About Me: Cloey Kinney

A Brief History

My mother clung onto my brother and I as kids. Not in a manner that’d warrant our own TLC documentary, but enough. I was twelve when I could walk the block alone. It’s worth mentioning that I was related to most of my town’s population. It was less of an adventure, and more of a brief family reunion every time we left the house. However, once I hit sixth grade, I was met with new faces when the small elementary schools were pushed together into one large middle school. Despite the feeling of ‘new,’ my mother has told the story a million times of how I spent the first day (Without taking into note how my mother was stalking me from the back of the parking lot next door, the story is quite cute). It was just me, a notepad, and an empty swing set to kick off this new chapter of my life. Little did anyone know, once I picked up a pen, I’d never put it down.

I was published for the first time that following year. Plucked among nine others nationally, and embarrassed beyond comprehension when they spelled my name wrong. This brief moment of fame started the unstoppable writing momentum. By 16, I had three publications. At 20, the age from which I write to you now, I have eight fictional publications and a multitude of articles scattered across independent newspapers.

The question of ‘what’ was never called into question. My grandmother tells me frequently that from day one, she saw the spark in my eye. That she never doubted what I’d do; it was always a matter of when. Looking at the world around me, finally fitted with adult money, this feels like a moment. One of the stories that I’ll be telling my nieces and nephews in twenty years. The moment that I decided that life is short and the world is large. I don’t want to waste another moment not chasing my dreams.

But… Who Are You?

Cloey Kinney, née sometime-2003, is a writer. I come from the green, empty lands of New Brunswick, Canada. I proudly represent Atlantic Canada, and am always happy to show strangers what Maritime hospitality means. I have one younger brother, two animals, and a collection of books that could fuel a fire for a million years. My favourite hobby, besides literature, is travelling and Doctor Who… One might have inspired the other.

I’ve published novels, short stories, and submitted various screenplays and comics to all sorts of publishers. My heart belongs to travel-writing and film, and one day I’d love to be on a set.

Random Facts

• I’m a die-hard Kansas City Chiefs fan
• I have a cat. His name is Leonardo DiCatrio Vasquez Kinney. He’s fully capable of responding to his name; but feigns deafness when he’s in trouble
• I’ve solo-travelled to Chicago, Miami, Portland, and soon Los Angeles!
• I’m a Toronto Film School alum
• After meeting Stephen King, I wrote a novel in two months; a very inspiring man

I Want To Travel!

In 2023, I conquered my first-solo trip. What began as a simple trip to Chicago for Lollapalooza extended into a pop-over to Miami for the day. My bank account cries, however, as this one trip ignited untamable wanderlust. Among the many cities and countries on my wish list are Brazil, French Polynesia, Rapa Nui, and Greece.

Some Influences…

Some of the creative minds that inspired me to start writing are R.L. Stine, Stephen King, Rick Riordan, and Kelley Armstrong. I’ve had the INCREDIBLE pleasure of meeting two of them in real life, and one via email. Should the day arrive where I meet R.L, my body would combust. Every day after school, I came home to binge Goosebumps, Fear Street, and compare theatrical release to the books (from day one, I have been been a creature of judgement).

Bouncing between several retail or hospitality jobs, I figured it was time to finally settle into a role I’d been chasing for nine years now; author. So, thank you for deciding to give the writer from Eastern Canada a chance. Happy to have you here, and I’m thrilled for all the articles to come.