Kelly Gay: Difference between revisions

'''Kelly Gay''' is an American author, known for her work in the science fiction/fantasy genre, particularly [[urban fantasy]]. Gay has written books in both the adult and [[Young-young adult fiction|young- adult]] genres, penning the latter under the name of '''Kelly Keaton'''. She is particularly known for the [[Charlie Madigan series|''Charlie Madigan'' series]], a story about a police officer who attempts to balance paranormal cases, across three different worlds, with life as a single mother. Her works have received critical acclaim and award recognition, and have been translated into several different languages. Gay has also been a recipient of the North Carolina Arts Council's Fellowship Grant in Literature.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Smoke and Shadow|last=Kelly|first=Gay|others=Gay, Kelly|isbn=9781501155406|location=New York|oclc=990287455|date = 2018-01-16}}</ref>

| source = —'''Kelly Gay'''<ref name=authors>{{cite news |first=Sara |last=M |coauthors= |title=Author Interview and Giveaway: Kelly Gay |work=urbanfantasyreader.blogspot.com |page= |date=December 9, 2009 |accessdateaccess-date=February 28, 2011 |quote= |url=http://urbanfantasyreader.blogspot.com/2009/12/author-interview-and-giveaway-kelly-gay.html}}</ref>

As a child, Kelly Gay was introduced to fantasy by her mother and grandmother, both avid storytellers. She grew up reading and researching mythologies and ancient histories from around the world,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kellygay.com/ |title=Home |website=kellygay.com}}</ref> and eventually writing paranormal stories and screenplays while working an assortment of jobs.<ref>{{cite news |first=E.J. |last=Stevens |coauthors= |title=Guest Author Interview: Kelly Gay |work=fromtheshadows.info |page= |date=September 2, 2010 |accessdateaccess-date=February 28, 2011 |quote= |url=http://www.fromtheshadows.info/2010/09/guest-author-interview-kelly-gay.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Skylar |last=Masey |coauthors= |title=Interstellar Interview With Kelly Gay |work=star-crossedromance.blogspot.com |page= |date=January 21, 2011 |accessdateaccess-date=February 28, 2011 |quote= |url=http://star-crossedromance.blogspot.com/2011/01/star-light-star-brightinterstellar.html}}</ref> In 2006, Gay received a North Carolina Arts Council fellowship grant in screenwritingliterature for one of her many screenplays, which she credits with helping to boost her confidence as a storyteller.<ref name=cpost>{{cite news |first= |last= |coauthors= |title= Local author’sauthor's debut novel selected as a Fall 2009 Okra Pick |work=clevelandpost.com |page= |access-date= |accessdate=February 28, 2011 |quoteurl=http://www.clevelandpost.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Local+author%E2%80%99s+debut+novel+selected+as+a+Fall+2009+Okra+Pick%20&id=4436511-Local+author%E2%80%99s+debut+novel+selected+as+a+Fall+2009+Okra+Pick&instance=news_special_coverage_right_column |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708164155/http://www.clevelandpost.com/pages/full_story/push?article-Local+author%E2%80%99s+debut+novel+selected+as+a+Fall+2009+Okra+Pick%20&id=4436511-Local+author%E2%80%99s+debut+novel+selected+as+a+Fall+2009+Okra+Pick&instance=news_special_coverage_right_column |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 8, 2011 }}</ref>

In 2008, two of her unpublished manuscripts became finalists in the Golden Heart Awards, presented by [[Romance Writers of America]].<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |coauthors= |title=2008 Golden Heart Finalists |work=rwa.org |page= |date=January 21, 2011 |accessdateaccess-date=February 28, 2011 |quoteurl=http://www.rwa.org/cs/2008_golden_heart_finalists |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110306033249/http://www.rwa.org/cs/2008_golden_heart_finalists |archive-date=March 6, 2011 }}</ref> Her debut novel was acquired by [[Simon and& Schuster]] the same year. She resides in [[North Carolina]] with her husband and two children.<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |coauthors= |title=Sensational 7 Q&A With Kelly Keaton |work=fantasticbookreview.com |page= |date=February 22, 2011 |accessdateaccess-date=February 28, 2011 |quote= |url=http://www.fantasticbookreview.com/2011/02/sensational-7-q-with-kelly-keaton.html}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |coauthors= |title=Interview & Giveaway: Author Kelly Gay |work=fantasydreamersramblings.blogspot.com |page= |date=November 20, 2009 |accessdateaccess-date=February 28, 2011 |quote= |url=http://fantasydreamersramblings.blogspot.com/2009/11/interview-giveaway-author-kelly-gay.html}}</ref>

A review from ''[[Booklist]]'' called the first novel "extraordinary."<ref>{{cite news |first=Diana |last=Herald |coauthors= |title=Editorial Reviews |work=amazon.com |page= |access-date= |accessdate=February 28, 2011 |quote= |url=httphttps://www.amazon.com/dp/product-description/1439109656}}</ref> ''[[Publishers Weekly]]'' stated, "Intricate world-building and richly complex characters mix with a fast-paced plot to create a standout start to a new series."<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |coauthors= |title=Review: ''The Better Part of Darkness'' |work=publishersweekly.com |page= |access-date= |accessdate=February 28, 2011 |quote= |url=http://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-4391-0965-6}}</ref> ''The Better Part of Darkness'' was a double finalist in the 2010 RITA Awards, presented by Romance Writers of America.<ref name=list>{{cite news |first= |last= |coauthors= |title=''Publishers Marketplace'': Kelly Gay |work=publishersmarketplace.com |page= |access-date= |accessdate=February 28, 2011 |quoteurl= http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/KellyGay/|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110715131305/http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/KellyGay/|archive-date=July 15, 2011}}</ref> The novel also received recognition from the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance, a trade association representing southern-area book stores in the United States. SIBA identified the novel as an "Okra Pick" in 2009, and also as a Long List Book Award Finalist the following year.<ref name=list/>

The second Charlie Madigan novel, ''The Darkest Edge of Dawn'', was released in August 2010. ''Romantic Times Book Reviews'' called it better than its predecessor, and remarked that the "tight plotting keeps the pace brisk and the action exciting."<ref>{{cite news |first=Jill |last=Smith |coauthors= |title=''The Darkest Edge of Dawn'' review |work=rtbookreviews.com |page= |date=September 2010 |accessdateaccess-date=February 28, 2011 |quote= |url=http://www.rtbookreviews.com/book-review/darkest-edge-dawn}}</ref> The book was also nominated for a 2010 Australian Romance Readers Award, appearing in the category of "Favourite Sci-Fi, Urban Fantasy or Futuristic Romance".<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |coauthors= |title=ARR Awards: 2010 finalists |work=australianromancereaders.wordpress.com |page= |date=February 14, 2011 |accessdateaccess-date=February 28, 2011 |quote= |url=http://australianromancereaders.wordpress.com/2011/02/14/arr-awards-2010-finalists/}}</ref>

In 2010, Gay revealed plans to write [[young- adult fiction]] under the name Kelly Keaton.<ref name=list/> Her first YA novel, ''Darkness Becomes Her'', was released in February 2011. The book presents a post-disaster [[New Orleans]], renamed New 2, which is largely abandoned and believed to be inhabited by paranormal beings. An isolated teenager named Ari returns to New 2 seeking answers about her past, finding new mysteries and allies along the way. A review from ''[[School Library Journal]]'' stated that the story "paints richly detailed scenes of the New Orleans landscape and crafts fully realized, sympathetic characters. Ari’s journey from loner to wary member of a band of misfits and her fall for one of them spins a compelling thread through her quest."<ref>{{cite news |first=Jill |last=Maza |coauthors= |title=Reviews |work=libraryjournal.com |page= |date=February 1, 2011 |accessdateaccess-date=February 28, 2011 |quoteurl=http://www.libraryjournal.com/slj/reviewsgrade5andup/888576-316/grades_5__up.html.csp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713203957/http://www.libraryjournal.com/slj/reviewsgrade5andup/888576-316/grades_5__up.html.csp |archive-date=July 13, 2011 }}</ref> Author [[Christopher Pike (author)|Christopher Pike]] called the book, "Unforgettable, complex, and unique."<ref>{{cite news |first= |last= |coauthors= |title=''Darkness Becomes Her'' |work=simonandschuster.com |page= |access-date= |accessdate=February 28, 2011 |quote= |url=http://books.simonandschuster.com/Darkness-Becomes-Her/Kelly-Keaton/9781442409248}}</ref>

{{Portal|Speculative fiction|Children and Young Adult Literature}}

#''The Better Part of Darkness'' (November 2009, {{ISBN |978-1-4391-0965-6}})

#''The Darkest Edge of Dawn'' (August 2010, {{ISBN |978-1-4391-1004-1}})

#''The Hour of Dust and Ashes'' (August 2011, {{ISBN |978-1-4516-2547-9}})

#''Shadows Before the Sun'' (July 2012, {{ISBN |978-1-4516-2548-6}})

#''The Cold Light of Day'' (expected 20152016)

#''Darkness Becomes Her'' (February 2011, {{ISBN |978-1-4424-0924-8}})

#''A Beautiful Evil'' (February 2012, {{ISBN |978-1-4424-0927-9}})

#''The Wicked Within'' (September 2013, {{ISBN |9781442493155}})

#''Heart of Stone'' (February 2015, {{ISBN |9780988522572}})

#''Embers in a Dark ForestFrost'' (eBook, November 2012, {{ISBN |9780988522503}})

#"Hell's Menagerie" published in ''Carniepunk'' (July 2013, {{ISBN |9781476714158}})

[[Category:WritersNovelists from North Carolina]]

[[Category:WomenAmerican women science fiction and fantasy writers]]

[[Category:21st-century American women writers]]