S. L. Butcher (She/They) has been storytelling since she was old enough to babble and grew up with a curiosity for all things strange and dark. She feels most at home writing and reading horror and dark fantasy, but also enjoys a good Ali Hazelwood novel. When not in the frightening depths of her writer cave, she can be found therapizing clients at her day job, drawing her characters, playing Baldur’s Gate 3 (mostly for the vampire and the cleric), or petting hamsters. THE NINTH SON is the first novel she has queried, but she has written two others, along with many an unpublished fan-fiction. She also has experience as a developmental and copy editor.
Favorite Authors: Naomi Novik, T. Kingfisher, Stephen King, Ali Hazelwood, Alexis Henderson, Sabaa Tahir
What to expect: Morbid humor, religious trauma, fairytale vibes, secret cinnamon roll love interests, whimsy, queer-normative worlds
_edited_edited.png){kind=small}
THE NINTH SON
Bargaining with devils is in Lilith’s blood—so much so that when she is forced to marry a possessed prince, her greatest fear isn’t that he’ll eat her soul or murder her like his first betrothed. It’s leaving Nelly, the sister she loves like a daughter, in the hands of their abusive father. But she isn’t without a plan: she’ll charm the prince, escape with the bride price, and raise Nelly as her own.
Unfortunately, her groom is unwittingly eager to ruin her scheme.
Though cursed at birth, Oliver swears his possession is long behind him. Contrary to the rumors, he is timid, naïve, and prefers gardening over devouring hearts. Still, his family takes no chances, confining him at the castle and subjecting him to brutal rituals to cleanse his soul. He wants no part of the marriage they’re forcing on him—until he meets his flirtatious, seemingly sympathetic bride, and falls headfirst for her con.
Lilith’s ruse collapses as unbidden feelings blossom for her tenderhearted groom. She fears that Oliver—who resents everything infernal—will discover her dark inclinations, but even he hides a harrowing secret. An ancient evil lurks inside him, seeking deadly vengeance against the crown and dragging its victims to hell. And unless Lilith frees Oliver, it’s only a matter of time before it takes him, too.
Genres: Adult, Gothic Fantasy, Horror
Credit: commissioned by @mageonduty | instagram
[currently querying]
Hi! I'm
S. L. Butcher
_edited_edited.png){kind=small}
_edited_edited.png){kind=small}