My Husband And I Built ‘A House of Art and Letters’ — And Now We’re Raising Our Daughters to Value Creativity (Exclusive)

‘My Husband And I Built ‘A House of Art and Letters’ — And Now We’re Raising Our Daughters to Value Creativity’

Kelsey Cox, a mother of two and aspiring novelist, shares her story of how she and her husband, Nick, have created a home filled with art and literature to instill the value of creativity in their daughters. The couple’s journey started with a shared dream of building a life surrounded by art and storytelling, inspired by Nick’s upbringing in a ‘house of art and letters’.

The idea of creating a ‘house of art and letters’ came about during a moment of watching a true crime documentary, where the phrase resonated with Nick and sparked a vision for their future together. As an established cartoonist and author, Nick’s creative background blended seamlessly with Kelsey’s aspirations of becoming a novelist.

Their love story began with a text message sent during Kelsey’s first date with Nick, expressing their shared passion for comic books, fairy tales, and storytelling. This initial connection led to a decade of conversations about the intricacies of storytelling, whether it be through writing, drawing, or analysing narratives. Their home reflects this shared passion, with original comic art adorning the walls and bookshelves overflowing with literary treasures.

Despite facing challenges such as difficult pregnancies and balancing motherhood with multiple online teaching roles, Kelsey found the strength to pursue her dream of writing a novel. Through the unwavering support of her husband, who encouraged her to attend a novel-in-a-year class and maintained a schedule for her writing, Kelsey’s debut thriller ‘Party of Liars’ became a reality.

The journey to publication was a collaborative effort between Kelsey and Nick, with his intricate watercolor paintings of independent bookstores adding a personal touch to the promotion of ‘Party of Liars’. The novel’s selection for the Indie Next List by booksellers across the country brought tears of joy to Kelsey, validating her years of dedication to storytelling.

As their daughters grow up surrounded by books and creativity, Kelsey and Nick aim to instil in them the belief that pursuing their passions is a worthwhile endeavour. The couple’s ‘House of Art and Letters’ serves as a testament to the power of creativity and the unwavering support that can fuel artistic aspirations.

‘Party of Liars’ is not just a mystery novel for Kelsey, but a milestone representing a decade of dedication to storytelling, late nights spent writing, and a marriage built on shared artistic pursuits. Through their shared journey, Kelsey and Nick have created a home where imagination thrives, and creativity is cherished as a way of life.