Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaylee Stepkoski
Hi Kaylee, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I began writing when I was seventeen, but it was an absolute miracle that I did. I began college when I was sixteen–I was a homeschooled, dual-enrolled student–and one of the general education classes was Composition 1. This was hardly a “writing” class as it mostly focused on research and formatting essays, but toward the end of the year, I had to rewrite an essay into something creative–a painting, a song, a story, etc. Well, I’m not a painter, and I cannot sing, so I gave writing a story a shot. After I finished writing it, I found that I oddly liked it, which came out of left field. I was not the creative type. I was (still am) the tomboy, who wanted to play sports and dreamed of being a police officer. Because it was such a turn, I took a step back and prayed for wisdom…I certainly had no idea where this came from and why. Shortly after, I had a dream that jolted me from my sleep. I had an encounter with Ever, the main male character of my bestselling series, The EVER Series, and there was no way I could keep his story hidden. So, I wrote a book, then another one, and another one until I had a series and new ideas begging to get on paper. From that point on, I published with Two Penny Publishing, and as time passed, I became a 5x bestselling author. I developed my own marketing plan with my publisher’s help, and it all took off from there. I realized writing wasn’t just a thing I liked doing–it was a door, a door to opportunity that God opened. My publisher hired me, and then other companies began reaching out as they grew interested in my marketing strategies. My limits were tested, but I was taught to have faith and work through the challenges. Today, I’m working on publishing my sixth book as I still test new limits, like new genres, and I’ve grown into higher roles at Two Penny Publishing, along with the other companies.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I cannot say my journey has been smooth. Straying off the “normal” path tends to turn heads, just not the way you’d prefer. Traditionally, someone goes to school and college and then sets off into the corporate world, and I did none of that, absolutely none. In fact, I homeschooled from seventh grade to college, graduating high school with my AA and diploma, but just as I was about to embark on my four-year degree, COVID hit; it was 2020. The world was changing. At nineteen years old, I just wanted to do what you were supposed to–go the traditional way–but I had a dream to publish and be an author; I even had job offers waiting. However, everyone was telling me I had to go the traditional way in order to have success–family, friends, and peers. They weren’t wrong to do that; they were looking out for me out of love, but what I should have done was take their advice with a grain of salt. This life we have is only so long, and my life and theirs were very different. So, I brought the issue to my Savior, asking for wisdom and guidance, because I certainly didn’t know which way was right–they were both great options. I felt no pull to finish my degree when that degree was supposed to help me get the jobs that already offered positions, and when I spoke with my parents honestly, they said they supported whatever way I went, telling me not to listen to what everyone was telling me. They said they trusted me. You’d think I would have felt monumental relief…I did not. I wanted them to tell me what to do! Tell me which way to go! Tell me what would be best for me! Now I see they were letting me choose for myself–it was time I took charge of my life; I was ready. At the time, it was terrifying, but I knew I wasn’t going to be alone, so I took the jump, knowing God wouldn’t let me fall. I am so glad I did. Again, it wasn’t easy. I lost friends and respect from some family members, and some of my peers are gone forever, but I found who really knew and loved me. I’ll never hate, but I will let my Savior shine through me because this was the way He intended; I’ll stand for that until the end.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
When anyone asks me what types of books I write, I always say I write clean, action-packed adventures. My focus genre tends to be realism sci-fi, allowing my readers to relate to my characters and situations even with the twists. The book-lovers realm is filling up with tropes I do not like…spice in particular. I love clean slow-burn as a subplot, but my main plots will keep you on your toes with plot twists and unexpected reveals. Even though my competition is with books with spice, especially in the indie, booktok world, I have found I have a huge audience that’s in search of books that are like mine, books that focus on character development, world-building, action, slow-burn, and sci-fi/fantasy. The reason I stay in this “clean” trope of writing is because I was called to write. Each book I have published came to be because of a dream. I have vivid/lucid dreams, and some of them I write down. Since I was called to write, many of my books have Biblical meanings, not slap-in-the-face but naturally woven features. I believe books can open the minds of others to new worlds, characters, discoveries, and lessons. If books are so packed with this “heat of the moment” feeling like in spice, I feel we miss so much growth and discovery. I write to venture into the unknown and for my readers to find a new, breathtaking escape.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
I currently live in Tampa, Florida in the United States. I am an author of adventure because I live it. My family and I are certified SCUBA divers, and Florida is the perfect location to dive the reefs. Tampa offers us water and land activities. We especially enjoy riding our road bikes on the Pinellas Trail, and I really love riding my mountain bike on the trails spread over the area. I’m very active with my family and friends–running, hiking, biking, swimming, climbing, diving, etc.–covering every activity we can, and Tampa offers all of it. Now, though there are a lot of pluses, I do wish we had less city and more forest. I am a forest girl; I like my trees and meadows, so down the line, I’d like to move into a more rural area to embrace all creation has to offer.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.kayleestepkoski.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/KayleeStepkoskiAuthor/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KayleeStepkoskiAuthor/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@KayleeStepkoskiAuthor
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B07T9MF18F/allbooks?ingress=0&visitId=5de42994-a9a1-4101-97eb-7372940e0560&ref_=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1
Image Credits
7Angles Photography