Aislinn Brophy

Aislinn Brophy - Session 1

they/she 

Aislinn Brophy is a queer writer and theater artist whose work seeks to explore hard truths about our world with empathy and joy. They graduated from Harvard University with an A.B. in Theater, Dance & Media, and are proud to have been part of Theater, Dance & Media’s very first graduating class. As an actor, they have appeared on stages in Boston, Atlanta, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, and Maine. In 2022, they published their debut young adult novel How to Succeed in Witchcra with Penguin Random House. How to Succeed in Witchcra received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, was included on YALSA’s 2024 Best Fiction for Young Adults list, and was chosen as a 2023 honoree for the American Library Association’s Rise: A Feminist Book Project. Their second novel, Spells to Forget Us, was published in 2024, and was chosen as a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. 

I'm a queer writer and theater artist creating work for teens and adults! In both my work as an author and a playwright, I have a particular fondness for balancing darkness with humor and lightness, showcasing BIPOC characters in love, and exploring how family dynamics can shape who you are. My published novels, which are both young adult fantasies, center queer multiracial Black characters in modern worlds that blend fantastical and realistic elements. My full-length plays demonstrate my fascination with the fusion of music into a more traditional play format, as well as my love for creating complicated leading roles for women.

Outside of work, I'm just a huge nerd in all ways. My biggest hobby is playing D&D—I'm currently the DM (Dungeon Master) for a long-running campaign for several writer friends of mine. I also enjoy reading fantasy and romance novels, playing video games, and taking dance classes. If anybody ever wants to nerd out over their niche interest, I'm the perfect person!