J.D. Malle is an author based in London, UK.
Her work has been recognised by Penguin Michael Joseph (Undiscovered Writers' Prize shortlist, 2023) and Headline Eternal/Curtis Brown Creative (Modern Stories: It Must Be Love shortlist, 2026).
Projects
She’s currently querying an adult contemporary fantasy novel with series potential, blending Western and non-Western mythology with thriller elements.
There’s such a rich backstory to this world that it feels as though we’re only scraping the surface, and that’s exactly how stories should feel to readers. The setting you have created is immersive, layered with history, magic, legend, lore, and political intrigue.
When it comes to social commentary, your novel is loaded with it, and you effectively walk the line between imparting critical messages without being heavy-handed. Another wonderful bit of commentary is the way in which your world works as a stand-in for discriminatory societies, […] mirroring certain aspects of our own society.
I gave the book a couple of reads and found that the characters, worldbuilding. . . all of it gets better each time I dive back in. Wonderful job!
—G. J., Trad Published Author and Developmental Editor
I loved that each character’s perspective had a distinct voice—which is something not many writers can truly achieve! Shay, Mike, and Oskar are all at different points in relation to the truth, and that creates a lot of potential suspense, as well as great opportunities to feed key information to the reader. It also allows the reader to explore the themes of the novel as things develop.
Each chapter provided important details, helped develop the characters, and increased the anticipation. The connection and hints between the perspectives created so much intrigue. I am excited to see how [Shay and Oskar’s] relationship might progress, especially since their powers have a connection.
You’re a great writer. It certainly left me wanting more!
— K. A., Beta Reader (on the first 10,000 words)
Her current project is an adult contemporary fantasy romance about two underworld dynasties secretly managing the afterlife through funeral homes. It was shortlisted in Modern Stories: It Must be Love 2026, a competition part of Hachette UK’s The Future Bookshelf.
As well as other speculative fiction projects, she also has a domestic thriller project in development.
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