Kelly Link

Kelly Link is an American writer and editor who has earned critical acclaim for her unique blend of fantasy, horror, and magical realism in short fiction. Known for her distinctive storytelling style that defies easy categorization, Link made her novel debut in 2024 with "The Book of Love" after establishing herself as a prominent voice in short fiction. Link's work has garnered numerous prestigious awards, including a Hugo Award, three Nebula Awards, and a World Fantasy Award. Her recognition extends beyond genre fiction, as evidenced by her selection as a 2018 MacArthur Fellow, receiving the foundation's "Genius" Grant. Along with her writing career, Link is actively involved in publishing as co-founder of Small Beer Press with her husband Gavin Grant. Based in Northampton, Massachusetts, the press includes Big Mouth House, an imprint for intermediate readers, and the couple also operates Book Moon, a bookstore in Easthampton. Link's educational background includes a BA from Columbia University and an MFA from the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. She has contributed significantly to the field as co-editor of "The Year's Best Fantasy and Horror" anthology series and continues to co-edit "Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet" literary magazine.

Readers praise Link's imagination and ability to blend genres, particularly her mixing of magical realism with literary fiction. Many reviews highlight her unique voice and unexpected story endings. Fans appreciate her surreal elements and dark humor, with several comparing her style to Neil Gaiman and Angela Carter. Common criticisms include stories being too abstract or unresolved. Some readers find her work pretentious or deliberately obscure. Multiple reviews mention difficulty connecting emotionally with characters. From a reader on Goodreads: "Her stories feel like dreams that make perfect sense until you try to explain them to someone else." Average ratings: Goodreads: - Get in Trouble: 3.8/5 (7,800+ ratings) - Magic for Beginners: 3.9/5 (6,900+ ratings) - Pretty Monsters: 3.8/5 (4,200+ ratings) Amazon: - Get in Trouble: 4.1/5 - Magic for Beginners: 4.2/5 - Pretty Monsters: 4.3/5 Reviews frequently note her work requires patience and multiple readings to fully appreciate.

Get in Trouble (2015) A collection of nine short stories featuring realistic characters in surreal situations, including tales about ghost-hunting reality show contestants and superhero conventions.

Magic for Beginners (2005) A collection of nine short stories blending fantasy and reality, including the title story about teenagers obsessed with a mysterious TV show.

Pretty Monsters (2008) A young adult collection of nine short stories combining horror, fantasy, and coming-of-age themes.

Stranger Things Happen (2001) A debut collection of eleven short stories mixing fairy tale elements with contemporary settings and supernatural themes.

The Book of Love (2024) A novel set in a pandemic-altered world, following three teenagers navigating love and magic in their small Massachusetts town.

Karen Russell writes short stories and novels that blend supernatural elements with everyday life, mixing dark humor with fantastical situations. Her work examines American settings through a similar lens of magical realism while maintaining emotional resonance with characters facing both ordinary and extraordinary circumstances.

Helen Oyeyemi crafts narratives that weave folklore and fairy tales into contemporary settings, creating stories that defy traditional genre boundaries. Her work shares Link's ability to blend the familiar with the strange while exploring complex relationships and identity.

Carmen Maria Machado creates genre-bending short fiction that combines horror, fantasy, and literary elements to examine contemporary issues. Her stories feature similar experimental structures and supernatural elements while maintaining a strong focus on women's experiences and bodies.

Angela Carter wrote fairy tale retellings and original stories that combine folklore with feminist themes and dark fantasy elements. Her work demonstrates the same masterful blend of the magical and mundane that characterizes Link's writing, with an emphasis on subverting traditional narrative expectations.

George Saunders writes short fiction that combines elements of satire, science fiction, and literary realism in unexpected ways. His work shares Link's interest in examining human relationships through unconventional narrative structures while incorporating elements of the supernatural and absurd.