Performed by Val Cole
Kathryn is facing the longest battle of her life, even with the necessary resources she’s not only a victim but also an advocate for her own rights to find a way to stop her stalker from completely ruining the life she has left, after he had made her out to be the predator.
Get to know the writer:
What is your novel about?
Unfollow Me is a raw, visceral true crime memoir based on actual events Kathryn Caraway experienced as the target of a sadistic stalker.
What genres would you say this story is in?
True Crime, memoir, psychological thriller
How would you describe this story in two words?
Gripping, haunting
What movie have you seen the most in your life?
My go-to movie, especially on rainy days, is A View to a Kill because it was the first James Bond film I ever saw. I watched it with my dad, and that moment stuck with me—it was more than just a movie night; it was a special memory we shared. That combination of action, intrigue, and nostalgia has made it my favorite ever since.
What is your favorite song? (Or, what song have you listened to the most times in your life?)
Head Above Water, Avril Lavigne
Do you have an all-time favorite novel?
As an avid reader, this is a rapidly moving target for me. The one book I’ve read multiple times throughout the years from my childhood is Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck. It’s a novella, but it’s a classic. I’m fascinated by how emotionally rich and layered his writing is.
What motivated you to write this story?
Initially, I sat down to write this story to capture details before time eroded them. It wasn’t intended to be a book, much less for public consumption. Having experienced frustration with a lack of stalking resources, I realized there was power in sharing my story. For someone experiencing stalking victimization, I’ve included details—warning signs, methods on evidence collecting, coping strategies—that I feel would’ve been helpful to me during my darkest days as the target of a stalker.
If you could have dinner with one person (dead or alive), who would that be?
My grandmother. She passed away at the young age of 42, after my first birthday, so I have no memories of her. Yet, her presence has always been felt in my life. Writing was her passion, and the pieces she left behind has inspired my own love for writing.
Apart from writing, what else are you passionate about?
Advocating for victims of crime, specifically stalking. I’m currently advocating for Congress to make the National Protective Order database available to the public, similar to the Sex Offender Database. We live in a digital world and have the right to know if a potential intimate partner
What influenced you to enter your story to get performed?
When I came across the WildSound Writing Festival’s True Crime Novel Festival, I viewed it as an opportunity to help raise awareness about stalking. Too often in film and books, stalking is minimized, normalized, and even romanticized, rather than criminalized.
Any advice or tips you’d like to pass on to other writers?
It’s okay to write messy. Don’t try to make it perfect as you write—that’s what editors are for. Just focus on getting the story down.
Festival Reviews 