Queer books by SWANA authors



Queer books by SWANA authors

For Pride Month, I'm recommending a few fantastic queer fiction books from LGBTQ+🏳️‍🌈 SWANA authors.

Quick recap: SWANA = South West Asia, North Africa. 

I've collected 8 books from 6 different authors, in a range of genres from Epic Fantasy to Contemporary Fiction, with a diverse showcase of queer rep. 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️

Presented in alphabetical order:

The Bruising of Qilwa by Naseem Jamnia

Feat. Non Binary, Trans, and AroAce representation.



Summary: In this intricate debut fantasy introducing a queernormative Persian-inspired world, a non binary refugee practitioner of blood magic discovers a strange disease that causes political rifts in their new homeland.

Persian-American author Naseem Jamnia has crafted a gripping narrative with a moving, nuanced exploration of immigration, gender, healing, and family.




Next up, Manzakar by R. Laham

Feat. Bisexual, Pansexual, Polyamorous & Queernorm representation.
 
Summary: A slave-soldier forged for glory. A kingdom built on stolen magic. A rebellion that could shatter them both.

The Gohari are nomads—pansexual, magic-born, and feared. Under the wrath of Cenk, the god of Anzor, their freedom has been stolen. Their unmatched skills in horsemanship and archery have been twisted into weapons, forging the Manzakars—an unstoppable army of slave-soldiers.




Next up, The Gryphon King by Sara Omer

Feat. Sapphic slow burn, Bisexual and Demisexual representation.
 
Summary: The first in a stunning Southwest Asian-inspired epic fantasy trilogy brimming with morally ambiguous characters, terrifying ghouls and deadly monsters.

Combining cut-throat dynastic politics with expansive worldbuilding and slow-burning romance, this book is perfect for fans of Godkiller and Samantha Shannon.




Next up, Specimen by C. Quince

Feat. Bisexual & Gay leads, non binary and queer representation. 

Summary: David Cortez, a decorated US Marine, is now on the run from his own government after escaping a top-secret CIA lab when an experimental medical procedure turned sour.

While lying low in Mexico, an assassin sent from British Intelligence tracks him down. However, Sonny from MI6, a British-Iranian with a cockney accent, offers David a choice: join his team, or die.




Next up, Consorting with the King by C. Quince

Feat. Gay & Bisexual representation in a Queernorm Utopia.

Summary: Prince Francis of Sachs-Stormburg has two objectives.

One: join the long line of suitors vying to become King Omar’s next gentleman consort.

Two: find out anything he can about the natural energy powering his kingdom, especially the fabled solar power which has him called ‘The Solar Sultan’ across Europe.

Francis arrives at King Omar’s palace in Istanbul, and discovers much to his horror that all suitors must compete in a tournament of skills to win the king’s favour.




Next up, Best Friends Bury Body by C.M. Rosens 

Feat. Queer, Bisexual, Polyamorous representation.

Summary: Midsomer Murders meets The Forty Year Kiss. A contemporary mystery with middle-aged polyamorous bisexual second chance romance.

Sarah believes she's happy with her life despite never really dealing with her partner's sudden death six years ago; her job is fine, her friends are supportive, her girlfriend Sammie is amazing. But when her estranged soulmate, Bas, reaches out after a 12 year absence, Sarah's carefully cultivated rut is thrown into chaos.




Next up, Yelen & Yelena by C.M. Rosens 

Feat. Queer, Sapphic, Aromantic representation.
 
Summary: YELEN & YELENA is a standalone, monster-loving 'tour de force', perfect for fans of Beauty and the Beast re-imaginings, Silvia Moreno-Garcia's Mexican Gothic, and T. Kingfisher's What Moves The Dead. Look no further for a deeply atmospheric Dark Gothic Fantasy with a Hopepunk core, and a sapphic riff on Orpheus & Eurydice subplot.

In a rural corner of the Provinces simmering with civil unrest, Laundress Yelena's village is afflicted by a dangerous fungal rot-plague. When she is falsely accused of dark sorcery, Yelena is evicted from her cottage and forced into the rot-infested forest...

Yelen is a forgotten tyrant, turned into a monster hundreds of years ago and desperate to distance himself from the power-hungry brute he once was... But he craves companionship and an end to his lonely existence.




And closing out this list we have: 
The Jinn's Bargain by Fetin Sardaneh 

Feat. Sapphic slow burn, and Queer representation.

Summary: Her home is lost, her brother cursed, and hope is dwindling. Desperate, Esin Sultan calls upon the perilous powers that once sealed her family's downfall: the jinn. But as Dark Magic bleeds across the land and allegiances rupture, the past stirs-unearthing secrets long buried within the shadows.

The Jinn's Bargain is a sweeping sapphic tale of forbidden magic and political tension, inspired by Turkish, Kurdish, Arab, and Persian folklore.






Hope you have enjoyed these book recs!

Why not diversify your bookshelf this Pride Month? Read a queer book by a LGBTQ+🏳️‍🌈 SWANA author!

Have a very happy Pride, and remember you are always valid!!🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️
 
Signing off,
C. Quince.


⬇️
Are you a LGBTQ+🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ SWANA/MENA writer? Do you have a book out, or are you working on one? Get in touch with me! I'd love to hear about your book!


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