Soumi Roy
Links
Bio
Soumi Roy (she/her) is a queer, neurodivergent author hailing from India and currently residing in Korea. Her writing primarily centers around the science fiction and fantasy genres, with a generous sprinkling of romance infused into her novels. Represented by Antoinette Van Sluytman and Natalie Lakosil at Irene Goodman Literary Agency, Soumi's work is influenced by her experience as a mainlander and draws inspiration from the culture and myths of her home country. One of her desi romance novellas, 'A Tangled Truce,' was published in The Love All Year 21 anthology. In addition to writing, Soumi is a passionate tea enthusiast and an anime aficionado, always ready to engage in lively discussions about her favorite shows.
Soumi is excited to offer her support to marginalized voices looking to break into the publishing industry. As a mentor, she is open to working with various genres in the Young Adult category, with a special interest in BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and disabled writers. Find out more about her on her website.
MSWL
I am open to YA fantasy and adult rom-coms. Below are some of the tropes and subgenres I can help you with, along with some of the hyper-specific projects that I am particularly suited for.
- Dark fantasy that comps The Last Tale of The Flower Bride and Dowry of Blood but is YA. I'm comfortable working with darker themes, provided they are handled with nuance.
- Anti-colonialism and de-colonialism stories in the YA space, particularly set in previously colonized countries and featuring protagonists of color. I'm looking for organic themes emerging from the story itself over stories that build themselves around the theme.
- POC interracial romance is always a plus. I lived a global rom-com dream myself with my partner, where I moved countries to be with him, so I'm excited to work with stories in this space.
- If you have a YA second world fantasy rooted in a non-western culture with a strong romantic thread or a romantasy, I'd be a good fit. Bonus if it's LGBTQIA. (Think Tasha Suri, Aiden Thomas, Rosamund Hodge, Axie Oh)
- If you have something that comps Howl's Moving Castle or has Studio Ghibli vibes, I'd like to see it.
- I also am looking for retellings and reimaginings from QBIPOC. I'm not a good fit for close retellings but if you have something that takes a classic and twists it on its head, please send it my way (Where Dreams Descend, Six Crimson Cranes, Girl Who Fell Beneath The Sea).
- I'm particularly hungry for South Asian stories that examine generational trauma, queerness, and legacies.
Some of the tropes I particularly like are:
- Enemies/Rivals to Lovers and Lovers to Enemies/Rivals
- Ballroom dancing and intense pining
- Fake Dating
- STEM, Academic rep
-In adult rom-om think Spolier Alert, The Kiss Quotient series and Book Lovers
Even if your book doesn't fit the MSWL, feel free to surprise me as long as your book is not in my anti MSWL. Sometimes, I don't know I need something until I read it.
Anti-MSWL
I'm not interested in stories with a colonizer romance. No Nazi romances or slaver/slave relationships, even if they're fantasy.
I am not the right person for stories that deal with sexual assault and incest.
I'm not the best fit for speculative thrillers, or horror.
Please include trigger warnings in all of your submissions, and thank you so much for considering me. Good luck with your submissions.