A.E. Wells

I write mythic fantasy about power, consequence, and the cost of becoming someone new — especially the quiet moment before everything changes.

My stories live where ancient magic collides with human longing — where curses carry weight, love is never safe, and every choice leaves a mark. I’m drawn to morally complex characters, folklore-rooted worlds, and the kind of wonder that turns dangerous if you hold it too long.

I’m currently at work on A Swan Dark, a YA fantasy blending portal magic, mythic darkness, and slow-burn emotional tension. My short fiction moves through similar shadows — gods who can be wounded, girls who cross thresholds they can’t uncross, devotion sharp enough to scar.

I grew up loving myth, folklore, and fantasy, and I’m especially inspired by stories that explore transformation, sacrifice, and the fragile space between fate and choice. I'm also an avid reader of global fantasy—from Chinese danmei to Slavic folklore—whose emotional intensity and themes of devotion, identity, and transformation continue to shape the heart of my work."

If you love fantasy where beauty has teeth and magic demands something in return, you’re in the right place.

You’ll find me in Southern California, where I live with my family, a dog, and a very cranky fish.

Welcome.