ABOUT KEYLA DAMAER

Science fiction, fantasy, and horror author

ABOUT KEYLA DAMAER

Keyla Damaer is an independent science fiction author, known for crafting narratives that blend suspense with profound thematic exploration. Since 2017, her work has captivated readers with its unique blend of futuristic intrigue and human drama.

Her acclaimed Sehnsucht Series, featuring ‘The Parallels,’ delves into the thin line between loyalty and betrayal within a murder mystery framework.

Keyla also pens The Vigilante’s Code series, following private investigator Lauren Kutyna as she navigates interplanetary colonies, unravelling conspiracies and fighting for justice in a technologically advanced future.

Her storytelling versatility is showcased through her short stories, which have been published by various companies. Titles like “Dark is the Art” demonstrate her ability to weave multi-layer narratives that explore themes of morality, and suspense.

When not immersed in intergalactic adventures, Keyla can be found wading through the complexities of Earthly tax codes, proving that even sci-fi authors have to deal with the realities of life on this planet. Born and raised in Rome, she continues to reside in the Eternal City with her husband.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

MORE ABOUT KEYLA DAMAER

What genre do you write?

I write science fiction, horror, and fantasy.

What does being an independent author mean?

It means that I do all by myself. I do my own publishing, hire my editor(s), cover artist(s), I format the books by myself and load them on all the retailers where you can find them. This means all costs are on me. However, I control all aspects of my work, something I couldn’t do if I were traditionally published. I wouldn’t have a saying about the cover, the blurb, the editing, the marketing (if any), the logos (which I created), and the prices. I couldn’t even stop the publisher from unpublishing my stories if they wanted. No, thanks.

Do you have any audiobooks?

Yes, I do. You can find them at all retailers that accept digitally narrated audio.

Why do I use digital narration?

We’re already surrounded by machine learning from spellcheck to facial recognition, from autocorrect to fingerprint unlocks. Even though I want to support human narrators, budget matters as a small business. Digital options are my first step in the direction of audio.

Who is your cover artist?

Jeffrey Kosh is the hand behind the images on my Sehnsucht novels, and the anthologies. I sometimes provide sketches or drawings with ideas, and he works his magic on them. For instance, the image behind the paperback and the hardback cover is my design. I also provided him drawings of Halazar Meviz, the main character of The Parallels, Eleanor, and Lanees Leicester. I will provide more drawings for book two, and I am planning also to add maps when necessary.

For all other books, including the ones from the Vigilante’s Code series, I made the cover by myself.

Why are there spelling mistakes in your books?

The short answer is, I’m just human, and so is my editor. The long one is, I write in British English because that’s the language I learnt in school. But if you find any typo, you can always contact me.

Are there content warnings I should be aware of when it comes to your books?

My stories may contain torture scenes, murder (children aren’t exempt), swearing, and violence. Nothing is excessive, but you’ve been warned.

Who are your favourite authors?

As an avid reader, I’ve read all genres, fiction and non-fiction. There are many authors I like, some for their voices, some for their styles, others for the world building. However, I deeply believe that J.R. R. Tolkien beats them all. I’m not only ‘tolkieng’ about The Lord of the Rings but of all his books. That includes Lief By Niggle and of course my favourite of all, The Silmarillion.

I have been a member of the Tolkien Society since 2008.

When will your books be available in Kindle Unlimited?

They won’t be. Sorry. Amazon requires exclusivity (I can’t publish the e-books through the other retailers) to enrol books in Kindle Unlimited, and half my readers prefer the other e-reading platforms. I love my readers too much to do that to them.

What is the best way to find out about your new and upcoming releases?

Hands down, the best way is to join my newsletter. I send bimonthly with writing updates, drawings and giveaways, photos I’ve taken recently, recommended reads, and discount book alerts. The second-best way is probably Facebook.

What can I do to help?

There are several things you can do for free to help me. You can share the word about me and my stories, write reviews, and report an error here if you found any typos in my books.