Dark Realms and Fierce Heroines with Kel Carpenter

In this episode of The Gothic Heart, I had the chance to sit down with USA Today bestselling author Kel Carpenter, and let me tell you, it was a conversation packed with all things paranormal, Gothic, and creative! We chatted about her journey into writing, self-publishing success, and the evolution of her stories. Kel’s insights are pure gold for aspiring authors, especially when it comes to crafting strong, complex characters and creating immersive worlds. If you’re a fan of spooky vibes and powerful female leads, this episode is a must-listen!

The Journey into Paranormal Writing

Kel’s love for all things spooky and eerie goes back as far as she can remember. She shared how the first series she ever read on her own was Harry Potter, and how that opened the door to fantasy, paranormal, and dystopian genres. It wasn’t long before she started writing herself, picking up the pen at just 15 years old! By the time she was in college, her writing career was already taking off, and she was making the bold move to shift her college major from chemistry to religious studies just to have more time to focus on her passion for storytelling.

It’s always interesting to hear how different authors find their way into the paranormal genre. For Kel, it was a natural gravitation toward dark, witchy vibes—something that still excites her as she continues to craft new stories. She’s definitely found her niche, and it’s clear that she loves every bit of it!

Self-Publishing Success

One of the most inspiring parts of Kel’s story is how she took control of her writing career through self-publishing. After trying (and not quite succeeding) to land an agent at 16, she didn’t give up. Instead, she took some time to explore other interests, and by the time she was in college, she decided to jump headfirst into self-publishing. Her philosophy was simple: “If it’s going to take off, it’s going to do it regardless.” And it did!

Kel shared how her eye for marketing has been a huge advantage in her career, helping her books reach readers quickly. She’s worked with various publishers for foreign translations and audio versions of her books, but self-publishing has been her primary path. For anyone who’s considering self-publishing, Kel’s experience shows that it can absolutely lead to big-time success if you’re willing to put in the work and market yourself effectively.

Creating Strong Female Characters

Kel’s books are known for their strong female leads, and we got into a great conversation about why that’s so important to her. Growing up, she didn’t see a lot of kick-butt women in the books she was reading, so when she started writing, she made it a point to change that. Her characters are fierce, independent, and unapologetically themselves—something that resonates with readers of all ages.

What I love about Kel’s approach is that she doesn’t just create physically strong women. She’s also passionate about showcasing different types of strength, like emotional resilience and intellectual power. She mentioned how becoming a mom gave her a new appreciation for quieter forms of strength, which she’s been incorporating into her more recent works. It’s refreshing to see such well-rounded female characters who can be both tough and vulnerable, depending on the situation.

World-Building in Fantasy

As if creating complex characters wasn’t enough, Kel also excels at world-building. She talked about how this aspect of writing doesn’t just come naturally to her—there’s a lot of thought and planning that goes into creating an immersive fantasy world. Kel starts by drawing maps and dividing her world into different regions, each with its own unique culture, language, and societal structure. From pirate queens to mountain tribes, her worlds are diverse and rich with detail.

One of the coolest things she shared was how much effort she puts into making sure her world-building is consistent and logical. This means creating detailed backstories for her settings and making sure they fit seamlessly into the larger plot. For Kel, world-building is a labor of love, and it shows in her books. Each world feels like a living, breathing place, full of possibilities for the characters (and readers!) to explore.

Conclusion

From her early love of paranormal stories to her current success as a bestselling author, Kel Carpenter’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Whether you’re an aspiring writer, a fan of strong female leads, or just someone who loves a good spooky story, there’s something for everyone in her work. As part of the upcoming release of book three in Her Immortal Monsters, Kel’s latest trilogy, book one of the series, Kissed by Chaos, is FREE on various outlets. Book three, Premonition of Peace, is available for pre-order and will be released on October 31.