Based on lessons on inclusivity and vulnerability he wishes he had been taught as a child, S.W. Kent's latest novel, The Storyteller from Balincia, brings a new era to the young-adult book scene, one where every Queer person is a magical main character in their own right. It's dark, lovely — and real.

Kent, raised in a stereotypical Christian household, grew up as a preacher's kid, and the stories he heard were often shaped by the trauma of the AIDS crisis that loomed over the '80s and '90s. A child of the dark-fantasy era, Kent's literary consumption was filled with sorrow, loss, and stigma, almost as if that was the only way to understand his environment. His young years were shaped by titles like The Last Unicorn and Lord of the Rings. And while these stories were dark, Kent told the SGN that he loved them because they didn't shy away from personifying the real, vulnerable emotions of the time. But they lacked any sort of Queer representation.

Kent's new book is both a product of and a fight against his childhood. "I want to capture the fun and nostalgia of that era," he said, "but we're missing out on those healthy messages. We all deserve those messages... I want to go back to where I was as a child, and I want to focus on bringing Queer joy, and really helping kids now."

The book is also a statement against the current young adult publishing world. Kent said that historically, Queer representation in literature, especially in fantasy, has been limited and often framed by trauma or tragedy. "Diversity is checklisted and stereotyped. Characters are there to provide humor or trauma," he said.

The Storyteller from Balincia breaks away from this pattern. Diversity isn't just a checkbox — it's essential to the very fabric of the universe. "I want to show and represent that Gay men can be warriors, they can be heroes, they can have friendships and fellowships with other straight men," Kent said.

The book centers on the main character's defiance of his own history. Birk, a witch's nephew, is sent on a journey when a mysterious stranger gives him a magical book. Joined by a diverse group of allies, including a warrior princess, a secretive gentle soul, and an arrogant heir, Birk uncovers his aunt's dark past and races to prevent a destructive prophecy. In doing so, he must confront the mistakes of their ancestors and learn from them.

The characters in the book, whether witches, elves, or warriors, each come from unique backgrounds and experiences, and their magic is actually a reflection of their Queer identities and struggles.

Kent's world shows that magic and strength don't belong solely to traditionally powerful or idealized figures. Rather, they belong to everyone — regardless of gender, sexuality, race, or background. This radical rethinking of who can be a hero is a pivotal moment in YA fantasy literature.