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Born of Dirt & Dust Earns Prestigious Literary Titan Book Award
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.
Renée Coloman
Mar 102 min read


Born of Dirt & Dust, by Renee Coloman, Earns a Third Award!
For me, storytelling is about shining a bright light on characters reflective of our humanity, life's challenges, and the decisions we're forced to make to survive brutal circumstances. Born of Dirt & Dust is a genre-bending mix of sci-fi, dark fantasy, and urban horror, with a desire for genuine love at its core.
Renée Coloman
5 days ago1 min read


June Community Events: Let's Meet Up & Have Some Fun
This coming month in June, I'm filling my weekends with opportunities to build more relationships and to be present in our local communities. Where there are opportunities to give back and grow stronger together, to hear from new friends and to highlight their stories, I feel an unbreakable amount of hope that is truly meaningful to me. Every voice matters. Every life brings value. I will always carry your story in my heart.
Renée Coloman
5 days ago1 min read


Strong Women Strange Worlds: Virtual Live Event with Sci-Fi, Fantasy, and Horror Authors, including Renee Coloman
When we join together and encourage one another, not only do we create a beneficial and embracing community, we also build a creative force that propels us forward together, infinitely. There is always space to showcase your work and always your community to appreciate all that you do.
Renée Coloman
May 82 min read


Ready, Set, Lift-off! How Live Events for Indie Authors Can Launch New Friendships & Loyal Readers
Live events can be a surprisingly powerful lever for indie authors—not just for selling books, but for building a sustainable career.
Renée Coloman
Apr 273 min read


Born of Dirt & Dust: Author Shares Hopeful Meaning That Drives Her Characters' Choices
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.
Renée Coloman
Apr 102 min read


The Untold Story Bookstore: A Community Giving-Back Affair
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.
Renée Coloman
Apr 82 min read


Art, Music, and Books: Magical Forces Empowering Togetherness
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.
Renée Coloman
Apr 53 min read


Personal Experiences that Trigger Storytelling
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.
Renée Coloman
Mar 303 min read


Author Interview: Writing Speculative Fiction and Its Ripple Effect
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.
Renée Coloman
Mar 193 min read


Born of Dirt & Dust in the March 1, 2026 edition of Kirkus Reviews
To see my book listed in the March 2026 edition of Kirkus Reviews is an absolute thrill.
Renée Coloman
Mar 32 min read


Author Jason Reynolds in my hometown!
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.
Renée Coloman
Feb 242 min read


Excerpt from Emergency Exit by Renee Coloman
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.
Renée Coloman
Feb 61 min read


Once Bitten by Renee Coloman: New Short Story featured in Lit Magazine
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 ...
Renée Coloman
Jan 231 min read


Born of Dirt & Dust: Kirkus Book Review Released Today
"A dark bouquet of narratives that often focus on women pushed to emotional extremes." -- Kirkus Review
Renée Coloman
Jan 142 min read


A Friend Giving Friends A Gift
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.
Renée Coloman
Jan 121 min read


Born of Dirt & Dust Gets A FIVE-STAR Review!
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
Renée Coloman
Dec 29, 20252 min read


Born of Dirt & Dust: Get ready for a visceral ride, as I share a few of my favorite story titles & character situations.
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.
Renée Coloman
Dec 19, 20252 min read


Author's Book Special: Signed Copies. Order Yours Today!
Love to receive a book with a personalized message signed by the author? You've come to the right place!
Renée Coloman
Dec 15, 20252 min read


Crazy About Books & Authors
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.
Renée Coloman
Dec 10, 20252 min read
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