Alethea Kontis

Alethea Kontis, born in 1976, is an American author specializing in young adult and children's literature, including picture books and speculative fiction. Her career began in bookselling and librarianship before she transitioned into publishing, working for Ingram Book Company and later copy editing for various presses. Kontis has also established herself as a reviewer for publications like NPR Books and Locus magazine, and has contributed essays and poems to numerous collections. She has received several awards for her writing, including the Garden State Teen Book Award and the Scribe Award.

Kontis' writing journey was significantly influenced by attending Orson Scott Card's Literary Boot Camp and connecting with author Andre Norton. She co-founded the Codex Writers Group to further develop her craft. Her published works include the "Woodcutter Sisters" series, picture books like "AlphaOops!: The Day Z Went First," and collections of essays and poems. She also co-wrote "The Dark-Hunter Companion" with Sherrilyn Kenyon. Kontis has also ventured into independent publishing, launching her own press.

Beyond her fiction and non-fiction writing, Kontis has a background in editing and has been recognized for her contributions to the literary world. She has been a featured speaker at events like the Library of Congress and the Lewis Carroll Society of North America's Alice150 Conference. Her mentors include Andre Norton, Orson Scott Card, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and Jane Yolen.

Alethea Kontis's path into writing was shaped by transformative experiences, notably attending Orson Scott Card's Literary Boot Camp in 2003 and forming a friendship with author Andre Norton. These encounters provided significant inspiration and guidance, fostering her development as a writer. To continue refining her skills, Kontis became an active participant in the online Codex Writers Group, a workshop environment that supported her creative growth. Her early career also involved extensive work within the publishing industry, starting as a bookseller and librarian before moving into roles such as a book buyer and reviewer for Ingram Book Company. This foundational experience in the business of books provided her with a unique perspective that would inform her own writing and publishing endeavors.

Kontis's fiction writing spans various genres, with a strong focus on young adult and children's literature. Her first picture book, "AlphaOops!: The Day Z Went First," was published in 2006, followed by several other children's titles. She also established a presence in speculative fiction, publishing short stories and contributing to anthologies. Her "Woodcutter Sisters" series, beginning with "Enchanted" in 2012, gained significant recognition, with "Enchanted" winning multiple awards. Kontis has also authored a memoir, "Beauty & Dynamite," and co-written "The Dark-Hunter Companion." Her work has been featured in various publications, and she has spoken at significant literary events, including the Library of Congress and the Lewis Carroll Society of North America conference.

In addition to her writing, Kontis has been deeply involved in the publishing industry. She worked for Ingram Book Company for a decade, where she interviewed authors and hosted podcasts, earning the title "The Voice of Ingram." Her editorial experience includes copy editing for publishers like Solaris Books, Subterranean Press, and Angry Robot. Kontis also founded two small presses: NYX Books, which she ran from 2005 to 2009, and a press under her own name, Alethea Kontis, established in 2015 for self-publishing. Furthermore, she contributed as an editor for Apex Science Fiction and Horror Digest and co-edited the benefit anthology "Elemental: The Tsunami Relief Anthology."