ABOUT US

When international bestselling author J. Kent Holloway began his writing career back in 2008, he'd already been working as a forensic death investigator for more than 13 years. Despite the fact he'd grown up on whodunnits as a kid, the last thing he wanted to do after working the real thing was write (or even read) mysteries; after all, he wrote (and read) fiction to escape the grind of his day-to-day life. He began his career by writing paranormal thrillers and adventure fiction. And he enjoyed it.

A couple of years into his writing career, he had the great honor of becoming friends with Warren Murphy, the prolific co-creator of "The Destroyer" (Remo Williams) series (one of Kent's all time favorite book series.) Warren took a liking to Kent and began mentoring him. Before long, Mr. Murphy began encouraging him to tap into his experience in homicide investigations and forensics to write something within the mystery genre. "Write what you know," he always told Kent. "You have such a unique experience that so many writers would kill for." So, after about a year of hounding, Kent Holloway set out to write his very first mystery. Or rather, a piece of crime fiction. That book, which was dedicated to Warren Murphy, was called "Clean Exit," and was one of Kent's most popular novels.

More than that, it ignited a passion for mysteries Kent had lost long before. You see, Kent got into the field of forensics because growing up he devoured all the Sherlock Holmes mysteries he could get his hands on. He loved Agatha Christie. Loved Hammett. And yes, even Warren Murphy's assassination duo, Remo Williams and his Master Chiun. With his love for mysteries burning once again, Kent set to writing several mystery series that became successes. And his own personal reading began to include all kinds of mysteries (although he is partial to the more lighthearted and humorous) along with thrillers alike.

This brings us to 2023. With retirement looming in just a few years, Kent Holloway, along with his high school pal and former newspaper publisher Sean Smith, has set out to create a business to continue after he is no longer knee-deep in dead bodies. What better way than to create a publishing company focused on the genres he loves more than anything else? Mysteries and thrillers are where his passion lies, and mysteries and thrillers are what he wants to focus on for the remainder of his life once he hangs up his Tyvek suit and latex gloves for good.

And that's how Charade Media, LLC was born. We hope you'll join us along our journey into the unknown!

" While working with Charade Media, it is my hope you will experience the personal dedication of our staff providing the best and most timely information necessary for both authors and readers alike. We will constantly work to review tactics and tools, aggressively market, and remain on the leading edge of technology to maintain Charade Media in the forefront of the publishing industry. My goal for Charade Media is to provide consistent communication, assertiveness, creativity, and relentless execution for each reader, author, as well as every member of our Charade Media staff. "

Sean Smith, Publisher

Our Team

Dedication. Expertise. Passion.

Sean Smith

Co-owner/Publisher

Sean has had the privilege of working in a variety of professions over the course of his career. Experiences include manufacturing executive, sales, newspaper publisher, real estate professional, and publishing executive. He and his family have moved cross-country multiple times during his career and have been fortunate enough to experience living in multiple regions of the country. After reconnecting with his high school pal Kent, it became apparent that the next business venture was on the horizon. The business venture… Charade Media. You can reach him directly at publisher@charadebooks.com.

Kent Holloway

Co-owner/Managing Editor

Kent Holloway is an international bestselling author of mysteries and thrillers since 2008. He’s been publishing his own books, as well as other authors for about the same length of time. In 2011, Kent started his first publishing company, Seven Realms Publishing, which was a huge success. Seven Realms published an assortment of genres and had the great fortune to publish books by NY Times bestselling authors David L. Golemon and Jeremy Robinson, as well as the debut mystery novel by Hy Conrad, one of the head writers of TV’s Monk. Despite his beginnings in paranormal thrillers, Kent’s main passion is mysteries…specifically lighthearted fun whodunnits.

You can reach him directly at editor@charadebooks.com.

Britin Haller

Senior Editor

Britin Haller has been training for this her entire life. She excelled in high school and college studies graduating with a Communications degree in Radio/TV/Film, Theatre, and Creative Writing and worked as the Public Service Director and Programming Assistant for a CBS television affiliate. As a celebrity wrangler, she regularly rubbed elbows with movie stars, sports stars, and rock stars, and in her capacity as a media escort for Penguin Random House, Hachette, and Simon & Schuster, she toured with New York Times bestselling authors. Brit has long been a talented solo editor for hire and is now excited to be part of a team with her Charade family.

Britin is co-founder of Messengers Paranormal (a ghost investigation team from South Florida) and for two years had her own column in GHOST! Magazine. She is currently serving her second term on the Board of Directors for the Mystery Writers of America Florida Chapter. She is a twice previous co-chair of their annual conference SleuthFest where she worked with Sue Grafton, Robert B. Parker, and many other legends. Brit is a film/TV reviewer for their monthly newsletter and a previous recipient of MWA Florida's highest honor, the prestigious Flamingo Award, presented for outstanding dedication to the chapter.

At literally any given point in her life, Britin’s best friend has been a cat. She believes in experiencing one new thing a week, so be prepared to be pulled into the fray.

She can be reached at bhaller@charadebooks.com.

Halle Smith

Acquisitions Editor/Editor

Halle Smith is currently attending Auburn University and will be graduating with a degree in professional and public writing. Despite the seemingly rigid nature of her academic pursuits, Halle is an avid pursuer of creative endeavors. From spending time in her pottery studio to discovering the mysterious and fantastical lands within the pages of her many books, Halle never shies away from an outlandish or thought-provoking idea. She is currently working on her first book.

Jordan Cooper

Marketing Director

Jordan is passionate about developing people and ideas to stand the test of time. He graduated with his master's in Educational Leadership from Texas Christian University and his bachelors at the University of North Alabama where he studied marketing and art. After getting his degrees, he moved to Nashville to focus on developing people through higher education and now works at Belmont University. He continues to find ways to challenge his creativity through working with Charade Media.

Avery Smith

Creative Content Specialist

Avery Smith is the Creative Content Specialist for Charade Media. After earning her bachelor's degree in English Literature from Belmont University, she accepted a job at Belmont and continues to write in her free time while working in student affairs. As an avid reader, Avery enjoys a good southern gothic. Some of her favorite authors include Flannery O'Connor, William Faulkner, and Lee Smith. She lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her cat, Mara.

"The way to despair is to refuse to have any kind of experience." ~ Flannery O'Connor.