Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelli Kassoff.
Hi Kelli, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My journey to becoming a bestselling author was born out of pain, healing, and an unshakable need to tell the truth. Unraveled, my breakout book, wasn’t just a book of stories—it was a mirror of the wounds I had spent years trying to hide.
I wrote it in the aftermath of a traumatic divorce, carrying the weight of an emotionally abusive relationship, the scars of infidelity, and unresolved childhood trauma.
For most of my life, I felt like I didn’t belong—like I was always on the outside looking in. Writing became my way back to myself. It was in the raw honesty of words that I finally found freedom.
When Unraveled hit the bestseller list, it wasn’t just a literary success—it was validation that even the most broken pieces can be shaped into something powerful.
Resilience isn’t something you’re born with—it’s something you build, moment by moment, choice by choice. Leaning into my dreams, even when they felt impossible, or scary, changed everything. It changed how I saw myself, how I carried my past, and how I moved through the world. I proved to myself that the woman I was in the hardest chapter of my life was not a true representation of the woman that I wanted to be. Change is possible.
Writing taught me that I didn’t have to stay trapped in old narratives—I could rewrite them.
Pursuing my passion with relentless honesty reshaped not just my career, but my sense of identity and purpose. The life I live now—rooted in creativity, courage, and integrity—is a life I choose to live. But chasing what sets your soul on fire has a way of transforming you. And in that transformation, I found success.
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?
The journey wasn’t without its struggles—some of them louder than others, some that whispered in the back of my mind with every step closer to a publication date.
Putting something so personal into the world felt like standing naked in front of strangers, waiting for their judgment. I was terrified of negative reviews, of people picking apart not just my writing, but the pain behind it. I worried that my truth might be too raw, too real, or worse—considered inauthentic.
I had to grow thick skin quickly, learning to separate my worth from people’s opinions while still staying open to feedback that could help me grow. There were days when writer’s block made me question whether I had anything left to say, and nights when the pressure of marketing my book felt heavier than writing it ever did. I feared failure, but I also feared success—what it might demand of me, how it might change things. But I kept going, because somewhere deep down, I knew my story would resonate across readership, with people in their varying stages of life — and I think the success of the book demonstrates that.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m Kelli Kassoff, a writer (short stories and poetry) who isn’t afraid to bleed on the page. I specialize in raw, emotionally driven storytelling that dives deep into the complexities of the human experience, trauma, healing, and self-discovery.
What I’m known for—especially through my bestselling novel Unraveled—is my willingness to speak the unspoken, to write the things most people are too afraid to say out loud. I don’t sugarcoat pain, but I also don’t leave it there—I show the grit, the growth, and the power of rising from it.
What sets me apart is my authenticity. Every word I write comes from a place of lived experience, deep empathy, and a fierce commitment to truth. I don’t just tell stories—I invite readers to feel them, to see themselves in them, and to know they’re not alone.
Which moment was my proudest—showing my children that my published book was available on Amazon (and BN.com, Walmart, Target). Seeing their smiles that their mom had her book on the bestselling list on Amazon was a memory I will never let go of.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
My advice would be to deep dive into the people who have been successful in your field. For me, that is reading across all genres, learning and appreciating various writing styles, supporting smaller authors and big authors, supporting local bookstores, etc.
Pricing:
- Unraveled Paperback 12.99
- Unraveled Hardback 22.99
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.kellikassoff.com
- Instagram: @author.kellikassoff
- LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/kelli-kassoff-knop-a59799352
- Twitter: @kellikassoff
Image Credits
Amanda Liberto (Professional Headshot)
