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knowledge of cutting-edge technology and drawing on his experiences in the military and trauma hospitals, the author spins a tale that keeps readers on the edge of their seats.

Kelso did not follow a traditional path to success as an author, but one paved with the education and professional experienc- ination to conceive storylines that are set slightly ahead of current technologies, but are totally believable.

Tom received a BA from Virginia Tech in political science, with a minor in English. But a love of sports and exercise (he was a standout athlete in high school) prompted him to take a physiology elective, which ignited his interest in pursing an advanced degree in biological sciences.

Kelso received a PhD in exercise physiology from Washington State’s School of Veterinary Science in 1987. While there, he had the opportunity to work in a lab that studied thoroughbred race horses, analyzing the effects of exercise on equine muscle metabolism. That experience no doubt planted the seed for his second novel, set in the world of professional horse racing. A calling to work directly with patients, and a terrible allergy to cats, led Tom on to medical school. Wife Vicky, who he met at Virginia Tech, was supportive of his continued journey in academia, but the young couple worried about tuition costs. Having grown up in a military family — Tom’s father was an Admiral in the Navy — he applied for and received an Armed Forces Health Profession Scholarship, which paid for med school in exchange for a commitment to serve. Tom earned his MD from the University of Maryland in 1991 and subsequently began his service in the Navy. He completed a five-year residency at the Portsmouth Naval Hospital and from there, served his “payback” years as a medical officer aboard the guided missile cruiser, USS Virginia. Another two years on the teaching staff at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth followed, where he was assigned as the orthopedic surgeon for the Naval Special Warfare Development Group (aka Seal Team Six.)

After a total of nine years in the Navy, Tom and Vicky, by then parents of two teenage children, were ready for a return to civilian life. In 2000, he accepted a lucrative position as a trauma surgeon at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Missouri, where the Kelso’s remained until 2010. Over the years, Kelso became head of a team of 15 orthopedic surgeons, was named team orthopedic surgeon for Missouri State University, and team doctor for the Springfield Cardinals, a minor league baseball team. But the demands of his profession took a toll on the Kelsos. Once their children left for college, daughter Tori went to Virginia Tech and son Frank to Wake Forest, Tom and Vicky began to miss their extended families back east.

While on vacation in Holden Beach, Tom scouted the region’s job market and arranged an exploratory meeting with an orthopedic surgeon in the area, ultimately leading to a position at what is now Emerge Ortho. The Kelsos moved to Brunswick County in 2010, and ultimately settled in St. James. As life would have it, their children relocated westward, with

Tori now residing in Kansas City and Frank in Austen, Texas with his family (the Kelso’s have one grandchild.)

Tom currently practices at Emerge Ortho’s facilities in Shallotte and Leland. With so much time in the car, the self-proclaimed bibliophile listens to podcasts and audio books.

“I’ve always been a voracious reader, a hobby I attributes to my mother, Landess. I spent countless hours in libraries growing up. Mom would take us to the library on whatever Navy base my dad was stationed at. We lived behind a city branch library in Virginia Beach. I would walk there and exchange books all the time. I worked in the library as a part time job while in college and practically lived there during undergraduate and graduate school,” Tom said.

Tom has been drawn to detective series and thrillers since childhood. He read all of The Hardy Boys books several times, and devoured series like Jupiter Jones and Kid Detectives. As he matured, authors like Alistair McLean and Ken Follet became favorites. Now, Tom always has a book on his nightstand.

“Currently I’m reading Noah Gordon’s ‘The Physician’ and have a medical thriller by Tammy Evliano called ‘Fatal Intent’ on my reading list,” he said.

In 2014, while attending a family gathering on Sunset Beach, Tom says he had a moment of clarity where he made the decision to embark on his lifelong dream of writing novels. While his career as a surgeon remains his primary professional focus, writing is a creative outlet that provides him a chance to stretch his mind and nourish his creativity.

“I always knew Tom wanted, and had the ability, to write a book and that one day he would be able to achieve that goal,” said Vicky.

Tom spent six months writing his first draft of “Fractured,” which revolves around stem cell technology that can heal fractured bones in a matter of days. He took his manuscript to Susan Warren, the owner of a (now-defunct) bookstore in Southport for advice. Warren liked the book and saw its potential, but suggested he re-write the whole thing in third person (the original draft was written in 1st and 3rd person). Tom spent nearly four years perfecting “Fractured,” enlisting the services of developmental editor Chantel Amie Osman.

Attempting to get the book published, Tom sent query letters to 75 agents and also attended the NYC Thriller Fest where he participated in a “Pitch Fest.” Although the initial response was good, more than a year passed without a contract. Tom decided to participate in a contest run by Amazon Kindle Scout. His book was selected as a winner and published by Amazon in 2018. In 2019, “Fractured” was a finalist for the “Silver Falchion Award” for best thriller at the Killer Nashville International Writers Conference.

Kelso’s second book, “Hyperion’s Fracture” was published in 2019 as a continuation of the Mark Thurman series. That book, which features an injured racehorse treated by Thurman’s innovative technology and a revolutionary new drug treatment, won the Silver Falchion Award in 2020!

Tom says he is self-taught when it comes to writing fiction. He spent a good deal of time researching story structure and dialog, attended several writers’ conferences, and read numerous books on writing technique, his favorite being Stephen Kings

“On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft.” Because all of his books have elements of truth in the fields of science and medical technology, Tom does a tremendous amount of research.

“It has to be plausible for readers to buy in,” Kelso says.

Tom’s publicist, Chelsea Beard of Let’s C Marketing, says: “Tom is always drawing inspiration from experiences we have in the operating room and the latest technology. He was one of the first surgeons in the area to perform robotic knee surgery and I think it goes to show how he truly believes in the medical innovations he writes about.”

After months of floating story ideas in his head, Kelso creates a loose outline that is always “subject to change.” He writes a first draft with no regard for quality, just to get his thoughts down on paper. Like a disciplined professional, he has created a writing routine that allows him to stick with it. Although he says he is most creative in the mornings, he does have that day job, so he writes on weekday evenings from7-9 pm, and on the weekends from 7 am to noon.

“Like with anything you want to master, it’s a constant effort until the goal is achieved,” the author wisely states.

Tom credits his wife for her supportiveness and her help in promoting his craft. After 42 years of marriage, Vicky is unfazed by her husband’s tireless work habits.

“We have a routine when he starts on the next project. Once that creativity kicks in you don’t want to interrupt his thought process.”

One of the things that serves Tom well as both an author and a surgeon is his ability to empathize with his patients. Dr. Kelso says that understanding the different emotional and physical needs of his patients helps him develop the best plan for each person. It’s a trait that also helps him create fictional characters who are believable and who project an emotional quality that readers can relate to.

“Dr. Kelso is very approachable and that’s why his patients and readers love him! I believe that because the surgical line of work can be very stressful, the writing aspect is something he just has fun with and truly enjoys himself,” says Chelsea.

Tom also has fun and relieves that stress through exercise and physical activity. He rides his bike as often as he can, typically completing a 22-mile route through St. James and frequently adding extra miles pedaling the length of Oak Island. He and Vicky love to travel and have taken several trips with a group from the Southport wine shop, Uncorked by the Sea.

With the brilliant mind of a surgeon, a curiosity about cutting edge science and medical technology, and a lifelong love of mysteries and thrillers, Dr. Tom Kelso has the ability to invent thrilling stories that blur the fine lines between fiction and reality. Don’t miss this terrific read!