em. rowene
LightNews LightNews
banner
queerenigma.com
em. rowene
@queerenigma.com
2.8K followers 390 following 1.1K posts
author of gay fantasy webserials. I have opinions about elves, holmes, & byronic heroes.
FRACTURED MAGIC AVAILABLE NOW
em or emeric || he/him || twin cities

https://www queerenigma.com
Posts Replies Media Videos
queerenigma.com
Missed day 1 of #BluePitHype, but I made it for day two! Here are the two leads of my new M/M fantasy WIP, Helio and Soma:
A waist-up painting of a tanned boy with freckles all over. He has scarlet-red hair that comes down to his shoulders and golden-light eyes. He's wearing a black tank top A waist-up painting of a pale boy with straight dark hair and pierced ears. His eyes are a very pale blue and he's wearing a thick wool coat with a fur collar
January 10, 2026 at 1:05 AM
queerenigma.com
(11-14) Four big inspirations:
Cover of the Silver Chair (Chronicles of Narnia) by C.S. Lewis Cover of Heaven Official's Blessing by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu One of the promotional images for FFXIV Shadowbringers The Cover of the Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb
December 31, 2025 at 1:04 AM
queerenigma.com
(10) It leans HEAVILY into the poetry of Robert Frost, so much so that this book also doubles as a curriculum of my personal favorite Frost poems. Each chapter is named after one of them, the selection leaning into the poems about isolation, community, and nature as a mirror
A list of 25 chapter headings, all naming Robert Frost poems: Acceptance; Into my Own; An Encounter; For Once, Then, Something; In Neglect; My Butterfly; Mending Wall; Spoils of the Dead; The Exposed Nest; Home Burial; Reluctance; The Sound of Trees; A Time to Talk; A Brook in the City; Dust in the Eyes; Fire and Ice; Freedom of the Moon; Not to Keep; Misgiving; On the Heart's Beginning to Cloud the Mind; Acquainted with the Night; Moon Compass; A Line-Storm Song The cover of "The Poetry of Robert Frost, Edited by Edward Connery Lathem"
December 31, 2025 at 12:06 AM
queerenigma.com
If you'll indulge me:

1 like = 1 fact about the WIP I've been working on in secret for months
A mockup cover of a book titled "Sunfall." Two characters stand at the foreground. The first, a dark haired young man with an encouraging smile, is holding his hand out to the other. The second, a strawberry blond young man with a considering expression, is hesitatingly taking it. Behind them is an orange-gold background with an eclipsed sun hanging high above them. A man in a suit hovers in front of the sun, magic burning in his hands. Orange text on a black background. It's the text of the poem "A Question" by Robert Frost. "A voice once said, Look me in the stars / and tell me truly, men of earth, / If all the soul-and-body scars / Were not too much to pay for birth."
December 30, 2025 at 6:38 PM
queerenigma.com
4. Continue taking violin lessons! This is something I started in 2025; I wanted to be more intentional about engaging in *non-writing* hobbies.

Only slightly related, look at this pretty violin I found in an antique mall last week:
A small old violin tucked into a vintage case
December 28, 2025 at 6:31 PM
queerenigma.com
The meme of a man slapping a piece of tape on a tank leaking water. The tank says "whatever the hell problem this is" (referring to original post), the man says "me," and the tape says "writing another story about loneliness and second chances"
December 22, 2025 at 6:18 AM
queerenigma.com
deleted tumblr, bluesky, instragram, AND threads from my phone
meme of a silhouette against a sunset. man in chains is holding his arms above his head and breaking free
December 3, 2025 at 1:50 AM
queerenigma.com
I love writing an isekai/body swapping plot because what do you mean Helio spends most of the book running around as an annoying twinkish femboy but actually looks like THAT
A painting of a young man in a tie and sweater vest. He has floppy orangeish hair, big brown eyes, and a sweet smile. A serious looking man in a tank top. He has tan skin, red hair that falls to his shoulders, and freckles all over. His eyes are light golden
November 30, 2025 at 8:14 PM
queerenigma.com
Well! It's a little late now, but all of my bookish candles are 15% off through Monday! 😅

Including such scents as enemies to lovers, mutual pining, and slow burn.

Check them out here: ko-fi.com/queerenigma/...
Text: A Queer Enigma Books & Candles. Use code BLACKFRIDAY2025 for 15% off! Valid through 12/1. A photo of an elegant amber candle labeled "found family." Text reads: "15% off Books & Bookish Candles. Including scents like Enemies to lovers, mutual pining, and slow burn. Plus new winters scents like cozy cabin & winter woods."
November 29, 2025 at 11:57 PM
queerenigma.com
[Helio voice] Cowabummer [loud crashing noises]
Ellipsus snippet: "Helio fell through the air, the burning city of Farband laid out below him like a map. It churned with deep magic and writhed with monsters, and Helio allowed himself a moment to mourn what the city had become before he crashed shoulder-first through the roof of a garage."
November 20, 2025 at 6:27 PM
queerenigma.com
looking at my newest WIP and realizing I somehow wrote another story about loneliness
Pensive emoji with the caption "I pretend I do not see it"
November 14, 2025 at 7:03 PM
queerenigma.com
Speaking of Sheridan Bell, there's a new chapter of Confession of a Medium out today!

In it, the renowned medium Celine Scott begins her public demonstration: will she prove herself just another fraud, or can she really reach the Otherworld?
The cover art for "Sheridan Bell and the Confession of a Medium" by Em Rowene. The silhouette of two dark crows is overlapping slightly with it and the words "New Chapter" repeat in the background.
November 13, 2025 at 8:12 PM
queerenigma.com
I'm Emeric, author of two gay fantasy webserials that I share and publish at queerenigma.com.

Sign-ups are free, and new chapters release every other week.

🔮 FRACTURED MAGIC: a gothic fantasy with epic stakes

🔎 CASE FILES OF SHERIDAN BELL: a series of mysteries set in a world with magic & sídhe
An image titled "Fractured Magic, a queer fantasy web serial by em rowene." The image features an elven man in a dark coat standing in a city at night, holding a lantern aloft and looking suspiciously over his shoulder. "A penny dreadful for the modern reader! A thrilling tale for the masses! Read about a fallen hero's hunt for revenge and a bitter prince's quest to rescue his kidnapped king. These two estranged friends, almost - lovers are racing against Time and dead gods to get what they want. Will they make up and work together before it's too late?" A book cover titled "Sheridan Bell and the Confession of a Medium". It's an orange cover with a field of wheat in the background. A silver-haired sídhe man stands in the foreground, looking thoughtfully back at the viewer After Detective Bell's childhood friend Renna narrowly escapes death twice in one night, he suspects those were more than mere accidents—especially when a medium warns that ghosts cling to Renna, whispering for her to join them. But finding the culprit requires delving into Renna's past, and the young widow herself is hardly forthcoming with answers. The answer, Detective Bell believes, lies buried with Renna's late husband. Can he continue to dig, knowing he's unearthing secrets his dear friend wants hidden? Should what's dead truly stay dead?
November 13, 2025 at 3:42 PM
queerenigma.com
I wish I could share the whole séance, because the whole thing builds on itself into something (I hope is) very clever, but if I had to pick a single snippet:
An Ellipsus snippet that reads: "Mrs. Hale, do you have anything you would like to ask your husband?" "He's the one who dragged me up here. Shouldn't he have something to say to me?" This close, Henry could see the delicate furrow between the medium's brows. She hesitated again before raising the receiver to her mouth, but the lamp switched on before she could utter a word. "He says that he's very proud of you and—" Renna cut Celine off with a laugh, which seemed louder than usual in the dark, quiet ballroom. "My Perry?" she asked. "He would have been furious that I didn't go to the grave with him. If he wanted to tell me anything, it would be to take good care of his business." "I—" Celine began, unsure how to respond to that. "Ms. Scott, I would love to believe that my husband is in this room with us. I don't care what anyone here thinks of me for it; it's true," Renna continued, more earnestly than Henry thought he had ever heard her. "So please, prove to me that he is. Give me something real, because I want so badly to believe you that it hurts."
November 13, 2025 at 3:11 PM
queerenigma.com
The meme of a guy with a butterfly and it says "Is this hope?"
November 5, 2025 at 3:50 AM
queerenigma.com
HAPPY RELEASE DAY to Confession of a Medium!!

Mysteries are the BEST genre for serial fiction. With new chapters delivered every other week, you get to theorize and try to solve the mystery as you go - and discuss with other readers in the comments!

Sign up for FREE at queerenigma.com/case-files/
A trope map image with the words "Available now: Join the mystery. Read new chapters weekly." There is an image of the cover, which depicts a serious looking man with long silver hair and elf ears and the title "Sheridan Bell and the Confession of a Medium". Alongside the cover are several bullet points: mediums and séances, a bean sídhe's cry, an attempted murder, a wealthy widow, the Otherworld, and one private detective afraid for his friend's life.
October 30, 2025 at 3:51 PM
queerenigma.com
WHAT: Sheridan Bell & the Confession of a Medium, an autumnal mystery featuring seances, the Otherworld, and an attempted murder.
WHEN: 10/30
WHERE: queerenigma.com

WHY: This mystery will be published as a serial, with new chapters every other week. Join the fun & solve the mystery as it comes out!
A vivid orange book cover with a solitary figure standing at the front: he has pale skin, long silver hair, freckles and red eyes. His expression is both threatening and thoughtful. Behind him are fields of golden wheat. The title reads: Sheridan Bell and the Confession of a Medium, the Case Files of Sheridan Bell #2. A novella by Em Rowene.
October 16, 2025 at 4:01 PM
queerenigma.com
The meme with the guy knocking over a small domino that leads to bigger and bigger dominos. The small domino text says "Watson trying to stop Holmes from taking a second dose of cocaine" and the big domino says "a generation afraid of fumbling while plugging their phones in"
October 14, 2025 at 1:22 AM
queerenigma.com
All I have is Georgie, who will most definitely be appearing in future Case Files mysteries!

(She actually has a very short cameo in Confessions of a Medium)
A portrait of a pale young woman with voluminous, curly ashy-blond hair. She has bright red lips and a pearl necklace and gives off a very 50s-starlet vibe A full body drawing of the same woman, this time with blood running down her chin
October 13, 2025 at 7:33 PM
queerenigma.com
COVER REVEAL sneak preview!

This Thursday, exactly 2 weeks before the story starts serializing on my website, I'll reveal the cover for the new Sheridan Bell mystery.

If you like fantasy mysteries and Irish mythology, keep an eye out for more info about Confession of a Medium!
The book cover for Sheridan Bell and the Vanishing Beast, mystery #1 of the Case Files of Sheridan Bell, except it's been modified--the original cover featured an illustration of Sheridan Bell, but a strip has been erased across his eyes to reveal a different character's eyes beneath: this character is pale with silver hair and his eyes are red. The title has also been erased to hint at a new title beneath: Confession of a Medium.
October 13, 2025 at 7:28 PM
queerenigma.com
Those who know me know Sherlock Holmes is a HUGE special interest of mine. A few years back, I decided to write my own homage to it.

Enter: the Case Files of Sheridan Bell, a fantasy-mystery series inspired by Sherlock Holmes & Irish mythology! Mystery 2 begins its serialization on 10/30!
A pale pink book cover with the title: The Case Files of Sheridan Bell: Sheridan Bell and the Vanishing Beast. A lone figure in a long dark ulster coat. He has long dark hair and a faint smirk.
October 8, 2025 at 4:40 PM
queerenigma.com
I'm a little late, but Fractured Magic is a new epic fantasy that is unapologetically queer and Anti-fascist!
A trope map for a queer book called Fractured Magic by Em Rowene. Tropes included: Victorian setting (but with dragons and elves), "I thought you were dead", spies and assassins, descents into madness/becoming the monster, staying kind when the world wants you cold, the wronged hero wants revenge, secret identities, and second chance romance
October 5, 2025 at 6:45 PM
queerenigma.com
~FRACTURED MAGIC GIVEAWAY~

I have a few left over after the Kickstarter, so I'm giving away TWO copies of Fractured Magic!!

To enter:
-Follow
-Like
-Repost

Fractured Magic is an M/M gothic fantasy about a pair of estranged friends, a corrupt government, and some dangerous magic.

More info ⬇️
A hand holding up a book in front of a bookshelf. The book is called Fractured Magic and the cover illustration is of two figures: one is small and in the foreground holding a lantern aloft, one is larger and in the background and is surrounded by moody green smoke. A trope map for Fractured Magic that includes: Victorian setting (but with dragons and elves), second chance romance (ex-friends-to-lovers), secret identities, the wronged hero wants revenge, staying kind when the world wants you cold, descents into madness/becoming the monster, spies and assassins, "I thought you were dead"
September 29, 2025 at 5:20 PM
queerenigma.com
COMING OCT 30

After Detective Bell's childhood friend Renna narrowly escapes death twice in one night, he suspects those were more than mere accidents — especially when a medium warns that ghosts cling to Renna, whispering for her to join them. 🧵
An old photo of a Victorian seance with a ghostly figure at the head of the table. Text reads: Sheridan Bell & the Confession of a Medium A painting of a mysterious young woman with rich brown skin, warm read eyes, and a sly smile. She's dressed in all black and has her curly hair pulled into a low pony.
September 25, 2025 at 5:50 PM
queerenigma.com
The scene immediately following this is one of the MESSIEST scenes in the book. I love men with problems
Leandros regretted agreeing to this as soon as he stepped outside. Rain beat heavily on the cobblestone streets, washing them clean. While Leandros tested the temperature of it with just his good hand, Roman stepped right out into the street, laughed, and lifted his own so that rain pooled on his palms. When he turned back to Leandros, his smile was wide. “It’s not too late to ask the Ranulfs for the use of their carriage, if you don’t want to get wet.” It sounded like a challenge, so Leandros joined Roman in the downpour. It was bitingly cold, colder than Leandros’ quick test had prepared him for, and he wrinkled his nose at it, making Roman laugh again. “Wait here,” he said, disappearing inside and returning a moment later with a black umbrella. After opening it, he passed it off to Leandros. “You really don’t want your bandage getting wet.” Gingerly, wordlessly, Leandros accepted it. The passersby—not that there were many, in this downpour— paid them little mind, and Leandros ached with how much he missed this part of being with Roman. In Roman’s presence, he was never Prince Nochdvor or Your Highness. When it was just the two of them, he could be simply Leandros, and Roman knew everything that meant, all the struggles and baggage it entailed. He was able to exist as just another person in the world, one with a dear friend at his side. Well. Not so dear anymore.
September 23, 2025 at 3:25 PM