Bio

Annie back before all this writing gave her white hair!

Annie Reed has been called “one of the best writers of her generation” and for good reason.

She’s a multiple Derringer finalist whose stories have appeared in five year’s best mystery and crime volumes, including an amazing three years in a row in the prestigious Best Mystery Stories of the Year from series editor Otto Penzler. She received a Silver Honorable Mention from Writers of the Future, a Literary Fellowship from the Nevada Arts Council, and her holiday romance story “A New Home for Christmas” was chosen to appear in study materials in Japan for students preparing for college entrance exams. Her first Abby Maxon novel, PRETTY LITTLE HORSES, was a finalist for the Best First Novel sponsored by the Private Eye Writers of America.

She’s a frequent contributor to Pulphouse Fiction Magazine, Thrill Ride Magazine, and Mystery, Crime, and Mayhem. Her novels include ROAD OF NO RETURN, A DEATH IN CUMBERLAND, and the Gray Lady Series (GRAY LADY RISING, GRAY LADY’S REVENGE, and GRAY LADY’S GAMBIT) co-written with best-selling author Robert Jeschonek. She’s also an unabashed MCU fangirl and loves to attend fan conventions where she meets some of the coolest people.

Annie with John Barrowman

Annie with Michael Cudlitz

In 2020 Annie began editing short-story anthologies with Sweet Valentines, part of the WMG Holiday Spectacular series.

Annie’s a founding member and contributor to the innovative Uncollected Anthology series of themed urban and contemporary fantasy anthologies, now beginning its eleventh year. She writes mystery, science fiction, fantasy, and romance under her own name and suspense novels as Kris Sparks. She also writes the Liberty Springs sweet romance novels and stories under the name Liz McKnight.

She’s also occasionally supervised by her feline overlords, including Junior, her continuity editor.