K. J. Backer—or Katie as her friends know her—is a writer, wife, mother, teacher, singer, Pomeranian enthusiast, and world traveler who resides in Billings, Montana. She released her first book in January 2019 to an enthusiastic audience. She writes because she loves storytelling and there are stories in her head that have to come out. But the wonderful “icing on the cake” is the excitement from people who fall in love with your stories and characters.

Originally from Oregon, Katie credits her close family bonds, wild imagination, and love of books to her humble, rural upbringing. Backer has always been interested in other cultures and dreamed, from an early age, of traveling the world. Her numerous journeys as an adult have greatly impacted her life and development, and have left an indelible mark, too, in her writing. Backer’s ever-evolving writing and teaching focuses both on World History themes and positively impacting the lives of today’s youth, interests strengthened during her years teaching high school History classes. The strong sense of people and their place evidenced in her writing comes from past and present journeys. The fragrant Douglas firs of her Oregon home, the ornate castles she strolled through in Europe, the Plains peoples’ resilience, the hospitable communities in Ethiopia, and the law-making endeavors witnessed in the U.S. Capitol all get new life in her Nav’Aria series. Her most sacred journey yet, motherhood through adoption, provides her best material. Affirming that hope is eternally fruitful, her years spent awaiting parenthood inspired her most productive and meaningful work.

Visit Katie's website.

Katie is a member-owner since January 2019.