Frequently Asked Questions

Where are you from? I'm from Kingsport, Tennessee, where I still live today. The mountains and communities of Appalachia have shaped everything I write.

Why do you write under R. M. Kiser instead of your full name? R. M. Kiser is my pen name and the name on my books. It feels like the right fit for the kind of stories I tell.

What kind of books do you write? I write literary fiction and dark fantasy. My literary fiction tends to explore grief, faith, and the quiet ways people keep going after profound loss. My fantasy is darker and more psychological in nature.

Where did the idea for Dust and Mercy come from? Dust and Mercy grew out of my love for Appalachian literature and a long fascination with the Good Samaritan parable — specifically what it costs to actually be a neighbor, and how far good people will go to avoid that cost.

Are your books based on real events or people? My work is fiction, but it is shaped by lived experience — the landscapes, the faith, the grief, and the people I have known.

How can I contact you? For general inquiries: ricky@rmkiser.com For media and press: press@rmkiser.com Or use the contact form on this site.

Will there be more books? Yes. The Echo Rewritten is the first book in a planned trilogy. And there are more stories coming from R. M. Kiser and Summit & Shore Publishing.