top of page
bgImage

Biography​

A native of The Rio Grande Valley in South Texas, Katelynn Rentería is an award-winning author with a deep passion for writing. Ranked as valedictorian of her graduating high school class (2018), Katelynn is a true advocate for literacy and is the 2017 recipient of the Literary Classics Book Awards: Silver Award for the Middle School division for her first published novel. She wrote her first manuscript at age 14 and published her first book, “The Other Side of the Law”, at age 16. Her title was featured as the Weekly Top Seller after its release, and was featured on the Top 50 Best Sellers List of 2019 from her current publisher. She loves to visit South Texas campuses to give presentations advocating literacy, and motivates students to read, write, and always move forward in accomplishing their goals. Katelynn is currently writing her second novel, the sequel to her first, and is now a self-published author. She works as a freelance writer for various media outlets and independent entities, and has earned an Associate of Science Degree in Biology (2018), a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology, summa cum laude (2020), and a Master of Arts Degree in Experimental Psychology (2022).


A quote from the Author: "The thing I enjoy most about being an author is inspiring children and youth to believe in themselves and do great things. This all starts with the love of reading."

bgImage

Published Works

- Katelynn is the author of the award-winning young adult fiction novel, "The Other Side of the Law." 

- She is currently working on her second novel, the sequel to her first, and expects it to be published Summer 2022

- Katelynn also works as a freelance writer for newspaper outlets & independent entities

Credentials

- Associate Degree in Biology, 2018

- Valedictorian, High School Class of 2018

- Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology with a minor in Legal Studies, summa cum laude, 2020

- Master of Arts Degree in Experimental Psychology, 2022

- Plans to proceed to the Doctoral level in Psychology

Awards

- 2017 Literary Classics Book Award Recipient for "The Other Side of the Law" in the Middle School Division

- 2017 Seal of Approval Recipient for "The Other Side of the Law" from Literary Classics Book Awards

- 2018 Recipient of the Good Citizens Award from Daughters of the American Revolution

- 2019 Top 50 Bestsellers List for Outskirts Press

Presentations & Organizations

- Public & Motivational Speaker

- Board of Directors for the South Texas Literacy Coalition

- Member of the Rio Grande Valley Byliners Writers Organization

- 2019 Battle of the Books Moderator for HCISD

- Presenter and speaker at elementary, middle, high school, and post-secondary campuses, creative writing clubs, and book clubs across the Rio Grande Valley

- Advocates literacy at summer reading programs and book events at libraries across the Rio Grande Valley

- Co-creator of the RGV Author Hub, a free hub of resources created by authors, for educators and students 

Calligraphy, Podcasts, & Other Projects

- Katelynn also practices calligraphy, particularly ink and brush lettering, as well as wood-burning, artistry, and illustration. Some of her artworks can be seen on her Instagram page, @calligraphy.by.kate

- Katelynn also hosts her own psychology podcast,"What's Not to Psych?" and is a co-creator and host of the book lover's podcast, "Tall, Dark, & Darcy" 

- Katelynn is the founder and host of "The Write Crowd: A Virtual Author Expo," an annual virtual expo which showcases over 45 authors, literary advocates, and special guests on panel-like interviews that can be streamed on YouTube and Facebook

bgImage

An Inside Look to Katelynn's Presentations

bottom of page