Makayla Nielson is a fantasy, science-fiction, and short story writer. Her novel The Voyage of Clara Bowman, co-written with Trenna McMullin, is available now on Amazon. Keep an eye out for Chimera's Blood, co-written with Alexandra Ely, coming early 2026!

Makayla has written short stories for Manawaker Studio's Flash Fiction Podcast, Twisted Tales, Tall Tale TV, Flash Fiction Magazine, Balloons Lit. Journal, Inkpot Literary Magazine, Stance: Studies on the Family, and Collective Tales Publishing.

She was raised in Normal, Illinois and currently resides in Lehi, Utah with her husband and three (almost four!) children. She earned a bachelor's degree in Family Studies emphasizing Human Development, and a Gerontology minor from Brigham Young University, and a master's degree in Gerontology from the University of Utah.