“Children make prayers so thoughtlessly, building them up like sand castles—and they are always surprised when suddenly the castle becomes real, and the iron gate grinds shut.”

Catherynne M. Valente is an American fantasy and science fiction writer. She blends myth, folklore, and speculative fiction to create richly imaginative narratives that explore identity, history, and the supernatural. Her work often reimagines fairy tales and legends with a modern, poetic sensibility.