Picture a Cuban-American storyteller who launched a spaceship full of psychic cats and snarky Latinx heroes into the sci-fi galaxy—meet Valerie Valdes! With her debut novel Chilling Effect, Valdes burst onto the science fiction and fantasy scene, blending offbeat humor, vibrant diversity, and heart-pounding adventure. A lifelong book lover and champion of aspiring writers, she crafts worlds where everyone gets a seat at the cosmic table.
Valdes’s stories aren’t just about spaceships and aliens; they’re about found families, identity, and defying oppressive systems with a wink and a curse. Her playful yet poignant style has earned her a devoted following and critical acclaim, making her a rising star in speculative fiction.
The Making of Valerie Valdes
Born and raised in a family that treated library trips like treasure hunts, Valerie Valdes grew up devouring classics like Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea and the mysteries of Sherlock Holmes. Her love for sci-fi and fantasy bloomed in middle school with authors like Tamora Pierce and Bruce Coville. She studied English literature at the University of Miami, minoring in creative writing, and honed her craft at the prestigious Viable Paradise workshop. A decade-long stint as a National Novel Writing Month Municipal Liaison cemented her role as a mentor to writers, while her work as co-editor of the award-winning Escape Pod podcast sharpened her storytelling instincts.
Valerie Valdes’s Unforgettable Stories
Valdes’s debut, Chilling Effect (2019), is a rollicking space opera following Captain Eva Innocente, a foul-mouthed Latinx hero navigating psychic cats, a kidnapped sister, and a fish-faced emperor with a grudge. Packed with pop culture nods and Cuban-Spanish flair, it earned starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and a spot on Library Journal’s best SF/fantasy list. The trilogy continued with Prime Deceptions (2020) and Fault Tolerance (2022), diving deeper into Eva’s chaotic adventures and her crew’s found-family bonds.
In 2023, Valdes switched gears with Where Peace Is Lost, a space fantasy novel exploring ecological themes and exiled knights, earning a 2024 Reading List Council honor. Her short fiction and poetry, featured in Uncanny Magazine, Nightmare Magazine, and Magic: The Gathering, showcase her versatility, while her upcoming contemporary fantasy romance, Witch You Would (2025, under pseudonym Lia Amador), promises more genre-blending fun. Valdes’s style—fast-paced, inclusive, and laced with humor—celebrates diverse identities and challenges capitalist norms, making her worlds feel both futuristic and deeply human.
Why Valerie Valdes Matters
Valerie Valdes is redefining sci-fi and fantasy by centering Latinx and queer voices in stories that are as heartfelt as they are hilarious. Her characters, like the trans medic Pink in Chilling Effect, live in futures where identity is celebrated, not explained, offering readers a hopeful vision of inclusivity. Her work inspires writers through her Escape Pod role and mentorship, amplifying new voices in speculative fiction. Valdes’s ability to blend action, humor, and social commentary ensures her stories resonate long after the last page.
- Born: Cuban-American, specific birth date unavailable
- Key Works: Chilling Effect, Prime Deceptions, Fault Tolerance, Where Peace Is Lost
- Awards: Chilling Effect shortlisted for 2021 Arthur C. Clarke Award; Where Peace Is Lost named 2024 Reading List Council honor
- Fun Fact: Lives in a self-described 'elaborate meme palace' in Georgia with her husband, kids, and cats
Snag Chilling Effect and blast off into Valerie Valdes’s galaxy of wit, heart, and psychic cats!