Today, we’re excited to spotlight Kex Harper, whose book The Alpha’s Lunar Bond has just launched on Galatea!
From writing stories about Mr. Carrot at age five to captivating thousands of readers with powerful werewolf romances, Kex’s journey is a testament to following your passion despite challenges. In this interview, Kex shares how writing became a lifelong dream, what inspired The Alpha’s Lunar Bond, and the advice they hope every aspiring author hears.
Early Beginnings: A Passion Born in Kindergarten
Inkitt: What inspired you to become an author? Was there a specific moment that sparked your passion for storytelling?
Kex Harper:I’ve wanted to be an author for as long as I can remember. I wrote my first story at 5 years old, and just never stopped. I had an amazing kindergarten teacher who would spiral-bind the stories my friends and I wrote, and that was incredibly motivating.
Inkitt: What was the first story you ever wrote? How does it compare to what you write now?
Kex Harper: The first story I ever wrote was about a farmer named Mr. Carrot. I don’t remember much about his adventures at this point, but I can definitely say my writing has improved since I was 5.
Finding Success on Inkitt
Inkitt: How did you first discover Inkitt, and what was your early experience like on the platform?
Kex Harper:I was struggling to get any traction on another popular site, so I took to Google. It took me a few weeks to understand the ins and outs of Inkitt, but the other authors in the Discord were very helpful. My first couple of books didn’t do super well, but once I figured out how to best utilize the wheels, I started getting decent read numbers.
Inkitt: What was it like seeing your story gain traction? Were there any key milestones or reader interactions that stood out?
Kex Harper: I was SO excited! I’m pretty sure I annoyed the crap out of the Discord when the book started taking off. I checked my stats every single morning (Okay, full disclosure, I still start my day by checking my stats) and seeing 100+ reads in a day was insane. Then when I marked it complete and started getting 1000+ reads in a day? I straight up thought I’d died. The five year old inside of me was screaming with joy.
Inkitt: Did Inkitt’s analytics or engagement features help you shape your story?
Kex Harper: I don’t know that they changed the actual storyline, but seeing the read numbers go up, getting comments and reviews, and just generally knowing people were excited for the next chapter definitely motivated me to keep writing. I always struggled to finish stories because I’d lose interest. So having excited readers was a real gamechanger.
Inkitt: Have you participated in any Inkitt writing contests? What was that experience like?
Kex Harper: I’ve entered a couple of contests, but those stories never really gained any traction. I’m sure I’ll try again in the future.
The Galatea Dream Becomes Reality
Inkitt: When did you find out you were going to be a Galatea author? How did that feel?
Kex Harper: I actually got my offer just a few weeks after I marked the book complete. I thought maybe in a few years I’d be lucky enough to have something picked. But I’d only been on Inkitt for about 5 months, so I was entirely caught off guard. It took me like an entire day to convince myself the email was real! Even now it feels like I’m dreaming.
Inkitt: What are you most excited about readers seeing in your book on Galatea?
Kex Harper:I want readers to see how much fun I had writing the book. It was a genre that I’d never attempted before, because I love challenging myself. I’m excited to get their comments and their reactions to the twists and turns the story takes.
Kex Harper, author on Inkitt and Galatea
Inkitt: What advice would you give to other Inkitt authors hoping to sign a Galatea contract?
Kex Harper: Keep writing. Write consistently, write widely, and don’t be afraid to try something new. If you write for yourself first and enjoy the stories you tell, then you’ve set yourself up for success.
Inkitt: Were there specific moments on Inkitt that paved the way for your Galatea signing?
Kex Harper: I think the day I marked my book complete kicked off my road to Galatea. The response from the community was huge! I went from 4,000 reads to 30,000 reads in a crazy short amount of time. I fully believe it is the community enjoying my book that got me on Galatea.
Overcoming Personal Challenges
Inkitt: What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your writing journey, and how have you overcome them?
Kex Harper:The biggest challenge has been imposter syndrome and a deep need for validation. When I was a teenager, an immediate family member told me, “I’ve read your writing. It’s not very good, is it?” That moment has been ingrained in every part of my writing journey for the last 15+ years. But every read, comment, and glowing review has healed a small part of that wound. If any of you have had similar experiences, I want you to know that the world needs your stories. Don’t let the people around you discourage you from telling them. I lost 5 years to that interaction, but you don’t have to.
Inkitt: Is there a piece of advice you were given early in your career that’s stuck with you?
Kex Harper: Two of them: First, rejection is part of the author’s journey. If you’re querying and getting rejection letter after rejection letter, that doesn’t mean your book is bad, or that you’re a bad author. It just means you haven’t found the right audience yet. And second, professionalism is SO important. In the age of the internet, your reputation is so hard to clean up if you ruin it.
Writing Craft and Creative Process
Inkitt: How do you stay motivated during long projects or tough writing days?
Kex Harper:A huge portion of my motivation is my audience. When I’m getting frustrated or feel like giving up, I remember that there are people out there waiting to see what happens next. I don’t want to disappoint them!
Inkitt: Which authors or books have influenced your writing style the most?
Kex Harper: Brian Jacques has been a huge influence for me. Also Tamora Pierce, Anne McCaffrey, JKR, and Orson Scott Card.
Inkitt: Where do you find inspiration for your stories, characters, and worlds?
Kex Harper: I get inspiration all over the place. Song lyrics, office drama, peoplewatching, movies, dreams, prompt lists, people I know, life experiences, video games, and the list goes on. I never know what in a day is going to prompt something new in my head.
Inkitt: Do you have any specific writing rituals or environments that help you get into a creative mindset?
Kex Harper: I have a certain video on YouTube that I’ve trained my brain to register as ‘writing time.’ It’s just a collection of instrumental music about an hour long. Whenever I sit at the computer and turn on that video, the ideas just start to flow.
Inkitt: Are you a plotter (carefully outlining your story) or a pantser (letting the story develop as you write)?
Kex Harper: I’m about 80% pantser. I generally have a very loose, basic idea of where I want the story to end with a few pit stops along the way. But I don’t get too detailed with the outline because I know after 2-3 chapters the story will have evolved so far that the outline no longer works.
Inkitt: How do you develop your characters? Do they ever surprise you?
Kex Harper: My characters start out as nothing more than a name and maybe a couple of basic physical traits. I get to know them as the story progresses, and they are really the ones in control. They surprise me all the time, and that’s what I love the most about pantsing and discovery writing. The feeling of a plot twist I didn’t see coming is a joy that’s hard to describe.
Inkitt: What part of the writing process do you enjoy the most?
Kex Harper:I love writing the first draft because it so often catches me off guard. There’s a certain excitement in being the first person to explore this new world and meet these new people.
Inkitt: How do you overcome writer’s block?
Kex Harper: My method is probably a little odd, but it works for me. I always have multiple manuscripts in progress. If I get blocked on one, I move to another and another. And if changing books doesn’t help, then I try just writing something silly. When all else fails I try a walk, bath, snack, or break.
Core Messages and Themes
Inkitt: Are there any recurring themes or messages you hope readers take away from your stories?
Kex Harper: I want my readers to see that communication is SO important. My characters have disagreements and misunderstandings, but they always talk through them before the end of the book. I want to show that people can learn to overcome their differences, that love is beautiful, and that you can get your power back when bad things happen to you.
Kex Harper’s journey reminds us that storytelling isn’t just about words on a page – it’s about healing, hope, and finding the courage to share your voice.
The Alpha’s Lunar Bond is now live on Galatea, ready to sweep readers into a world of love, twists, and powerful bonds. If you haven’t read it yet, this is your sign to dive in and experience Kex’s incredible world today.
Start Reading The Alpha’s Lunar Bond 
