About Cursed Carp

(and Me, Kirsten)

Hi, I’m Kirsten — a writer, artist, lifelong creative, and mom to two wild little humans.

Cursed Carp is the chaotic hub where all my passions collide: dark romantasy, pyrography art, and cozy-cursed merch.

Born and raised in Portland, Oregon, I grew up surrounded by art, music, and creative chaos. There was always a project in progress: an art class at the kitchen table, instruments in every room, and something new to make. I’ve tried my hand at it all, and I learned that I'm happiest when I have multiple projects in motion.

Now, I’m raising a family of my own in that same spirit. My two kids (ages 3 and 6) keep me on my toes. Our home is loud, cozy, and a little chaotic, but it’s full of love and creativity. At the center is my husband — my real-life hero: a strong, ginger-hearted man who isn’t morally gray but morally bold, always standing up for the little guy and inspiring every character I write.

This is a space for all of it. My debut fantasy series is on the horizon, my commission books are open for art, and the shop is full of goods for readers and fellow creators. If you’re into fantasy, fandoms, rainy days, iced coffee, and chaotic good energy — welcome. You belong here.

A Few Fun Facts:

  • 📍 Portland born-and-raised (yes, I love rain)

  • 🎶 Surrounded by art and music

  • 🐾 Always at least one cat around, if not five (because of course)

  • ☕ Favorite fuel: iced coffee, no matter the season

  • 🎧 Emotional support playlist: Sleep Token (on loop) and Evanescence

  • ✨ Dabbles in ASL and Japanese

  • ❤️ Married to my real-life hero

Young woman smiling with braces holding two large cold drinks outside on a sunny day.
A family of four lying on green grass outdoors, smiling and making playful faces. The group includes an adult man with a beard wearing a cap, an adult woman with dark hair, a young girl, and a young boy.
Adult orange and white cat sitting next to a gray tabby kitten on a beige cat tree, against a plain white wall.
A gray tabby cat sitting inside a small woven basket on a table, with a blurred background of a living room.
A young man in a blue shirt is kissing a smiling young woman with black hair and a tie-dye shirt, with sunglasses on her head, outdoors with a scenic mountain landscape in the background.
A grey cat lying curled up on a soft, furry surface near a window with a blurred outdoor view
White cat with black markings lying on carpeted floor
A young woman with dark hair tied back, holding a black mug with a beige bottom, wearing a grey top and a fingerless glove with pink dots, smiling in a home setting.