Tommie Kendall

Tommie Lee Kendall is an award-winning novelist and journalist whose storytelling is rooted in the landscapes of his Kentucky upbringing. A former sports editor and recipient of over twenty Kentucky Press Association awards, Tommie spent nearly a decade in the newsroom before turning his pen toward fiction.

Tommie is the author of four novels, including the Tommie Kendall Trilogy (101 Letters, Forgotten Secret, and The Beating Heart) and his latest 2026 release, To Pluto and Back. His work often explores the complexities of the human heart, a perspective sharpened by his current career as the CEO of The Dream Factory, Inc., where he helps grant wishes to children facing critical and chronic illnesses.

A lifelong athlete and former NAIA National Championship qualifier in cross-country and track, Tommie brings that same endurance to his writing process. Whether he’s crafting a novel or a short story like Old Mucky, his work reflects a deep commitment to the craft -- the lifelong drive to tell stories that resonate.

Tommie holds a Master of Public Health from Western Kentucky University and resides in Shelbyville, KY, with his wife, Ana, and their family. When he isn’t leading a national non-profit or training for his next run, he is likely at work on his next fictional journey.