Meet Kevin Cady | Author, climber, teacher.

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kevin Cady and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kevin, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
By pursuing a career as a dark mystery indie author, I have allowed myself to create in a manner which reflects my own creative ideas and minimizes the influences of outsiders. It has allowed me to avoid forced collaborations or demands from a publishing house. Many creative efforts require (or are at least conducive to) other people and their influence or schedules or funding. Creating projects like music or film (both of which I love) are generally far more collaborative, be it for necessity or otherwise, but writing a mystery novel can be as independent as one might want it to be. Is it fun to bounce ideas off people? Sure. But do I want someone dictating the direction in which my stories go? Certainly not. By working independently, I maintain complete creative control, and that is highly appealing.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I write dark mystery, and this is a brand I have been developing over the last ten years. The Elijah Warren Files, my trilogy, was published about 7 years ago, and my newest book, Depths of Dante, came out October of 2021.

My favorite authors (and artists in general) exist within their own limitations, as opposed to within societal or business norms. The best artists and authors create the stories or the art which they feel on a deeper level. They don’t repeat a formula for each book or piece of work. They don’t kowtow to industry expectations or trends. They are the creators which develop art by their own terms, and that is what I have tried to stand by. This inherently makes the work more challenging, not being able to be placed neatly in a box.

Each of my books will be different, but the labeling of dark mystery will always be present, and this is what sets me apart. Each of my novels or stories will take place in a dark universe crafted specifically for that project. Each project will have a sense of place and the people which exist inside of it a uniqueness, which I believe sets my novels apart from many traditional mysteries. Pick up one of my books, and you’ll know it’s a Cady dark mystery.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Colorado Springs has changed immensely in the last decade, but I really love the direction it’s going.

If adventurous friends came out and we had the week to be in the Springs, we’d start the mornings rock climbing at Red Rock Open Space or another of the more obscure areas nearby in the South Platte (west of the Springs). A fine option for after a morning in nature would be Mother Muffs, a classic dive bar in Old Colorado City, or Burrowing Owl, a vegan dive bar in the Ivywild neighborhood (Obviously I love a good dive!). The afternoons could be spent exploring downtown or Manitou, hoppin’ about and checkin’ out the new additions to the city’s landscape. New places are popping up all the time!

For a good sunset Garden of the Gods is stunning! How many cities have such an amazing natural resource so close to the city center, and with free admission?? Though fair warning, if you’re climbing at GOG, you end up as much a spectacle for the tourists as anything else. If you’re feeling fancy, maybe check out the Garden of the Gods club, perched above the park on a bluff, for a cocktail or dinner to accompany that sunset!

Other days might be spent driving the Pikes Peak Highway to the top of the peak or hiking the Manitou Incline.

For those fine nights, check out one of the many concert venues the Springs has to offer! From tiny places like Vultures or the Triple Nickel to mid-sized spots like the Black Sheep or Sunshine Studios, there is always a show to see!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
This shoutout goes to my dark mystery family. I am so appreciative for those who have picked up one (or all!) of my books and given it a chance! To invest time in a new author means you’re taking a chance on them. A chance with the reader’s time. A chance with the reader’s hard-earned money. And I recognize my ability to create these stories is only as powerful as the scope of readers I can reach. I would be nowhere without the readers! Therefore, thanks again to the dark mystery fam. Hopefully we can continue to grow the community in the future!

Website: www.kevincadyauthor.com

Instagram: @kevincadytheauthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Kevin-Cady-Author/100009350129305/

Other: Check out my Amazon bookstore! https://www.amazon.com/Kevin-Cady/e/B01FWP3I4M%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share