Kay James Kotter was born in Provo, Utah and grew up in Orem, Utah. From the time she was a child, Kay loved to draw. She graduated with her bachelor of fine arts in illustration from Brigham Young University.

Since graduating, Kay has done editorial work for Utah Valley State College and book illustration for Covenant Communications. Additionally, she taught illustration classes at Brigham Young University from 2005-2007.

Kay, her husband Jason, and her two children currently reside in Ann Arbor, MI.