Picture a North Carolina storyteller who spun tales of queer romance and magical adventures—meet F.T. Lukens! This New York Times bestselling author has enchanted Young Adult readers with speculative fiction that blends humor, heart, and fantastical worlds. From swashbuckling pirates to post-quest kingdoms, Lukens’s stories invite readers to dive into realms where love and courage reign supreme.
With a knack for crafting vibrant characters and unexpected twists, Lukens has become a beloved voice in YA fantasy and science fiction. Their works, like So This Is Ever After and In Deeper Waters, resonate with teens and adults alike, offering inclusive narratives that celebrate identity and adventure. Ready to explore the magic of F.T. Lukens? Let’s journey into their life and legacy!
The Making of F.T. Lukens
Growing up in North Carolina, F.T. Lukens was steeped in the wonder of science fiction, from Star Wars to Star Trek. A self-proclaimed daydreamer, they found solace in fairy tales, comic books, and epic sagas, which sparked a lifelong passion for storytelling. Lukens honed their craft through a love of writing, eventually channeling their vivid imagination into Young Adult speculative fiction.
Their journey to authorship wasn’t a straight path, but a conversation with fellow author Julian Winters planted the seeds for their breakout hit, So This Is Ever After. Inspired by a mix of role-playing games and romance tropes, Lukens began crafting stories that blended humor and heart. Living in North Carolina with their spouse, three kids, three dogs, and three cats, Lukens draws inspiration from their bustling household and the world around them.
F.T. Lukens’s Unforgettable Stories
Lukens’s bibliography is a treasure trove of queer YA fantasy and sci-fi, each novel brimming with charm and inclusivity. So This Is Ever After (2022) is a delightful romp that flips the chosen-one trope, following a hero navigating life after saving the kingdom. It earned a spot on the 2023 ALA Rainbow Booklist and was a 2022 Goodreads Choice Awards nominee.
In Deeper Waters (2021) is a swashbuckling tale of forbidden magic and high-seas romance, where Prince Tal falls for the mysterious Athlen. Praised as “a frothy confection of sea-foam, young love, and derring-do” by NPR, it landed on the 2022 ALA Rainbow Booklist and became a Junior Library Guild Selection. Spell Bound (2023) explores rival sorcerers teaming up to save their mentors, showcasing Lukens’s knack for blending magic and humor.
Their contemporary fantasy, The Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths & Magic (2017), won the Bisexual Book Award for Speculative Fiction and was a 2017 Cybils Award finalist. Lukens’s style—playful, heartfelt, and rich with queer representation—creates worlds where readers feel seen and celebrated, often weaving in themes of self-discovery and found family.
Why F.T. Lukens Matters
F.T. Lukens has carved a vital space in YA literature, offering stories that champion queer identities and universal themes of love and bravery. Their inclusive narratives resonate with readers seeking representation, while their whimsical prose and clever twists appeal to fans of fantasy and sci-fi. Awards like the Bisexual Book Award and ALA Rainbow Booklist honors highlight their impact on diverse storytelling.
Beyond their books, Lukens inspires aspiring writers, proving that imagination and authenticity can create lasting connections. Their ability to blend humor, romance, and adventure ensures their stories linger in readers’ hearts, making them a cornerstone of modern YA speculative fiction.
- Key Works: So This Is Ever After, In Deeper Waters, Spell Bound, The Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths & Magic
- Awards: Bisexual Book Award for Speculative Fiction, 2017 Cybils Award finalist, ALA Rainbow Booklist honoree
- Home: North Carolina, with their spouse, three kids, three dogs, and three cats
Snag In Deeper Waters or So This Is Ever After and dive into F.T. Lukens’s whimsical world of queer fantasy and adventure!