Hot Key Books, an imprint of Bonnier Books UK, is thrilled to announce the acquisition ofagloriously camp YA graphic novel series: Queens of the Crypt by debut author-illustrator Dom&Ink. It’s a celebration of horror, queerness and figuring out who you want to be, with a dash of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The Rocky Horror Picture Show.
Jenny Jacoby, editor at Hot Key Books, acquired UK and Commonwealth (excluding Canada and Philippines) English language rights to two books from Lauren Gardner at Bell Lomax Moreton.
When seventeen-year-old Barnaby Jones comes out to their parents as nonbinary over breakfast, they expect that to be the toughest part of their day. But that was before Barnaby discovers their best friend, Fi, has been kidnapped by a faceless killer who’s been abducting teens across the small town of Widow’s Creek. And then Barnaby unwittingly summons the undead and fabulous Queens of the Crypt through a portal in their bedroom closet . . . But now the Queens – the Phantom, the Countess, Lady Invisible, the Creature and the Bogeywoman – are here to help. As the horrors creep closer, can Barnaby work together with the scream queens to save Widow’s Creek from destruction and unmask the Faceless Frightener?
Combining striking visual storytelling, a compelling non‑binary protagonist, and the glamour of cult‑classic horror cinema, Queens of the Crypt delivers a richly gothic mystery, perfect for fans of E. M. Carroll.
Dom&Ink said: “I am so thrilled for Queens of the Crypt to find a UK home with Hot Key Books. I know my debut fiction and debut graphic novel is in the best hands at Hot Key. UK readers, prepare to be Crypt-tified!”
Jenny Jacoby said: “Graphic novels for young adults are a great way to keep teenagers reading – they can be a safe place to explore ideas and work through concerns, but, best of all, they are also a whole lot of fun. I’m so delighted to be publishing Queens of the Crypt in the UK as it is not only a fabulously camp horror romp but outrageously fun too. If any reader feels like an outsider or is having as hard a day as Barnaby is, they can step inside the crypt and meet the Queens!”
Dom&Ink (they/them) is a freelance illustrator and author from Bolton. They love to create work with themes around queerness, identity and mental health with a splash of drag, horror and pop girly icons. They are the official illustrator for RuPaul’s Drag Race UK seasons one to five, and the author of QUEER POWER (Harper Collins) and FREE TO BE ME (Puffin). Throughout their illustration career, Dom&Ink has created work for global brands including the BBC, River Island, Little Mix and others.
Queens of the Crypt will be publishing in paperback in August 2026, followed by the second volume in early 2028.
