My name is Rae Beary (she/her). I am 32, Black, and queer, and I enjoy telling stories about the Black and queer experiences tied into a fantastical world. For the past nine years, I’ve taught students from marginalized groups who often lament the lack of books that resonate with them. This inspired me to write Lavon’s Covenant, a YA fantasy featuring a Black, queer protagonist. The manuscript draws on nostalgic coming-of-age comedies like Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Halloweentown, with witty, pop-culture-dense dialogue reminiscent of Amy Sherman-Palladino’s Gilmore Girls.

Lavon’s Covenant blends humor, heart-pounding action, and tender LGBTQ+ romance in a rich, modern fantasy world.

Generational magic destinies, or curses depending on who you ask, told through Black characters like Heart’s Gambit by J.D. Myall.

An impossible choice between love and magic with series potential similar to Her Hidden Fire by Clíodhna O'Sullivan.

A fantasy romance grounded in a contemporary setting like In Time With You by Kristen Dwyer and If We Never End by Lauren Taylor Namey.

A magical academy mystery focused on the undoing of magical elitism with a morally grey queer main character like Queen of Faces by Petra Lord.

Perfect for fans of The Black Veins by Ashia Monet and Carry On by Rainbow Rowell, this story explores identity, belonging, and the messy magic of first love.

Seventeen-year-old Lavon has always felt caught between two worlds: the witch his family legacy expects him to be and the human his crush, Kai, believes he is. Lavon’s magic is erratic at best, dangerous at worst, and keeping it a secret has been as exhausting as hiding his feelings for Kai. But when Lavon’s botched attempt to protect Kai from a supernatural threat lands him labeled a delinquent witch and exiled to a magical rehabilitation program, their bond is tested like never before.

In this hidden world of witches, Lavon must grapple with his failing powers, the allure of a forbidden magical amplifier, and the pressure to belong among other witches—including Coop, his best friend and the only other witch he’s ever known. The deeper he delves into this realm, the more his actions draw attention from the magic government and military, inadvertently putting Kai in the crosshairs of forces beyond his comprehension.

Torn between two worlds, Lavon faces an impossible choice: give up his magic forever to live as a mortal and be with Kai or keep his powers at the cost of their relationship and Kai’s safety. As tensions mount, Lavon must decide if he can master the unpredictable force within him or risk losing everything he loves.