Mike Chen is a lifelong writer, from crafting fan fiction as a child to somehow getting paid for words as an adult. He has contributed to major geek culture websites (The Mary Sue, The Portalist), covered the NHL for mainstream media outlets, and ghostwritten corporate articles appearing in Forbes, Buzzfeed, Enterpreneur, and more. A member of SFWA and the Codex Writers group, Mike calls the San Francisco Bay Area home, where he can often be found playing video games and watching Doctor Who with his wife, daughter, and rescue animals.
Automatic Noodle (2025) Annalee Newitz "A love letter to community, identity, San Francisco, and noodles, Automatic Noodle also is a searing commentary on capitalism and our algorithm-driven culture. In other words, it's like the perfect bowl of noodles: delicious and comforting with just enough spice to kick your senses and clear your sinuses."
The Stars Too Fondly (2024) Emily Hamilton "Funny and charming, The Stars Too Fondly perfectly balances Starfleet 'can do' attitude, punk swagger, and cozy rom-com vibes. Emily Hamilton's debut is a wildly original tale that feels cozy and epic at the same time. My Trekkie heart adored it."
Bitter Medicine (2023) Mia Tsai "Creative, tense, and extremely swoonworthy, Mia Tsai's Bitter Medicine brings together cultures, mythical creatures, and genres for an unforgettable mash-up debut that will appeal to fans of Fonda Lee and paranormal romance enthusiasts."
A Spindle Splintered (2021) (Fractured Fables, book 1) Alix E Harrow "Like Into the Spider-Verse for Disney princesses, A Spindle Splintered is a delightful mash-up featuring Alix E. Harrow's trademark beautiful prose and whip-smart characters. Both emotionally touching and side-splittingly funny, Harrow weaves a gripping narrative that bridges the gap between fairy tale tropes and the sci-fi multiverse. Like the best fairy tales, it's as unique as it is memorable."
Rise of the Red Hand (2021) (Mechanists, book 1) Olivia Chadha "Rise of the Red Hand mixes the best of cyberpunk and anime with a tale of family and revolution to create something completely unique—intimate yetaction-packed, touching yet thrilling. Olivia Chadha delivers as much action as she does heart, all with a healthy dose of mecha. It kicks ass."
The Mirror Man (2020) Jane Gilmartin "Part Twilight Zone episode and part medical thriller, The Mirror Man seamlessly weaves together clones and family for a fascinating story about the lies we tell ourselves--and what we might do with second chances. Tense, poignant, and frequently funny, Gilmartin's debut waxes lyrical on the human condition while racing to an unforgettable finish."
Road Out of Winter (2020) Alison Stine "The Road infused with feminist grit, Alison Stine's ROAD OUT OF WINTER focuses on the true seeds of hope during a climate apocalypse: the things that nurture both our bodies and our souls. A startling and intimate look at what happens when our planet turns against us."
Set My Heart to Five (2020) Simon Stephenson "Both whimsical and lyrical, Set My Heart to Five is an astounding examination of the human condition and all the things that make it up: curiosity, duty, art, dreams, and -- of course -- love. It is, much like its hero Jared, made up of both laughter and tears, and one of the most unique books ever crafted."
Rule (2020) (Unraveled Kingdom, book 3) Rowenna Miller "Miller caps off the Unraveled Kingdom trilogy with a seamless blend of magic and heart, all under the cloud of war and revolution. Smart, thrilling, and full of charm, Rule is the perfect sendoff for the tale of Sophie Balstrade."
All Your Twisted Secrets (2020) Diana Urban "Like a diabolical version of The Breakfast Club with equal parts murder and angst, All Your Twisted Secrets is a tense and exhilarating rollercoaster, sprinting against time to a shocking ending that will make you immediately want to read it again."
The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep (2019) H G Parry "H.G. Parry has crafted an imaginative and unique exploration of how words shift our lives in ways big and small. The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep is a rollicking adventure that thrills like Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere mashed up with Penny Dreadful in the best post-modern way. Equal parts sibling rivalry, crackling mystery, and Dickensian battle royale, it'll be one of your most fun reads this year."
