Originally from the Midwest, Kaylee J. Allensworth (Author) grew up with a fondness for small art projects, cartoons, writing, and playing outside. She would spend her weekends watching Saturday morning shows like Tom & Jerry, making small trinkets with clay, and “rescuing” butterflies from spider-webs. She attempted to write a few different books when she was younger and, at the time, counted the 120-page, handwritten spy book as completed—but admits the tenacity, patience, and organizational skills needed to press on just weren’t developed yet. “Reading,” she thought. “Writing is too much work.”
Kaylee’s passion for dystopian books, scifi movies, and wildlife grew, largely thanks to titles and programs such as The Hunger Games, Star Wars, and Animal Planet. She certainly enjoyed a good fantasy or two; however, her schoolwork continued steadily increasing, and eventually, she set her sights on sports.
It might surprise some, but dance was the Author’s first try-out based, organized sport. While it taught her a lot, and she cherishes those memories, she excelled elsewhere: volleyball. Kaylee played for 9 years, including collegiately, and often credits the sport as being her first true love. Unfortunately, sports (and injuries) can wear the body down as much as the training might help it. In college, the Author earned a bachelor’s in Biology and double minored in Chemistry and Environmental Studies. She remains an avid gym-goer, but traded her knee pads for hiking boots, and fixed her eyes on a move to the Big West following graduation.
After jumpstarting her career as a wildlife biologist in California, an occupation she still holds and loves, Kaylee found that without volleyball and coursework, she had a lot more time on her hands. She decided to fill it with hiking and camping trips, and to circle back to books. In 2021, she read The Hobbit, Midnight Sun, and A Court of Thorns and Roses. Those titles reignited her passion for not only leisurely reading, but small art projects and writing. At random, in December of 2021, the Author envisioned a handful of characters and a setting. With little else, she wrote it all down and put the idea on the backburner. Eight months later she heard the song “Rainer” by RL Grime, and the first idea for the Zones Series was born. The Author welcomes you as her writing career begins!
Other Things: The Author is Christian, a fundamental contributor to her belief in environmental stewardship, empathy, compassion towards your fellow human, generosity, and kindness; hate and cruelty are not solutions. That being said, some of her fictitious characters might need to learn that lesson. She loves her family, friends, and cat, playing board games, baking, traveling, sand volleyball, axe throwing, coffee at sunrise, and wine at sunsets … the list goes on. If she’s not writing, she’s doing one of those other things or working. She’s also a straight shooter, and isn’t about bullsh**. Connect with her below or go to the Get Involved page!
