K.M. Colley

K.M. Colley writes thrillers, contemporary mysteries, and cinematic stories that explore legacy and ambition. Her work often centers around powerful families, glamorous settings, and complex characters. Born in Mobile, Alabama, she’s currently based in Tampa and Philadelphia. When not writing or reading, Colley enjoys traveling, learning new languages, and building a creative legacy. She’s also passionate about raising her autistic daughter, who dreams of creating her own comic book one day.

Colley's new novel is The Roaring Ridleys.

My Q&A with the author:

How much work does your title do to take readers into the story?

Call me biased, but I think The Roaring Ridleys is a great title. In two words it conveys the 1920s setting (roaring) and the family dynasty dynamic (Ridleys). The Roaring Ridleys is a sharp and lush mystery thriller set in 1920s New York, where the adopted heirs of a powerful multicultural family fall under suspicion after a scandalous columnist is found dead, unraveling secrets from Harlem to the Gold Coast mansions of Long Island.

What's in a name?

My granny was strong on the idea that names have power. She would have me Google the meanings of the names of people I met ever since I was a child. So, for the daughters' names, Adesua means "center of wealth;" she radiates this wherever she goes. Amelia means work and striving, which is fitting for her as the eldest daughter; and Kavita means poem, which, for her, she's one of the most expressive characters. Poems are sometimes complex and perplexed, like her.

How surprised would your teenage reader self be by your new novel?

I would say she wouldn't be too surprised but definitely relieved. For a long time, I would struggle writing my first books on a gifted laptop, which I am sure was around during the dinosaur age. So in all, she would probably think it's about time! Honestly, being an avid reader since I was a little girl, I was fascinated by the worlds and characters people would create, and I hoped one day that I would do the same.

Do you find it harder to write beginnings or endings? Which do you change more?

For sure, the endings. I usually keep the beginnings of the story concrete because, in reality, for me, not sure for everyone else, that is the backbone. I don't ever see myself changing the beginning, but the ending has definitely been through surgery, as I call it.

Do you see much of yourself in your characters? Do they have any connection to your personality, or are they a world apart?

I definitely feel similar to the sisters. Each of them has their own special character traits that I relate to in some way. Take Kavita, for instance. That girl is so unpredictable and makes such drastic life choices. She reminds me of myself. Sometimes I go against the grain on purpose to liven up my life. Adesua has this soft-spoken nature, wanting to be alone in her own world. And Amelia has this quiet, authoritative nature that is very determined in everything she does.

What non-literary inspirations have influenced your writing?

Music has inspired my writing a lot. I love listening to Big Band Jazz. Music truly makes me feel something in a way where I can imagine worlds like no other. I remember the day I stumbled upon swing era jazz music. I was listening to Pandora, which was the cool music platform before Spotify! So shoutout to Pandora for getting me into the world of the 1920s.

Visit K.M. Colley’s website.

My Book, The Movie: The Roaring Ridleys.

--Marshal Zeringue