For MerMay, I’ve picked 10 Queer books featuring creatures of the sea. From cursed shark boys and octo sea wizards to Norse mermaids and side show denizens.
There’s merfolk from across the genres to offer you a wide selection from cute RomCom comics to spicy erotica. I tried to include a little something for everyone so I hope you’ll enjoy these fin-tastic picks.
MerMay was originally inspired by former Disney animator Tom Bancroft, who in 2016 drew two lounging mermaids looking at their “shell phones.” The scene went on to inspire the monthlong creative challenge featuring a mermaid-a-day for the month of May.
1) Out of the Blue
by Jason June
Queer Genre: Achillean Romance, Non-binary Romance
Genres: Coming-of-Age Romance, Young Adult Fantasy, Mermaid Romance, Coming-of-age Fantasy, RomCom, Contemporary Fantasy
READ IT
2) Prince of Endless Tides
by Ben Alderson
Queer Genre: Achillean Romance
Genres: Romantasy, Erotic Fantasy, Mermaid Romance, Dark Fantasy, Enemies-to-lovers Romance, Slow-Burn Romance, Royal Romance, Forbidden Romance
The Little Mermaid with a M/M Romance twist
READ IT
3) Castle Swimmer
Volume One
by Wendy Lian Martin
Queer Genre: Achillean Romantasy
Genres: Boys Love Fantasy, Romance Graphic Novel, Fantasy manga, Young Adult Fantasy, Mermaid Romance, RomCom Fantasy, Royal Romance, Swords & Sorcery
Creature Feature: Mermaids in every variation, from the classic variety to mer sharks and lobsters + normal aquatic life.
The Little Mermaid with a M/M Romance twist
READ IT
4) A Bone in His Teeth
by Kellen Graves
Queer Genre: Transmasculine Romance, Achillean Romance
Genres: Romantasy, Dark Fantasy, Mermaid/Siren Romance
READ IT
5) The Seafarers Kiss
by Julia Ember
Queer Genre: Sapphic Romance, Sapphic Fantasy
Genres: Young Adult Fantasy, Romantasy, Sword & Sorcery, Fairy Tale & Folklore Adaptation, Norse Fantasy
READ IT
6) The Girl from the Sea
by Molly Knox Ostertag
Queer Genre: Sapphic Romance, Sapphic Fantasy
Genres: Girls Love Fantasy, Young Adult Romance Graphic Novel, Fantasy manga, Young Adult Fantasy, Mermaid Romance
READ IT
7) A Tide of Treason
by A. B. Daniels-Annachi
Queer Genre: Trans Romance, Trans Fantasy
Genres: Romantasy, South East Asian Myth & Legend, Fantasy Adventure, Sword & Sorcery, Fairytale Retelling, Mermaid Romance
READ IT
8) In Deep Waters
by F.T. Lukens
Queer Genre: Achillean Romance
Genres: Romantasy, Young Adult Fantasy, Young Adult Romance, Mermaid Romance, Swords & Sorcery, Royal Romance, Pirate Adventure
READ IT
9) When the Tides Held the Moon
by Venessa Vida Kelley
Queer Genre: Achillean Romance
Genres: Romantasy, Mermaid Romance, Historical Fantasy, Gaslamp Fantasy, Cozy Fantasy, Illustrated Novel
The Shape of Water meets The Greatest Showman
READ IT
10) The Gloaming
by Kirsty Logan
Queer Genre: Sapphic Romance, Sapphic Fantasy
Genres: Contemporary Fantasy, Mermaid Romance, Romantasy, Fairytale Fantasy
Leave a Reply