F. T. Lukens

Blending lighthearted romance with high fantasy and urban mythology, young adult speculative fiction often redefines classic tropes through a queer lens. F. T. Lukens is a New York Times bestselling author whose stories bring humor, emotional warmth, and LGBTQ+ representation to expansive magical worlds. Known for popular books like So This Is Ever After and Otherworldly, Lukens crafts character-driven adventures that explore what happens after epic quest endings or during unexpected supernatural encounters.

Career & Background

Before gaining widespread acclaim with major publishers like Margaret K. McElderry Books at Simon & Schuster, F. T. Lukens built a foundation in young adult science fiction and fantasy by publishing five YA novels with Interlude Press. Early critical recognition arrived with The Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths & Magic, which was named a 2017 Cybils Award finalist in YA Speculative Fiction, won the Foreword INDIES Book of the Year Gold Award for YA fiction and the Bisexual Book Award for Speculative Fiction, and earned a place on the 2019 ALA Rainbow Book List.

Lukens reached an even broader audience with the release of In Deeper Waters, a Junior Library Guild Selection that appeared on the 2022 ALA Rainbow Booklist. Following this success, So This Is Ever After became a New York Times bestseller, a 2022 Goodreads Choice Awards nominee, and a 2023 ALA Rainbow Booklist selection. Lukens resides in North Carolina with their spouse, three kids, three dogs, and three cats, continuing to expand their bibliography with releases such as Spell Bound (a 2024 ALA Rainbow Booklist title), Love at Second Sight, Otherworldly, and the forthcoming novel The Last Best Quest Ever.

Writing Style & Themes

F. T. Lukens specializes in young adult speculative fiction, urban fantasy, and science fiction infused with queer romance, found family dynamics, and witty banter. Rather than focusing heavily on bleak or grim conflict, Lukens emphasizes joy, self-discovery, and comforting romantic subplots where LGBTQ+ protagonists navigate both personal growth and magical chaos.

Major Works

• So This Is Ever After — A New York Times bestselling YA fantasy novel that subverts traditional fantasy endings by exploring what happens after the kingdom is saved. It was nominated for a 2022 Goodreads Choice Award and selected for the 2023 ALA Rainbow Booklist.
• In Deeper Waters — A nautical fantasy combining magic, romance, and political intrigue. The book was selected as a Junior Library Guild Selection and named to the 2022 ALA Rainbow Booklist.
• Spell Bound — A young adult fantasy centering on rival magical apprentices that was included on the 2024 ALA Rainbow Booklist.
• Otherworldly — A young adult speculative romance blending real-world responsibilities with supernatural realm exploration.
• The Rules and Regulations for Mediating Myths & Magic — A contemporary fantasy novel that received the Foreword INDIES Gold Award and Bisexual Book Award for Speculative Fiction, while also earning a spot on the 2019 ALA Rainbow Book List.