Is there anything people don’t understand about your job that you wish they did?
I’m definitely focused on developing the libraries’ collections for the departments of English, Theatre, and the Culture, Advocacy and Leadership program. But I’m also focused on building community relations. I make a point when I meet with colleagues and campus partners to stay a little longer than necessary to chat with them and establish those personal connections. I do this outside of the libraries as well! Whenever I go out, I will try to connect with people—not only for myself but on behalf of the university.
What recent professional accomplishment are you particularly proud of?
This spring, I received the libraries’ Stellar New Staff Award, and I was extremely grateful and honored by the recognition. I feel like I’ve poured a lot of time and energy into my position, and it was very nice that my colleagues took notice of what I’m doing on campus, the relationships I’m building, and the effort I’m putting into the collections and to being part of the team. So that was very cool.
What’s your hidden talent that no one knows about?
I write comic books. My passion for comics burgeoned later in life—it wasn’t until my undergrad years that I started reading comics. I audited a comics course while pursuing creative writing. I wanted to write fiction, I wanted to write poetry, and then I discovered this perfect balance between art and prose, which is what comics are to me. It was really a revelation.
I started around 2012 writing comic scripts. I’ve done some sci-fi, some romance, some slice of life. I love the horror genre. And it’s something I hope to share with the Vanderbilt community and creative writers here. If anyone’s interested in showcasing that talent, I can help them get started.
King is among the organizers of the inaugural Nashville Comic Arts Festival, set for Sept. 14 in the Central Library Community Room.