Kristy Crabtree, writer

Hi! Hello! Welcome!

I’m Kristy Crabtree, a writer hailing from the Pacific Northwest, who believes the best ideas come while running, and that anything can be made better with an extra dash of everything bagel seasoning. I am an ever-optimist, and pride myself in having enough enthusiasm to go around. Yet, like a good, complicated human, I am hopelessly devoted to characters that don’t share my level of optimistic fervor.

If I had to describe myself in terms of fictional characters, I’d be a mix of Kipo (from Kipo and the Age of Wonderbeasts), Amy Santiago (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), and Devi Vishwakumar (Never Have I Ever).

I write young adult books (contemporary and mystery) that are voice-driven, full of heart and humor, and that often involve murder, an accidental death, or revenge.  My characters are flawed (often with earnest intentions), and represent as sarcastic, irreverent, know-better-than, or morally gray. 

I am a member of SCBWI, the Manuscript Academy, and an active critique group participant. With one of my manuscripts, I was chosen for mentorship through YA4YA. With another, I was a finalist in Voyage YA’s First Chapter Contest. And most recently, for my latest manuscript, I was a runner-up with #RevPit. I have two short fiction stories recently in Parentheses Journal and have published multiple nonfiction articles in The Riveter, Ode Magazine, and The Huffington Post, among others. I also wrote and directed a fiction podcast for social workers in humanitarian settings.  

I have been lucky enough to go to two writing conferences in 2018-2019, where I obsessed over meeting like-minded writers. Really though, I love how positive and inclusive this community is, it makes my eternally optimistic soul smile from cheek to cheek.

My favorite authors are Jesse Q. Sutanto,  Jenny Lee, Tess Sharpe, Jasmine Warga, Adam Silvera, Kathleen Glasgow, Tiffany D. Jackson,  Jandy Nelson, Julie Buxbaum, Chelsea Sedoti, and Jen Calonita

By day, I’m a digital innovations advisor at a humanitarian relief organization. I consult on the safe use of data and ethical implementation of data systems tracking violence against women and children, and utilizing technology for humanitarian programming. I work in the violence prevention and response unit, and have been lucky enough to travel (mostly through my job) to 39 countries!

Outside of writing and working, my most prized hours of the day are spent with my independent, measured, silly-spirited daughter, Hazel, who I may or may not being trying to craft into a comedian. She can be heard spouting catchphrases and obsessing over dogs, sometimes playing soccer and sometimes just laying down on top of the ball. Girls run the world… and also take breaks sometimes.

If your eyes have worked too hard, I also create things for ears. Check out the Women’s Protection and Empowerment podcast to learn more about women and girls in humanitarian settings.