All Posts

The Literary Titan Book Award bestowed upon Born of Dirt & Dust tells me that, yes --- writing these stories to widen the lens for readers to fully experience the world in which these characters, as portrayed in the book, felt trapped, how they chose to move forward, and how the ripple effect of those choices touches each of us --- there is always room in our hearts for empathy, acknowledgement, compassion and friendship.

Although the short stories in the book tend to lean towards genre-bending horror, sci-fi, fantasy, and urban tales, I want the best for my characters. I want their burning souls to rise up from the ashes of their smothering circumstances and know their existence matters.

At The Untold Story Bookstore, the warm and comforting vibe is very intentional. It's a place where everyone is welcomed to grab a book, take a seat, relax and read for as long as you desire. It's a safe community space, where local poets, writers, readers, artists, jewelry designers, cookie bakers, families and their children come for that cozy feeling of belonging. Of knowing you're embraced by friends.

I couldn't help but listen deeply as she spoke, opening her heart to me. She is truly remarkable in all the ways she cares for human life, and her true understanding that all of us matter in this one world we share together. Imagine, she said, all that we can achieve if we erased our perceived differences and lived together in harmony. Yes, I thought to myself. A dream that can be our reality. A dream worth dreaming every single day.

In writing the stories for Born of Dirt & Dust, I wanted to open a lens for readers to fully experience the characters' world, how trapped they felt, how they chose to move forward, and the ripple effect of those choices.

Writing speculative fiction enables Renee Coloman to uncloak fringe characters, to remove their invisibility in our culture, our world, and shining a spotlight on their uniqueness. Their situation and characteristics that drive them to engage in choices that accepted society would label as unacceptable.

To see my book listed in the March 2026 edition of Kirkus Reviews is an absolute thrill.

Yesterday, I met Jason Reynolds at an author event hosted by the OC Library. Yes! It was an absolute pleasure. I took notes, listening as Jason spoke about words and rhythm and the power of sound; layers of subtext as meaningful ideas that don't have to be shouted in the dialogue or paragraphs of his stories; and his passion for the heartbeat of language, his love of Shakespeare, and his fascination with all creatures living on the land or oceans of our earth.

Author Renee Coloman reads an excerpt from Emergency Exit, a short story from her book, Born of Dirt & Dust. The story is quite meaningful to Renee, as the premise is based on an article she read in a digital newspaper; a factual event about young lives taken for granted in our real world ... all in the hope of finding someone to love them; whereas, in this reality, that unusual someone isn't the kind of person who knows how to love.

I don't know why she says what she says but I know she's crazy and that's why she keeps a locked chain across the refrigerator door ...

"A dark bouquet of narratives that often focus on women pushed to emotional extremes." -- Kirkus Review

Author Renee Coloman is inviting new friends to follow me / follow you on Instagram where we can share inspiring insights about books, writing, and the magic of storytelling.

Born of Dirt & Dust receives a FIVE-STAR REVIEW!! It's an incredible feeling --- this five-star review --- for my book, Born of Dirt & Dust. I can't thank the reviewer, Katherine Hall (aka Hall Ways) for diving deep into the stories and sharing her reading experience. For me, being an indie author who writes about fringe characters existing in worlds perceived differently from what's mainstream and considered the norm, getting my book into readers' hands and book sellers is n

Get ready for a visceral ride, as I share a few of my favorite story titles & character situations from Born of Dirt & Dust by Renee Coloman.

Love to receive a book with a personalized message signed by the author? You've come to the right place!

I read and I write and I read throughout the days and nights, because books and their authors have a special way of revealing truths about our humanity, our potential, our weaknesses, our vulnerabilities, yet our courage and resilience to survive. These are the reasons why I won’t let go. Why I have to keep going. It’s my writing journey, and there is no end. 

The book is fiction. Yet the narratives feel prickly and real. No matter that the book's genre dives into fantasy, sci-fi, and horror. Certain situations demand certain choices. We do what we must to make sense of our realities.

It's a heartbeat away. Only a few more days until the release of Born of Dirt & Dust---a hybrid collection of 23 short stories spread across 200+ pages; the kind of intense narratives that dip and swirl within worlds of fantasy, sci-fi, and horror. Stories that feature diverse characters and settings, offering thoughtful insights into life's hardships and the strength of the human spirit. An experience that will move you, provoke thought, and stay with you long after the last

Born of Dirt & Dust ... Prepare to immerse yourself in this collection of twenty-three captivating stories, artfully blending speculative flash & short fiction doused in literary themes, escapism, sci-fi, and horror.

Sami understood that proper behavior translated into extra bonus points. Especially during substitute-teacher days. And, with enough good check marks next to her name, she would earn the privilege of selecting a special prize posted on the classroom bulletin board, right next to her teacher’s big desk. Right in front of everyone. With a sparkle in her smile, the ambitious second grader focused on the dangling ticket to win a googly-eyed goldfish – FREE! From Mermaid Katy’s A