About

Kari grew up climbing trees and shooting arrows in the remote jungles of Papua New Guinea in the South Pacific. After graduating high school, she traveled to America to attend college where she developed her passion for writing. A journalism internship in Washington, D.C. led to a successful copywriting career until Kari switched to writing fiction so she could spend more time with her kids. Her debut novel The Rescuer was published Feb, 2020.

Kari writes science-fiction/fantasy for teens and tweens, offering escape into the world of fiction while still addressing tough issues like social justice. In addition to her BA in Political Science from Calvin College, Kari has years of hands-on experience teaching the fundamentals of writing, grammar, and mechanics to students of all ages. She is a member of SCBWI, President of the El Paso Writer’s League, and an active member of the popular Twitter mentorship program #WriteMentor.

Kari now lives in the deserts of El Paso, Texas, where the mountains and culture remind her (surprisingly) of her childhood home. She is always on the lookout for a good tree to climb.

You can connect with Kari on Twitter @KariVeenstra_ or visit her Facebook page @kariveenstra.author