WISHLIST

As a neurodivergent, queer woman of color, Keir is invested in discovering engaging work with similar representation, and is passionate about creating space for voices not often recognized. She is especially interested in stories from BIPOC who are born and raised in the Global South. Currently Keir is open to SFFH in Adult, YA, and MG, and seeking historical YA and MG.

Keir’s hobbies, background and identity deeply inform what they love. Some examples of how this influences their taste include work that:

• Burns down the patriarchy and/or colonizers

• Contains D&D or other TTRPG Easter eggs, or inside jokes for games like Hades, Devil May Cry, or Final Fantasy.

• Has the emotional resonance of games like Gris or Old Man’s Journey

• Has the political complexity and ethical realities of anime like Gundam or Full Metal Alchemist

Keir is currently craving (in no particular order):

• Kink- and poly-positive work

• Sapphic power couples. Think Korra & Asami (The Legend of Korra) or Michiru & Haruka (Sailor Moon)

• Cozy stories that feel like Studio Ghibli (both adult and YA)

• Not-so-cozy stories that feel like Studio Ghibli (think Princess Mononoke)

• A book that feels like Poker Face or Knives Out

• BIPOC vampires

• Dark academia, but replace “academia” with e-sports or tabletop gaming

• Dark academia featuring working class protagonists who explore institutions of power as outsiders. Protagonists do not need to be students, and can hold other relationships to the institute.

• Dragons! They were a dragon-obsessed child and continue to be a dragon-obsessed adult

• Stories where emotional intelligence is just as valuable as other skills

• Stories where cognitively disabled characters contribute to the plot, story, and victory but are not fetishized or relegated to a comedic role

You can keep up with what they're craving in the #MSWL on their Instagram Highlights

In fantasy, they love immersive worlds that are based outside of western cultures like THE JASMINE THRONE, IRON WIDOW, KAIKEYI, or RAYBEARER. In general, Keir would love to see books with BIPOC leads that use fae and folktales from non-western cultures. She’s particularly excited to see West Indian culture and mythology. Keir is also a big fan of cozy reads and would love to see more in the vein of LEGENDS & LATTES or THE VERY SECRET SOCIETY OF IRREGULAR WITCHES in both YA and adult. All of the above applies to Middle Grade, where Keir is also looking for a modern day ARTEMIS FOWL, or anything with the adventure of THE MARVELLERS.

In science fiction, Keir is primarily interested in seeing SF that forces us to explore the human condition, like the XUYA UNIVERSE or THE SPACE BETWEEN WORLDS and THOSE BEYOND THE WALL. They're also a fan of N.K. Jemisin and Becky Chambers and will consume anything like their work. Though Keir’s SF tastes do lean toward Adult, they would welcome YA or Middle Grade work that explores such ideas and makes her crave adventure.

In horror, across age categories, Keir’s tastes lean toward work that makes her feel disturbed or unsettled rather than gore or jump scares. Moody, atmospheric and creepy are all up her alley but they are not opposed to camp, either. Horror that blends genres is particularly of interest to them. In adult horror in particular, they’d love to see a book that comps to Black Mirror.

Across all genres and age categories, Keir likes emotionally complex characters, whether they are particularly sharp, have critically low common sense, or both.

Genre blending and/or bending books are welcome.

Retellings or re-imaginings that match this wish list are welcome.