OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF SHAUN K STEPHEN

Queer dark academic (in the new adult space).

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This succinctly defines the literary category, genre, and perspective I write, read, and revel in.

 

Not only does the above collectively define my writing niche, it also separately ascribes my areas of interest:

-Queer subjects covering LGBT+ representation in literature, film, BL television and history;

-Dark subjects spanning gothic, existentialism, occult, horror, obsession, and revenge stories; and

-Academia subjects spotlighting academia, pedagogy, libraries, publishing, humanities, creative arts, campus life, knowledge acquisition, linguistics, etymology, research, mythology, psychology, and science.

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Since its inception, I've been drawn to New Adult (NA) fiction—which focuses on college-aged characters.

 

I have recently finalised a research Masters thesis at the University of Queensland on Queering Dark Academia (DA), such is my obsession for the genre. To put it simply, DA literally revolves around knowledge and learning. It's almost exclusively set on (college) campuses and follows the lives of their students. DA depicts complex, outsider characters who twist their acquisition of knowledge or artistic pursuit into monstrous exploits. See Donna Tartt's The Secret History, M.L. Rio's If We Were Villains, Micah Nemerever's These Violent Delights, R.F. Kuang's Babel and Katabasis, Leigh Bardugo's Alex Stern series, Freya Marske's The Last Binding trilogy, Lev Grossman's The Magicians trilogy, and V.E. Schwab's Villains series.

 

And finally, I love diverse representation and own voices in fiction. It is my publishing goal to give further voice to those of a diverse perspective, particularly queer voices, given that's the viewpoint I inhabit.

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So please, enter my demimonde and make it a part of your very own secret society. 

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-3rd place for Lost Boys in 2026 Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize

-5th place for Innate in Children's & Young Adult (CYA) 2018 Competition - Adult Aspiring Section

-Longlisted for Hamelin in 2024 Adaptable Program

-2nd place for Hamelin in Children's & Young Adult (CYA) 2018 Competition - YA Aspiring Section

-4th place for Innate in Children's & Young Adult (CYA) 2018 Competition - YA Aspiring Section

-Longlisted for Hamelin in NSW CBCA Aspiring Writer's Mentorship 2018 Program - YA Section