Picture a British storyteller who weaves ancient myths and modern heart into spellbinding tales—meet Emily Tesh! A World Fantasy Award winner, Tesh crafts fantasy and sci-fi that feel like stepping into a lush forest or a distant galaxy. From the enchanting Greenhollow Duology to the Hugo-winning Some Desperate Glory, her stories captivate with vivid characters and atmospheric prose.
With a Classics degree from Cambridge and a Master’s from the University of Chicago, Tesh brings a scholar’s touch to her magical worlds. By day, she teaches Latin and Greek to Hertfordshire schoolkids, but her true magic happens in her writing, where folklore, queer romance, and human struggles collide.
The Making of Emily Tesh
Born and raised in London, Emily Tesh grew up devouring Greek and Roman myths, from children’s retellings to Homer’s epics. Her studies at Trinity College, Cambridge, deepened her love for ancient lore, while her Master’s in Humanities at the University of Chicago honed her storytelling craft. Teaching Classics by day, Tesh began writing to explore the myths she loved, blending them with her own imaginative spin. Her early works, like Silver in the Wood, emerged from a need to create after shelving a broken manuscript, proving her resilience as a writer.
Emily Tesh’s Unforgettable Stories
Tesh’s Greenhollow Duology—Silver in the Wood (2019) and Drowned Country (2020)—is a folkloric gem. Set in a Victorian-inspired world, these novellas follow Tobias Finch, a forest guardian, and Henry Silver, a curious scholar, as they navigate love, magic, and ancient woods. Readers adore the dreamy prose and queer romance, with fans on Reddit calling it a “phenomenal” blend of Fae mythology and heartfelt storytelling.
In 2023, Tesh leapt into sci-fi with Some Desperate Glory, a queer space opera about Kyr, a warrior raised to avenge Earth’s destruction. This Hugo Award-winning novel tackles radicalization and identity with thrilling twists, earning praise for its “masterful, audacious storytelling” from Tamsyn Muir. Tesh’s upcoming novel, Incandescent (2025), promises a sapphic dark academia fantasy, blending magic and demonic intrigue at Chetwood Academy.
Her style is a tapestry of lush imagery, mythological depth, and emotional resonance. Whether it’s the misty woods of Greenhollow or the stark corridors of Gaea Station, Tesh’s worlds feel alive, her characters flawed yet unforgettable. She leans into folklore’s ambiguity, resisting neat categories, and infuses her tales with queer perspectives and human heart.
Why Emily Tesh Matters
Emily Tesh is redefining fantasy and sci-fi with stories that feel both timeless and fresh. Her ability to blend ancient myths with modern themes—love, identity, and transformation—has earned her a devoted following and prestigious awards, including the World Fantasy, Hugo, and Astounding Awards. By centering queer narratives and exploring the messy beauty of human connections, Tesh offers readers a mirror to their own hearts. Her work inspires new voices in speculative fiction, proving that even quiet woods or distant stars can hold profound truths.
- Born: London, UK
- Key Works: Silver in the Wood, Drowned Country, Some Desperate Glory, Incandescent (2025)
- Awards: World Fantasy Award (2020), Hugo Award (2024), Astounding Award (2021)
Snag Silver in the Wood or Some Desperate Glory and dive into Emily Tesh’s lush, myth-infused worlds! Whether you’re craving woodland magic or galactic rebellion, her stories will leave you enchanted.