B.L. Jasper

BIO

B.L. Jasper (She/Her) is a bi/pan author specializing in romance, fantasy and historical fiction and any blend thereof. She’s on submission with two books, an adult/NA low fantasy novel about a circus, and a YA second-world fantasy about a girl who can absorb knowledge from ink. She has a BFA in Creative Writing and continues to push her craft by taking independent classes, attending writing conferences, and being a member of a long standing critique group. She is represented by Bonnie Swanson of The Purcell Agency.

B recognizes the endless obstacles which come with being a writer of color, and wants to help combat the systemic disparity in publishing by supporting and boosting marginalized authors. She is LGBTQIA+ friendly, always, and is happy to take on projects about/based on different cultures, looking to apply what she knows about craft without erasing non-white, or neurodivergent voices. She is open to mentoring Middle Grade, YA, NA and Adult books in fantasy, low sci-fi, historical fiction/fantasy/romance, and romcoms. Her specialization is YA/Adult Fantasy, all subgenres.

MSWL

More than a cool setting or a cool magic system, I am looking for stories driven by characters. I am looking for complex protagonists, whether good, bad, or somewhere in-between. I find myself naturally drawn to lyrical yet readable prose, though this is something we can work together on if you would like, so please don't self-reject if you feel your writing is more commercial.

When it comes to Fantasy, I enjoy all kinds, including High Fantasy, Paranormal, Speculative, retellings, portal, etc. But I am always looking for something different within those sub-genres. If you have a queer retelling or a unique portal fantasy or a high fantasy with a bog-witch protagonist, I want to see it.

For Romance, let me first say I am open to any LGBTQ+ romance, and asexual is part of that spectrum. I love romantasy/scifi romance/historical romance as well as truly comical contemporary rom-coms. I am not a great fit for traditional contemporary romance unless I am going to fall out of my seat laughing while reading. I would love to see a historical romance from a non-Western country, especially if it's blended with fantasy. Give me rivals-to-lovers in space. Make me fall in love, even if they never touch. Open door sex scenes are A-OK.

For Sci-Fi, I prefer low-sci-fi. I don't know how to explain my taste in sci-fi, so here are some of my favorites: Cowboy Bebop, Westworld, This is How You Lose the Time War, The Lunar Chronicles, A Psalm for the Wild-Built, Iron Widow. For all of them, I'm drawn to the characters, and space/future is just the setting. 

In the Historical category, I am looking for books grounded in reality, no matter the genre. I want the book to be set at a certain period in history, and not be a "historical mashup." If your book takes the life of one particular person from history and turns it magical, I want to see it. If your book explores a little known part of history, I want to see it. If your book combines history with fantasy, I want to see it. If you have a historical romance with queer love, I want to see it. Don't self-reject on this one!

ASSORTED THINGS I LOVE IN FICTION:

  • Books about books

  • Academia

  • Folklore

  • Fabric/Clothing (esp. vintage or historical)/Seamstresses

  • Cooks/cooking magic/food magic

  • "Workaday" protagonists as opposed to royalty or people in power

  • Unusual magic systems

  • Contained settings where you deeply get to know the place (think Lirael by Garth Nix)

  • Animal familiars/pets/people who judge trustworthiness based on the reaction of their animal companions

  • People who are hyper-specific about something (like growing orchids or classifying frogs)

  • Plus size protags and side characters who just are, and don't constantly think about their bodies. Body positivity or neutrality. (A journey to self-love is great, but I prefer this not to be the focus for personal reasons)

  • Disability representation

  • Neurodivergent/Neurospicy representation

I AM NOT THE BEST FIT FOR:

  • Third act breakups

  • Violence toward pets or animals, particularly if it is gratuitous (hunting/defense is fine)

  • Royalty stories

  • On page sexual assault, backstory is fine.

  • Fatphobia and/or Eating Disorders / any discussion of calorie counting, even in passing.

  • Violence toward children (backstory/passing mention is okay)