An Interview with Dixie L. King

Dixie L. King has been writing since she was seven years old, when she taught herself to type on her father’s big metal Smith Corona typewriter. She wrote her first novel at eleven; however, despite the fact that it was about drug trafficking (about which she knew nothing), took place in New York City (which she had never visited), and involved a woman working at the United Nations, not only did Harper and Row refer it to the children’s lit editor (she was insulted), but they rejected the book. Dixie gave up writing novels and became a cultural anthropologist. She has since returned to her first love. She served as executive director of the International Women’s Writing Guild from 2014 to 2018 and published her first novel, Ithia’s Dance, in 2026. Her second novel in the series, Spirit and Bone, will be coming out in 2027.

---

---

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

Ithia’s Dance came organically, through a scene in which Ithia, the consort of the god of winter, brings the dead to life.

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

The team at Atmosphere really worked with me on the cover and took my feedback seriously. I am in love with the cover! And I get comments from friends and readers constantly on how beautiful the images are.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I’ve been writing since I was seven years old – I even remember the moment when I realized that writing was just taking the words I would speak and putting them on paper, as if I were telling a story to another kid. I’ve been a technical writer my entire career, but it took a different brand of courage to start putting my creative writing out into the world.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I’m a cultural anthropologist and, as I primarily write fantasy, my education and training has a profound impact on my world building.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

I worked really hard to produce the very best book I could, using critique groups, beta readers, and a book coach to get it where I wanted it. Holding the finished product in my hands, and then getting very positive independent reviews, was one of the highlights of my life.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

My perfect reader is someone who loves epic fantasy and engages deeply with my characters. My perfect reader is someone who would love to sit down with me and discuss the internal and external motivations and psychological drives of my characters! I hope readers remember the story, and maybe even get a bit of a chill remembering a particular scene.

What creative projects are you currently working on?

I’m working on some memoir pieces I’m submitting to literary journals as I work on book two of The Sun God’s Children: Spirit and Bone.

How was working with Atmosphere Press? What would you tell other writers who want to publish?

Working with Atmosphere has been rewarding. The communication has been great overall, and my developmental editor made some small suggestions that made a big difference. I would definitely recommend Atmosphere to writers who have put in the time and sweat to create their best work.

---

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.