Sara A. Mueller

In the Pacific Northwest, Sara A. Mueller writes speculative fiction. During a mobile childhood, she lived in six states and traveled through every state except Alaska. She is an amateur historical costumer, gamer, and cook, and her convention panels have covered clothing, horses, worldbuilding, disability, and literature. The Bone Orchard, published by Tor in 2022, was her debut novel. Her publisher classifies it as fantasy and describes it as a gothic whodunit set in an empire of secrets and magic. The story centers on Charm, who must identify which of an emperor's three sons caused his death and prevent the culprit from taking control. The novel combines imperial politics, secret magic, and a mystery surrounding succession. It won the 2022 Endeavour Award, reached the British Fantasy Society's Robert Holdstock Award shortlist, and was a Locus first-novel finalist.