Picture a storyteller who turned Wonderland into a battleground for Black Girl Magic—meet L.L. McKinney! This American author, known for her Nightmare-Verse series, reimagines Alice in Wonderland as a thrilling urban fantasy with a Black teenage heroine. With a knack for blending real-world grit with otherworldly adventure, McKinney has carved a vibrant space in young adult literature, championing inclusion and captivating readers.
Leatrice 'Elle' McKinney, writing as L.L. McKinney, didn’t just stumble into storytelling—she fought for it. After facing 250 rejections over a decade, her persistence paid off, making her a trailblazer in YA fiction. Her work pulses with action, heart, and a fierce call for diversity in publishing, earning her a spot among The Root’s 100 Most Influential African-Americans in 2020.
The Making of L.L. McKinney
Born and raised in Kansas City, Kansas, McKinney grew up immersed in sci-fi, fantasy, and comics, though she often noticed a lack of Black characters in the stories she loved. This absence fueled her drive to write tales where Black kids could see themselves as heroes. After studying video game design in college, she worked as a greeting card writer at Hallmark, honing her craft. Inspired by a mix of Supernatural and Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, she began crafting her debut novel, a modern twist on a classic that would become A Blade So Black.
L.L. McKinney’s Unforgettable Stories
McKinney’s Nightmare-Verse series is her crown jewel, kicking off with A Blade So Black (2018). This urban fantasy follows Alice Kingston, a Black teen from Atlanta who battles Nightmares—monstrous manifestations of human fears—in a dark, dreamlike Wonderland. With magic weapons and martial arts, Alice juggles her heroics with real-life struggles like an overprotective mom and a slipping GPA. Critics hailed it as 'Alice in Wonderland 2.0,' praising its fresh take and Black Girl Magic.
The series continues with A Dream So Dark (2019), where Alice faces new enemies and deeper fears, and A Crown So Cursed (2023), tackling darker visions and Wonderland’s corruption. Beyond the Nightmare-Verse, McKinney ventured into comics with Nubia: Real One (2021), reimagining Wonder Woman’s twin sister as a Black teen superhero. Her style blends gritty realism, diverse casts, and fast-paced action, often weaving in themes of identity, trauma, and resilience, making her stories resonate with teens and adults alike.
McKinney’s versatility shines in other works like Escaping Mr. Rochester, a reimagined among the most accessible of Jane Austen’s novels, and contributions to Marvel’s Black Widow: Bad Blood. Her writing, often compared to Buffy the Vampire Slayer, is unapologetically Black, with authentic dialogue and cultural nuances that bring Alice to life as a multidimensional heroine.
Why L.L. McKinney Matters
McKinney’s impact extends beyond her books. As a vocal advocate for equality, she created the #PublishingPaidMe hashtag in 2020, exposing racial disparities in author advances and sparking industry-wide conversations. Her criticism of initiatives like Barnes & Noble’s 'Diverse Editions'—which she called 'literary blackface'—led to the campaign’s cancellation, cementing her influence. By centering Black characters in genres where they’re underrepresented, she’s paving the way for diverse voices, inspiring young readers to see themselves as heroes.
Her work has earned accolades, including the 2021 Ignyte Award for Community Efforts in Inclusion. With Lionsgate optioning A Blade So Black for a TV series, McKinney’s star continues to rise, proving that perseverance and authenticity can reshape an industry.
- Pen Name: L.L. McKinney (Leatrice 'Elle' McKinney)
- Key Works: A Blade So Black (2018), A Dream So Dark (2019), A Crown So Cursed (2023), Nubia: Real One (2021)
- Awards: 2021 Ignyte Award for #PublishingPaidMe
- Hometown: Kansas City, Kansas
Ready to dive into a Wonderland like no other? Grab A Blade So Black and let L.L. McKinney’s thrilling urban fantasy sweep you away!