Author: Kristen Hornung

Today I’m going to share my most recent author newsletter update. You can subscribe by filling out your contact info here.

Dear Reader,

Since publishing my debut poetry collection, Too Jagged to Hold, I’ve focused all of my creative energy on how to help it get into the hands of readers who need these poems (tldr: marketing is hard, and the internet is an abyss, but I am learning a lot). Thank you for being a part of my publishing journey. One of the best parts of sharing my work has been hearing what people’s favorite poems are and what resonated with them- it’s like drinking a giant cup of hot chocolate for my heart.

I haven’t done much writing, but I have read some incredible books lately: Katabasis, by R. F. Kuang (depressed nerds go to hell, literally), Someone You Can Build a Nest In by John Wiswell (the protagonist is a monster), and Water Moon by Samantha Sotto Yambao (surreal adventure and incredible world-building).

Now I’m trying to figure out what I should create next…and I would really love your input.

I’ve always been a poet at heart, but I’ve also written short stories and I have a draft of a novel that’s currently on the back burner. If you’d like to read my favorite short story, which was published by Zooscape, you can read it for free ​here​. The novel I shelved is a gothic romance inspired by my interest in the Bluebeard fairy tale, but I would have to rework it substantially before it would be ready for publication.

Imagine for a second that you could place an order (free of charge) for the type of writing you’d most like to receive from me in the coming months. What would it be?

Just email me and let me know what you’d like to read. If you’re short on time, you can reply with just one letter (or a mix):

A) Poems in a similar tone or vein (raw, intimate, lyrical pieces)

B) Poems but mix it up (any theme you are interested in?)

C) Essays drawing from both my personal experiences and professional knowledge (trauma recovery, mental health, meaning and purpose, relationships)

D) Short-fiction (emotionally honest, character-driven stories)

E) A novel (something fantastical, weird, emotionally intense, or cozy)

Your answer can help me guide where I put my creative energy. I want to write what feels meaningful for you, not just for me.

Thank you for coming with me on this journey-

Kristen Hornung

Too Jagged to Hold is available for sale now, but my goal isn’t to make money, it’s to reach the right readers. Did you know that book reviews are crucial for helping readers find a book? Without reviews, my poetry collection will be lost in the sea of books on Amazon. Think about it, when was the last time you bought something that didn’t have ratings? Would you pick up a book by an author whose name you didn’t recognize? When was the last time you paid to read poetry? Most publishing houses don’t even bother publishing contemporary poetry because poetry collections typically sell far fewer copies and therefore don’t turn as big of a profit.

Given how small the poetry market is, and how expensive it is to self-publish (I paid for a professional cover design and professional trauma-informed editing and would 100% do so again), why did I bother self-publishing? First of all, I write poetry not because I choose to or want to, but because my inner world must write poetry.

Poetry is a sacred (not religious) practice for me. Through symbols and images I’m able to express what I normally can’t, and fresh perspectives, meaning, and emotions emerge organically when I play with words on the page. I write poetry because in my heart, I’m a poet, even if I’d rather be a novelist. I chose to self-publish my collection because I decided to value my poetry and I think it could resonate with fellow trauma survivors out there in the world.

All of this being said, I’m willing to share the ebook of my poetry collection for free during the month of September with readers who are open to providing an honest review of my work and who seem like a good fit. If you’re open to reading and reviewing my work, please email me and share a little about yourself and why you’d like to review it.

My book is also available now to read and review through NetGalley.

Thank you for helping me reach new readers.

I am so excited to share the cover for my debut poetry collection, Too Jagged to Hold, which was designed by Jessica Cvilo. Collaborating with Jessica was a rewarding experience. She is such a gifted artist and it was great seeing her derive inspiration from my poetry and translate it into art.

What do you think of my book description? It will be available for purchase soon!

Too Jagged to Hold is a luminous and intimate debut that traces the long, spiraling path of recovery after sexual violence. With poetic clarity and fierce tenderness, Kristen Hornung writes from within embodied memory, mapping the shifting terrain of dissociation, grief, attachment, and the slow, alchemical process of healing.

These poems use vivid imagery and lyrical precision to draw the reader into the paradox of life after trauma: where self-protection meets vulnerability, where despair gives way to resilience, where even the sharpest edges can become sites of connection.

Hornung offers no easy resolution; instead, this collection gives presence, honesty, and understanding. It is for anyone who has ever asked themselves, Am I recovered yet?

Today I finished creating my author newsletter sign up in order to help me reach readers who may be interested in my debut poetry collection (coming soon!) that is inspired by my long-term recovery from sexual trauma at age seventeen. In honor of my seventeen-year-old self, I took two of the poems that I wrote back then, revised them, and uploaded them as bonus content. One is a heart-break poem and the other is a love poem, so I feel like they go together well. If you’re interested in reading them, then sign up for my newsletter below.

Debut update: my collection is currently out with an editor and I have started collaborating with an illustrator for the cover design. I hope it will be ready for publication early this fall. Deciding to self-publish this collection was a big move for me and the learning curb has been steep but fun. The decision feels right.

In personal news: I have never noticed these flowers before until recently, when I spotted them in two different nearby creeks. I love how weirdly pretty they are with their pink speckles. I have lived in Southern California for much of my life so I have no idea how they escaped my attention previously. Upon Googling my photo of them I was able to read a little about how they have medicinal properties. I’m currently on a quest to learn more about local plants and insects.