Libby kennedy
BIO
Libby Kennedy (she/her) writes speculative stories about resilient worlds, survivor girls, and boys who look like they could use a hearty bowl of soup. She’s passionate about tackling messy, complex themes in an accessible and relatable voice and can always be counted on to provide chaotic and/or disaster bisexual characters, found family and hurt/comfort tropes, and slow-burn romance. She is represented by Michaela Whatnall at Dystel, Goderich, and Bourret.
Libby was born in Minnesota but grew up in Florida, which explains why she is both very nice and very, very weird. She now lives in Maine with her husband and a dog who thinks she is a cat. When she isn’t writing, she can be found hanging out at breweries, watching movies, and crying over her favorite fictional characters.
MSWL
I’m interested in both YA and adult fantasy, science-fiction, horror, dystopian/post-apocalyptic, or anything that blends genres or contains some kind of speculative element. Across genres, I love books that tackle big themes or messy feelings without sacrificing hope, humor, or heart. I’m usually drawn to character-driven stories and love anything with a strong voice, immersive vibes, and a hopeful message at its core. My favorite reads tend to combine both angst and humor, and I’ll never say no to dark comedy, witty banter, or any kind of chaotic hijinks.
You know the meme of the goose with the knife? That is basically the energy I’m looking for: stories that have a sharp edge and will hit me right in the heart, but that still have a bit of a funny, chaotic side.
Some Things I Love:
Genres blends. Science-fantasy! Horrormance! Post-apocalyptic fantasy! A contemporary romance with a light speculative twist! Anything that combines genre elements!
Strong relationships. I do love a romantic subplot (especially if there’s intense yearning, grumpy/sunshine dynamics, and romcom-stye shenanigans) but I enjoy stories that center all kinds of relationships, including platonic and family or friendship relationships.
Found family, especially if the group can be described as “ragtag” or “giving Scooby-Doo energy.”
Characters who can be described as complex, overly ambitious, reckless, a little chaotic, or just generally “unlikable.” I love mess!
Creatures—vampires, werewolves, aliens, zombies, ghosts, cryptids, you name it! I don’t care if we’re romancing them or battling them, I’d just like to see them. I’d be especially interested in seeing fresh takes on classic creatures from marginalized creators or anything that draws inspiration from non-western mythology, as well as stories based on Appalachian or indigenous American folklore.
Cozy, whimsical, and cottagecore aesthetics with dark or uncanny undertones
Characters who deal with periods or period-related conditions like endometriosis or PCOS
Some Favorites:
Books: She Is a Haunting; Wilder Girls; Your Blood, My Bones; Cage of Starlight, Cute Mutants; Hell Followed With Us; The Ones We’re Meant to Find; All That’s Left in the World, Together We Rot
Movies/Shows: Death Note; Over The Garden Wall; Interview with the Vampire; Fullmetal Alchemist; KPop Demon Hunters; The Last of Us; Howl’s Moving Castle; Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
Other: Welcome to Night Vale; music by Hozier, Halsey, and Paris Paloma
Not The Best Fit For:
Anything without a speculative element
Grimdark stories or anything totally devoid of hope
Heists
Hard/technical sci-fi