Kiera Atkins shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Kiera, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? What makes you lose track of time—and find yourself again?
Honestly, writing and creating. When I’m locked in with my books, music, or even just brainstorming business ideas, time flies without me even noticing. It’s like I step out of the world for a minute and just lock in to myself. This is when it feels like I found myself again. It’s like, this is what I’m supposed to be doing, like I was born for it. It’s grounding, but it’s also freeing at the same time.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Kiera Atkins, I’m a writer, creative, and founder of Starlight Dynasty Records and Publishing. I just released my debut book That Night, which is the start of a bigger vision by telling raw, and real stories that feel cinematic, like you’re watching them play out scene by scene. I built my brand to create space for authenticity, whether it’s through my books, music, or films. What makes my brand special is that everything I do comes from my personal lived experiences. I literally put a piece of myself or my environment right into my work so other’s can feel seen. Right now, I’m focused on building Starlight into a home for stories and sounds that last beyond the moment but for a lifetime.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was just that girl who was locked in on sports. Basketball was my anchor and that was my dream, but once that ended, I felt lost. That’s when writing, film, and music became my passion because it gave me a way to express myself and self heal, especially once I started putting pieces of myself or my life into my characters. I also made some bad choices in college that changed my life, but over time I realized they were major lessons I had to learn. And on top of that, I was influenced by society to be straight, that I couldn’t be gay or dress the way I do now as a masculine female, it was like being myself wasn’t right. But I learned you can’t let the world box you in. That’s what That Night: The Dynasty Series is really about. How identity, loyalty, and choices all collide. One choice, one relationship, or one moment can change your whole life. I want readers to see that through my characters, and maybe even see themselves in the story.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yeah, there were definitely moments where I felt like giving up. Times when life hit me hard. Losing the things I thought defined me, being stuck in situations that drained me and feeling like my work wasn’t being seen the way I knew it could. But those low points ended up being the push I needed to find my voice again. That’s how “That Night” was born I poured those feelings into my characters and turned setbacks into a story that could inspire and connect with the world.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My friends would probably say what matters most to me is staying true to my dreams, my people and myself. That’s the same energy I put into my book, making sure every character reflects real values and real lessons.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I want my legacy to be a resilient storyteller who turned their pain into purpose. I turned my struggles into stories that made people feel seen and inspired them to keep writing their own.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @starlightdynastypublishing
- Other: [email protected]
