Kelly Creagh on Her Grim Reaper Rom-Com

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What happens when the Grim Reaper falls for a children's librarian? Kelly Creagh's adult debut says: absolute chaos, and a whole lot of heart.

YA fan-favorite Kelly Creagh (the Nevermore trilogy) makes her adult debut with A Date with Death, a spicy, comedy-forward paranormal rom-com about a Grim Reaper and the sunshine-y librarian who steals his afterlife. In this episode, Kelly talks about jumping from YA to adult romance, writing comedy after years in paranormal horror, and her upcoming Hades and Persephone romantasy retelling — plus she shares the books currently topping her TBR. Perfect for readers who love cozy paranormal rom-coms, monster romance, and stories about finding your process as a writer.

📚 Books Mentioned

A Date with Death by Kelly Creagh — Buy on Amazon | Paranormal Rom-Com | Audio ✅

A Promise to Hades by Kelly Creagh —YA Romantasy (upcoming)

My Roommate Is a Vampire by Jenna Levine — Buy on Amazon | Paranormal Rom-Com | Audio ✅

Under Loch and Key by Lana Ferguson — Buy on Amazon | Monster Romance | Audio ✅

The Cruel Prince by Holly Black — Buy on Amazon | Fantasy/Romantasy |Audio ✅

How to Write Best-Selling Fiction by James Scott Bell — Buy on Audible | Writing Craft | Audio ✅ (Audible-exclusive)

⏱️ Timestamps

• [00:00] Welcome + intro to Kelly's adult debut, A Date with Death
• [01:00] Moving from YA to adult romance
• [02:00] Adult problems vs. YA coming-of-age stakes
• [03:00] Writing a heroine with romantic baggage
• [04:00] Where the Grim Reaper concept came from (thanks, nephew Ethan)
• [05:00] Why cozy romance is resonating right now
• [06:00] Kelly's comedy background
• [07:00] Family humor, playwriting, and theater roots
• [08:00] Working in a library — and that infamous bookmobile
• [09:00] What's next: A Promise to Hades, a Hades/Persephone romantasy
• [10:00] Researching mythology and the Vestal Virgins
• [12:00] On retellings and finding your voice as a writer
• [14:00] What Kelly reads across genres
• [15:00] Advice on finding your own writing process
• [16:00] Learning structure before you break the rules
• [19:00] The business side of being a writer
• [21:00] Craft book recommendation: James Scott Bell
• [22:00] Fiction recs: vampire rom-coms, monster romance, and The Cruel Prince
• [23:00] Where to find Kelly online

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