Books that changed your life?

Ralph Ellison’s Invisible Man and JD Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye. Those were the books that made me want to become a writer.

Advice you can’t stop giving?

I am constantly talking about developing good habits. I am a huge believer that if you want to feel good and be productive, start by exercising consistently, eating well, and getting good sleep.

Advice you’re eternally grateful you received?

When I was approaching graduation from Hope College, I had a freak out with my professor and mentor, Heather Sellers. “Heather,” I said, “I don’t know what I want to do with my life.” She looked me square in the eye and said, “I don’t either.” It blew me away that someone I viewed as being highly successful didn’t feel like she had the answers. And I’ve learned to accept that we don’t ever really figure it all out.

Bio:

Kevin Fitton is the author of the children’s picture book, Higher Ground (Radiant Hen 2012), with Caldecott-winning artist, Mary Azarian, along with a book of stories titled Auras (Fomite 2022). He is a graduate of Hope College, holds an MFA from Bennington College, and a PhD from Western Michigan. His main areas of interest are magic realism and literature for children and young adults.