Interview with Author Kit Grey
We are big MM & Sports Romance fans here at Briarwick, and when we saw that there was a professional basketball romance where the MCs are on rival teams and they have a hidden relationship... we were sold. Loving the Legend by Kit Grey was a wonderful read, and we were thrilled to feature Kit as a Indie Author Spotlight this January. Kit’s books are filled with found family, hurt/comfort, and deep emotions that make the HEA hard-earned but so satisfying. We spoke with Kit about her Chasing Rings series, how she writes such emotional stories, advice for indie authors, and more!
I’m Kit Grey, and I live for love stories—both the ones I devour and the ones I create. When I’m not lost in the pages of a book, I’m usually busy crafting angsty, emotional romances of my own.
My debut novel, Loving the Legend, launched in January 2024 as the first book in the Chasing Rings series. I’ve been incredibly moved by the love for Sid & Ty’s story. The second book in the series, Scoring the Player, released in July 2025 and had a strong debut reaching #6 in the Top 100 gay romance category on Amazon. Though I’m a private soul who treasures the quiet moments where my imagination can roam free, connecting with readers makes this journey so much more meaningful.
What made you want to be an author?
I’ve loved books ever since my older sister walked me around the corner to the public library when I was very young. I studied Finance in college, yet I was always disappearing into the literature wing of my university’s library. Going to a business school meant the dusty literature shelves were rarely touched, and I felt incredibly rich having them all to myself.
It wasn’t until I couldn’t find the book I wanted to read, and needed somewhere to put the grief I was experiencing, that I sat down to write a story. I had no goals of being an author before then.
What inspired you to write Loving the Legend?
I wrote Loving the Legend while I was processing grief after losing a loved one. Basketball was a great source of joy for me during that time, and the idea of the story settled in one day while I was watching a game and it wouldn’t let up. I never intended to publish it, but when my partner read it and their reaction gave me goosebumps, I thought, “What if?”
Why did you choose basketball as the sport you wanted to write about?
I’ve loved basketball for as long as I can remember. Growing up in Brooklyn, my earliest sports memories are tied to the New York Knicks and the Nets, back when the Nets were still in New Jersey. I’ve always been drawn to the combination of power and finesse in the game. The way players move with the ball, spin, soar, defend, and create stunning plays in motion has always captivated me.
Your stories are full of angst and deep emotions. Do you have any advice for writing angst in a way that feels realistic?
I spend a lot of time getting to know my characters. I imagine them in every room I’m in and observe how they move through space. I put myself in their shoes and try to feel what they are feeling in the scene. If my character has just lost their parents, like Ty has, I close my eyes and visualize myself in an ER waiting room, hearing a doctor deliver that news. I let myself sit in that terrifying space.
I’ve been a crying, trembling, dehydrated mess at my computer. I’ve had to stop writing just to pace my living room and breathe, leaving a trail of tissues everywhere. For better or worse, I feel it all first, and with everything I know about my characters, I faithfully record it on the page. I also believe in supporting instinct with craft. I inhale books like The Emotional Craft of Fiction. I have a battered copy on my desk and another on my Kindle, because learning how emotion works on the page helps me trust my process even more.
What is your favorite thing about indie publishing?
Readers of indie books are some of the most active and supportive readers out there. I went to my first book conference last year, Queers & Quills, and felt such genuine connection and encouragement from my readers. It mirrored what I experience every day through edits, DMs, and kind notes online. They are the number one reason I love being an indie author. I also enjoy the freedom to follow my inspiration and write the stories I want to write. I am not a fast writer by romance standards, and that’s because time really matters to my process. My manuscripts need a little space to age and breathe. Stepping away gives me new perspective and time to dig into my craft books, sharpen my prose, and refine the work. I care deeply about my characters, so having creative control over everything from cover and character art to choosing audiobook narrators is incredibly important to me.
What is some advice that you'd give to aspiring indie authors?
God, I could write a book. LOL. Be prepared to wear so many hats that you’ll lose count. Being an independent author means you’re also a business owner, and it’s never too early to start developing the business side of your publishing journey. Remember the freedom you have. If publishing ever stops being fun, take a step back and get honest about what’s dragging it down. Finally, and maybe the most important advice I could ever give, is to ask for help when you need it. I’ve reached out to many, many authors for advice, and most of us are more than happy to share what we’ve learned.
Advice you have for writing romance?
Oh gosh, I feel like this is so subjective. The question at the heart of my books, and the one that keeps me returning to my pen, is this: given different, and sometimes stark, life experiences and ways of thinking and being in the world, what will it take for these two people who love each other to make it work? Not just work, but truly thrive. I focus a lot on the interior lives of my main characters, the emotional landscape they’re navigating and how those inner worlds shape the way they love, fight, and grow together. So my advice isn’t to do exactly what I do, but to really sit with the question at the heart of your own books. Figure out what keeps pulling you back to the story, what you’re trying to explore through these characters and their relationship, and let that question guide the romance you’re writing.
What do you hope that readers take away from your stories?
In the epigraph of my first book, I quoted a line from one of my favorite books ever, The Prophet by Khalil Gibran. To answer this question, I’ll offer another one: “All these things shall love do unto you that you may know the secrets of your heart.”
I hope readers take away that, like love, stories can bring us closer to ourselves.
What is the best way to support you as an indie author?
The best way to support me as an indie author is by recommending my work to friends, as word of mouth is truly golden. Since you won't find my books in many brick and mortar shops, you can snag exclusive signed paperbacks and artwork directly from my online shop: KitGrey.com/shop. Everything is wrapped and shipped by me with extra love. You can also join my Patreon, which has both free and paid tiers offering a variety of perks. I’d love for us to stay connected.
What’s coming next for you that we need to keep on our radars?
Book three in my Chasing Rings series follows East and Ray’s story, childhood best friends who have forged a deep connection, as they navigate codependency and the challenges of joining the league.
Where should people follow you?
I recently launched a Patreon and Discord because I have so much to share between stories, including bonus scenes, art, and behind-the-scenes peeks, and I wanted to connect more deeply with my readers than social media allows. It’s quickly become my favorite cozy corner of the internet thanks to the love and energy my readers bring. Additionally, I’m on Instagram and TikTok.
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