Kay Smith-Blum

About Kay Smith-Blum

My debut novel, TANGLES, published on December 3, 2024, is an important WA State story (lots more details on my website).Recently named Best Regional Fiction (across all genres) in the West by the National Indie Excellence Awards and Best Historical Mystery/Suspense by the American Fiction Awards for BookFest 2025, along with Book of the Year by the Literary Global Book Awards, Best Debut Novel by the American Writing Awards, and garnered bronze medals from both The Reader\'s Choice Awards for Best Adult Book of 2024 and the Steinbeck Literary competition at the Historical Fiction Company for 2024.In my \"first life,\" I was hired out of college (UT at Austin) into the Neiman Marcus executive training program in Dallas.spending almost a decade climbing the ranks to become the first female Men\'s Buyer. My final role at NM as Asst. Store Manager in charge of Merchandise for the Beverly Hills store was pivotal in creating the women\'s area at Butch Blum, Inc. My first foray into professional writing and publishing venture was our BB seasonal magazine and an advertising campaign in the 90s that morphed into licensed greeting cards and posters. I also wrote a novella (for family members only) about rearing 3 boys while having a career in the 80s and 90s. From a writer\'s perch - I can say how lucky I am to have sold our business in 2016. That freedom has allowed me to pursue writing full-time. And after a long career in retail I\'ve learned the most important thing to be successful - in writing or life - just keep going! follow my journey on Instagram @discerningKSB

Experience

1. Award-winning Author

   Black Rose Writing

   Dec 2023 — Present · Medina, TX, US

   I am delighted to announce that TANGLES has been named the 2024 Best Debut Fiction by the American Writing Awards and Book of the Year 2024 by the Literary Global Book Awards. In 2025, TANGLES was named Best Regional Fiction in the West by the Nat\'l Indie Excellence Awards and Best Historical Mystery/Suspense by the American Fiction Awards at Book Fest 2025. Black Rose Writing, a traditional small press, published of my debut novel, TANGLES, in December of 2024. Follow my writer\'s journey at

Education

• The University of Texas at Austin

  BBA, Marketing, major

  1970 — 1974

Skills

• Public Relations
• Sales
• Marketing Communications
• Facebook
• Management
• Social Networking
• Social Media
• Public Speaking
• Marketing
• Social Media Marketing
• Strategic Communications
• Time Management
• Event Planning
• Event Management
• Fundraising
• Nonprofits
• Fashion
• Blogging