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This Week’s Author Shoutouts
Arkady Martine
An Author Shoutout to Arkady Martine, the pen name of Dr. AnnaLinden Weller, who is a two-time Hugo Award-winning author whose science fiction is as intellectually rich as it is imaginative. With a PhD in Byzantine history and a professional background as a city planner, Martine’s work stands out for its intricate world-building and profound political insight.
Her acclaimed Teixcalaan Series, which includes A Memory Called Empire and A Desolation Called Peace, earned her both Hugo Awards. These novels are a masterclass in blending space opera with political thrillers, exploring how language and culture shape identity and power. Drawing directly from her own historical research on empires, Martine poses complex questions about assimilation and the personal costs of empire.
Beyond her fiction, Martine’s dual identity as a scholar and a writer allows her to explore the same core ideas—border politics and the nature of power—through different lenses. She has published numerous short stories, poetry, and nonfiction articles, showcasing a wide range of talent.
Martine’s writing is intelligent and approachable, making her complex narratives accessible. Her ability to craft compelling stories from her deep academic knowledge has cemented her as a leading voice in contemporary speculative fiction. We loved the Teixcalaan Duology, so much so that we have it as a LitStack Rec.
R. F. Kuang
An Author Shoutout to R. F. Kuang who is a #1 New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author, celebrated for her powerful blend of fantasy, historical fiction, and dark academia. Known for tackling brutal yet essential themes like colonialism, war, and power, her work is as gripping as it is thought-provoking.
Born in China, Kuang’s unique perspective and deep understanding of history are a cornerstone of her writing. This is powerfully showcased in her debut, The Poppy War trilogy, a military fantasy inspired by 20th-century Chinese history. Her Nebula Award-winning novel, Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence, further highlights her mastery of weaving historical events with magical elements, exploring the role of language and translation in empire-building. We loved Babel and have it as a LitStack Rec.
Beyond her literary success, Kuang is an accomplished academic, with master’s degrees from both Cambridge and Oxford and a current PhD pursuit at Yale. Her scholarly research and creative work are deeply intertwined, allowing her to craft narratives both historically nuanced and emotionally raw. Her most recent Yellowface, offers a sharp, satirical look at the publishing industry and cultural appropriation. Kuang’s remarkable talent and her commitment to honest storytelling make her one of the most compelling voices in contemporary literature today.
E. J. Mellow
An Author Shoutout to E. J. Mellow, an Amazon bestselling and award-winning author of fantasy, renowned for her unique style of magical mayhem and comic timing. Her work, which has been featured on Best Of lists from Buzzfeed and Gizmodo, is celebrated for its lyrical and immersive quality.
With a background in art and design, Mellow’s creative passion shines through in her richly intricate worlds and complex characters. This is evident in her bestselling The Mousai Series, a dark romantic fantasy where each book follows one of three sisters with unique musical magic. Her storytelling delves into powerful themes like identity, family, and freedom, all woven into a tapestry of epic romance and adventure. We loved The Mousai Series and have it as a LitStack Rec.
Beyond her acclaimed Dreamland Series and new Way of Wings Duology, Mellow is a co-founder of She Is Booked, a fundraising organization that champions women’s charities. When she’s not crafting fantastical worlds, she can be found enjoying a ritual pot of tea. Mellow is an author who believes in the power of perseverance, a sentiment she keeps close, with the quote “The ones who made it are the ones who never gave up,” serving as a daily inspiration. Her dedication to her craft and her readers is clear, making her a beloved figure in the fantasy community.
Leigh Bardugo
An Author Shoutout to Leigh Bardugo who is a #1 New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author, celebrated for creating the sprawling fantasy universe known as the Grishaverse. Her imaginative storytelling has earned her a dedicated global readership and a hit Netflix adaptation, Shadow and Bone.
Bardugo’s works are renowned for their vibrant characters and intricate plots. Her journey into this world began with the Shadow and Bone trilogy, but it was the beloved Six of Crows duology—a fantasy heist series—that truly cemented her as a master storyteller. She has also successfully ventured into the adult fiction realm with her dark academia novel, Ninth House, which won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Fantasy.
With a background in everything from Hollywood makeup artistry to journalism, Bardugo’s diverse life experiences have undoubtedly contributed to the richness of her fiction. An alumnus of Yale University, she also draws on her own heritage, as seen in her novel The Familiar, which explores her Sephardic Jewish roots. We adored The Familair and have it as a LitStack Rec.
Bardugo is a writer who embodies perseverance, having published her first novel in her late thirties after years of dedication. She is known for her disciplined approach to writing and her passion for creating unique and compelling narratives that resonate deeply with readers of all ages.
Shelley Parker-Chan
An Author Shoutout to Shelley Parker-Chan who is an Asian Australian fantasy author and a rising star in the genre, celebrated for their award-winning Radiant Emperor Duology. Their work, which includes She Who Became the Sun and He Who Drowned the World, has earned them critical acclaim, including the British Fantasy Award.
Before becoming an author, Parker-Chan worked as a diplomat and an international development adviser for a decade, focusing on human rights and gender equality. This background deeply influences their writing, which masterfully explores complex themes of gender, identity, power, and survival.
Their books are a unique blend of historical fantasy and what they call emo fantasy, centering on the powerful internal emotional journeys of their characters. The Radiant Emperor Duology is a queer reimagining of the rise of Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of China’s Ming dynasty. Parker-Chan draws inspiration from a wide range of sources, from classic myths to Asian historical TV dramas and fanfiction, all of which contribute to their nuanced and emotionally resonant storytelling. We absolutely adored The Radiant Emperor Duology and have it as a LitStack Rec.
Shelley Parker-Chan’s work stands out for its deep character focus and its ability to weave historical events into a compelling and modern narrative, cementing their place as a bold and innovative voice in contemporary fantasy.
M. L. Wang
An Author Shoutout to M. L. Wang, a fantasy and science fiction author who has earned a dedicated following for her powerful, character-driven stories. She is a prominent voice in the self-publishing community, where her work first gained critical acclaim.
Her most celebrated novel, The Sword of Kaigen, is a standalone military fantasy that won the prestigious Self-Published Fantasy Blog-Off in 2019. The book is praised for its emotional depth and honest portrayal of war and its aftermath. This novel’s themes are deeply personal for Wang, who has drawn on her own heritage and family history to create a story that explores cultural conflict and survival.
With a background in martial arts and a degree in history, Wang brings a unique authenticity to her writing, particularly in her action scenes. Her creative process is meticulous, as she outlines her plots in detail before writing. She has been open about her struggles with mental health, and she channels those experiences into her fiction, creating characters who are both deeply flawed and incredibly human.
We’re reading Blood Over Bright Haven as we write this and are pretty certain it’s going to be a LitStack Rec.
M. L. Wang’s career is a testament to the power of self-publishing and the importance of telling personal stories. Her ability to craft both breathtaking action and profound emotion has made her a truly distinctive voice in the fantasy genre.
S. A. Chakraborty
An Author Shoutout to S. A. Chakraborty is an #1 New York Times and USA Today bestselling author celebrated for her richly imaginative historical fantasies. Her work is deeply inspired by her background as a Muslim convert and her extensive knowledge of medieval Islamic history, which she weaves into intricate and compelling narratives.
Her most famous series, the Daevabad Trilogy, displays stunning world-building and complex political intrigue. The story, which follows a con artist named Nahri and her journey through a hidden city of djinn, is a masterful blend of epic adventure and social commentary. We loved The Daevabad Trilogy and have it as a LitStack Rec.
More recently, Chakraborty launched a new series with The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, a high-seas adventure that combines her love of history with swashbuckling fantasy. It follows a retired pirate and mother who is forced back into a world she thought she had left behind.
A self-described pantser, Chakraborty allows her stories to develop organically, trusting her characters to lead the way. Before becoming an author, she worked in various fields and dedicated a decade to honing her craft. This journey, along with her passion for history and storytelling, has cemented her as a truly unique and beloved voice in modern fantasy.
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