Bio
Hi SmoochPit, I’m Kayla! I’m a romantic fantasy author based in the atmospheric Pacific Northwest and represented by Bethany Weaver of Weaver Literary Agency. My books tend to be fantasy-forward, but always with a very strong romantic plotline that highlights how two people, when brought together, can be far stronger than when they were alone. I was a 2025 SFWA mentor and a 2024 SmoochPit mentee myself.
Outside of writing, I’m an avid gamer (faves include Horizon, Pokemon, Zelda, and BG3), a casual crafty person (I crochet, cross-stitch, watercolor, do LEGOs), and I recently attended my first Ren Faire.
Manuscript
Wishlist
(MSWL)
I’m obsessed with books that suck me in and keep me wanting. Slow-burn, fast-burn, I love it all– I just want it to be so captivating I forget to come up for air. I crave yearning and angst. My tastes lean speculative and run the gamut along the fantasy-to-romance spectrum. I'm open to both Adult and New Adult romantic fantasy (fantasy-forward with romance), fantasy romance/romantasy (romance-forward with fantasy), paranormal romance, and speculative horromance.
Things I’m especially interested in:
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Non-Alpha MCs (I also love alphas too, but don’t hesitate to give me your unconventional MCs: your cinnamon buns, your betas, your foppish courtiers, and your intellectually strong gentlemen who are useless with a rapier, bless them)
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Subgenre blends, such as romantic fantasy that plays with horror elements, or horror with -romance and speculative elements (think Ava Reid’s INNAMORATA but with a HEA)
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Unique magic systems
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*True* enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, second chance, & begrudging allies
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Villainous FMCs with a redemption arc (think Xena: Warrior Princess)
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Feminine rage (women’s rights just as much as women’s wrongs)
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Why choose
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Werewolves, including omegaverse
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Lady knights
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FMCs with high agency and competency
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Gothic atmosphere and lush prose
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Magical storm chasers
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Post-apocalyptic/dystopian
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College settings and dark academia, but with a new or innovative twist
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Expansive fantasy worlds and characters willing to burn it all down for each other
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Highly political fantasy
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Mythical creatures, especially from non-Western mythology
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Found family and strong friend groups with lots of banter
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Commercially high concept books with strong pacing from page one
These are just some examples, so even if your book doesn’t hit on any of them, as long as it leans speculative, it’s probably a good fit for me.
I have no limits to violence/gore; in fact, if your book makes people go “oh, WTF” – I want it. No limit to sex on the page, but I do prefer 2+ spicy peppers. I am not the best fit for YA, hard Sci-Fi, historical, or any romance that features on-page sexual assault (true CNC is fine). Please don’t submit to me if there is any pet death.
Mentoring Style
Warm, thoughtful, and straight-forward. When we meet for the first time, we’ll talk about your goals, preferences, and how we can best work together to set you up for a successful revision. I like to comment in-line as well as give you a 5-10 page edit letter, half of which will likely be constructive feedback, and the other half will simply be me screaming like a feral raccoon about how much I love your book. I will be your BIGGEST hype girl. Troubleshooting magic systems is my jam and talking through how to heighten the romantic push-pull is my idea of a great time. I offer suggestions, but I also like to ask a lot of questions that are intended to help you think through potential changes. Ultimately at the end of the day this is *your* book and my goal is to help you achieve *your* vision.
Applications
from Connections
Please do not apply to me if we've ever beta read for each other or have had extensive conversations online or in-person. If we're in the same discord(s) or mutuals on social media but haven't talked more than a comment on a post here or there, feel free to apply!