Most of my early writing career was rooted in nonfiction. Under my full name, Kevin A. Dunlap, I authored four books on real estate, personal development, mindset, and entrepreneurship. But when I stepped into the world of fiction, especially science fiction and fantasy, I adopted a different name – K.A. Dunlap – to mark the start of something entirely new: the Crimson Alliance Universe (CAU).
From Real Estate to Starships
In 2014, I was inspired to write my first book after a friend in San Diego published hers through Amazon’s then-brand-new print-on-demand platform, CreateSpace (now Kindle Direct Publishing). At the time, I was running a business in Las Vegas that connected investors with rent-to-own tenants, also known as lease-option buyers.
To stand out professionally, I wrote my first book, Lease Options Made Easy: Buying a Home with Little, No, or Bad Credit. This led to three more nonfiction titles:
- Designing Your Own Destiny (2016)
- The Winner’s Code (2019)
- Launch! The A to Z in Creating a Successful Business (2021)
After publishing Launch!, I believed my writing chapter was over. I had nothing left to say. Or so I thought.
A New Identity: K.A. Dunlap
After relocating to Raleigh, North Carolina, and transitioning away from real estate, especially as the pandemic shifted the global landscape, I started experimenting with AI-generated images in November 2024. I had no real plan, just a creative itch.
That “itch” resulted in a striking gallery of characters:
- A red-skinned demon woman with fiery energy
- A green-skinned, orange-haired female brawler
- A small, blue-winged woman with an icy aura
- A deadly Japanese ninja
- A charming, sarcastic human pilot
- A Native American warrior with deep spiritual roots
- An Egyptian chantress with royal poise
At first, they were just digital art. But a few weeks later, a new idea hit me:
Why not write an actual story around these characters?
That was the moment the Crimson Alliance was born. Originally, I called it the Crimson Allegiance, but “Alliance” better captured the spirit of teamwork and evolving unity I envisioned.
Writing A Demon’s Rebellion
I leaned on a piece of advice I’d once received from a book coach: write the first draft fast… refine it later. That method fueled the writing of my first science fiction novel, A Demon’s Rebellion.
Eventually, the book went through 14 total versions, including a complete rewrite of 20 chapters to better align with the classic Hero’s Journey arc. Some of the humorous or experimental content had to be cut to focus the narrative more squarely on the protagonist, Lilith – a demon warrior and the team’s fierce leader.
Interquels, Not Just Sequels
While sitting in a Jason’s Deli one afternoon, I discovered the term “interquel” – a story that fits between two main events in a timeline. I had been searching for a term to describe the books I wanted to write between the major arcs of the CAU. This was it.
Inspired, I created the Crimson Alliance Interludes – character-driven side novels that explore personal missions and growth for one or two characters at a time. These books run concurrently, each one focusing on different characters without overlapping events.
It was my way of letting readers connect more deeply with the characters they met in A Demon’s Rebellion… to see what happens to them individually before the next major arc begins.
Meet the Crimson Seven
Each of the seven core members in A Demon’s Rebellion has a unique origin story, a chapter that introduces their skills and values, and a moment that defines why they joined the Crimson Alliance:
- Lilith – A 300+ year-old demon from Hades. Headstrong, wise, and the team’s undisputed leader.
- Grilka – A green-skinned, 80+ year-old brawler. She’s not subtle, but she’s deeply loyal and has a big heart.
- Freija – A 112-year-old Icelandian princess. Fast, playful, and the team’s emotional spark.
- Kimiko – A 28-year-old ninja from Kyoto, trained in stealth and samurai discipline by her father.
- Adrian – A 27-year-old star pilot and comic relief. Brilliant behind the controls, and quick with a joke.
- Rainstorm (Tala Redhawk) – A 27-year-old Navajo healer and warrior. Grounded in tradition and spirit.
- Nefertari – A 28-year-old Egyptian chantress (a spiritual royal). Skilled with swords, protocol, and precision firepower.
Each of these characters was created with long-term storytelling in mind. They’re not just a tea… they’re the emotional and narrative pillars of the universe.
Where It’s Headed
Right now, I’m writing six Crimson Alliance Interludes. Three are in progress, and one is nearly finished. These books take place immediately after A Demon’s Rebellion and show each hero tackling personal challenges, forming alliances, or uncovering pieces of a larger galactic puzzle.
This entire journey… from experimenting with AI-generated characters to building a fictional universe… has been one of the most fulfilling creative projects of my life.
As K.A. Dunlap, I’m excited to continue expanding the Crimson Alliance Universe, one character, one interlude, and one cosmic battle at a time.
You can explore more about the CAU and what’s coming next at:
https://crimsonallianceunive2969.live-website.com
