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.
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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.
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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
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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!