Florida Folklore & Humid Horrors : A Life in the Middle
My name is Kelly Skaggs at I'm not good at introductions.
I’ve spent my entire life in Florida, starting in Central Florida before moving to the Gulf Coast as a very young adult. My writing journey began with poetry, initially without any desire for publication. Recently, I have returned to fiction, drawn to folklore, liminal spaces, and the subtle ways ordinary places become dangerous. I write horror fiction that emphasizes atmosphere over spectacle and discomfort over explanation.
In 2025, I published my first book, a collection of short stories, and I’m currently working on a second collection.
In addition to that, I’m excited to announce that I'm developing a full-length novel that explores Florida’s storm history, delving into what happens when disaster follows a pattern that no one is quite willing to name.