Speculative Fiction

Xay Writes

Writing, reviews & essays by Xay

I'm Xay — a speculative fiction writer and reviewer working in science fiction and fantasy. To write, one must read, and I've read a great deal. The views are my own; the worlds, mostly invented.

Selected Works

No One Respects the Monster Janitor

DnD meets Office Space: Jimmy mops up after careless adventurers — until he finds a mess well above his paygrade.

Honorable Mention · Writers of the Future, 2023

Three Views of Jalen, October 5th, 2042

Across three versions of a single day, Jalen tries to work out why his father is acting so strangely.

Honorable Mention · Writers of the Future, 2023

Tine's Station

Mandolin is fed up and ready to quit his post at Tine's Station. The enemy thinks otherwise. A short mecha drama.

Novels — in progress.

Reviews & Essays

Fourth Wing is Great, But at What?

On romantasy, genre expectations, and what happens when a book is shelved as fantasy but written for romance.

Read the full review →

Harry Potter Won't Die. Here's Why.

A video essay on the franchise's stubborn staying power.

Watch on YouTube →

The full library opens soon