Fiction

In addition to science communication, Cay is also a fiction writer, writing under the penname K.L. Brandt. They specialize in upmarket and commercial genre fiction (horror, thriller, fantasy) for both adult audiences and are part of the space-horror anthology, Astrophobia.

Novels

Parasite*

When nonbinary college student Art Haeberlin’s kind, older brother goes missing—van flipped, an unknown person’s blood on his front seat—they must return to their hated hometown to help bring him home alive—and hopefully still human.

Adult Horror • 95k • STARLING HOUSE by Alix E. Harrow x SUMMER SONS by Lee Mandelo

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Corrupted Art*

Master art forger Sage Davis jumps at the chance to compete for a patron for life. But when she discovers the true price of the competition—their souls, trapped and sold to the highest bidder—she must work with her rival to end it all before either of them becomes the next victim

New Adult Dark Academia • NIGHT CIRCUS by Erin Morgenstern x THE ATLAS SIX by Olivie Blake

Delayed Flight*

An aesthetic for Delayed Flight that is a series of photographs, including a wet leaf, an exit sign, a woman looking out an airplane window, a man walking, and fog over water.

Burnt-out professor Beth Winters must figure out who, or what, is killing her fellow travelers at their rural Irish hotel before she or her family become the next victims—but the culprit might be closer than she thinks.

Adult Thriller with Speculative Elements • THE GUEST LIST by Lucy Foley x SHARP OBJECTS by Gillian Flynn

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Red Shadow*

An aesthetic for Harpy that is a series of photographs in the background, including looking up from a courtyard, a woman hiding behind hair, a feather, and a statue. On top, in the shape of a diamond, are overlapping images that include orange stained glass, the Florentine skyline, and fire, with a text overlay that says "I refuse to be a tragedy."

Francesca Vasari is ambitious, cunning—and apparently possessed. To get her body back, she’ll have to work with the monster that’s taken up residence inside her to help get it home.

If, that is, her body can survive the struggle for control first.

YA Dark Fantasy • 93k • SEVEN FACELESS SAINTS by M.K. Lobb x WHAT BIG TEETH by Rose Szabo

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* = These are placeholder story titles

Short Stories

A moodboard with a series of photos, including a fly with fungus coming off it, magma coming out of a mountain, a miner going up out of a cavern, and mushrooms

To the Crust

Short Story | 4k

When contract miner Mist encounters a fungal slime deep within the crust of the volcanic planet where she’s stationed, she’s immediately whisked away for disposal. The sentient fungus that’s taking over her body, though, has other ideas

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Upcoming Stories

Came Back Wrong WIP – Adult Horror

Flesh Collector WIP – Adult Dark Fantasy

Minnesota WIP – Adult Thriller with Speculative Elements

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