Independent publishing thrives on authors who are willing to do the work and tell the truth about it. In this WriteStats Author Interview, Kim Souza Carson opens up about her writing journey, her books, and the realities of building a readership as a fully independent author.
Before diving into the interview itself, it’s worth understanding who Kim Souza Carson is and why her perspective resonates so strongly with today’s readers and writers.
Meet Kim Souza Carson: Indie Author of Fantasy, Speculative Fiction, and Romance
Kim Souza Carson is a U.S.-based author, writer, blogger, artist, and illustrator with three published novels and a growing, highly engaged readership. Her books span multiple genres—including fantasy romance, speculative fiction, and dramatic contemporary fiction—and have earned five-star reader reviews across platforms.
Her published works include:
- The Wooded Instrument – A fantasy romance rooted in myth, forbidden love, and emotional stakes
- Female Attributes – A thought-provoking speculative novel exploring power, identity, and society
- The Clinician – A character-driven drama blending romance, family, and personal growth
Importantly, Kim indie publishes her work, manages her own website, creates her own promotional materials, and even designs much of her book art herself. As she explains later in the interview, that independence comes with both freedom and responsibility.
How Kim Souza Carson’s Writing Journey Began
Like many authors, Kim Souza Carson’s writing career didn’t begin with publication, it began with persistence.
“I have always wanted to write a book. I originally wrote a children’s book and did the artwork, but never published it.”
However, everything changed when one story refused to let go.
“The first story I published is The Wooded Instrument. I had this story come to mind and could never get it out of my thoughts. I felt it needed to be put out there to be seen.”
From that moment forward, writing stopped being optional.
“I have stories in me that need to be shared.”
This idea—that stories demand to be told rather than planned for market trends—shows up repeatedly in Kim Souza Carson’s answers and reflects a pattern we see across many successful indie authors.
Writing Influences Behind Kim Souza Carson’s Stories
When asked about literary influences, Kim Souza Carson points to a blend of classic gothic, fantasy, and psychological storytelling.
“I have always loved fantasy and the macabre. I love Dracula, Frankenstein, and such. I also loved Silence of the Lambs.”
At the same time, her influences stretch across genres and age ranges:
“I was read Ferdinand as a child and always cherished that story.”
“I like Patricia Cornwell’s series, and I recently read all of Kim Harrison’s Hollows series; it is one of my favorites.”
This mix helps explain why her books often combine emotional depth, suspense, romance, and speculative elements without feeling boxed into a single category.
What Motivates Kim to Keep Writing
Every writer reaches a point where motivation matters more than inspiration. For Kim, the drive is internal and relentless.
“The need to finish the story and to widen my writing vocabulary.”
She also describes writing as a kind of pressure release, once an idea appears, it demands attention.
“If I have a story waiting in my mind or if an idea comes to me, I can’t wait to put it down on paper or on my laptop.”
This urgency aligns with a broader WriteStats finding: authors who view writing as necessary rather than optional are significantly more likely to finish books.
Writing Tools, Process, and Reading Habits
Kim Souza Carson’s writing process is practical and focused. After encountering formatting problems with Word, she made a strategic switch:
“After looking online, I found the Atticus platform and have used it since.”
She reads about six books per year on average—lower than many genre authors—but her reading is targeted and intentional, feeding directly into her creative output.
Indie Publishing, Control, and Visibility Challenges
Kim Souza Carson publishes independently by choice, citing ease of use and creative control as key factors.
“I indie publish.”
However, independence also means handling everything yourself.
“Getting noticed. I do my own ads, trailers, social media, and run my website myself.”
Even so, she prioritizes reader connection:
“I try to return all my readers’ emails and questions. It keeps me very busy.”
This hands-on approach mirrors what we’ve explored previously on WriteStats—particularly in our article on writing books readers want to talk about, not just finish, where sustained engagement matters more than short-term visibility.
You can read that piece here:
Writing Books Readers Discuss: How to Write Books Readers Want to Talk About Not Just Finish
Kim Souza Carson on AI in Writing and Publishing
Kim Souza Carson takes a clear—and nuanced—position on AI in publishing.
“I am totally against its use in writing a story.”
That said, she draws a distinction between storytelling and production support.
“To promote and design the covers, as long as it is not stealing other artist work, I feel a bit of help with ideas is not wrong.”
With a background in graphic design, she emphasizes creative ownership:
“I did the art on my book ‘The Clinician,’ and I did the covers on the other two using digital photos, etc.”
Her stance reflects a growing divide among authors: AI as a tool for logistics versus AI as a replacement for creative voice.
The Legacy Kim Hopes to Leave
When asked about legacy, Kim Souza Carson’s answer is both ambitious and deeply human.
“I would love readers to want to share and cherish my work.”
“To maybe see a favorite story on the big screen.”
“To be remembered for my work would be the ultimate honor.”
“To become a classic.”
These goals echo the motivations of many long-term authors: not virality, but longevity.
What’s Next for Kim Souza Carson?
Looking ahead, Kim is expanding again, this time into thriller territory.
“I am currently working on a new thriller along the lines of ‘The Silence of the Lambs’ type of story.”
Genre flexibility is intentional:
“I do not want to be chained to one certain type if I can successfully write others.”
Still, one element remains consistent across her work:
“I have incorporated a bit of romance into all my novels so far. I feel it gives the emotion needed to hold my readers and love the characters.”
Final Thoughts
Kim’s interview reinforces a central truth in modern publishing: successful indie authors aren’t just writers, they’re builders. They write across genres, manage their platforms, engage directly with readers, and remain deeply protective of their creative voice.
Her journey offers a clear reminder to emerging writers: finishing the book matters, but creating stories readers cherish matters more.
