Letting the monster out of the box
I’m pleased to announce that I have a nonfiction essay, “Solace in Fantasy Monster Romances and My Trans Body,” in the newest Uncanny Magazine Issue 66, for Sept/Oct 2025. Uncanny is a Hugo award-winning sci-fi fantasy e-magazine featuring short stories, nonfiction essays, poetry, and interviews. You can purchase the full issue now to support the outlet, or you can read everything online for free in two release waves. My essay will be released for free on October 7th.
A big thank you to Michael Damian Thomas, Uncanny’s EIC, and the rest of the team for including my essay and all of their support!
Writing these days has been a struggle. I’ve done very little fiction writing since Trump’s November election last year. So I’m very proud to have delved back into the world of essay writing, and into something I’m very passionate about: transness and monster romances.
Yes, I read all those Monster Romances just for research. Absolutely kidding! I read them because they’re fun and hot and sexy and completely identifiable as I journey further into my medical transition steps.
If you want a short Monster Romance reading list (so you can grab the books I mentioned in the essay and know the full context):
- Morning Glory Milking Farm by C.M. Nascosta
- Claws & Cubicles series by Kate Prior, specifically Love, Laugh, Lich
- Leviathan Fitness series by Ashley Bennett, specifically Tentacles & Triathlons
- Stories from New Eden series by Lyonne Riley
- Monstrous Matches series by Lillian Lark, specifically Found by the Lake Monster and Deceived by the Gargoyles
- Ice Planet Barbarians series by Ruby Dixon
- A Deal with a Demon series by Katee Robert, specifically The Kraken’s Sacrifice
- Mead Mishaps series by Kimberly Lemming
- The Orc Prince Trilogy by Lionel Hart
Happy reading! 💕
P.S. — Yes, I made a joyous noise only my cats could hear when I found out that I’m published in the same issue as Silvia Moreno-Garcia!
