Karin Rita Gastreich

Karin Rita Gastreich's publications include the epic fantasy Eolyn as well as short stories in Zahir, Adventures for the Average Woman, 69 Flavors of Paranoia and A Visitor to Sandahl. She is a recipient of the Spring 2011 Andrews Forest Writer's Residency. Together with authors Terri-Lynne DeFino and Kim Vandervort, Karin runs the blog Heroines of Fantasy, dedicated to lively discussion of fantasy fiction, and especially women in fantasy fiction.

Karin was born near Kansas City, Missouri. After earning a PhD in Zoology at the University of Texas in Austin, she lived for ten years in Costa Rica. There she directed a study abroad program in tropical ecology and environmental policy for Duke University and the Organization for Tropical Studies. She recently returned to her home town and is now an Assistant Professor of Biology at Avila University. Her past times include reading, camping, hiking, music and flamenco dance.