Fay Irwin (pen name)
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fantasyscience.bsky.social
Fay Irwin (pen name)
@fantasyscience.bsky.social
730 followers 920 following 460 posts
Chemist by day, fantasy writer by night. My past includes stints as a legal secretary, martial arts instructor, and rock'n'roll clarinettist.
Over 50 publications to date, but they're all in science journals.
She/her
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fantasyscience.bsky.social
Fay Irwin (pen name) @fantasyscience.bsky.social · 3d
If Ali Hazelwood and Andy Weir wrote a book, it would be CHEMPORTAL, a sci-fi romcom with real chemistry. Now querying!

Two awkward scientists on an alternate Earth must overcome their mutual dislike to save the world. But their experiments - and their growing feelings - threaten to explode.
Moodboard. Centre image is a pressure cooker with "CHEMPORTAL" written across it. Outer images clockwise from top left: - fancy drinks and food on a table set for 2 - typed text on a page of a book. "Chemistry" is highly visible - a white woman with brown hair working on a car engine - the Toronto skyline - a colourful stack of books - a bright light shining through a partially open door, obscuring the world beyond - a bat hanging from a branch - a stack of latkes
Reposted by Fay Irwin (pen name)
catherinewinters.com
WAYFARERS x MURDERBOT x SOMEONE YOU CAN BUILD A NEST IN

Tai can get through this. Things'll go back to normal. Steal the cargo, stop thinking about the human, wipe the security feed, stop thinking about the human, get out of the vault, stop thinking about the human. Easy. #CuPit #SFR #LGBT #SF #A
A movie poster for "CARGO", depicting a sunset with two crescent moons in the sky. In the foreground are silohettes of two people, only their arms visible, their pinky fingers grasping each other tightly. The arm on the left is thinner and has four fingers. The arm on the right is of average proportions and has five fingers. The top of the poster reads "A match made in space. While stealing things." Below the name "CARGO", there is smaller writing in an alien language, presumably the title translated. At the bottom of the poster, the credits section is as follows: CATHERINE WINTERS AND COREWARD BAKER PRODUCTIONS LTD PRESENT A CATHERINE WINTERS NOVEL ‘CARGO’ STARRING TAI OF MICAPA THYLLIS CHAUMEDEROT TALATAGARI QUIRIN TALATAGARI ANENTO FRANK THE CAT JEREL BESKROS CHOST MOL RAZIK FEATURING COOL MOSS ABOVE STILL WATER AND INTRODUCING CLARKE SHIPS BY SETEBO-URANQ AND CONSTANT VERIDITY INTERSTELLAR COSTUMES BY UPPER CORE ATELIER “HUMAN” CREATURE EFFECTS BY 3.8 BILLION YEARS OF EVOLUTION CASTING BY THE TRADE AUTHORITY EXECUTIVE PRODUCER CATHERINE WINTERS DIRECTED BY CATHERINE WINTERS WRITTEN BY CATHERINE WINTERS
February 14, 2026 at 5:26 AM
fantasyscience.bsky.social
I will always read #CuPit as "copper pit." (In case anyone needed proof I'm a chemist.)

Copper is, in fact, mentioned in ChemPortal. Electrochemistry AND romantic chemistry in one book! The combo you never knew you were missing...

#Q #R #SF #A
fantasyscience.bsky.social Fay Irwin (pen name) @fantasyscience.bsky.social · 3d
What happens when a chemistry professor writes a romance?

If that prof is me, you get CHEMPORTAL, in which two awkward scientists battle cults, corporations, and unwanted feelings as they try to invent fertilizer.

Plus, feminist takes on science history. And maybe aliens.

#CuPit #Q #A #SF #R
Moodboard. Centre image is a pressure cooker with "CHEMPORTAL" written across it. Outer images clockwise from top left: - fancy drinks and food on a table set for 2 - typed text on a page of a book. "Chemistry" is highly visible - a white woman with brown hair working on a car engine - the Toronto skyline - a colourful stack of books - a bright light shining through a partially open door, obscuring the world beyond - a bat hanging from a branch - a stack of latkes
February 14, 2026 at 10:00 PM
fantasyscience.bsky.social
What happens when a chemistry professor writes a romance?

If that prof is me, you get CHEMPORTAL, in which two awkward scientists battle cults, corporations, and unwanted feelings as they try to invent fertilizer.

Plus, feminist takes on science history. And maybe aliens.

#CuPit #Q #A #SF #R
Moodboard. Centre image is a pressure cooker with "CHEMPORTAL" written across it. Outer images clockwise from top left: - fancy drinks and food on a table set for 2 - typed text on a page of a book. "Chemistry" is highly visible - a white woman with brown hair working on a car engine - the Toronto skyline - a colourful stack of books - a bright light shining through a partially open door, obscuring the world beyond - a bat hanging from a branch - a stack of latkes
February 14, 2026 at 9:53 PM
Reposted by Fay Irwin (pen name)
trutherford.bsky.social
My speculative fiction ANTI-CHARTER CAMPAIGN is complete, and I made my first ever agent's guide.

#AmQuerying
Mood board for Anti-Charter Campaign agent's guide. Pictures of an elementary school, money, butterscotch, cheersing beers, ants, a map of PA, D&D dice and character sheets, kids in a school, a magic book, an apple for the teacher, and a man with a nametag that says "Evil Corp" Speculative Fiction ANTI-CHARTER CAMPAIGN is Jumanji X Abbott Elementary. Librarian Britt and her teacher colleagues must make the right rolls in a magical RPG to save their school from a charter takeover. 92K Words, Querying Now Comps: Roll for Romance, The Grimoire Grammar School PTA, A Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, The Lost Bookshop, Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes, The Faculty Lounge, Up the Down Staircase Excerpt: “Yes, it is. Would you like to hold it?” “Why would you do that, Angelo?” Suze shook her head. “Classic NPC inciting move. He’s going to run away with it now.” Britt picked up the thread as soon as Suze quieted, making her voice high like a child’s. “‘Yes, I would.’ The boy snatches the emblem from your hand and runs toward the back of the tavern.” “Oh well,” Angelo declared in his Martin affectation, tossing his head as if he had fluffy curls instead of a close-cropped buzz. “Maybe now all the exiled princes and damsels in distress will stop asking me for help and I can just sit back and enjoy a tankard of ale.” “Since when have damsels of any kind approached you, Martin?” Suze retorted, at least seeming to be in character. Though Catherine wasn’t certain if a paladin would make such a snide comment. The party had been together for eight or nine adventures. She supposed that bred a certain familiarity they could play into.  “But you need that, Martin. You know they’ve been asking people for their badges lately.” Catherine scanned over her character sheet. She’d prepared spells for what she thought Sprintze would be doing in the off season.
February 14, 2026 at 6:43 PM
Reposted by Fay Irwin (pen name)
prahajess.bsky.social
The Best Kisser in Prague

🇨🇿 A crossroads in history
🇨🇿 Expats in Prague
🇨🇿 Early-90s nostalgia
🇨🇿 Gritty slow-burn ♥️

#Cupit #W #A #NA #R
#WriteSky #WritingCommunity
Pink cassette tape labeled "Mix for Mika"; title: The Best Kisser in Prague
February 14, 2026 at 2:06 PM
fantasyscience.bsky.social
If Ali Hazelwood and Andy Weir wrote a book, it would be CHEMPORTAL, a sci-fi romcom with real chemistry. Now querying!

Two awkward scientists on an alternate Earth must overcome their mutual dislike to save the world. But their experiments - and their growing feelings - threaten to explode.
Moodboard. Centre image is a pressure cooker with "CHEMPORTAL" written across it. Outer images clockwise from top left: - fancy drinks and food on a table set for 2 - typed text on a page of a book. "Chemistry" is highly visible - a white woman with brown hair working on a car engine - the Toronto skyline - a colourful stack of books - a bright light shining through a partially open door, obscuring the world beyond - a bat hanging from a branch - a stack of latkes
February 14, 2026 at 3:50 PM
Reposted by Fay Irwin (pen name)
victoriajayneoh.bsky.social
Here’s an updated #AgentsGuide to my YA Cozy Romantasy pitched as WICKED meets LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS

-20 agent requests
-2 big five editor full requests
-winner of two mentorships (Writehive and RT)
-in revisions now!

#writingcommunity
THE UNFORTUNATE GARDEN WITCH'S GUIDE TO KISSING GIRLS OR THE NOVEL FORMERLY KNOWN AS AHARMONY OFWITCHS BY VICTORIA JAYNE YA SAPPHIC COZY ROMANTASY IN REVISIONS AS A WRITEHIVE MENTEE Adagio WITH A PITCH LIKE AN AUTISTIC, TRANSFEMME, PLANT-KILLING GARDEN WITCH WORKS WITH A RIVAL MUSIC WITCH TO CARE FOR AN ANCIENT FLOWER. WIEN A MELTDOWN TURNS THE FLOWER SENTIENT, SHE MUST LEARN TO REGULATE HER EMOTIONS TO TURN IT BACK BEFORE THE FESTIVAL, TRYING NOT TO FALL IN LOVE WITH HER RIVAL ON THE WAY. WITH COMPS LIKE WICKED VIBES EVERYTHING SHE DOES IS Magic TRANS WITCH MC A LOVE STORY TO RAISÉ THE DEAD WITCHCORE EMMA HINDS -BRIDGET MORRISSEY BARISTA'S GUIDE tr LOVE&. LARCENT BREWED WITH LOVE CAROLINE BONIN MC STRUGGLING WITH ABILITIES * SHELLY PAGE * SAPPHIC GIRLS WORKING TOGETHER WITH TROPES LIKE TRANS TEEN MC MC STRUGGLING WITH MAGIC FEMME X FEMME CHILDHOOD FRIENDS TO LOVERS WITTY, AUTISTIC HUMOR SUPPORTIVE GAY OLDER BROTHER HILARIOUS MIDPOINT PLOT TWIST WITH PROSE LIKE I GIVE HER A FEW SECONDS. THE HALF-MOON IN THE SKY BEAMS DOWN THROUGH THE CLEAR WINDOWS, CASTING A GENTLE GLOW ON THE PAIR OF US. I LOOK AT THE BRIGHT LIGHT OF MY PHONE, WHICH SHOWS A NOTIFICATION FROM THIRTY MINUTES AGO. A TEXT FROM MELODY SAYING, "WADDUP I'M BOREDDD." I SNICKER. THEN, YOUR FAMILY CAME LOOKING FOR YOU." "IS THAT SO?" SHE ASKS, TURNING HER HEAD TO FACE MINE AGAIN. THERE'S SOMETHING UNREADABLE ON HER FACE, AND THAT SCARES ME. MELODY IS AN OPEN-BOOK. SHE'S SITTING HERE IN A SAILOR MOON COSPLAY FOR MAGRATHAM'S SAKE. SHE'S NOT ONE TO HIDE OR CONCEAL. IT'S WHY THIS WHOLE SITUATION IS TAILOR-MADE TO TORTURE ME. IT'S IMPOSSIBLE FOR SOMEONE NOT TO KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON WITH MELODY SHARPE. SHE'S THE ABSOLUTE WORST PERSON TO HAVE ON A STEALTH MISSION. YET, AS I'M GAZING INTO THOSE EMERALD EYES, I FIND MYSELF FLOODED WITH PURE CONFUSION. 'IS THAT SO?' WHAT A STRANGE RESPONSE.
February 13, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Reposted by Fay Irwin (pen name)
gabriela-stluke.bsky.social
𝙇𝙄𝙂𝙃𝙏𝙎. 𝘾𝘼𝙈𝘽𝙊𝙏. 𝘽𝙇𝙊𝙊𝘿𝘽𝘼𝙏𝙃.

The deadly game play of SQUID GAME and the futuristic horror of BLACK MIRROR meets the summer romance of LOVE ISLAND.

𝘼𝙧𝙚 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙬𝙝𝙤'𝙨 𝙩𝙤 𝙙𝙞𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧?

#CuPit #HOR #SFR #A
Black bg with pink paper heart strung, almost ripped in half roses are red... ryde cassidy is a catch... welcome, contestants, to LAST CHANCE MATCH an adult speculative sci fi horromance Black bg with pink paper heart strung, almost ripped in half roses are red... the humanoid host is a bitch... but it makes a killer pitch Without a government-appointed soulmate, 28-year-old Cera faces extermination at thirty, the age at which soulmateless are killed to aid in population control and limiting resources. A new dating show, Last Chance Match, sets out to change the luck of the soulmateless and give them another shot at finding their other half. Cera is chosen to participate, but is quickly deflated when she’s paired with the infuriatingly attractive but mysterious Ryde. The show takes a dark turn when a fellow contestant is killed by the robot host, forcing Cera and Ryde to fight for their happily ever after—and to make it out alive. Black bg with pink paper heart strung, almost ripped in half roses are red... the government is betraying... here's what the viewers are saying Lots of snippets from beta/alpha comments Black bg with pink paper heart strung, almost ripped in half roses are red... cera should have seen the signs... especially with these opening lines The old holovision in the corner of Kona’s Diner projected the fuzzy image of a news reporter. A patron passed by it, their arm grazing the hologram. It skipped as the woman tilted her head, but her raven-colored bob stayed perfectly placed. “Within the next hour, eighteen lucky individuals will be notified via holomessage if they’ve been chosen to partake in Last Chance Match. To quote President Blanche, this initiative will allow for select soulmateless to find the one who’s to die for,” said the reporter. “As a reminder, it is mandatory for those chosen to travel to—” Cera shook her head, then grabbed a holotablet from the charging station. Last Chance Match was an excuse for the government to capitalize off the miserable lives of soulmateless and being so close to the age of thirty, Cera wouldn’t be picked for the show.
February 14, 2026 at 5:06 AM
Reposted by Fay Irwin (pen name)
bvbodegom.bsky.social
SWEENEY TODD × TRUE ROMANCE × NATURAL BORN KILLERS

When two serial killers accidentally target each other, Cupid should've aimed for their throats. Killing together is double the fun. But when one of them wants out, the choice is either stay or slay.

#CuPit #A #HOR #DR #W
Non-AI. Black book cover with a white rectangular border. At the top, small handwritten-style text reads “A (very) dark rom-com.” The title “TWO, PLEASE” is centered, with “TWO,” in white and “PLEASE” in bold red, rough brush lettering. Below the title, a black-and-white illustrated anatomical heart pierced by a dagger radiates stylized lines. In the foreground, a man and a woman are shown from the shoulders up against the black background. Both have wide, anxious expressions and their mouths are covered with duct tape—black tape on the man, silver tape on the woman. The man wears a light gray sweater; the woman wears a coral-orange top. At the bottom, white text reads: “By the author of Dad Bodies: B. van Bodegom.”
February 14, 2026 at 10:01 AM
Reposted by Fay Irwin (pen name)
maggiesbooks.bsky.social
EVERY SUMMER AFTER X HAPPY PLACE

When her ex shows up at her sister's wedding, a heartbroken woman faces the tragedy that broke them up 10 years ago at the cottage, is pulled into a spiral of distrust that brings out her worst and an HEA may not even be worth it. #cupit #a #cr
February 14, 2026 at 5:02 AM
Reposted by Fay Irwin (pen name)
maggiesbooks.bsky.social
Heartbroken summer camp staff Sage and Nico start a casual relationship to get over their recent heartbreaks. Nico realizes he wants this to be more than a summer thing, but Sage has some unfinished business back at school that she won't let go of so easily.

#cupit #na #cr
February 14, 2026 at 5:03 AM
fantasyscience.bsky.social
Ali Hazelwood meets AndyWeir in CHEMPORTAL: Two awkward scientists must overcome their mutual dislike to save the work in this speculative romcom with real chemistry.

#CuPit #A #R #SF #Q
Moodboard. Centre image is a pressure cooker with "CHEMPORTAL" written across it. Outer images clockwise from top left: - fancy drinks and food on a table set for 2 - typed text on a page of a book. "Chemistry" is highly visible - a white woman with brown hair working on a car engine - the Toronto skyline - a colourful stack of books - a bright light shining through a partially open door, obscuring the world beyond - a bat hanging from a branch - a stack of latkes
February 14, 2026 at 3:30 PM
fantasyscience.bsky.social
Bats are dying, humanity faces mass starvation, and no one seems to care.

Antagonistic colleagues Nat and George reluctantly team up to save the world, but face greedy corporations, doomsday cults, and their own explosive chemistry.

#BluePit #BluePit📖 #Q #R #SF #A
Moodboard. Text: "ChemPortal," "Fay Irwin," "Sci-fi romcom." Central image: a steaming pressure cooker Outer images (clockwise from top left): - a table set with food and two colourful cocktails - printed text with "chemistry" bolded - a woman working on a car engine - the Toronto skyline - a colourful stack of books - bright light shining through a partially opened door - a bat hanging from a tree branch - latkes on a plate
January 13, 2026 at 8:55 PM
fantasyscience.bsky.social
Pitching CHEMPORTAL (now with hashtags).

#Q #SF #R #A #BluePit #BluePit📖
fantasyscience.bsky.social Fay Irwin (pen name) @fantasyscience.bsky.social · Jan 13
Currently querying CHEMPORTAL, a grounded sci-fi romance with real chemistry.

Two awkward scientists battle time, doomsday cults, corporations, and their own hearts to save the world.

- Enemies(ish) to lovers
- Mistaken identity
- Family and friendship
- Not actually about portals
Moodboard. Central images is a steaming pressure cooker worth CHEMPORTAL superimposed. Bottom right says FAY IRWIN - SCI-FI ROMCOM. Images clockwise from top left: -a table with food and two colourful cocktails - typed text on a page with "chemistry" bolded -a woman working on a car engine - Toronto's skyline viewed from the Toronto islands -a stack of colourful books - a bright light shining through a partially-opened wood door - a bat hanging upside down from a tree - a plate of latkes
January 13, 2026 at 4:46 PM
fantasyscience.bsky.social
Currently querying CHEMPORTAL, a grounded sci-fi romance with real chemistry.

Two awkward scientists battle time, doomsday cults, corporations, and their own hearts to save the world.

- Enemies(ish) to lovers
- Mistaken identity
- Family and friendship
- Not actually about portals
Moodboard. Central images is a steaming pressure cooker worth CHEMPORTAL superimposed. Bottom right says FAY IRWIN - SCI-FI ROMCOM. Images clockwise from top left: -a table with food and two colourful cocktails - typed text on a page with "chemistry" bolded -a woman working on a car engine - Toronto's skyline viewed from the Toronto islands -a stack of colourful books - a bright light shining through a partially-opened wood door - a bat hanging upside down from a tree - a plate of latkes
January 13, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Reposted by Fay Irwin (pen name)
trutherford.bsky.social
ANTI-CHARTER CAMPAIGN: Speculative Fiction
Jumanji X Abbott Elementary
School librarian Britt and her teacher friends must figure out how to stop a charter takeover of their beloved school.
The strange D&D game they're playing may hold the key.
Querying Soon
#BluePit 📖 #A #W
An image of a classroom over an image of a D&D game with dice. Text reads: Speculative fiction, Anti-Charter Campaign, is Jumanji X Abbott Elementary. Librarian Britt and her teacher colleagues must make the right rolls in a magical RPG to save their school from a charter takeover.
January 13, 2026 at 5:14 AM
Reposted by Fay Irwin (pen name)
trutherford.bsky.social
ANTI-CHARTER CAMPAIGN: Speculative Fiction
A group of elementary teachers fight a charter takeover by playing a D&D game with real-life corollaries
For fans of The Grimoire Grammar School PTA, D20, and Roll for Romance
Vibes and scenes in this mood board
Querying Soon
#BluePit #BluePit📖 #A #W
Images: apple in classroom, elementary school, man in tie with "evil corp" as nametag, hand holding money, basket of butterscotch, four friends cheersing beers, happy kids with backpacks in hallway, magic book, dice on D&D character sheets, map of PA, ants
January 13, 2026 at 1:54 PM
fantasyscience.bsky.social
If Andy Weir and Ali Hazelwood cowrote a novel, it would be CHEMPORTAL.

In this sci-fi romcom with real chemistry, two awkward scientists living in an alternate Toronto must overcome their mutual dislike to save the world from starvation.

#Q #A #SF #R #BluePit #BluePit📖
January 13, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Reposted by Fay Irwin (pen name)
annmrose.bsky.social
It’s a new year so let’s start an #AskAgent thread.
Post questions here and I’ll do my best to answer them all.
Leaving this open through the weekend.
#QueryTip #AmWriting
January 3, 2026 at 3:15 AM
fantasyscience.bsky.social
"I have replaced all imperial terms with the appropriate SI units," the sorceress said with a skilometer.
November 23, 2025 at 3:41 PM
fantasyscience.bsky.social
What We Do in the Shadows X Fido = THE RUNNING DEAD

When a small town's high school track team turns into zombies,
apathetic vampire Fred reluctantly teams up with an inexperienced vampire slayer and a high school teacher to protect his food source - er, his fellow citizens.

#QuestPit #W #A #F
November 5, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Reposted by Fay Irwin (pen name)
annahirsch.bsky.social
A DOWRY OF BLOOD x THE BACHELOR

Holland only agrees to date Dracula on TV to boost her influencer career. When producer manipulation goes too far, she tries to leave, but finds the eliminated girls haven’t been sent home—they’ve been fed on.

#questpit #W #A #H #comedy
Mood board depicting dark, campy vampire aesthetic with a silhouette of Dracula. Headline reads "Who Wants to Be Dracula's Bride" with tagline "This season's to die for".  
November 5, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Reposted by Fay Irwin (pen name)
fantasyscience.bsky.social
If Andy Weir and Ali Hazelwood co-wrote a book, it would be CHEMPORTAL. This scifi romcom with real chemistry features:
💥Explosions (real and figurative)
📻Science (mis)communication
🥰Enemies to lovers
👨‍👩‍👧‍👧Complex family dynamics
⚛️ #Steminist history
💪ND and LGBTQ rep

#QuestPit #A #Q #SF #R
Dark blue poster background with a cartoon of a pink and silver pressure cooker. Text: ChemPortal A romantic sci-fi Two awkward scientists just want to be left alone to build a lawnmower. Instead, thy find themselves battling time, powerful corporations, and doomsday cults to save the world from starvation. Fay Irwin
November 5, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Reposted by Fay Irwin (pen name)
fantasyscience.bsky.social
Ali Hazelwood meets Andy Weir in CHEMPORTAL, a sci-fi romcom with real chemistry.

Enemies to lovers, mistaken identities, science (mis)communication, and multiple explosions feature in this tale of two scientists faced with preventing global famine.

#QuestPit #A #SF #R #LGBTQ #ND
November 5, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Reposted by Fay Irwin (pen name)
erinabecca.bsky.social
To free a girl who’s lost her memories to a ruthless duchess, Vreta must reveal her deepest secret: her mind magic. But she risks losing the trust of the man she’s come to love—and losing her identity to the duchess’s power.

#QuestPit #Q #A #F #RF
A dark-haired, pale-skinned girl looks up uncertainly at the viewer. She is dressed in a dark gray dress with a white collar and apron. “Stolen Magic” is written in white text across the image.
November 5, 2025 at 5:09 PM