SXU Alum Releases Debut Horror Novel
Saint Xavier University (SXU) alum Kevin Kelly '11 has just released a debut horror novel along with his twin bother, Michael.
"Me and My Shadows," released September 29, follows Zara Bennet, who after the sudden death of her husband and the loss of her home, is forced to return to Bennett Manor, the place she once escaped. When her young son begins experiencing the same terrifying visions that haunted Zara as a child, she must confront her family's dark history, a mysterious legend of a witch in the woods, and a sinister force that has followed their bloodline for generations.
"I've always been drawn to Halloween and horror, but what interests me most is the psychological side of the genre. I'm fascinated by stories that get inside your head and make you question what's real, what isn't, and how you would respond if you found yourself in a situation you couldn't escape. That fascination became the foundation for 'Me and My Shadows.' My twin brother and I have always shared a love of horror, so writing a novel together felt like a natural extension of that passion. The process was exciting and challenging as we developed the story, shaped the characters, and worked to bring our shared vision to life," said Kelly.
Kelly, who graduated from Saint Xavier with a degree in mass communication, has always been drawn to writing and storytelling.
"Our biggest hope is to get 'Me and My Shadows' into the hands of readers who genuinely love horror and psychological suspense. Since this is our debut novel, it would mean a great deal to my brother and me to see readers connect with a story we've spent four years developing. We also hope the book will help us build a larger community around the Kelly Twins and create opportunities to continue sharing stories and horror-related content beyond this first novel," said Kelly.
Kelly found that his studies at SXU encouraged him to explore his storytelling interests through film, editing, production, and writing, helping him to realize he wanted a career centered on telling stories.
"SXU played a much larger role in shaping that path than I realized at the time. The journey from mass communication to writing horror novels hasn't been a straight line, but the connection is definitely there. SXU gave me the opportunity to explore different interests, develop my skills, and gradually find a direction that felt right," said Kelly.
Since graduating from SXU, Kelly has worked in video production, editing, writing, digital media, and marketing. He later continued his education at Loyola University Chicago, where he earned a master's degree in digital media and storytelling.
"As an undergrad, I focused my energy on developing my creative skills and making the most of my time at SXU. The coursework and hands-on projects kept me deeply engaged, and that focus allowed me to grow in the areas I was most passionate about. Much of what I learned at SXU helped guide me and influenced the work I pursued afterward," said Kelly.
Kelly especially appreciated the mentorship from professors Joel Sternberg and Jim Walker, who helped him develop a deeper understanding of media and communication. The lessons Kelly learned from them have stayed with him, especially the understanding of how different forms of media can shape an audience's experience.
When Kelly looks back on his time at SXU, his favorite memories include opportunities to work directly with media and explore the creative process.
"It was during that time that I began to understand that media wasn't only about communicating information. It could also tell stories, create emotion, and connect with people. I'm also proud that I was recognized as the top communication student during my senior year. That honor affirmed how much I had grown and how seriously I approached my work. More importantly, my experiences at SXU helped spark a creativity that I've carried with me ever since," said Kelly.
This October, Kelly and his brother will also be running a yard haunt in Orland Hills inspired by the novel.
"We wanted to give people the opportunity to step into the world we created and experience the atmosphere of the book in person. It's a fun way for us to combine our love of Halloween and horror with the story we've spent the last four years creating," said Kelly.
Kelly plans to continue building the Kelly Twins audience while developing future books and other storytelling projects. To learn more about the book and the authors, visit the Kelly Twins website. "Me and My Shadows" is available through multiple major booksellers.