Natalie Kikić is a Croatian American speculative fiction writer who grew up on stories of her parents’ lives in the former Yugoslavia. She holds a Bachelor’s in Slavic Languages & Literatures from the University of California, Berkeley and her work explores Balkan folklore, belonging, and hauntings, both ghostly and romantic. When not writing, Natalie can typically be found wrapped in a blanket with a cup of chai, meticulously planning her next travel itinerary, or listening to Taylor Swift on repeat. Originally from California, she currently resides in Massachusetts with her husband and two polydactyl cats.

As a former mentee in another program, Natalie knows a supportive mentor can mean the world. She is excited to help a mentee through the revision process and make their story shine. Her specializations include navigating genre-blends (especially Horror-Romance), scene planning, and plotting.

Natalie is represented by Elizabeth Pratt at Trellis Literary Management. Her debut, THE HAUNTING OF LAVENDER HOUSE, will be published by Park Row Books in fall 2026.