An Interview with Thriller Romance Writer Kelly Preston

Today we're highlighting the wonderful Kelly Preston, author of "The Demon to Your Right," and more!

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Kelly Preston is a neuro divergent, disabled, Midwestern, queer person who has determined that since Chronic Pain led them to write, then they are here gay-ing up your life. They write books with the core value of Empathy Building and challenge their readers to think on a deeper level about a character’s experience.

Originally from St. Louis, MO, Kelly now finds themselves in the Bay Area after living in places like: Los Angeles, California; Denver, Colorado and Auckland, New Zealand. They live with their wife, ESA cat babies Lunabutts, Princess Tiny Buttholes and their service dog Lena Margie. Kelly is a fandom nerd and has many special interests. Don’t mention New Zealand unless you are ready for non stop yapping.

If you’d like to support Kelly and their writing, you can follow them on Instagram or TikTok. They also have a newsletter you can subscribe to here, but for everything else, click here. And now… onto the interview!

Below are some questions Kelly answered for this Spotlight.

What drew you to writing, and what has your journey with the craft been like so far?

It all started with trying to survive my first job search and then the ones after. I wanted to feel like I was accomplishing something as well as distract myself from all the rejection. I got sure into it after septic shock and spine surgery because there was a time when I couldn't think write look at a screen and it was miserable.

The moment I could pick up a paper book again and read a page at a time with breaks was everything, then when I worked my way up to some screen time I started writing again. I had done some heavy writing during and insomnia flair leading up to my spine surgery as well. It's really always been there for me when I need it. It's had some downs with a failed and negative experience with a small publisher but mostly positive and I love it. It's something I can still do with chronic pain and illness.

If you had to pick one, which of your stories was your favorite to write and why?

Wow asking me to pick my favorite children huh? lol. I would say I really enjoyed writing If I Could Drag You Under. I loved exploring how far I could go with thriller/horror and how I could tie that back into a romantic HFN.... setup for book two

And what was the most difficult part of getting your work published for the first time?

Well I had started out with my second query letter getting an offer from a small Queer Publisher. The experience was not a positive one and when the vibes felt really off I decided I would self publish another work on my own in case it all feel through.

That self published deviation is up for a Goldie this year and I am so proud of the work me and my wife put into her, I would be nowhere without my wife pushing me to make things more clear and to have her come in and proof my final versions. My advice to new writers is always have copies of when you start and finish a piece and always have track changes and an electronic paper trail in this day and age. it helps with some of the less fun sides of publishing. I am quite enjoying the creative freedom of self publishing.

The hardest part of publishing is believing in yourself and putting in all the hard work, knowing it's a marathon before the career can pay off. I'm still in the thick of it.

How would you describe your ideal writing set up?

I'm disabled so I try and write at my desk with a medium foam gaming chair but sometimes my back has had it so it's to the bad or couch and I lay down and write propped up. I like both, as well as to have rain sounds on in the background as it really helps me focus. Also I write best super late at night in the witching hours.

What was the most profound piece of advice you’ve ever received? How did it influence your writing?

Two. Write the story you want to read because no one can tell it like you. That's very true no one has your mind, your experiences (your trauma). Make the art you are passionate to make.

Second is do it all yourself. I thought the person was a bit crazy as I had mentioned I am disabled with too many chronic pain and health conditions, and it really wouldn't be possible for everything, but I am so glad I dove in a little at a time when I could on good hours into every part of producing a book and marketing it. I am convinced I can do the work more justice than some random marketing agency. I am also starting to delve into script writing and pitching to film agents and getting an agent. I've never wanted to stop at books this is just the beginning. I love storytelling in many mediums. I would love to take a book through a visual production.

Do you have any book or story recommendations?

I am so glad you asked! Rawnie Sabor's work A Little Sin blew my mind and I cannot wait to read the rest of her Sapphic series. I also loved She Is A Haunting. Blew me away.

Lastly, do you have anything else you’d like readers to know about you and your work?

I am disabled, neurodivergent, lesbian, nonbinary, midwestern third culture person who loves hurt comfort tales and ghost hunting shows a bit too much. Oh and New Zealand but we should stop me before I get on that soapbox! I won't shut up. Highly recommend a visit tho!

Synopsis for each book or series is pulled directly from their webpage.

Amara was human long ago. As a child, a chance encounter with her own demon sealed her fate to haunt a fear island forever. When her latest victim arrives, she can't help but feel her humanity stirring deep within her, and a dark envy fed by questions of why she was never saved.

Erin is terrified. She just survived an accident at sea, and despite washing up on a deserted island with a beautiful woman, night terrors begin to bleed into her waking life. Is this place, and this mystery woman, her salvation? Or will they lead to her demise?

Mira Hansen is done. With everything. In an effort to escape her life, she books a stay at a secluded beach house during the off season and is surprised when it comes with a very persistent, and hot, lesbian neighbor. One who’s annoyingly preoccupied with her wellbeing. During her stay, doors she thought she had closed swing wide open, and things she can’t unsee come crawling out of the ocean. Maybe it’s a good thing that at least one other person lives nearby… to make sure she’s not going crazy.

Summary: Depressed Lesbian attracts a hot stalker at her remote beach getaway. Thriller Dark Romance. There was only one bed… Will she make it out alive? A plot first thriller with spice.

Before we wrap things up, Kelly wanted us to mention a few more things, including what they’re working on next!

Yes! I am working on Thirst Trap which is a hurt comfort Lesbian Romance about the effects of fame and the entertainment industry on mental health and queer relationships (I did my MA study on the Empathy Denied to people who work in entertainment), and I am also working on a Sci Fi Horror Dark Romance (Sapphic and Lesbian in nature) that I cannot wait to tell everyone about, my cover artist is the best! She is truly my favorite artist.

Very exciting, and I can’t wait to see this book come out. Having more works focus on mental well-being, and LGBTQ+ relationships is very important. If you’d like to support Kelly while they work on their next book, consider following them on their socials (Tiktok & Instagram), or by subscribing to their newsletter. For everything else, please click here.

Thank you so much Kelly for letting us highlight you! You’re such a great person so this was a honor to do <3 And thank you to everyone taking the time to read this. I’ll see you all next time!