Do you love ya fantasy books with strong female leads? What about magical settings and a dash of romance? These are my favorite books to write. I’m Kay L Moody. Read on to learn more about me and my books.
My Story
Books have always been there for me.
They give me an escape from the world. They let me experience incredible journeys that wouldn’t be possible in reality. But most of all, they teach me how to overcome great and terrible things.
Like most people, I’ve had to overcome difficult things. One moment in particular defines my existence more than anything else. It seems too horrific to bring up with complete strangers, so I usually don’t. But there’s no denying that moment has made me who I am today.
Both of my parents were killed in a car accident when I was 12. I’ll spare you the details, but yes, it was as bad as it sounds.
Before that day, one of my favorite things to do was play pretend games. I would pretend to be a tiger hunting prey for my tiger children. I would pretend to be a beautiful princess who used her clever mind to escape the clutches of an evil witch. I pretended I was an adventurer with a cat sidekick who wandered from town to town, solving any troubles.
After I lost my parents, these pretend games became my sanctuary. I was taken in by my aunt and uncle (they are truly saints). I had 4 siblings, but suddenly my 6 cousins became siblings too. I remember one game I played with my cousin who had turned into my sister. We were in a tribe that forced girls to become women at a certain age, whether they were ready or not. I was coming of age and I was not ready. We begged with the chief to let me stay a child longer, but he insisted growing up was necessary and I would have to do it even if I wasn’t ready. It never occurred to me how perfectly that story paralleled my own life. I was forced to grow up a lot at 12, but somehow those pretend games helped me accept my fate.
Pretty soon, I turned to writing. My mom was a writer (way better than me) and I guess I inherited that from her. Stories gave me the chance to create worlds where characters could overcome the very tragedies and heartbreaks I struggled with. I never noticed how many of my stories mirrored my own life. One day in my mid twenties it suddenly hit me that in almost all of my stories, the hero was an orphan. Just like me.
My stories helped me, but I also fell in love with books. They helped me briefly escape reality when it all became too much. Some of my favorite books also had orphaned heroes. Jane Eyre, Anne of Green Gables, and Harry Potter. All amazing heroes who triumphed over evil because they chose to find happiness and do good.
That is the magical thing about books. Even though I can’t do magic like Harry and even though I was never a governess like Jane Eyre, I did identify with their struggles. These books taught me that life is hard and full of horrible, tragic things. But that doesn’t mean a happy ending is permanently out of reach.
Whether I want to escape reality or go on an adventure, books have always been there for me. I am honored now to share my stories with you, my treasured reader. I hope they can bring you as much fun as they have brought me. I hope they can be a comfort, an escape, a journey.
I’d like end with a quote which encapsulates my goal as a female science fiction author.
Fairy tales are more than true – not because they tell us dragons exist, but because they tell us dragons can be beaten.” (paraphrased by Neil Gaiman from a quote by G.K. Chesterton)
What I Write as a Female Science Fiction Author
I write science fiction fantasy books with strong heroines and a little bit of romance. My books will take you from bored and trapped to exhilarated and free. Go through the excitement of adventure without any of the pain. Fall in love with dynamic characters who are strong in lots of different ways.
My books tell the stories of strong female lead characters with relatable flaws and fun personalities. They are joined by other complex characters including love interests, best friends, family, and more. After reading these books, you’ll feel uplifted, inspired, and ready to take on the world.
There are lots of science fiction fantasy writers out there, but I try to incorporate important themes into all of my stories.
- Strong families even if they aren’t perfect
- Happy endings that remind us something good can come from even the worst experiences
- Healthy and loving relationships
- Technological innovations and scientific discoveries
- Changing worlds and how the human species encounters these changes
Here’s what people are saying about Truth Seer (Available Now!)
Imara is creative, assertive, and strong, still her journey of self-discovery is relatable and endearing. Moody creates powerful imagery that captivates the reader and left me begging for more. (M. Smith, ARC reviewer)
Sci-Fi with a touch of dystopian fantasy, this book is a must read. Once I started reading, I couldn’t stop. (K. Dansy, ARC reviewer)
Readers will be spellbound as they follow Imara through the unexpected twists and turns of the novel’s completely engrossing plot. Truth Seer is an exciting and provocative tale that weaves together difficult questions about political morality and the philosophy of truth with an engaging love story and plenty of laugh-out-loud moments. (A. Packer, ARC reviewer)
One of my favorite characters would have to be Abe. He helped Imara face and overcome a troubled spot in her past. It was such a beautiful moment. That moment and these two characters will resonate with a lot of people. It definitely resonated with me. (K. Bird, ARC reviewer)
Truth Seer is available now for purchase. Join my email list for more!