Photo credits: Kell Woods
At OwlCrate, we work with fantastic authors whose books we feature as special or limited editions. The books featured in our monthly boxes are always new releases from a range of diverse authors.
This article is a spotlight on Kell Woods, the author behind the book featured in our September 2023 and March 2025 Adult Fantasy boxes. Read on to find out more about her!
About Kell Wood
Kell Woods (She/Her) is a bestselling author who published her debut novel, After The Forest, in 2023. In 2024, her short story Before The Forest was published and featured in the July/Aug 2024 edition of the Reactor Magazine.
In November 2024, one of her poems was featured in the "Heroines: An Anthology Of Poetry. Volume Five". Her newest adult fantasy novel which was inspired by "The Little Mermaid" and "Cinderella" fairy tales was published in early 2025, and this is only the beginning of her writing career.
Woods was born and raised in Australia and currently lives with her husband, two sons, and a cat. Her love for stories led her to do a degree in English literature, and she has worked in libraries for over ten years.
OwlCrate Editions Of Books By Kell Woods
After The Forest By Kell Woods
After the Forest by Kell Woods was our September 2023 ‘Follow the Breadcrumbs' Adult Fantasy book choice. A retelling of "Hansel and Gretel," this book is equal parts dark fantasy, romance, and historical fiction, with just a hint of magic.
“Ginger. Honey. Cinnamon. Flour. A drop of blood to bind its power.”
After escaping the witch's gingerbread house fifteen years ago, Greta and Hans are dealing with the aftermath of what happened. Following a war and the deaths of their mother and stepmother, Hans is struggling with gambling debt, while Greta uses a grimoire, which she stole from the witch, to bake magical gingerbread, which keeps them afloat.
However, being surrounded by superstitious people means that Greta's treats become the cause of suspicion in their village. When dark magic returns to the forest, Greta must use her magical abilities to try and save herself before her abilities themselves kill her.
Features for this OwlCrate Edition:
- Signed by Kell Woods
- Exclusive redesigned cover by @julie.reinhart_
- Signature page designed by @divineliterary
- Reversible dust jacket illustrated by @rena.illustration
- Foil hardcover case designs by @littleforestcat_
- Endpages illustrated by @emajarian (different front and back)
- Author letter bound into the book
- Bonus content bound into the book
- Sprayed edges
“There is more than one shade of magic, dearie. A true witch knows them all.”
Upon a Starlit Tide By Kell Woods
Upon A Starlit Tide by Kell Woods was our March 2025 ‘Tempests and Tides' Adult Fantasy book choice. This book is a fairy-tale inspired historical fantasy that features lush prose and a dark and enchanting romance.
Lucinda Leone is the youngest daughter of a wealthy ship merchant. She spends her days by the ocean, looking for adventure and dreaming of sailing off into the distant horizon, much to the ire of her family. Samuel, an English smuggler and Lucinda’s best friend, is the only one in her life who understands her longing for the sea.
After a storm ravages the cost, Lucinda finds herself saving a near-drowned sailor from the ocean’s clutches, and soon a strange relationship develops between the two. But Lucinda’s world is about to be ripped apart — magic is disappearing from her world, and as her yearning for the sea grows stronger and stronger, she must now learn the truth behind her own desires.
Features for this OwlCrate Edition:
- Signed by Kell Woods
- Exclusive redesigned dust jacket with art by @2ghosts and designed by @lichen_and_limestone
- Reversible dust jacket designed by @marblenxxart
- Foil hardcover case designed by @wavyhues
- Foiled end pages (different front and back) designed by @harteus
- Stenciled edges designed by @divineliterary
- Author signature page designed by @divineliterary
- Author letter bound into the book
- Bonus content bound into the book
- Ribbon bookmark
- Book Size: 5.5” x 8.5”
