Daily Inspiration: Meet Sandra K-Horn

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandra K-Horn.

Hi Sandra, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
After 31 years of teaching writing and communications in high schools, I retired in 2019 and started a new career as an author entrepreneur. My first novel, The Rabbit Trap (now updated and re-titled Downward Spiral), is about a talented young woman and her high school experiences. She tries to solve her problems of feeling alone, stressed, and self-worth by taking her father’s pharmaceutical drugs. It was awarded an honorable mention for the Eric Hoffer Award. My second novel, After the Tears Dry, brought together my experiences in politics and working on TV news. My main character, Marcie Reynolds, gives up her career to help her autistic son. After her divorce, she gets a job as a TV news producer and uncovers a conspiracy in the local city government. I shared in the book how it feels to be divorced and build a new life and career. My intention was to offer hope to others who have to start over in their careers. 

Undercover: Becoming Street Smart in Central Ohio was a five-year project. Meeting Sergeant Mike Powell (ret.) and Captain Shawn Bain (Ret) through teaching triggered a desire to tell their stories. Powell took part in over 5000 counts of drug trafficking and executed over 1500 federal/local search warrants. He is licensed with the Ohio Dept. of Mental Health and Addiction Services. Bain participated in over 3000 undercover buys and 1000 search warrants. They now travel through Street Smart Ohio and Global Drug Concepts, telling stories and displaying devices and examples of substances to make parents and individuals aware of what risks there are concerning substance abuse disorder. They are still making a difference in people’s lives. 

I love going to book fairs and book clubs. It is fascinating to discuss my books with individuals to hear what they felt and how they related to the characters. 

I have three new books in the works and am venturing into creating audiobooks. After the Tears Dry is available at barnesandnobel.com and on Spotify. 

I started teaching in Cleveland inner-city schools. Like all new teachers, I was going to change the world! I intended to bring innovative teaching methods and the love of reading to students. When Cleveland started ‘bussing’ teachers, I moved to a suburban high school. I stopped teaching for a while when my then-husband was elected mayor of Cleveland. As ‘First Lady,’ I put all my energy into issues related to young people. 

After my divorce, I moved to Columbus. I was a single mother and decided to re-enter the education field. Part of my assigned curriculum was to run and advise a TV news program for students. My students were awarded twelve outstanding awards from the National Academy of Television Arts and Science. I also taught American Literature and writing. I remarried during this time; my husband and I have been together for 30 years. 

Throughout my teaching career, I wrote and took courses to increase my writing knowledge. I now have the time to research and write. My stories have current themes. They can teach. I’ve melded my careers. 

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I would say no. When my former husband was mayor, there were always threats on his life. Because of this, he and I had police protection. I learned to respect what they do by putting their lives on the line for citizens daily. Being a spouse, former spouse, or child of a politician is not easy. People tend to judge or hold you responsible for decisions the husband or father makes. If that person is controversial, it can be more complex. 

Writing is a difficult task because it is subject to other people’s interpretations. Publishing is even more complicated. If you go the traditional route of finding an agent, it is a process. Once you find an agent, that person sells your book to publishers. It can take as long as two years for a book to reach the public. I just read an article that said agents can be like an eighth-grade soccer team. They bunch up after what is popular at the time. If you can afford to publish a book yourself, the book can be out in a short time. However, you face the prejudice of not being a traditionally published author. 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I write in two types of genres. I write literary fiction and nonfiction. With literary fiction, I research extensively. For authenticity, I visit locations, find advisors, and read numerous books and articles. For example, for Downward Spiral, even though it is considered Young Adult, I researched the subject of pharmaceutical drugs and teens. I met the police officer I later wrote about and asked him to advise me. I went to many talks and lectures. I interviewed an emergency nurse for the beginning chapter. 

For nonfiction, I take an approach like Studs Terkel. I like to interview people and tell their stories. 

I’m known for working hard, and I’m proud of that. I make my stories easy to read with short chapters. My readers have commented on that. My stories have current themes that make people think. 

Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
I am a risk taker just by being an independently published author. Like many authors, I am introverted, but I get out and talk to people about my books. For me, going into a bookstore and asking the manager to order my books is a risk. When I need to see a setting to write about it, ask a person for an interview, or submit a request for a grant, I am taking a risk. 

Contact Info:

• Website: sandrakhorn.net
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sandrakhornauthor/sandrakhornauthor
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sandrakhorn/
• Twitter: @skhorn
• Other: https://www.goodreads.com/wwwsandrakhorn