About Me

- avid coffee drinker, casual crocheter, and aspiring author! I graduated from College of the Ozarks in May 2024 with two Bachelor’s degrees in Business Administration and Youth Development (no, not to start a daycare). Now, I’m now working full-time while chasing one my biggest dreams: sharing my writing with readers!

Hi there!

I’m Bethany Kolb.

Writing has always been my purest form of self-expression.

Whether I’m working on my Young Adult Dystopian novel, publishing short stories, or filling my phone notes, I’m always jotting down words inspired by life. Now, I’m so excited to launch this space to engage with fellow writers and to build a community of fellow literature-lovers!

Read my latest publication:

“Wilfred, Whom I Love”

- an original, spooky short story published in Dragon Soul Press’ upcoming anthology:

An eerie tale of doomed romance, societal defiance, & warnings heeded too late…

Available in Paperback & eBook

October 30th!

Preorder Now!

“When you make morning tea, have you ever added poison along with two sugars?” Wilfred Basil ran a tortuous thumb across his lips, envisioning the woman as had become second nature. “Then you could not comprehend the woeful tale of how I loved her.”

- Bethany E. Kolb

Publications / Awards

Joan Vayo Scholarship recipient for the Midwest Writers Workshop Summer Conference ‘26

First EVER recipient of this gift!
For a writer aged 18-25 who would like to advance - or begin - their writing career and could not attend otherwise.
For information about MWW and the conference I will attend in July, check out Midwest Writers Workshop’s website!
Read my scholarship-winning short story!

Tadpole Press 100-Word Writing Contest - Shortlist Winner

Top 3% (50) of 1,600+ entries internationally
My first writing competition!
Read my published entry in the April 2025 Issue of the Digital Tadpole Press Literary Magazine!

Republished in Tadpole Press’ 10th Anniversary Issue

To celebrate 10 years of the Tadpole Press 100-Word Writing Contest, the agency released a special issue featuring their favorite pieces over the years - including my April 2025 contest entry!
Read my published entry in the 10th Anniversary Special Edition of the digital Tadpole Press Literary Magazine!

All-time favorite reads:

Can you even be a writer without being a reader? As such, here are some of my all-time favorite books/series. You’ll dig up pieces of these preferences in the tones, themes, and heart of my writing - especially my short fiction!

My top comfort author and literary world. I relate so deeply to Bilbo Baggins, and his story gives me so much hope. Plus, Tolkein’s literary craft is a true privilege to read!
Ragtag gangs, endless angst, slow-burn yearning, and plot twists you never see coming?! Sign me up! Literally couldn’t put this duology down.
The first book I remember laughing out loud about. Alcott’s writing is so skilled and fun while portraying real life applications digestibly. One of my favorite books of all time!
Collins is truly one of the great authors of our generation. Her entire Hunger Games franchise brims with captivating characters, a story that hooks you, and real-life applications that make you think. You’ll find a lot of inspiration from her in my “Rise of the Nomads” novel.