Media Kit
For book inquiries, please contact agent Saritza Hernandez at the Andrea Brown Literary Agency: saritza@andreabrownlit.com
For film/tv inquiries, please contact agent Tara Timinsky at Untitled Entertainment: ttiminsky@untitledent.com
For press inquiries, appearances, or book signings, please contact Vida Engstrand at Kensington Books at vengstrand@kensingtonbooks.com.
For other inquiries, please contact Venessa directly: contact@venessakelley.com
Professional Bio
Venessa Vida Kelley's pronouns are she/they
English:
Venessa is a Nuyorican author, illustrator, and aspiring mermaid who writes fairy tales about the real world so they can draw them too. They hold a BA and MA in English literature with concentrations in film from the University of Delaware and the George Washington University respectively, and their illustrations have decorated LGBTQ+ books worldwide. WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON is their debut novel. Venessa lives in Washington, DC, with their spouse, two sons, and an overabundance of teacups and washi tape.
Spanish:
Venessa es une autore, ilustradore y aspirante a sirena nuyorriqueñe que escribe cuentos de hadas sobre el mundo real para que también pueda dibujarlos. Tiene una licenciatura y una maestría en literatura inglesa con concentraciones en cine de la Universidad de Delaware y la Universidad George Washington, respectivamente, y sus ilustraciones se han publicado en libros LGBTQ+ por todo el mundo. WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON es su primera novela. Venessa vive en Washington, DC, con su cónyuge, dos hijos y una sobreabundancia de tazas de té.


© 2025 Tatiana Rodriguez-Vera (Vera Photography)
© 2025 Tatiana Rodriguez-Vera (Vera Photography)
Downloadable Images
Featured Press
TRADE REVIEWS & LISTS FOR WHEN THE TIDES HELD THE MOON
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Publisher's Weekly Starred Review, Dec 2024: "The setting is transporting and the romance is heartrending. It’s a triumph."
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Library Journal Starred Review, March 2025: "Kelley’s debut might draw comparisons to Guillermo del Toro’s The Shape of Water, but this powerfully queer story will stand tall in its own right on any shelf."
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New York Times Book Review, April 2025: "This book is a charming fable — an elemental dance of fire and water."
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Washington Review of Books, May 2025: "Evocative illustrations, a little-represented moment in history, and lyrical prose mark When the Tides Held the Moon as a standout debut and Kelley as an author to watch."
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Booklist, March 2025: "Kelley's debut is a delightful queer romance with fantastical and historical elements––an unputdownable page-turner."
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Goodreads 108 Books to Read for Hispanic Heritage Month 2025
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Literary Hub: 20 Sci-Fi and Fantasy Books to Look Forward to in 2025
INTERVIEWS
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BookTrib, April 2025: Historic Coney Island Comes Alive in Dazzling Debut Romantasy
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BookTrib: Clinches, Corsets, & Cartoons: The Evolution of the Romance Cover
PODCAST APPEARANCES
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Los Bookis Podcast Live at DC World Pride: "Alligators, Mermen, and Latine Queer Bookworms, Oh My!": YouTube | Podcast
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Novel Finds Podcast: Your New Favorite Redheaded Mermaid with Venessa Vida Kelley


