Holly Wilson is an accomplished author and professor of creative writing. She has been an associate professor in the literature, writing and film department for thirteen years, making a name for herself both as a writer and as a well-liked and respected professor.
Holly went to college at Wichita State University and got her Master’s of Fine Arts at Wichita State. After she got her MFA, she became a Kingsbury Fellow at Florida State University, where she got her doctorate in creative writing.[1]
Holly began her writing career by publishing in various literary magazines, such as Narrative, Redivider, Northwest Review, Short Story, New Stories from The South, etc.

Interview with Holly Wilson
As a writer, I frequently look to other writers to glean more information and expand my knowledge base of the craft. Being able to to learn from other writers is one of the most important tools in a writer’s kits. I emailed my former creative writing professor, Holly Wilson, to see what I could discover about her identity as a writer and what her writing process is. I include in this post a few of the questions and answers from the interview.
Q. How do you approach overcoming writer’s block?
A. The only thing that works for me is 1) reading more, and 2) just writing through it. If you keep your butt in the chair, eventually something will show up.
Q. What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received about writing?
A. Write the sort of book that can only exist because you exist.
Q. What advice would you give someone trying to get published for the first time?
A. Read as much as possible, don’t send your work out until it’s as good as you can possibly make it, and learn to love rejection.
Q. Were there any particular moments or milestones that solidified your confidence as a writer?
A. Nothing really hits quite like walking into a random bookstore and seeing your book on display for the first time. I still feel like an imposter most days, but that moment for sure helped.
Q. Who were your biggest influences as a writer?
A. Too many influences to name, but Mark Richard has been a very important writer to me. His prose was a revelation when I first encountered him. His short stories and novel Fishboy gave me permission to do all sorts of things.
Reviews
For Holly Wilson’s debut novel, Kittentits, there are several reviews that praise her distinctive writing. In one, the reviewer notes, “Wilson demonstrates exceptional artistry with the supporting characters, capturing the fundamental experiences of trust, friendship, love and loss.”[2] In another, a reviewer says that ‘Kittentits’ by Holly Wilson is a whimsical and provocative exploration of identity, femininity, and the intersection of humor and vulnerability.”[3]
If you are interested in reading a book that is absurdist and outside of your traditional perspectives, I would recommend you read Kittentits by Holly Wilson as a challenge to your sensibilities and perspective of the world around you.

[1] “About,” Wilson Holly, accessed December 10th, 2024,
https://www.wilsonholly.com/
[2] “Kittentits,” Bookpage, accessed December 10th, 2024,
https://www.bookpage.com/reviews/kittentits-holly-wilson-book-review/
[3] “Member Reviews,” Net Gallery, accessed December 10th, 2024,
https://www.netgalley.com/book/312271/reviews