Colorful mythical phoenix flying amidst clouds towards a rocky mountain with intricate patterns.

A mysterious legend.

A soul-sealing poison.

Two wingless teens on an airborne quest…

Laleh and the Language of the Birds (winner of the 2025 A. Orr Fantasy Award, coming soon from Wildling Press)

Hi friends,

Silver the crow scientist here!

Flaptastic news: the humans have written a novel, using their fleshy fingers. (I guess that’s the consolation prize for not having wings.)

In this feminist eco-fantasy inspired by a Sufi legend, a thirteen-year-old “bird nerd” must travel to the sky realm of ideal bird habitats to save her father and their bird sanctuary.

You’ll like this one if you like:

1. Fierce, diverse protagonists

2. Fantasy fiction inspired by West Asian and North African traditions

3. Lab coats (No? Just me?)

Anycaw, make sure you’ve signed up for their newsletter below, so you don’t miss it.

See ya in a few wingbeats,

— Silver

Child's drawing of a bird with dark blue and black body

Marbled paper texture in blue, green, and orange with wavy patterns and organic shapes.

The crow addresses the animals (Detail featuring the Simurgh) / ca. 1590-1620 / Mughal painting attributed to Miskin / British Museum / CC BY NC SA

A painting of the mythical bird Simorgh (British Museum).

Hand-drawn sketch of a person with wings surrounded by birds and butterflies, with text "Got Wings?" at the top of the page.

Marjane’s original drawing from when she first conceptualized the story at age 8.