Daily Inspiration: Meet Aimee Hardy

Today we’d like to introduce you to Aimee Hardy.

Hi Aimee, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started writing from a young age and always had my nose in a book. I was able to take college English classes in high school, so that by the time I graduated, I was in upper-level English, studying with some very talented writers. After earning my Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in English, I started teaching writing classes and writing my stories of my own. I loved the idea of disappearing into a good story and learning something new in a way that is accessible to a wide audience. A single story can change the whole world, and I knew that I had to write to make a difference in the best way I knew how: by writing and inspiring those around me to tell their stories as well.

In 2019, I received a Pushcart nomination for my short story “Paper” and started publishing my short stories, poetry, and articles in a wide array of literary magazines and publications. I moved out of the classroom in 2021 to pursue writing and editing full-time and decided to write longer fiction, like novels. My debut novel, Pocket Full of Teeth, was published in October 2024 by Running Wild Press (based in LA) and was named Best 100 Books of 2024 by Kirkus Reviews. It is a Southern Gothic about a haunted manuscript that causes ghosts to come to life once it is read. It’s a good read for anyone looking to escape into a creepy tale and learn something new along the way.

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?
It hasn’t always been a smooth road. For me, writing is a personal journey, and it’s a way to make sense of the world around us. I find that most writers are sorting through larger themes in their lives, such as, What does my life mean? Am I living to my fullest potential? What is my legacy? Am I deserving of love? They are able to answer these questions by living them out through their characters. Writing is practice; it’s hard and not always enjoyable, but it’s a journey to find our place and our purpose in the world.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a writer. I love to take familiar stories and tropes and turn them on their head. In my book Pocket Full of Teeth, I take old wives’ tales and mythology and turn them into something new. I love to play with perspective and structure, and love seeing how I can take familiar stories and tell them in new ways.

My biggest accomplishment is being named “Best 100 Books of 2024” by Kirkus Reviews. They called Pocket Full of Teeth “Haunting and powerful- this dark little gem of a novel is an absolute must-read.”

What’s next?
I look to continue writing. I have several novels that I’ve been working on and can’t wait to have them released in the near-future.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.aimeehardy.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aimeenhardy/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aimee.trutthardy/

Image Credits
Fred Hardy Photo