated college, and after meeting my handsome husband, we moved back to my hometown in South Jersey. Nothing beats living at the shore, especially Ocean City, New Jersey.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My debut novel is Asbury High and the Thief’s Gamble, and I was inspired to write this book almost eleven years ago, during the summer that I graduated from Ocean City High School (2009!), I had a lot of free time. In the fall, I was going to be playing Division 2 basketball at National Powerhouse Holy Family University. Yes, I was extremely excited for that—but, on the other hand, my parents were going through a divorce and I felt guilty going out with friends when my dad was at home, feeling sad. Don’t worry my parents are fine with each other now—but at the time it was a little rough.
Thus, when most of my high school friends were hanging on the beach or partying at night, I was practicing basketball and working out, reading, and writing out the complete seven series outline of Asbury High. Who says you have to be bored when there’s nothing to do?
Side note- I had just bought my first laptop and was PUMPED to use it!
Because I grew up in Upper Township, right across the bridge from Ocean City, NJ, I knew how sweet it was to grow up by the shore. In fact, the name Asbury comes from a street in Ocean City, where my two favorite bookstores are located!
By the end of the summer, I had mapped out the seven books I had hoped to write, finished my manuscript and even drew up a map of Asbury.
BUT, then college came around and being apart of the NCAA is no joke. They may be paying for your education, but it is a full-time job. During the later half of my sophomore year, I took a Lit course in which I was known as the girl who could successfully compare every single reading assignment to Harry Potter. And I did so like a pro. That teacher told us that the best authors write what they know.
It was then that the itch to write returned.
That summer, I reread my book—and laughed. I had only a handful of characters and minimal descriptions. It read similar to a script of a play, with only dialogue. I jumped back into the world of Asbury and added more characters and loads more detail. It took about three more years after that, before Asbury High and the Thief’s Gamble was complete.
Anyway, during this time I had moved to Philly, and met the love of my life. I was also teaching full time at St. Hilary’s in Abington, and dedicating less time to writing. That changed after Ryan and I got married and moved back to South Jersey. Ryan loved listening to my stories (at least he said he did…) and encouraged me to keep writing.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I like to keep the TV on volume one, and usually its The Weather Channel— this helps to distract my dogs from barking at outside noises. Also, I like to drink a tall glass of milk right as I sit down to write.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
By far JK Rowling is my biggest role model, and not just for Harry Potter, I love her Cormoran Strike novels. I also have to add that I still love the Sammy Keyes books, and of course any Stephen King book I get my hands on end up altering my thinking.
What are you working on now?
I have just finished editing the third book in the Asbury High series and am halfway finished writing the fourth!
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’ve just started out, but other than doing book promo sites, I created a Facebook page and an Instagram. Both can be found @KellyBradyChannick.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Keep writing! Write everyday but take a step back from your completed work for a while, then reread and rewrite! You’ll be surprised at how much better you get at writing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
From an episode of Queer Eye, when Karamo Brown said, “Failure is not the opposite of success, its part of it.”
What are you reading now?
“Two Can Keep A Secret” by Karen McManus and “The Restaurant at the End of the Universe” by Douglas Adams
What’s next for you as a writer?
My second book, Asbury High and the Parcels of Poison, is due to come out in late May or early June.
What is your favorite book of all time?
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
Author Websites and Profiles
Kelly Brady Channick Website
Kelly Brady Channick’s Social Media Links
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