Kelly Mustian is a historical fiction author who was born in Natchez, Mississippi. She is known for her work that has been featured in multiple literary journals and commercial magazines. Growing up in Natchez, which is the southern terminus of the historic Natchez Trace, Mustian developed a deep appreciation for the history and culture of the region, which has influenced her writing.
Mustian's debut novel, The Girls in the Stilt House, has received critical acclaim and commercial success. It is a USA Today and SIBA bestseller and was shortlisted for the 2022 Crook's Corner Book Prize. The novel has been praised for its vivid and atmospheric portrayal of life in the Mississippi Delta during the Great Depression. Mustian's ability to bring the past to life and create complex and relatable characters has earned her a reputation as a talented storyteller.
In addition to her work as a novelist, Mustian's writing has also appeared in numerous literary journals and commercial magazines. Her achievements in the field of literature have been recognized by the Mississippi Library Association, which awarded her the 2023 Author Award for Fiction. She is also a past recipient of an artist grant from the North Carolina Arts and Science Council. Currently, Mustian resides in North Carolina, where she continues to write and create captivating stories.