Kristina Atkins
ABOUT KRISTINA
Exploring mythology, wonder, and impossible journeys
ABOUT
Award-winning author Kristina Atkins writes speculative fiction inspired by mythology from around the world, complex human relationships, and the enduring human desire to chase the impossible. Her debut fantasy novel, Feathers Sharp as Knives, won the Emerald Hidden Gem Award from IFC. Her work has appeared in Uncharted Magazine and the Earth(ish) anthology from Splinter Press.
Kristina earned her MFA in Creative Writing from Converse College. Her stories draw on a lifelong fascination with people, mythology, wonder, and her own experiences navigating mental illness.
She lives in Denver with her husband and their three rambunctious sons. When she isn't writing, she can usually be found collecting tarot decks, dyeing her hair mermaid colors, or pursuing the next intriguing question that absolutely did not need answering.
WHY I WRITE
I'm an introvert who is intensely fascinated by people.
I've always been drawn to the contradictions that make us human: the gap between what we believe and what we do, the stories we tell ourselves, the ways love, loyalty, fear, ambition, and grief shape our choices.
That's why I write.
While I love mythology, worldbuilding, and magic, those elements have always been in service of the characters. The worlds I create are simply larger stages upon which very human dramas can unfold. Whether my characters are navigating ancient prophecies, impossible journeys, or extraordinary powers, I'm most interested in the relationships that shape them and the choices they make when there are no easy answers.
Stories give us a chance to step into lives other than our own. They allow us to explore what it means to be brave, flawed, hopeful, selfish, loving, broken, and resilient. They help us understand each other a little better.
The worlds may begin with wonder, but they are always built around people.
FAST FACTS
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Emotional Support Drink of Choice: Iced masala chai
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Current Hair Color: Soft summer pinks and purple ombre
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Number of tarot decks owned: 21
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Most Dangerous Research Rabbit Hole: Anything historical (events, people, clothing, technology, etc.)
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Favorite Mythology: Celtic
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Most Underrated Fantasy Book: Lips Touch: Three Times by Laini Taylor
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Most Unexpected Thing I've Researched: What happens to an eyeball when you stab it with a knife
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Favorite Mythical Creature: Pegasus
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What I Want Readers to Take Away from my Stories: Hope in humanity's ability to persevere, love, and endure
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
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Emerald Level Winner, IFC Hidden Gem Award
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Winner, Storymakers Conference First Chapter Contest 2019
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Winner, Storymakers Conference First Chapter Contest 2024
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Shortlisted, Uncharted Magazine Novel Excerpt Contest 2023
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Shortlisted, Uncharted Magazine Novel Excerpt Contest 2025
CURRENT PROJECTS
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Threads of La Serenìsima book 2
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Indiana Jones in space soft scifi standalone novel
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Meet Joe Black meets Celtic mythology contemporary fantasy duology
NEWSLETTER
Get a free ebook or audiobook edition of the award-winning prologue to Feathers Sharp as Knives. Join my quarterly newsletter for updates on new releases, works-in-progress, and the occasional bit of writing chaos. Short and (mostly) sweet.