Casey McQuiston

Queer romantic comedies featuring high-concept premises, sharp dialogue, and inclusive character dynamics have reshaped modern romance publishing. Casey McQuiston entered the literary scene with the breakout success of Red, White & Royal Blue, establishing a distinct voice that fuses humor, emotional warmth, and diverse LGBTQ+ representation.

Career & Background

Born on January 21, 1991, and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Casey McQuiston spent their formative years in Southern Louisiana before relocating to Queens, New York. McQuiston released their debut novel, Red, White & Royal Blue, in 2019. The book became a New York Times bestseller and gained widespread critical recognition, receiving honors from the Stonewall Book Awards, the Lambda Literary Awards, and the American Library Association. In 2023, the debut was adapted into an Emmy-nominated feature film.

McQuiston followed their debut with the 2021 speculative romance One Last Stop and entered the young adult fiction space with I Kissed Shara Wheeler in 2022. That same year, McQuiston was named to Time magazine's Time 100 Next list. In 2024, McQuiston published the European travel romance The Pairing. Beyond their novels, McQuiston has contributed non-fiction essays and commentary on culture and literature to publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Bon Appétit.

Writing Style & Themes

McQuiston's writing is known for fast-paced comedic dialogue, high-stakes relationship dynamics, and deeply imagined portrayals of found family. Their stories focus heavily on bisexual, trans, and queer identity, exploring how personal autonomy and love intersect with family expectations, public life, and personal healing. McQuiston consistently pairs lighthearted genre conventions with genuine emotional depth across contemporary, speculative, and young adult formats.

Major Works

• Red, White & Royal Blue — McQuiston's 2019 debut novel detailing a secret romance between the son of the American president and a prince of England. Earning Stonewall and Lambda honors, it was adapted into an Emmy-nominated film in 2023.
• One Last Stop — A 2021 contemporary romance with speculative elements about a cynic who falls in love with a woman displaced in time on a New York subway line.
• I Kissed Shara Wheeler — McQuiston's 2022 young adult debut centered on a high school senior hunting for an elusive rival through a trail of left-behind clues.
• The Pairing — A 2024 romance following two estranged exes who unexpectedly cross paths on a shared European culinary and wine tour.