Kay Smith-Blum is the author of Tangles, a gripping and immersive view into the nuclear age brimming with intrigue, bravery and timely meditations on humanity’s impact on our planet. What We Reading sat down with Kay to talk about everything from her background as a business owner, the influences behind Tangles, the extensive acclaim it has won from experts across the literary world, as well as her love for Charlotte’s Web!
Thanks for speaking with us, Kay! First off, tell us a bit about yourself and what led you to the world of writing.
I was fortunate to have Jane Smoot as an English Lit & Composition teacher in high school – she taught me how to write. As a business owner, I edited and published a seasonal magazine for over a decade and also penned a series of greeting cards and inspirational posters.
When we sold our store in 2016, I committed myself to writing full-time. I love history, especially the gritty details and I am drawn to crafting a new kind of historical fiction – dialogue-driven, fast-paced, authenticity baked into character, not scene descriptions – writing that immerses the readers and hopefully allows them to truly experience the period in a visceral way.
Talk to us about Tangles. What is it about, where did the inspiration come from, and what was the process of writing it like?
I had an odd dream, of a mass of red hair floating on a body of water and the sensation of peering down at it and realizing it wasn’t wet. When the dream recurred a second night, I wrote it down in my journal.
Within days, I ran into two long-time acquaintances who both had grown up in Eastern Washington near the Hanford Nuclear Plant. They referred to it as “The Area” and down the rabbit hole of research, I went. After 8 months of research, including conversations with over 20 experts in the nuclear and history of science fields, I began to write the novel. Multiple oral histories at both the Hanford History Project and the Atomic Heritage Foundation provided inspiration for many of my characters.
Getting the language and the facts right involved a lengthy process of vetting by numerous scientists, historians, nuclear engineers, medical researchers, park rangers, and former Tri-Cities residents that spanned over a year. It was during that process that a new style of writing historical fiction emerged for me, much removed from the traditional historical fiction books I’d read.
What is the number one goal you want your work to have with readers?
I want the story and the characters to resonate with the reader, on a visceral level. The book begins in a bit of a slow burn (I confess to being inspired by Tana French) and then revs into a classic underdog journey that I hope the reader finds both fascinating and inspirational.
What do you think makes you stand out as an author?
I think my past experiences as a fashion retailer, the attention to detail and visual cues is a plus for me as a writer. I also think my time on the Seattle School Board (a publicly elected position) gives me foundational knowledge about how government and communities interact which in the case of this specific tale, was pivotal.
But, my persistent pursuit of bettering my craft – not being satisfied with “okay” writing – parsing over every word – continually seeking critiques that can strengthen my writing – set me apart from most first-time authors. I didn’t want to publish something before it was really ready and was fortunate to find the experts to make that goal achievable.
What would you say has been your biggest success so far?
Attaining the endorsements of multiple bestselling authors both in the thriller genre but also the literary world as well as multiple non-fiction authors who have written on the nuclear production and waste issues in the last decade. I view their positive reviews as a validation of the strength of the story.
If you could go back in time to one book you read for the first time, what would it be and why?
Charlotte’s Web. I don’t believe there is a better example of immersion. I still remember Charlotte and all the other barnyard animals and feel them in my soul, and would have loved to have been a baby spider on the wall during Wilbur’s journey.
What’s one tip you would give your younger self if you had the opportunity?
Start writing fiction sooner.
And finally, what do you hope the future holds for you and your writing?
My fondest wish is that TANGLES is read by many many folks and it helps shape future energy conversations. That the story makes folks take the proverbial step back and really think about what our best way forward might be in a world plagued by climate change. And of course, I hope that other tales of mine find their way into print as well.
Follow Kay And All Of Her Work On Twitter/X, Facebook Or Her Website
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
