OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF SHAUN K STEPHEN

Queer dark academia (in the new adult space).

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This succinctly defines the literary category, genre, and perspective I write, read, and revel in.

 

Not only does the above collectively define my writing niche, it also separately ascribes my areas of interest:

-Queer subjects covering LGBT+ representation in literature, film, (Asian) BL television and history;

-Dark subjects spanning gothic, existentialism, occult, horror, obsession and revenge stories; and

-Academia subjects spotlighting academia, pedagogy, libraries, publishing, humanities, creative arts, campus life, knowledge acquisition, linguistics, etymology, research, mythology, psychology and science.

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Since its inception, I've been drawn to New Adult (NA) fiction—which focuses on college-aged characters.

 

I have recently finalised a research Masters exegesis at the University of Queensland on Queering Dark Academia (DA), such is my obsession for the genre. To put it simply, DA literally revolves around knowledge and learning. It's almost exclusively set at college campuses and follows the lives of their students. DA depicts complex, outsider characters who twist their acquisition of knowledge or artistic pursuits into monstrous exploits. See Donna Tartt's The Secret History, M.L. Rio's If We Were Villains, Micah Nemerever's These Violent Delights, R.F. Kuang's Babel, Leigh Bardugo's Ninth House, Lev Grossman's The Magicians, and V.E. Schwab's Vicious.

 

And finally, I love diverse representation and own voices in fiction. It is my publishing goal to give further voice to those of a diverse perspective, particularly queer voices, given that's the viewpoint I inhabit.

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So please, enter my demimonde and make it a part of your very own secret society. 

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3rd place for Lost Boys in 2026 Hawkeye Publishing Manuscript Development Prize

Longlisted for Hamelin in 2024 Adaptable Program

2nd place for Hamelin in Children's & Young Adult (CYA) 2018 Competition - YA Aspiring Section

4th place for Innate in Children's & Young Adult (CYA) 2018 Competition - YA Aspiring Section

Longlisted for Hamelin in NSW CBCA Aspiring Writer's Mentorship 2018 Program - YA Section