wen-yi lee
@wenyilee.bsky.social
🇸🇬 writes sff // THE DARK WE KNOW (Gillian Flynn Books) // WHEN THEY BURNED THE BUTTERFLY (@torbooks)
Pinned
wen-yi lee
@wenyilee.bsky.social
· Mar 6
COVER REVEAL❤️🦋
WHEN THEY BURNED THE BUTTERFLY is my sapphic adult fantasy about a girl gang in 1970s postcolonial singapore, and i got the mean pyro femme art of my DREAMS. it's out oct 21 from @torbooks & you can preorder now!!
🎨 @carissasusilo.bsky.social (art) & esther kim (design)
WHEN THEY BURNED THE BUTTERFLY is my sapphic adult fantasy about a girl gang in 1970s postcolonial singapore, and i got the mean pyro femme art of my DREAMS. it's out oct 21 from @torbooks & you can preorder now!!
🎨 @carissasusilo.bsky.social (art) & esther kim (design)
Reposted by wen-yi lee
"Consider the contemporary cannibal as metaphor. There’s a long artistic tradition of using physical appetite to symbolise emotional appetite...be it wanting to exploit, wanting to enact revenge, or wanting as loving desire." @wenyilee.bsky.social reactormag.com/tender-is-th...
Tender Is the Flesh-Eating: The Literary Cannibal as Exploitation and Desire - Reactor
Wen-yi Lee examines the teeth of fictional cannibalism
reactormag.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:40 PM
"Consider the contemporary cannibal as metaphor. There’s a long artistic tradition of using physical appetite to symbolise emotional appetite...be it wanting to exploit, wanting to enact revenge, or wanting as loving desire." @wenyilee.bsky.social reactormag.com/tender-is-th...
this was SO fun to write 🍽🥩
It's chic, it's tasteful, and it's dominating the literary landscape: cannibalism. Readers are hungry and author @wenyilee.bsky.social examines its relationship to revenge, exploitation, and desire 🥩
Tender Is the Flesh-Eating: The Literary Cannibal as Exploitation and Desire - Reactor
Wen-yi Lee examines the teeth of fictional cannibalism
reactormag.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:54 AM
this was SO fun to write 🍽🥩
Reposted by wen-yi lee
As part of our module on imperialism, our reading group's fiction selection was "The Name Ziya," a short story by @wenyilee.bsky.social.
<1 hr to finish. Packed with powerful, true-to-reality themes, some obvious, others nuanced. Perfect for a Sunday read and for discussion with comrades.
<1 hr to finish. Packed with powerful, true-to-reality themes, some obvious, others nuanced. Perfect for a Sunday read and for discussion with comrades.
The Name Ziya - Reactor
A girl reckons with what she must lose--and who she has become--in order to be accepted at the empire's most prestigious university.
reactormag.com
November 2, 2025 at 3:52 PM
As part of our module on imperialism, our reading group's fiction selection was "The Name Ziya," a short story by @wenyilee.bsky.social.
<1 hr to finish. Packed with powerful, true-to-reality themes, some obvious, others nuanced. Perfect for a Sunday read and for discussion with comrades.
<1 hr to finish. Packed with powerful, true-to-reality themes, some obvious, others nuanced. Perfect for a Sunday read and for discussion with comrades.
Reposted by wen-yi lee
October 24, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Reposted by wen-yi lee
In the PEN Ten interview, @wenyilee.bsky.social discusses her new novel, When They Burned the Butterfly (@tordotcom.bsky.social, 2025), the importance of community, using prose to express emotion, and how a mysterious fire from the ‘60s played a role in Singaporean history. pen.org/wen-yi-lee-t...
Girl Gangs, Found Families, and Creating Kinship Outside of the Mainstream
In this PEN Ten interview, Wen-yi Lee Lee highlights the parallels between sworn gang families and queer found families.
pen.org
October 25, 2025 at 3:15 PM
In the PEN Ten interview, @wenyilee.bsky.social discusses her new novel, When They Burned the Butterfly (@tordotcom.bsky.social, 2025), the importance of community, using prose to express emotion, and how a mysterious fire from the ‘60s played a role in Singaporean history. pen.org/wen-yi-lee-t...
Reposted by wen-yi lee
New episode!
Join in with @wenyilee.bsky.social as we talk WHEN THEY BURNED THE BUTTERFLY, her book about a girl gang in 1970s Singapore. We talk fantasy, nation-building, marginalization, and more in this episode of the show.
Find us at Sley House Presents where you podcast! Links below:
Join in with @wenyilee.bsky.social as we talk WHEN THEY BURNED THE BUTTERFLY, her book about a girl gang in 1970s Singapore. We talk fantasy, nation-building, marginalization, and more in this episode of the show.
Find us at Sley House Presents where you podcast! Links below:
October 21, 2025 at 4:04 PM
New episode!
Join in with @wenyilee.bsky.social as we talk WHEN THEY BURNED THE BUTTERFLY, her book about a girl gang in 1970s Singapore. We talk fantasy, nation-building, marginalization, and more in this episode of the show.
Find us at Sley House Presents where you podcast! Links below:
Join in with @wenyilee.bsky.social as we talk WHEN THEY BURNED THE BUTTERFLY, her book about a girl gang in 1970s Singapore. We talk fantasy, nation-building, marginalization, and more in this episode of the show.
Find us at Sley House Presents where you podcast! Links below:
WHEN THEY BURNED THE BUTTERFLY is out today!!! it's a dark sapphic fantasy about a girl gang with a fire god in 70s Singapore, about female rage and claiming your own places.
to the complex girls and to home. yours to read now, I hope you enjoy ❤️🦋
to the complex girls and to home. yours to read now, I hope you enjoy ❤️🦋
October 21, 2025 at 1:36 PM
WHEN THEY BURNED THE BUTTERFLY is out today!!! it's a dark sapphic fantasy about a girl gang with a fire god in 70s Singapore, about female rage and claiming your own places.
to the complex girls and to home. yours to read now, I hope you enjoy ❤️🦋
to the complex girls and to home. yours to read now, I hope you enjoy ❤️🦋
Reposted by wen-yi lee
The Dark We Know author @wenyilee.bsky.social makes her adult debut with When They Burned The Butterfly, a "mythical, intimate" tale of colonialism and folklore set in 1972 Singapore. Checkout @unstablebooks.bsky.social full review now:
www.thefandomentals.com/wen-yi-lees-...
www.thefandomentals.com/wen-yi-lees-...
Wen-Yi Lee's When They Burned The Butterfly is Luminous and Inspired - The Fandomentals
When They Burned The Butterfly is a dark, lyrical, and deeply affecting adult debut from Wen-yi Lee. The novel weaves together fantasy, folklore, and the
www.thefandomentals.com
October 20, 2025 at 5:11 PM
The Dark We Know author @wenyilee.bsky.social makes her adult debut with When They Burned The Butterfly, a "mythical, intimate" tale of colonialism and folklore set in 1972 Singapore. Checkout @unstablebooks.bsky.social full review now:
www.thefandomentals.com/wen-yi-lees-...
www.thefandomentals.com/wen-yi-lees-...
Reposted by wen-yi lee
“No Mirrors Here” by @akatherineblack.bsky.social from The Dark, “The Name Ziya” by @wenyilee.bsky.social from @reactorsff.bsky.social, and more short fic recs from @paulaguran here -
The Dark, Reactor, and Weird Horror: Short Fiction Reviews by Paula Guran
The Dark 6/25, 7/25 Reactor 5/21/25 -7/26/25 Weird Horror Fall ’25 All of the original stories in issues 121 and 122 of The Dark are worthy of note. “The World Under” by Steve Rasnic Tem is the fir…
locusmag.com
October 13, 2025 at 1:00 AM
“No Mirrors Here” by @akatherineblack.bsky.social from The Dark, “The Name Ziya” by @wenyilee.bsky.social from @reactorsff.bsky.social, and more short fic recs from @paulaguran here -
i've heard a bit about this book and it's so so delightful 💕
October 8, 2025 at 12:32 PM
i've heard a bit about this book and it's so so delightful 💕
Reposted by wen-yi lee
Had the honor of reading an ARC of When They Burned the Butterfly by @wenyilee.bsky.social, a sapphic historical fantasy in 1970s Singapore. It's got it all: toxic yuri, a charismatic butch, and dangerous pacts with otherworldly entities. It releases 10/21 and I want everyone to read it!
October 4, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Had the honor of reading an ARC of When They Burned the Butterfly by @wenyilee.bsky.social, a sapphic historical fantasy in 1970s Singapore. It's got it all: toxic yuri, a charismatic butch, and dangerous pacts with otherworldly entities. It releases 10/21 and I want everyone to read it!
sapphic fantasy fall (girl gangs & golems edition) ✨
on BUTTERFLY release week, come join @maddiesmartinez.bsky.social and I over on IG on 26 Oct to talk about our sapphic fantasy books and our joint publishing journeys!
on BUTTERFLY release week, come join @maddiesmartinez.bsky.social and I over on IG on 26 Oct to talk about our sapphic fantasy books and our joint publishing journeys!
October 1, 2025 at 1:43 PM
sapphic fantasy fall (girl gangs & golems edition) ✨
on BUTTERFLY release week, come join @maddiesmartinez.bsky.social and I over on IG on 26 Oct to talk about our sapphic fantasy books and our joint publishing journeys!
on BUTTERFLY release week, come join @maddiesmartinez.bsky.social and I over on IG on 26 Oct to talk about our sapphic fantasy books and our joint publishing journeys!
the sapphic historical fantasy in post/colonial Asia conversation ✨️ I'll be having a virtual launch for WHEN THEY BURNED THE BUTTERFLY with Vaishnavi Patel on 21 Oct!!
link in bio to register :)
link in bio to register :)
September 30, 2025 at 1:41 PM
the sapphic historical fantasy in post/colonial Asia conversation ✨️ I'll be having a virtual launch for WHEN THEY BURNED THE BUTTERFLY with Vaishnavi Patel on 21 Oct!!
link in bio to register :)
link in bio to register :)
announcing the WHEN THEY BURNED THE BUTTERFLY preorder campaign!!
send me your preorder receipts now till Oct 21 (with an exclusive for certain Singapore bookstores) & get some pretty gifts ft. all southeast asian artists!
links in bio 🦋✨
send me your preorder receipts now till Oct 21 (with an exclusive for certain Singapore bookstores) & get some pretty gifts ft. all southeast asian artists!
links in bio 🦋✨
September 24, 2025 at 1:28 PM
announcing the WHEN THEY BURNED THE BUTTERFLY preorder campaign!!
send me your preorder receipts now till Oct 21 (with an exclusive for certain Singapore bookstores) & get some pretty gifts ft. all southeast asian artists!
links in bio 🦋✨
send me your preorder receipts now till Oct 21 (with an exclusive for certain Singapore bookstores) & get some pretty gifts ft. all southeast asian artists!
links in bio 🦋✨
less than 1 month till Butterfly is out and we have another excerpt for youuu
"There, on her mother’s stomach, where her hands had fallen away, was the bloody outline of a butterfly."
We're excited (and...scared? A little intrigued?) to share an excerpt from @wenyilee.bsky.social's adult fantasy When They Burned the Butterfly!! 🦋🔥
reactormag.com/excerpts-whe...
We're excited (and...scared? A little intrigued?) to share an excerpt from @wenyilee.bsky.social's adult fantasy When They Burned the Butterfly!! 🦋🔥
reactormag.com/excerpts-whe...
Read an Excerpt From When They Burned the Butterfly by Wen-yi Lee - Reactor
Loner schoolgirl Adeline Siow has never needed more company than the flame she can summon at her fingertips…
reactormag.com
September 24, 2025 at 2:53 AM
less than 1 month till Butterfly is out and we have another excerpt for youuu
Reposted by wen-yi lee
In a newly integrated insect metropolis, generations clash around art, technology, and capitalism. Boris, a rural vesper, chases modernity to the city, but tradition is there first.
Next week. "Laurie on the Radio" by Sam Davis!!
Art by Michael Hirshon
Edited by @annvandermeer.bsky.social
Next week. "Laurie on the Radio" by Sam Davis!!
Art by Michael Hirshon
Edited by @annvandermeer.bsky.social
September 11, 2025 at 4:55 PM
In a newly integrated insect metropolis, generations clash around art, technology, and capitalism. Boris, a rural vesper, chases modernity to the city, but tradition is there first.
Next week. "Laurie on the Radio" by Sam Davis!!
Art by Michael Hirshon
Edited by @annvandermeer.bsky.social
Next week. "Laurie on the Radio" by Sam Davis!!
Art by Michael Hirshon
Edited by @annvandermeer.bsky.social
Reposted by wen-yi lee
Full article on the making of if @wenyilee.bsky.social 'When They Burned The Butterfly' cover on Reactor!
How does a gorgeous cover like When They Burned the Butterfly come together? Author @wenyilee.bsky.social, illustrator Carissa Susilo, and art director Esther Kim discuss the process (+ some early concept sketches)!
reactormag.com/from-concept...
reactormag.com/from-concept...
From Concept to Cover: When They Burned the Butterfly by Wen-yi Lee - Reactor
Capturing the perfect vibe for a book cover is a collaborative process...
reactormag.com
August 26, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Full article on the making of if @wenyilee.bsky.social 'When They Burned The Butterfly' cover on Reactor!
if you ever wanted to know how an author & publishing team design a book cover: enjoy!!!!!
(in which I talk about wong kar wai inspirations, we share BUTTERFLY cover sketches, and my artist @carissasusilo.bsky.social actually sets something on fire)
(in which I talk about wong kar wai inspirations, we share BUTTERFLY cover sketches, and my artist @carissasusilo.bsky.social actually sets something on fire)
How does a gorgeous cover like When They Burned the Butterfly come together? Author @wenyilee.bsky.social, illustrator Carissa Susilo, and art director Esther Kim discuss the process (+ some early concept sketches)!
reactormag.com/from-concept...
reactormag.com/from-concept...
From Concept to Cover: When They Burned the Butterfly by Wen-yi Lee - Reactor
Capturing the perfect vibe for a book cover is a collaborative process...
reactormag.com
August 26, 2025 at 4:11 PM
if you ever wanted to know how an author & publishing team design a book cover: enjoy!!!!!
(in which I talk about wong kar wai inspirations, we share BUTTERFLY cover sketches, and my artist @carissasusilo.bsky.social actually sets something on fire)
(in which I talk about wong kar wai inspirations, we share BUTTERFLY cover sketches, and my artist @carissasusilo.bsky.social actually sets something on fire)
. @torbooks.bsky.social has a free extended preview of my forthcoming sapphic fantasy BUTTERFLY up online!! ❤️✨️
us.macmillan.com/books/978125...
us.macmillan.com/books/978125...
August 23, 2025 at 2:08 PM
. @torbooks.bsky.social has a free extended preview of my forthcoming sapphic fantasy BUTTERFLY up online!! ❤️✨️
us.macmillan.com/books/978125...
us.macmillan.com/books/978125...
Reposted by wen-yi lee
i've been chewing on this essay for a long time ~ deeply grateful to @ruadanbooks.bsky.social for giving it a home and to @mariahaskins.com for her careful editing 💚
ruadanbooks.com/missing-myth...
ruadanbooks.com/missing-myth...
July 14, 2025 at 10:38 PM
i've been chewing on this essay for a long time ~ deeply grateful to @ruadanbooks.bsky.social for giving it a home and to @mariahaskins.com for her careful editing 💚
ruadanbooks.com/missing-myth...
ruadanbooks.com/missing-myth...
christina called my main character a bitch and i said yes correct thank you 🫶🏼
July 15, 2025 at 4:46 PM
christina called my main character a bitch and i said yes correct thank you 🫶🏼
Reposted by wen-yi lee
New from this post is perhaps my favorite novelette of the year to date, “The Name Ziya” by @wenyilee.bsky.social, a story of academia and colonialism that’s gripping from the start and remarkably emotionally complicated for the lead reactormag.com/the-name-ziy...
The Name Ziya - Reactor
A girl reckons with what she must lose--and who she has become--in order to be accepted at the empire's most prestigious university.
reactormag.com
July 2, 2025 at 12:35 PM
New from this post is perhaps my favorite novelette of the year to date, “The Name Ziya” by @wenyilee.bsky.social, a story of academia and colonialism that’s gripping from the start and remarkably emotionally complicated for the lead reactormag.com/the-name-ziy...
my favourite short story i've ever written is out now on reactor 💖 it's fantasy dark academia about access to colonial institutions, assimilation, complicity, cultural names & identity (with a sapphic mc!)
A girl reckons with what she must lose–and who she has become–in order to be accepted at the empire's most prestigious university...
"The Name Ziya" by @wenyilee.bsky.social is now free to read at Reactor!
Art by Holly Warburton
Edited by Sanaa Ali-Virani
reactormag.com/the-name-ziy...
"The Name Ziya" by @wenyilee.bsky.social is now free to read at Reactor!
Art by Holly Warburton
Edited by Sanaa Ali-Virani
reactormag.com/the-name-ziy...
The Name Ziya - Reactor
A girl reckons with what she must lose--and who she has become--in order to be accepted at the empire's most prestigious university.
reactormag.com
June 18, 2025 at 4:32 PM
my favourite short story i've ever written is out now on reactor 💖 it's fantasy dark academia about access to colonial institutions, assimilation, complicity, cultural names & identity (with a sapphic mc!)
Reposted by wen-yi lee
I honestly forgot I had this account. Reading an ARC of @wenyilee.bsky.social’s adult sapphic Southeast Asian fantasy that’s filled with fire and longing. And butterflies.
#felireads #booksky #reading #books
#felireads #booksky #reading #books
June 5, 2025 at 3:52 PM
I honestly forgot I had this account. Reading an ARC of @wenyilee.bsky.social’s adult sapphic Southeast Asian fantasy that’s filled with fire and longing. And butterflies.
#felireads #booksky #reading #books
#felireads #booksky #reading #books
Reposted by wen-yi lee
Pst, hey contributors!
@sentencebender.bsky.social @dynamicsymmetry.bsky.social @ayshaufarah.bsky.social @margaret.bsky.social @mayadeane.bsky.social @domsdickey.bsky.social @wenyilee.bsky.social @bendibarrett.bsky.social @itsneonyang.bsky.social @katharineduckett.bsky.social & more!!
@sentencebender.bsky.social @dynamicsymmetry.bsky.social @ayshaufarah.bsky.social @margaret.bsky.social @mayadeane.bsky.social @domsdickey.bsky.social @wenyilee.bsky.social @bendibarrett.bsky.social @itsneonyang.bsky.social @katharineduckett.bsky.social & more!!
We are floored in the best way: AMPLITUDES: An Anthology of Queer & Trans Futurity is a USA Today Bestselling book!
We are THRILLED for @leemandelo.bsky.social, @dianapho.bsky.social, and all of our amazing contributors, and so happy to see queer & trans stories supported now more than ever! 💜
We are THRILLED for @leemandelo.bsky.social, @dianapho.bsky.social, and all of our amazing contributors, and so happy to see queer & trans stories supported now more than ever! 💜
June 11, 2025 at 5:30 PM