Picture a storyteller who weaves magic, mystery, and the mundane into tales that linger like a strange dream—meet Kelly Link! This American author, born in Miami, Florida, has enchanted readers with her genre-defying short stories that blur the lines between literary fiction, fantasy, and horror. A 2018 MacArthur Fellow and co-founder of Small Beer Press, Link’s work is a kaleidoscope of the surreal, earning her a cult following and critical acclaim.
From her debut collection, Stranger Things Happen, to her Pulitzer Prize-finalist White Cat, Black Dog, Link’s stories are like stepping into a fairy tale where the rules are delightfully unpredictable. Her unique voice has redefined what short fiction can do, making her a literary trailblazer.
The Making of Kelly Link
Born on July 19, 1969, Kelly Link grew up with a love for stories that didn’t fit neatly into boxes. She earned a B.A. from Columbia University and an MFA from UNC Greensboro, honing her craft at the prestigious Clarion East Writing Workshop in 1995. Inspired by authors like Shirley Jackson and Angela Carter, Link began crafting tales that mixed the eerie with the everyday. Her early career included stints as a slush reader and editor, experiences that shaped her sharp editorial eye and passion for publishing.
Alongside her husband, Gavin J. Grant, Link co-founded Small Beer Press in 2001, a haven for unconventional voices in fantasy and literary fiction. This venture wasn’t just a business—it was a mission to champion stories that big publishers overlooked, including her own.
Kelly Link’s Unforgettable Stories
Link’s bibliography is a treasure trove of short story collections that defy categorization. Her debut, Stranger Things Happen (2001), is a whimsical yet unsettling mix of fairy tales and ghost stories, earning praise as a Salon Book of the Year. Magic for Beginners (2005) won a Locus Award, with tales like the titular story blending zombies and teenage angst in a way only Link can. Pretty Monsters (2008) captivates young adult readers with its blend of myth and modernity, while Get in Trouble (2015), a Pulitzer finalist, explores superheroes and haunted houses with sharp wit.
Her latest, White Cat, Black Dog (2023), reimagines fairy tales with a modern twist, earning accolades like the Kirkus Prize finalist nod. Link’s 2024 novel, The Book of Love, marks her first foray into long-form fiction, weaving romance, gothic vibes, and young adult fantasy into a supernatural saga. Her style—often called slipstream or magic realism—marries the fantastical with emotional truths, creating worlds where giant bunnies and haunted Ouija boards feel oddly plausible.
Link’s stories are compact yet boundless, filled with humor, unease, and a knack for making the bizarre feel intimate. Critics compare her to Haruki Murakami for her ability to make the surreal resonate, and her influence spans from indie zines to mainstream anthologies like The Best American Short Stories.
Why Kelly Link Matters
Kelly Link’s impact goes beyond her stories. Through Small Beer Press, she’s nurtured authors like Ted Chiang and Sofia Samatar, amplifying voices that challenge literary norms. Her work has eroded the divide between genre and literary fiction, inspiring a generation of writers to embrace the weird. As a 2018 MacArthur Fellow, she’s been recognized for pushing boundaries, creating “pocket universes” that blend the fantastical with the human.
Her stories resonate because they reflect our world’s contradictions—joy and loss, reality and dream. Whether she’s reimagining a fairy tale or crafting a ghost story, Link invites readers to see the magic in the everyday, making her a vital voice in contemporary literature.
About Kelly Link
- Born: July 19, 1969, Miami, Florida
- Key Works: Stranger Things Happen, Magic for Beginners, White Cat, Black Dog, The Book of Love
- Awards: Hugo, Nebula, World Fantasy, 2018 MacArthur Fellowship
- Venture: Co-founder of Small Beer Press and Book Moon bookstore
Snag White Cat, Black Dog or The Book of Love and dive into Kelly Link’s spellbinding world of slipstream and surprises!