I write science fiction and fantasy with romance included in the storyline, whether primary or secondary. Escapist fiction! I also write contemporary and paranormal romance. Like most authors, I’ve been doodling stories in pieces since I could lift a pencil, but aside from a few creative writing courses in college, I only got serious about learning the craft with an eye on publication in 2001. Two of my short stories have been published by The Wild Rose Press, soon to be joined by my first full-length novel The Empire's Edge.
I hold a BS in Zoology, from Oregon State University. After volunteering with wildlife rehab for a summer, I worked as a zookeeper for five years. Animals I cared for include porcupines, river otters, birds of prey (I have falconry handling knowledge as well as vet care) fish, reptiles, amphibians, insects and spiders (Black widows– I squished them at home and fed them yummy crickets at work...).
Hobbies: gardening (sort of), knitting, sewing, crochet, quilting, reading and writing. A student of kenpo karate, I'm learning how to use nunchucks, sticks and staves as well as my hands and feet to cause pain…lots of fun. And I'm a darn good shot with a pistol. I was in the SCA in college, a medieval historical recreation society. I helped create armor, hand hammered from sheet metal, and chain mail with hand-turned wire. I was into costuming (any excuse to play dress-up) and watching sword battles from the sidelines. Post-college, I played a live-action version of Vampire the Gathering (Whitewolf Publishing) with a large group of gamer geek friends, and I also played tabletop AD&D, Cyberpunk, and Shadowrun. All storytelling outlets...hmmm....
Nowadays, I'm married, raising a daughter, writing and editing, in between learning all about marketing my author self. We live in Oregon on a hill, under trees.
Contact me at mail@kellymccrady.com
My favorite authors and why (alphabetically):
Sharon Green: Strong heroines who are capable with either weapons or magic, yet are vulnerable emotionally, and muscle-bound heroes who are a perfect match for love– if the heroine can see past her shortcomings. Writes great sex. Has also written regency romance and erotica. I like her work from the 80's & early 90's. Read: Lady Blade, Lord Fighter, The Rebel Prince, Dawn Song.
Holly Lisle: Passion for life and the importance of doing what you can to make the world a better place seem to be themes that jump from her work. On her website are volumes of helpful essays and workshops. Read: The Devil and Dan Cooley, Memory of Fire
Anne McCaffrey: Worldbuilding. She’s awesome. I want to live on Pern...She builds realistic love into her stories. She also has a contemporary romance, The Lady, set on a horse ranch in Ireland. Her descriptions were so vivid it made me want to take riding lessons. Read: The Ship Who Sang, The Lady, The Rowan, anything from the Dragonriders of Pern series.
Sharon Shinn: She creates cultures in her worlds that feel like they’ve been established for centuries, and characters with strong opinions within that framework who find love in spite of it. Read: Heart of Gold, The Shapechanger’s Wife, Wrapt in Crystal, The Samaria series. Also wrote an excellent futuristic remake of Wuthering Heights, titled Jenna Starborn.
