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My Story
I have always been a writer. Growing up, I wrote in notebook upon notebook building fantasy worlds and developing characters These stories never had much of a plot but that wasn't the point. The point was mostly to get Character A and Character B to make out. I wrote Fantasy Romance before I even knew what the genre was. I was also a voracious reader. Once I learned to read and write, I either had a book or notebook in my hand. In high school, I discovered fan fiction. There wasn't a better way to combine my two biggest hobbies. So instead of listening in my AP classes, I was writing instead. Worse, I was giving the notebooks for my friends to read. I've found some of those cringe-worthy notebooks, read a few lines, and hurriedly tossed them out. No one needs to read that.
Somewhere along the way, writing took a backseat while I focused on becoming a serious academic. I earned a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from the beautiful Santa Clara University before heading off to UCLA for my Master's and PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. I taught introductory chemistry as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Whittier College for four years. I loved chemistry and most importantly I loved working with and mentoring students. And then COVID hit. It was difficult to have the hands-on connections with students that I loved when I was teaching, but at the same time, working from gave me a lot of freedom that I came to enjoy. So I sadly said goodbye to my academic career and spent a couple years as a corporate medical writer. Technical writing was a challenge, but a great use of my skill set. I really thrived in the environment until my mental and physical health started to suffer. I stepped away from my job to focus on taking care of myself.
I began writing again as a way to get in touch with myself. I rediscovered the joy I felt when I had filled notebooks growing up. Once I started writing, I kept writing. And writing. And writing. When I had outlined a couple novels, I realized that I loved this kind of creative work. I loved living in worlds that I created with characters who told me how they wanted the plot to move. I was hooked. So at the age of 35, after two other careers, I began my third act as a full-time author.
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Industry Bio
Kay Zempel writes paranormal romance, fantasy romance, and erotic fantasy. Moon Dance is her debut novel.
Kay is a former academic, educator, and technical writer, but she remained a world-builder at heart. A Southern California native, she now lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and the world’s laziest husky. They are living out their own happy ever after.
About the Imprint
"Some smoke and some wine is the life of a black valentine"
- Caro Emerald "Black Valentine"
With Black Valentine Press, I'm committed to telling diverse love stories. I believe that everyone deserves a happy ending, no matter their size, ability, race, gender, sexuality, and age. I am a plus size, chronically ill, mentally ill, and neurodivergent author. All of which influences my characters and the stories I tell.
The problems might be supernatural, but the solutions are human.
My books have been written on the ancestral lands of the Coast Salish People, who continue to steward the lands and seas of the area. For more information on the Snoqualmie Tribe's ancestral land movement, click here.