K.A. Kirtland - A Slick and Riveting Eco-Thriller

K.A. Kirtland is the debut author of Bleeding Sea, an eco-thriller inspired by research expeditions she participated in across the Gulf of Mexico and the Weddell Sea in the Antarctic. Kirtland’s graduate studies focused on the intricate balance of ecosystems, which heavily influenced the novel’s gripping narrative about a toxic dinoflagellate bloom. She is a public health professional and epidemiologist based in Atlanta, Georgia, where she continues to advocate for environmental sustainability. When she's not writing or working, Kirtland enjoys time with her family.  As our Author of the Day, she tells us all about her book, Bleeding Sea.Please give us a short introduction to what Bleeding Sea is about.Bleeding Sea is a fast-paced eco-thriller with a whodunit twist, diving into the chaos unleashed by a toxic dinoflagellate bloom—an environmental disaster that spirals into a deadly conspiracy. Dr. Diane Nelson, a young marine biologist, discovers that this red tide isn’t just a natural phenomenon but something far more sinister. As the outbreak spreads, she finds herself caught between scientific truth and powerful forces willing to bury it—at any cost. With lives on the line, Diane must navigate a treacherous web of deception, hidden agendas, and an unexpected romance that complicates everything.Bleeding Sea tackles urgent environmental issues through a thriller lens. What inspired you to write about a toxic dinoflagellate bloom and its catastrophic effects?I’ve always been fascinated—and frankly, alarmed—by harmful algal blooms. They’re not just abstract environmental concerns; they have real, devastating impacts on marine life, public health, and economies. The idea of a red tide gone horribly wrong felt like the perfect backdrop for a thriller because it’s both scientifically plausible and deeply unsettling. I wanted to blend real-world science with high-stakes storytelling that keeps readers up at night while also creating a reading experience that is enlightening and thought-provoking.The novel explores the balance between scientific discovery and corporate or government interests. How much of this conflict is based on real-world scenarios you’ve encountered in your research?There’s more of it than one might hope. Science doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it can become entangled with politics, funding battles, and corporate interests. Research can be suppressed, manipulated, or fast-tracked for the wrong reasons. That tension between discovery and power isn’t just fiction; it’s a reality that several scientists have encountered.Your book has been compared to Michael Crichton’s works. Were his novels an influence on you, or did you have other inspirations for blending science with suspense?Crichton was definitely an influence! He had this incredible way of making complex science thrilling and accessible, which is something I strive for in my writing. But I also drew inspiration from real-life scientific investigations, documentaries, and my own experiences in the field. Science is full of mysteries, and sometimes, reality is even stranger—and scarier—than fiction.The book raises questions about environmental responsibility and the ethical boundaries of scientific exploration. What message do you hope readers take away from the story?I hope Bleeding Sea encourages readers to reflect on how interconnected we are with the natural world—and how fragile that balance can be. Science is a powerful tool, but it comes with great responsibility. Just because we have the ability to do something doesn’t always mean we should. I also want readers to understand that many environmental disasters aren’t mere accidents; they’re often the direct result of human choices, for better or worse.You have an extensive background in marine biology and environmental health sciences. How did your research experiences shape the world of Bleeding Sea?My background was essential in grounding the novel’s realism. I wanted the science to feel authentic, not just a backdrop to the plot. With experience studying marine ecosystems, environmental hazards, and working both in the field and in laboratories, I was able to draw on real-world knowledge to create a setting that feels both vivid and eerily possible.The novel presents a terrifying but plausible environmental disaster. How real is the threat of a red tide like the one in your book?Harmful algal blooms are increasing worldwide due to climate change, nutrient pollution, and other human-driven factors. While the specific red tide in Bleeding Sea represents a worst-case scenario, it’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility. We’ve already seen events where toxic blooms have caused massive marine die-offs, respiratory illnesses, and significant disruptions to local economies.What was the most challenging aspect of translating complex scientific concepts into an accessible, fast-paced thriller?As a debut author, I worked hard to find the right balance between accuracy and readability in my book. I didn’t want the science to feel like a lecture, but I also didn’t want to oversimplify it to the point of losing credibility. The challenge was to weave the science into the story in a natural way—through action, dialogue, and discovery—so readers could absorb it without feeling bogged down.You’ve participated in research expeditions across the Gulf of Mexico and Antarctica. Did any particular experiences from those expeditions make their way into the book?Yes, definitely. Working on research ships in the open ocean certainly has its challenges, and I hope the reader gets a sense of that through Diane’s experiences. I vividly remember the first time I felt the ice cracking beneath the ship in the Weddell Sea—I honestly thought we were going down for a moment! That same sense of uncertainty and awe is something Diane experiences when she first feels the ship cutting through ice. After some extreme flooding of the Mississippi River, I once pulled several dead grasshoppers from the Gulf of Mexico. Diane, too, ends up doing something similar—though in a place farther from where I was, and most definitely in an area of the gulf they should not be!Climate change and human intervention are often catalysts for ecological disruptions. Do you see parallels between the red tide in Bleeding Sea and real-world environmental crises?We're already seeing climate change intensify natural disasters and environmental phenomena. Much like the red tide in Bleeding Sea, human actions—whether through pollution, habitat destruction, or greed-driven decisions—can exacerbate these events, tipping the balance in dangerous ways. The novel amplifies these real-world consequences, imagining a more extreme outcome, but the underlying parallels are very much grounded in reality.In Bleeding Sea, Diane quickly finds herself entangled in a deadly conspiracy. What drew you to add this layer of corporate or governmental intrigue to the story?I wanted to show how knowledge can be exploited, suppressed, or twisted by those in power. Adding that layer of intrigue raises the stakes and, unfortunately, mirrors the realities we see all too often. Science isn't the villain—it's the humans driven by greedy agendas who are.Without giving too much away, the novel’s pacing keeps readers on edge. How did you balance the scientific accuracy with the high-stakes suspense?I treated the science like puzzle pieces, revealing just enough at the right moment to keep the mystery alive. I also made sure that every discovery had immediate, often dangerous, consequences. It’s not about dumping information; it’s about making the science matter to the characters and the stakes.Government agencies and corporate interests often play a role in environmental controversies. Did you base any of the novel’s antagonists on real-life entities?Let’s just say that while no character is a direct copy of any real person or company, the behaviors and motivations are very much inspired by reality. If you’ve followed any major environmental scandals, you’ll probably notice some familiar tactics.You’ve already built a strong foundation in the eco-thriller genre. Can we expect a sequel or other books exploring similar themes?I have some ideas brewing! There’s definitely more to explore in this space—whether a direct sequel or another story tackling different threats to our natural world. The intersection of science, mystery, and high-stakes drama is something I love writing about, so stay tuned!