Venessa Kelley

Venessa Vida Kelley is a queer biracial author, illustrator, and sequential artist whose lived experiences of hybridity inspire their artistic explorations of shifting identities and cultures. Their body of work focuses on magical realism, fantasy, and romance in a culturally diverse world, with a cinematic style that lends accessibility and reach to marginalized stories. Among the authors their illustrations have supported are Casey McQuiston, TJ Klune, Jennifer Weiner, Everina Maxwell, Becky Albertalli, and Alexis Hall. Their debut speculative novel WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON with Erewhon releases in April 2025 and their debut graphic novel, MANU FACES THE MUSIC, is currently in development with Oni Press. They are interested in illustrating covers and interiors for MG, YA, and Adult categories.