Check Out Matthew Reed Williams’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Matthew Reed Williams

Hi Matthew Reed, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I have read all of my life and dabbled in creative writing along the way. It wasn’t until college, though, that my motivation to write became more serious, and it came from, among other things, a less recognized literary source: the school’s forensics (speech and debate) team which included events in literary interpretation. Then, upon graduation, I spent a few months backpacking solo in Europe which stoked the fires of my imagination more. That was nearly fifteen years ago, but it’s taken all of that time of constant writing–including many drafts and unfinished projects–to release my debut novel. I look back on all of that time, though, with a better appreciation for and understanding of the writing process, and I’m hard at work to release my next books soon.

I have lived in the Midwest nearly all of my life and now live in Independence, MO with my wife and two kids. However, I first met my wife while living in El Salvador for a year, and we also spent last year living in Guatemala. We speak Spanish in the home and seek to raise our kids to be bilingual. Additionally, I am a high school English teacher.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I actually finished a middle-grade fiction story about ten years ago and even sent out query letters to other agents. After about five passes, I became too self-conscious and insecure and stopped querying. I’ve learned that the querying process usually involves WAY more rejection before getting a publishing or agent deal, but at the time, I was too scared to pursue it further. I’ve had to work through those fears and vulnerability and just keep writing. Like any art form, it’s a craft that I grow through and develop all of my life.

In addition to overcoming the inner battles of insecurity and fear, there’s also the struggle with time. I’m married with two kids, and my spouse and I both work full-time jobs. We want to be present in each others’ lives and in the lives of our kids while also being free to pursue our own passion projects. It takes a lot of communication, sacrifice, and patience.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a writer, and my debut novel, ‘Somewhere,’ was released on October 10. It is a supernatural thriller that takes place in rural Missouri. I wouldn’t call myself a horror writer, but I’m definitely drawn to darker, supernatural themes, and I love featuring the Midwest because it’s such an underappreciated–and often underrepresented–part of the country. I have several more works in progress (doesn’t every writer?!) with similar environments and themes, and I can’t wait to get more of them to readers.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
I want to respond with something literary, and there are lots of good memories to choose from, but I’ll go with this: On my thirteenth birthday, my parents were coordinating a Halloween/fall festival at the church I grew up in, so I basically didn’t get to celebrate my birthday on my actual birthday (we officially celebrated it on a different day). My mom felt bad, though, so after the event, she drove me to Taco Bell and then to Blockbuster to rent VHS tapes of Rocky I and II. I stayed up late snacking on greasy tacos and watching classic films while she slept on the couch.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://matthewreedwilliams.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/matthewreedwilliams
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/matthewreedwilliams