D.H.Khai

ALT An orange and purple BG. Text reads, “pitch and comps,” followed by, “Perpetually anxious, full-time disaster Leila lives by 3 rules for survival: never look at the jinn, never speak to them, and never, ever draw their attention. But when the treacherous, shapeshifting spirits from her sitti’s tales steal her sisters, she’ll do whatever it takes—even strike a deal with a jinni—to save them.” Image of THE STARDUST THIEF with text, “inspired by Arab folklore,” “a love letter to storytelling,” and “found family.” Image of SPIRITED AWAY with text, “reluctant hero in a hidden spirit world,” “overcoming deadly trials to save family,” and “manifestations of fear/anxiety.” Image of THE BURIED & THE BOUND with text, “Lebanese MC with a family secret,” “eerie, whimsical fairytale vibes,” and “dark entity threatening the veil between realms.” Image of IF I HAVE TO BE HAUNTED with text, “magic, monsters, and mayhem,” “banter-fueled adventure/romance,” and “girl inherits ability to see spirits."

ALT An orange and purple BG. Text reads, “what to expect.” A 3x3 moodboard with images of NYC in the fall; a hand producing flames; a fountain with roses in the pool; a girl with dark hair; the quote, “We are living, breathing stories, made up of the tales others tell us and those we tell ourselves; light, dark, and the shadows in between”; a window at night with a cat on the sill; tall redwood trees; a dark-haired boy in a forest; and NYC in the fall. Text beside the moodboard reads: “banter, betrayal, and (gasp) secrets”; “an ace, neurodivergent MC with a magical sword? In this economy?”; “tight-knit Lebanese American family”; “swoony, golden retriever LI with forest magic”; “snarky jinn guide with a Heart of Gold”; “set in a magical Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, and a hidden spirit realm inspired by Lebanon and Arab folklore”; “strike a bargain with the jinni outside your window, y/n?”; “ATLA-style elemental magic and shenanigans”; “the real villain is the OCD/anxiety we battled along the way.”

ALT Image of a girl and boy in a forest. Text reads, “excerpt.” Excerpt reads: His eyes narrow, unimpressed. “While I’m grateful to you for dispatching the ghoul, which I certainly could’ve done myself—“ “Forgive me. I didn’t realize you were handling it so well.” “—your presence here in my forest seems highly suspicious.” I scoff, causing the vines to bite into the softness of my stomach. “Your forest?” “Yes.” He erases the distance between us in a heartbeat, his warmth enveloping me like a sunbeam through trees: soft, unexpected, and a little dizzying. Irritation fans the flames in my cheeks. “My forest.” “So, instead of thanking me like a normal person,” I say acidly, “you decided to, let me check my notes…knock me out and bind me to a tree.” “I needed to make sure you weren’t about to take me out along with that ghoul.” His glance drops to my lips. Lingers there for a breath before dragging up to meet my gaze. His mouth curves, wry with amusement. “I’m sure you understand.”