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Every now and then, something happens that stays with me long after the moment has passed.

This particular moment wasn't dramatic. In fact, if you had been there, you probably wouldn't have noticed it at all.

I saw a man sitting by himself.

I don't know why my mind went where it did, but I found myself hoping he was okay. Maybe he was simply enjoying a little peace and quiet. Maybe he was waiting on someone. Maybe he'd just had the best day of his week... or perhaps the worst.

The truth is, I'll...

Every story begins somewhere.

People often imagine that stories begin with a perfect outline or a fully formed idea. For me, it rarely works that way.

Most of the time, a story begins with something small—a conversation I overhear, someone sitting quietly in a park, or a moment that refuses to leave my mind. Those ordinary moments have a way of growing into characters, scenes, and eventually entire novels.

I've decided to begin sharing a series called "Conversations with R. M. Kiser." These...

I've been quietly building something.

This site is the new home of R. M. Kiser and Summit & Shore Publishing — a place where you can find my books, my story, and whatever I'm working on next.

I write literary fiction and dark fantasy about people who are hurting, questioning, and quietly searching. Stories that don't look away from the hard things.

Dust and Mercy — my third novel, set in 1959 Appalachian Virginia — releases August 7, 2026. Pre-order is live now.

Stick around. There's more...