Picture a storyteller who spins heartfelt happily-ever-afters for women who love women—meet Karelia Stetz-Waters! This Oregon-based author has carved a niche in queer romance and thrillers, crafting stories that pulse with hope, humor, and heart. From her own journey to true love to her mission of spreading 'cliteracy,' Karelia’s work is a beacon for queer readers seeking joy and representation.
Growing up in a time when queer love stories often ended in tragedy, Karelia dared to dream of brighter endings. Her passion for storytelling, paired with her dedication to uplifting queer voices, has made her a trailblazer in lesbian romance. Let’s dive into her vibrant world!
The Making of Karelia Stetz-Waters
Born and raised in Oregon, Karelia Stetz-Waters was surrounded by books and stories from a young age. Her love for narrative took root early, with her mother recording her childhood tales on a tape recorder. After earning a BA in Comparative Literature from Smith College and an MA in English from the University of Oregon, Karelia chose fiction over academia, diving headfirst into writing in 2003. Her experiences as a queer woman in the 1990s, navigating a world with little representation, shaped her mission to create joyful queer narratives.
Today, Karelia balances writing with teaching English at Linn-Benton Community College, where she inspires students with her warmth and creativity. Her personal life, including over two decades with her wife, Fay Stetz-Waters, fuels her belief that everyone deserves a happy ending.
Karelia Stetz-Waters’s Unforgettable Stories
Karelia’s novels blend romance, wit, and social commentary, often set in the vibrant queer community of Portland, Oregon. Her Out in Portland series, including Something True, introduces readers to characters like Tate Grafton, a tough-yet-tender barista, and explores love against societal odds. Satisfaction Guaranteed is a bold rom-com about Cade Elgin, who inherits a sex toy shop and finds unexpected love, earning starred reviews for its humor and heart.
Forgive Me If I’ve Told You This Before, a Lambda Literary Award finalist, tackles coming out in 1990s Oregon during the anti-gay Ballot Measure 9, offering a poignant yet hopeful tale. Karelia’s thrillers, like The Admirer and The Purveyor, showcase her versatility, weaving suspense with romantic elements. Her collaboration with Fay on Second Night Stand delivers a rivals-to-lovers dance romance that sparkles with chemistry.
Her writing style is fresh and distinctive, blending poetic prose, quirky humor, and steamy romance. Karelia’s commitment to 'cliteracy'—educating readers about female pleasure—adds a unique layer, making her stories both entertaining and empowering.
Why Karelia Stetz-Waters Matters
Karelia Stetz-Waters is more than an author; she’s a changemaker. By centering queer women in mainstream romance, she’s broken barriers, notably as one of the first lesbian romance writers at Grand Central Publishing’s Forever Yours imprint. Her novels offer hope to readers in conservative communities, depicting worlds where LGBTQ+ people thrive. Through mentoring at the Golden Crown Literary Society Writing Academy, she nurtures the next generation of queer writers, ensuring her legacy endures.
Her advocacy for 'cliteracy' and authentic queer representation resonates globally, proving that love stories can educate and inspire. Karelia’s work reminds us that every heart deserves its epic win.
About Karelia Stetz-Waters
- Key Works: Something True, Satisfaction Guaranteed, Forgive Me If I’ve Told You This Before, Second Night Stand
- Awards: Lambda Literary Award finalist, Golden Crown Literary Society finalist
- Education: BA, Smith College; MA, University of Oregon
- Fun Fact: Lives in Albany, Oregon, with her wife, Fay, and pug-mix, Willa Cather
Ready to fall in love with Karelia Stetz-Waters’s world? Snag Satisfaction Guaranteed for a hilarious, heartfelt rom-com, or dive into Something True for a classic queer romance. Her stories are your ticket to joy!