Introducing… K Chris Daly

Today’s new author from the 2025 cohort is K Chris Daly.

K Chris Daly is a YA author and freelance photographer. A recovering theatre kid, she’s psyched by the intersection of feminism, queer identity, wild magic, and belonging. Accolades include a Minnesota State Artist Initiative Grant and a MRAC Next Step Fund Grant, and she teaches youth creative writing at the Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis. Beyond writing, she plays far too much Ultimate Frisbee and explores northern wilderness spaces with her spouse.

What is your writing routine?

My preference is 2 hours first thing in the morning, but when pressed with a deadline, I’ll do full-day sprints.

Who is your favourite author and how have they inspired you?

Robin Wall Kimmerer tops my non-fiction charts, as well as Atwul Gawande. In the YA sphere, I’ve been moved by Junaunda Petrus, Laini Taylor, Sarah Crossan, and countless others. If you haven’t read Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri, close this tab, drop everything, go do that. 

What inspires you first: character or plot?

Language pulls me into writing, first. While I love a good daydream and stitching together new characters or plots, it’s an obsession with the written word that brings me back to the blank page. This makes me a stunningly slow writer and makes verse an ideal format.

Describe your perfect day.

Daydreaming, a forest or mountain run, time with friends and my spouse, seeing some squirrels in the yard.

Blog header photo by author - @dalyproof