About Us

Founder’s Story: The Birth of The Book Dragon

From crafting stories at age five to founding a revolutionary publishing support business, Kirsty F McKay’s journey embodies the spirit of perseverance and innovation. A lifelong book enthusiast, her house overflows with literature, drawing inspiration from authors like C.S. Lewis, Stephanie Meyer, Veronica Roth, Sarah Maas, J.K. Rowling, Kelley Armstrong, J.D. Robb, Kathy Reichs, and Darynda Jones.

After earning her BA Hons in Human Resource Management from Teesside University, Kirsty built a decade-long career in HR while raising her family. However, a Fibromyalgia diagnosis redirected her path. Rather than viewing this as a setback, Kirsty recognised it as divine guidance toward her true calling in literature and creative writing.

In November 2019, Kirsty published her first fantasy novel through what she later discovered was a vanity press. The COVID-19 pandemic struck shortly after, devastating her ability to promote and sell her books. Despite listing on Amazon, she struggled with the platform’s algorithms, unable to achieve visibility. Her publisher provided no marketing support or guidance post publication.

As restrictions lifted, Kirsty encountered widespread resistance from traditional bookshops. One particularly disheartening experience saw a store refuse to prominently display local author’s works, citing insufficient profit margins. This attitude, she discovered, was pervasive, with other local authors sharing similar stories of rejection and stigma against self-published works.

One local business later expressed relief at The Book Dragon’s opening, noting they were “glad someone was there to deal with all the crap.” This sentiment reinforced the need for change in the industry’s approach to independent authors.

Determined to transform this negative landscape, Kirsty launched The Book Dragon with a small business loan and grant funding. Recognising the need for sustainable support, she developed a membership program offering comprehensive benefits while providing ongoing business support. The model emphasises community feedback and collaborative growth, ensuring authors feel integral to the business’s evolution.

“Our focus and importance is on the writer not their work. We would never belittle a writer in this way because we know & appreciate just how much effort & work goes into creating a book. We are here to support writers in achieving their dreams and ambitions. To guide them in the craft and enable them to learn, develop and grow.”

And Kirsty carefully selects her team members who share her passion, ethos and vision for an unrestricted, innovative approach to publishing support. Under her leadership, The Book Dragon continues to grow as a force for positive change in the publishing industry, championing independent authors and transforming traditional publishing paradigms.

While pursuing an MA in Creative Writing & Publishing at York St John’s University, Kirsty is enhancing her expertise to better serve self-published and indie authors. Her advanced studies in publishing equip her to advocate for meaningful industry changes and create new opportunities for independent writers.

As a mother of three, grandmother of four, and cat parent to six, Kirsty understands the importance of family and community in achieving dreams. “I could not do any of this without the support of my family. My daughter Bronwyn helps run daily operations, while my husband Niall provides physical and financial backing. The Book Dragon has brought me so much joy, independence and enabled me to grow and evolve as a writer too. And I put my heart and soul into everything I do to ensure its success.”