2 ½ degrees and 20 years—that’s how long Kelly Owen has been in higher education: first as a student and as an instructor of English composition and literature. With two degrees in English, she was well on her way to a third degree when something happened on the road to getting a doctorate—a novel idea, literally, that changed the course of her quest and resulted in the first book in a four-titled series: The College Chronicles: Freshman Milestones.

Informed by her studies at the University of South Carolina, where she obtained a bachelor’s while working as a photographer for The Gamecock newspaper, the novel fictionally reflects much of her experience as a student and even more as a college instructor, a professional pursuit she embraced thanks to some unlikely advisers. Following graduation, Kelly returned to her hometown of Georgetown, South Carolina, with hopes of attending law school but being a substitute teacher provided the inspiration for a change in career direction when her students convinced her to become an educator and to give up the attorney dream.

Kelly earned her master’s from the University of Charleston while working full time in food and beverage. For nearly two decades, she has shared her knowledge of literature and passion for writing with thousands of students at Georgetown High School, James Island High School, Trident Technical College, City Colleges of Chicago, The Citadel, Columbia College of Missouri, and College of Charleston. When she’s not standing in front of a classroom or pounding the keyboard to give characters life, Kelly also enjoys reading, traveling, running, cooking, and gardening. She resides in the Holy City with her husband Matt and their devilishly angelic white boxers, Huxley and Lyra.