The words RK Brainerd are written out in parchment and gold colors, with green branches emerging out of the text down and to the side. Rising from the center, a purple and green dragon spreads their wings. Below and to the right are the words Romantic Ecopunk Fantasy.

Author of Romantic Ecopunk Fantasy

RK Brainerd wrote before she read, began her first novel at 12, and hasn’t stopped since. Her character-driven stories explore themes of mental health and neurodivergence, environmentalism, social justice, and found families. Read more about her here!

New Release: Jagged Emerald City

If you like slow-burn romance, green-inspired societies, and the twisting journey of healing after trauma, this one might be for you!

Fairian’s quest for magic drives her into the path of a lonely, mysterious stranger who may have the answers she’s looking for but brings the attention of deadly players in supernatural power politics. 

In an illustrated style, a young woman stands back to back with a taller gentleman; she's smirking and carrying a satchel filled with books; he's looking over his shoulder towards the viewer and holding a glowing golden orb.

The Awakedragon Blog

  • When a Fantasy Author goes Grad-Schooling…

    So, if you haven’t heard already, this author decided to go to graduate school (ten years after graduating undergrad). Sticking to the brand apparently, I am working on a degree called Political Ecology, which is basically if politics and environmentalism had an activist baby with every other field of academia.

  • Debut Novels: How My First Publication Came to Exist

    Debut Novels: How My First Publication Came to Exist

    My debut novel, Jagged Emerald City, has a particular story of how it came to be, why it came to be, and what I learned while doing so.

  • Nicole Evans on Her First Self-Publishing Experience

    Nicole Evans on Her First Self-Publishing Experience

    My dear friend Nicole Evans has just launched her debut novel: BLOOD PRICE. As someone who has had the privilege to read initial drafts and hear brainstorming sessions, I am so excited that this hauntingly beautiful and real book is coming out into the world.