Kelly Owen
Charleston, South Carolina, United States
2 ½ degrees and 20 years—that’s how long I've been in higher education: first as a student and as an instructor of English composition and literature. With two degrees in English, I was well on my way to a third degree when something happened on the road to getting a doctorate—a novel idea, literally, that changed the course of my quest and resulted in the first book in a four-titled series: The College Chronicles: Freshman Milestones.
Informed by my studies at the University of South Carolina, where I obtained a bachelor’s while working as a photographer for The Gamecock newspaper, the novel fictionally reflects much of my experience as a student and even more as a college instructor, a professional pursuit I embraced thanks to some unlikely advisers.
Following graduation, I returned to my hometown of Georgetown, South Carolina, with hopes of attending law school. Slinging drinks as a bartender paid the bills but spouting Shakespeare as a substitute teacher provided the inspiration for a change in career direction when my students convinced me to become an educator and to give up the attorney dream. During this time, I met my very own Shakespeare—a footballer from Birkenhead, England, with wicked accent who slung words as a journalist for the local newspaper. I married Matt Owen on Cinco de Mayo at an impromptu ceremony on Charleston’s Battery, and we made the city our home.
I earned my master’s from the University of Charleston while working full time in food and beverage. For nearly two decades, I have shared my 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 I'm not standing in front of a classroom or pounding the keyboard to give characters life, I also enjoy reading, traveling, running, cooking, and craft beer tastinng. I live in the Holy City with Matt and our devilishly angelic white boxers, Huxley and Lyra.