need a bit more info for a school report?

Look no further! Here’s my brief history…

Elementary and Middle School

I was born in late November in 1986, in a small town in eastern Iowa, right on the Mississippi. No, like, really—the Mississippi is my backyard. Which means I spent a lot of summers fishing and boating, and a lot of winters ice skating. My parents divorced when I was eight. My dad ran a sports store, and my mom worked as a secretary at the local college.

Honestly, my childhood sounds kind of typical for an author. I was a complete nerd and introvert and didn’t have many friends. I read a lot of books and loved playing with LEGO and K’Nex. Despite my dad’s business, I wasn’t sporty in the slightest…though I did like skiing and swimming. I was very interested in how things worked, and loved science and paleontology and archeology and Egyptology and… Well, you get the picture. I was the kid making science experiments out of stuff I found in the kitchen.

Which is how I learned that you should not microwave aluminum foil.

I was also telling a lot of stories around this time. My parents kept many of them. My favorite titles include “James Bond and the Giant Peach” (Hollywood—I think I was on to something) and “Spiders Don’t Eat Spaghetti.” I loved illustrating these stories, and my notebooks are filled with pictures of dinosaurs and monsters and inventions. I don’t think my drawing skills have improved much since then.

I started making more friends in middle school. We were all the outcasts, but we had a blast. Most of us were in band (I played alto saxophone), and we’d spend our time after school playing video games (N64 or GameCube or PS2) and drinking a lot of Mountain Dew and eating too much sugar. During a few lunch breaks every week we had a book club, which basically gave us an excuse to avoid bullies and read a lot of fantasy novels.

I tended to be the kid who got along better with adults than my classmates. And I had some amazing teachers who supported me and gave me the encouragement to follow my passions. (Mrs. Russel, Mrs. Fate, Mrs. Holcomb, Mrs. Witt—y’all were my lifelines)

Early high school

My freshman and sophomore years were spent at the public high school. There, I got even more involved in band, and joined the marching band, concert band, jazz band, and even an after-school funk band. I truly thought I was going to be a musician when I got older—I thought I would be the next Kenny G. Spoiler alert: that changed. My friend circle expanded a bit, and we started getting more into anime and manga and costuming. I learned how to sew, and we went to a few anime conventions together. Like I said: big nerds.

Around this time, I discovered Cirque du Soleil, which introduced me to a world of art and magic I never knew existed. I was hooked, and knew that someday, I needed to join the circus.

I also started getting more into writing. I joined the student newspaper and, in addition to my ‘serious’ reporting, did a weekly satirical Horoscope column. I took my first creative writing class my sophomore year, and that changed everything.

I was very frustrated with where I grew up. There just wasn’t anything to do (beyond video games and finding ways of entertaining ourselves). We didn’t even have a coffee shop to hang out in! So, halfway through my sophomore year, I took the chance and applied to Interlochen Arts Academy, to study creative writing. I never in a million years expected to get in. But… I did! In a matter of months, my life changed entirely.

Boarding School

My final two years of high school were spent at a boarding school. I was eight hours away from home, in the middle of the woods with a few hundred other artsy kids from all over the world. Every one of them was intensely dedicated to their craft, and very, very moody. It was a reality show in the making. Although I made good friends, it was a very hard experience. I also was still trying to understand my sexuality. Without any good LGBTQ+ roll models in my life, I didn’t understand all these feelings I was having. Thankfully, when I came out as gay at 17, I had the support of my family and friends.

While I was at Interlochen, I studied creative writing intensively. The school didn’t believe in teaching “genre” fiction at the time, so I wasn’t allowed to write my real passion—fantasy. Instead, I read a lot of poetry and nonfiction and “literary fiction.” I had a lot of homework. I learned a great deal, especially about the importance of hard work and discipline and perseverance. My writing skills improved.

I also came to hate writing. I was basically taught that genre fiction wasn’t worth notice, which told me that what I loved just…wasn’t worth pursuing. I struggled.

I tried switching majors to visual arts or costuming, but since my time was drawing to a close, I stuck it out with writing and was sort of the embarrassment of the department, since I never really became the sort of writer they seemed to want me to be. (Thankfully, I had one teacher who taught a fantasy class and believed in me, and I owe her a lot. Thank you Miss Tye!) I graduated in 2005.

I never earned any awards. I never won any writing contests. I thought I was a failure. I thought I was done with writing for good.

That said, even though it was hard, and there were a lot of lows, Interlochen was a magical time, and I still miss it immensely.

College

The first college I attended was Colby. I lasted one semester there before realizing it wasn’t for me. So I came back to Iowa for the spring semester and waited tables at the local Italian restaurant.

The next fall, I attended Marlboro College, a tiny school in the woods of southern Vermont. Like Interlochen, it was small—about 400 kids. Like Interlochen, it was intense—it made the list as having the most homework of any college in the US. I studied anthropology and dance and art. I loved my time there, but it still didn’t feel right. So I transferred to Bennington College the next year.

At Bennington, I studied visual art, with a focus in photography. I spent my nights in the darkroom or wandering around the massive arts building, or else sitting out under the stars staring at the mountains. I loved the sort of magic I could make in the darkroom, including ‘ghost’ photographs and playing with light. We were able to create our own majors and explore what we wanted. It felt amazing.

At the end of my Junior year, I finally took the steps to achieve my life’s dream of going to Scotland. I acquired a work visa and a job at a hotel on Loch Ness for the summer. I was going to finally wake up and listen to bagpipes and drink tea and watch for Nessie and explore castles! Then I broke my arm.

I ended up canceling my summer trip and instead went to Scotland the next Fall. I loved it so much, I came back to do a study abroad term the first semester of my Senior year (It took me a long time to get my bachelor’s degree, friends). While there, I took courses in Celtic studies and Egyptology.

As you probably noticed, I wasn’t taking any writing classes, and barely took any literature courses. I was still feeling burnt from my time at Interlochen. However, I was still writing. Just not in a classroom setting. I worked on multiple drafts of my first novel, The Ivy Gate (never published) and tried to get an agent. I didn’t. Not yet. I graduated from Bennington College in 2010.

post-Graduation

I was lost after graduation. I didn’t know what to do or where to go. So I took a chance and moved to western Massachusetts to open an art studio with a friend of a friend. I was planning on doing metalsmithing, a hobby from boarding school. But although we found a studio space, it never really got off the ground. By a cosmic twist of fate, my roommate mentioned nearby authors were looking for an assistant, and I applied. I got an interview. And the job.

Turns out, those authors looking for help had the studio right next to mine. Holly Black and Cassandra Claire.

Working as their assistant reignited my passion for getting published. I polished up my new manuscript (eventually published as Runebinder) and after many rounds, finally got an agent. I also got accepted into the Master’s Program at University of Glasgow. So, a year after moving to Massachusetts, I packed up and moved overseas.

Grad School

I finally got back into studying Creative Writing at an academic level. Being back in Scotland inspired me, as well as being surrounded by so many talented authors. I worked on a book for my final project. That book was published a few months after my graduation: The Immortal Circus. I graduated in 2012

Circus

During all of this, I was actively training and working in the circus arts. I first started my training at Nimble Arts (now known as NECCA) in Brattleboro, VT after my time at Colby College. I was hooked. I took more classes and trained on my own and with friends (including at the local YMCA) In the States, I worked with a fabulous group based out of Kalamazoo, MI called the Aerial Angels. In Scotland, I worked with Aerial Edge and Spinal Chord Projects as an instructor, teaching silks and trapeze in old churches.

I never joined Cirque du Soleil, but I was able to train and teach in some amazing places, including Amsterdam and Madrid and Norway. I also met some of my dearest friends.

After/Now

After graduating with my Masters, I decided to take another risk and move to Seattle, which I had never visited before. I only knew two people, and I first moved into an artist squat in an abandoned warehouse. It was actually amazing.

Since then, I’ve moved all around the city, and I’ve also spent a fair bit of time outside of it. I moved to LA for a year, thinking I’d become a screenwriting star (it didn’t happen…yet). I moved to Hawaii on the day the volcano erupted, knocking out the retreat center I was supposed to be working at. So that didn’t last long. I also moved to Scotland on another work visa, but Seattle called me back.

So here I am! I’ve spent the last few years writing constantly. I started with adult fantasy and YA, and stumbled into writing creepy kids books almost by chance (though I absolutely love it). I had the honor of working with a circus-based entertainment company in Seattle for a few years, but my circus work has slowly slid into the background. Now, my focus is on writing and discovering as many stories as I can.

I currently travel the world with my amazing husband. Together, we live in Europe, where we are free to live and love openly.

Rapid Questions

What did you want to be when you grew up?

Artist
Musician
Scientist
Contortionist
Egyptologist

Fave books growing up?

Animorphs
Goosebumps
The Chronicles of Prydain
Redwall
Sabriel

Favorite movies? (these admittedly haven’t changed since I was 16!)

Nightmare Before Christmas
Hocus Pocus
Beetlejuice
Labyrinth
The Dark Crystal
The Craft

Favorite things about yourself?

Resilience: I don't give up when I set my sights on something
Creativity: I've always liked making things and telling stories, from Legos to novels!
Resourceful: I'm pretty good at making things out of nothing. I was the kid who spent hours making inventions out of paperclips and tape. I still do.
Compassionate: I've always tried to understand and respect how other people think and feel.
Impatient: Yeah, 'impatience' isn't usually seen as a good quality. But I'm the type who won't sit around and wait for things to happen--I go make them happen! Sometimes it gets me into trouble.
Adventurer: Maybe because I grew up in the middle of nowhere, I've always wanted to explore the world. And that's never gone away. I didn't have a lot of money growing up so I had to learn how to travel cheaply, including getting work visas so I could wait tables in other countries!

Greatest Accomplishments

Traveling to Scotland.
Joining the circus.
Publishing a book!
Getting a movie deal. (The movie never happened, but I felt like a superstar when a producer wanted to try to make Immortal Circus into a show.)
Writing for Scholastic

What would you want to do if you weren’t an author?

Work in a plant nursery
Be an interior designer
Professional travel writer
Work in a National Park
Teach circus arts

Any siblings? A younger brother!

Favorite color? Purple

Favorite season? Fall

Favorite book? Don’t make me choose!

Favorite Movie? The Nightmare Before Christmas

Favorite song? Current: Final Girl by CHVRCHES

Coffee or tea? Nothing beats a good latte or cup of Earl Grey

Cats or dogs? Both! Though I’m mildly allergic to cats

Do you have any pets? Sadly not. Too much traveling.

Morning person or night owl? I try to be a morning person, but definitely night owl.

Where do you want to visit next? Japan

What’s your next big project? So many. All the time.

Play any instruments? Alto sax. At least I think I can still play it… And learning the hurdy gurdy!

FAQs

Why do you write horror books? Do you like scaring kids?
Hah! I honestly never thought I would get into writing horror books for children. I was a complete scaredy-cat growing up. My biggest fear—besides monsters under the bed and the dark—was dolls. (I still sometimes get freaked out by them.) But, looking back, I also loved reading scary stories and creeping myself out. I think reading scary books helps us face our fears in a safe, productive environment (after all, we know the book will end and the nightmare will be over!) which makes us into stronger adults.
But also, hey—sometimes it’s just thrilling to be a little scared! Scary books are a lot of fun to write, and (hopefully!) just as fun to read.
What books or movies scared you the most as a kid?
Can I tell you a secret? I was terrified of the movie “Gremlins” as a kid. I still sometimes have nightmares about those big-eared critters. It took years for me to realize it was meant to be a comedy (now I love those movies). Truly, I was a scaredy-cat. Back in the days of video rental stores, I’d get scared of VHS covers for horror or alien movies. That said, I still watched shows like “Are you afraid of the dark?” and read all of the “Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark”… I guess a part of me liked being a little creeped out!
Do you believe in ghosts?
Yes. I’ve heard enough strange noises in the night and creepy shadows in the woods to know we’re not as alone as we think we are…
Is there another author writing as K.R. Alexander?
Yes. There is another author writing Paranormal Romance novels under the name K.R. Alexander. I personally do not write or publish these books. If you don’t see a book listed on this website, I most likely didn’t write it!
Can you come to my school?
If you are school in the States, I am afraid the answer is no. I now live overseas, and due to the increasingly dangerous political climate for authors and queer persons such as myself, I no longer offer school visits in America. If you are of voting age, please vote for candidates dedicated to protecting free speech and the safety of LGBTQ+ folks.
If you live in Europe (which is where I now reside), please reach out and we can coordinate!
Can you sign my books?
As I am no longer living in the US, I am unable to sign books for readers at the moment. If I am back for special events, I may be able to sign stock. But I am currently unable to sign on an individual basis.

Where do you get your inspiration?
This is such a tricky question! My inspiration comes from all over. Sometimes it’s from a conversation I’ve had or a place I’ve visited, sometimes a book I read or song I heard gets my brain going, sometimes I wake up in the middle of the night with an idea, or one pops into my head before I fall asleep. Most of the time, my inspiration starts with a question: What if __? I love asking questions, and the more I ask, the more fun paths my writing takes.
What’s your process?
I just…write! Seriously. I don’t have any secret formulas. Usually I’ll just brew a cup of coffee or tea and sit down (often in silence) and open a Word document and just…write. I also spend a lot of time staring out the window or at the wall, thinking. Which means I don’t usually work in public because people think I’m staring at them. Some days it’s a lot harder than others, but the only way to write a book is to sit down and write it, one word at a time.
What are your hobbies?
I love being outside. I think in another life I’d like to work in a plant nursery, or in a National Park as a ranger. Going on walks is one of my favorite things. But since I live in Seattle where it rains a lot, I also love indoor activities like playing video games or making crafty things. I’m also a huge movie buff. Also, obviously, I love reading.
Do you have any siblings?
Yup! I have a brother who is four years younger than me.
What is your favorite place in the world?
That’s a tie between my comfy bed, or the misty moors of Scotland.
I wrote a book/have an idea for one. Can you read it?
I’m so honored that writers trust me enough to seek out my counsel. However, due to legal reasons, I am unable to read unpublished manuscripts unless it is in an editorial (paid) position.
How do you pronounce your last name?
My family pronounces “Kahler” as “Kay-luhr” but honestly I think we’re saying it wrong.

Are you gay?
Yup!
Are you on social media?
Nope! I (and many experts!) find social media to be distracting and bad for mental health.
How do I get published? Can you help?
Publishing is a difficult realm to break into; I appreciate that more than most. Having grown up in the Midwest, I didn’t have publishing contacts when starting out. I spent years researching the industry and how to get in. I sent out dozens/hundreds of queries for multiple projects, faced many, many rejections, and attended numerous local and distant conferences. When I finally did land an agent, my study helped me understand the industry and manage my expectations. Even then, that was just the beginning of my long journey to publication.
This is all to say, I truly can’t help fledgling authors besides saying Keep Going. There are many paths you can take, from traditional (getting an agent) to self-pub, and what works for one won’t work for another. There’s no Golden Ticket to the front of the line, no quick path to getting published. I can’t connect you with my agent/editor/publisher save for pointing you to their main website and having you take the same route I did. Not the answer you wanted, perhaps, but it’s the route 99% of authors take, and it’s one that we all have to walk on our own. Thankfully, there are a great many resources out there to help you polish your query or connect you to local resources that can help support you along the way.
Why did you pick _X_ cover for your book?
I didn’t! Little known secret: authors have very little say (often, none) in their book covers. I’m lucky to have worked with some amazing artists and designers over the years, and sometimes we get to collaborate on ideas. But usually, the image is chosen by the publisher, and that’s that.
Can you please make [hardcovers, paperbacks, specific edition/translation, movies] available?
An author’s sole power in publishing is writing the book itself. Once it goes to print, we have absolutely zero say in what happens next—that’s all in our publisher’s hands. So I’m afraid I have no more power to influence what happens to those books than you, dear reader. In fact, you might have more say—publishers listen to buying trends and interest, so if sales are good in a certain area, they’ll likely continue pursuing it (many publishers are also available on social media!). As for movies, well… that’s every author’s dream, and sadly I have even less say in making that a reality.
I found an error in your book!
After publication, authors have (literally) zero influence on the book. If you find an error in any of my works, you can reach out to the publisher of that work and they may take it into consideration. But generally speaking, what is on the page will stay on the page. Forever. dun dun dunnnn