Hello! I’m Kes Otter Lieffe.
I’m the author of four speculative fiction novels including the Margins trilogy. I’ve written several short stories, articles, and a colouring book series on queer ecology. I regularly offer workshops, book readings and interviews. And I’ve recently started offering editing services.
I’m an ecologist and I’ve been involved in grassroots community struggles for over twenty years. My work focuses on the intersections of class, queerness and environmental struggles and creating radical alternatives to the oppressions of capitalism.
I write and organise from a working-class, chronically ill, transfeminine perspective.
News and updates
Newsletter ✏️
I’ve been regularly sending out newsletters for six years and I love the rhythm of staying in touch, sharing news and highlighting important projects I’ve come across. If you’d like to receive a newsletter once a month around the full moon, you can sign up at the bottom of the page. You’ll also receive a free gift to say thanks 🩷
Audiobook 🎤
I’ve started recording an audiobook version of home is a verb, 🩷my new novel. You can listen to the first half an hour of recording. And if you want to read along, you can download the text here.
Herbalism and State Violence 🌿
This winter I had the honour of editing Nicole Rose’s new book, Herbalism and State Violence and this incredible book is now available! You can also read more about my editing offerings here or get in touch if you’d like to discuss a project.
Solidarity fundraiser 🩷
A huge thank you to everyone who supported the fundraisers, all together we were able to send 40 copies of my new novel to Books Beyond Bars UK who will send them on to LGBTQIA+ people in prison.
New Releases
Queere Tiere
Now available! / Jetzt erhältlich!
Queer Animals colouring zine, now available in German
Queere Tiere Malbuch, jetzt auch auf Deutsch erhältlich
Home is a verb
This new novel explores burnout and despair, collective collapse and recovery. In a shifting world, marginalised characters must face their traumas and embrace change. In their search for healing, they are brought together, finding home in the least expected of places.
Colouring book
Illustrator, Anja Van Geert and I have created this full-sized colouring book to celebrate the ways in which our beautiful queer communities exist far beyond the realms of human culture. The perfect gift for all your friends who love queer animals and plants!
I have a media page and bio and you can contact me here.
I write a monthly newsletter about my writing and activism work.
If you find value in my work and would to help me keep creating, there are lots of ways to support me.
Speculative Fiction
In my futuristic stories, marginalised characters take centre stage in powerful resistance movements. Everything is at stake and so much is possible.
Queer Ecology
I’m an ecologist and the author of the Queer Animals and Plants series. I regularly give workshops, presentations and Queer Ecology walks.
Deutsch
Hier findest du der deutschsprachige Ecke meiner Website mit Übersetzungen meiner Texte
Creating becomes ever harder to live from and as a result there are fewer working-class authors each year.
I love my work. I want to continue to raise money for work that is literally part of a better world. I want to amplify marginalised voices with podcasts and workshops and create sustainable solidarity initiatives that meet people’s material needs. And I want to keep writing!
If you’ve ever benefited from my work and would like to support me, here is a list of fourteen ideas, including two minute actions that don’t cost anything. Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me on this journey since 2016. You are all amazing.