A.J. Van Belle
Author & Literary Agent
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About
A.J. Van Belle (they/them) is a Rhysling and Best of the Net nominee, and their stories and essays have appeared in journals and anthologies from 2004 to the present. They’ve worked as an editor at a magazine and in higher education, served as YA editor at a small publisher, and taught writing and science at Boston University. With a PhD in biology and an MA in anthropology, they draw on their science background to build their fictional worlds. They are a literary agent at the Booker Albert Agency. Rep: Lauren Bieker of FinePrint Literary.
Books on Submission
We Blame the Wild Things
An 83K upmarket novel by A.J. Van Belle
ON SUBMISSION
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Ever since her research was stolen, shattering her trust in others and herself, Mira is in danger of failing out of her medieval studies PhD program. Her advisor’s unexpected death by heart attack seems to be the last nail in the coffin. But while cleaning out her advisor's office, Mira discovers a 6th-century manuscript that appears to be a firsthand dictation from Beowulf—a chance to salvage her career. Her excitement grows when she reads enough of the manuscript to realize the hero who became Beowulf in legend was in fact a woman named Ylfa; and the “monster,” Grendel, was an ordinary young woman who survived being scapegoated and banished to an icy cave.
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As Mira translates Ylfa’s story, which is interleaved with the events in Mira’s life in a dual timeline, the Beowulf narrative is revealed. With a looming conference that will be her last chance to present her findings, and the student who stole her research threatening her, Mira is running out of time to verify the manuscript’s origins and share the real Beowulf story. If she fails, she’ll lose her career, and Ylfa and Grendel’s history will remain buried. But if she succeeds in convincing the world of what really happened to Grendel and Ylfa, she will also be able to share her own truth, reclaim her right to the PhD she’s earned, and be a voice for the collective experience of silenced women.
The Order of the Moon
Hunted for "witchcraft," 18-year-old herbalist Amaryllis takes sanctuary at the druidic Order of the Moon.
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Young monk William flees the gruesome duty of exterminating healers.
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Amaryllis and William think they’ve found their home together at the Order of the Moon—until the past catches up to them. The only way for Amaryllis to survive is to do the one thing she swore she never would: use her herbal knowledge to harm instead of heal. And, to help Amaryllis, William must face the horror he once ran from.
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Crossover historical fiction, 84K words
On submission
