Hey everyone, Kendra here! Today, I'm thrilled to introduce you to a rising star in the fantasy genre, someone who’s been weaving tales since she was just five years old: K.J. Cloutier. Hailing from a cozy lakeside nook in British Columbia, Canada, K.J. crafts stories that are as enchanting as the landscapes that surround her.
Her debut novel, Beyond the Horizon, launched on January 10, 2023, introducing readers to a world brimming with magic, morally gray characters, and the kind of found-family dynamics that tug at your heartstrings. The sequel, Beneath Crimson Sails, continues this captivating journey, blending high-stakes adventure with slow-burn romance.
When she’s not penning her next epic, K.J. is often daydreaming about new worlds while cooking up a storm, traveling, or wandering near the woods and water. She shares her tiny house by the lake with her husband, son, three dogs, and a bearded dragon—a full house that's as lively as the universes she creates.
K.J. is also active on social media, sharing insights into her writing process and snippets of her daily life. You can find her on Instagram and TikTok under @k.j.cloutier.author.
So, without further ado, let’s dive into the mind of K.J. Cloutier and explore the magic behind her storytelling!
A book that pleasantly surprised you? Once Upon A Broken Heart by Stephanie Garber
Coffee, tea, or cacao? Cacao - give me all the hot chocolate!
When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? My mom likes to joke that I was born with a pen in my hand. I’ve wanted to be a writer for as long as I can remember. The first book I wrote was in Kindergarten, and I never stopped
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books? Everywhere! Ideas will come to me randomly at any time. But my biggest inspiration is always music. The lyrics and vibes of a song have inspired many scenes in my books. As for information, Google is my best friend. But also my search history looks very suspicious. I will do research with books as well if it’s a broader topic I need to learn. For example, I have several sailing books that helped me with writing my current series, which is about pirates.
What is your work schedule like when you’re writing? Well, at the moment, I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old. So my “schedule” is writing as much as I during nap/bed times lol
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
My “day” job is a Dog Trainer, so I’m often off doing the and I enjoy it. Otherwise, I’m wrangling my children, reading, cooking, and just getting pride as much as possible.
Is there a trope you find yourself going back to in multiple works? Or one you avoid? I seem to gravitate to enemies to lovers, morally grey characters, and found families. I love reading these tropes. And I love writing them.
What does your family think of your writing?
My family has always been supportive! My mom is my absolute biggest fan. My husband believed in my writing so much he planned our future around it before he even read any of my work. I’m very lucky with my support system.
What are common traps for aspiring writers?
Going back and editing your first draft as you write it. Don’t do that! You get trapped in this constant circle of needing to go back and fix things, and then you never make forward momentum. Instead, just plow through to the end of the first draft, even if it’s garbage. Your can fix everything later ABS it’s easier to do so when you have the book’s entire skeleton finished.
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I try to be more original when I can, but I do like to make sure the readers still get the experience their looking for when they’re picking up a certain genre.
Do you want each book to stand on its own, or are you building a body of work with connections between each book?
Oh I am planning a lot of connections. I will have separate series that can be read on their own. But, there will be connections and Easter Eggs in all of them.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
I know this question usually means “what advice would you give your younger self” but instead of advice, I would say, “Thank you for never giving up! We did it.”
How did publishing your first book change your process of writing?
It helped me trust myself more. Having so many people love my books gives me the confidence that I am a good story teller, and that I don’t have to worry that I’m completely missing the mark on certain scenes or tropes or plot twists.
Do you write novels, novellas, short stories, episodic fiction, poems, screenplays, or something else? What is your preferred format? I write novels. I can’t seem to write anything shorter. I was prompted to write a short story for a school project, and it eventually spawned the idea for an entire trilogy.
What do you have coming next?
I’m currently working on the first draft of the third book in my current series. I’m hoping to have it released in late 2025 or 2026. I’m also planning a Kickstarter for special editions of the third book for the fall of 2025!!
Excerpt from Beyond The Horizon:
She stared right into his wrathful eyes. “I wish I killed you that night in Tavor’s cabin.”
Something dark flickered behind the wrath but his voice remained eerily calm. “Do you?”
He pulled a dagger from his belt. Emery’s grip on the book tightened even more but he flipped the dagger so he gripped its by its blade, offering her the hilt. “Here’s your chance to right your mistake.”
Emery stared at the dagger but didn’t take it. Was this some sort of trick? If she tried to take it, would he just stab her?
In one quick movement, he yanked the book from her grasp, tossed it to the floor, and pressed the dagger’s hilt into her palm. Her fingers gripped it automatically. He guided the dagger’s blade so it rested above his heart.
“Go ahead, kill me. Sink down to my lowly level.”