The Fanfic Author Who Went Viral, Landed a 7-Figure Deal, and Is Making Readers SOBLikeCrazy!

2025-09-30 06:00:53.336

TikTok and Instagram are abuzz over 'Alchemised,' a 1,040-page dark fantasy novel by SenLinYu, which secured Penguin's most pre-ordered debut of the year and a seven-figure film rights deal. Sen, 34, is not a traditional debut author; they gained immense popularity writing Harry Potter fanfiction, 'Manacled,' which garnered over 20 million downloads during the pandemic. 'Alchemised' is a rewritten, original version of this fanfic, with third-party IP removed, and is set in a new world with a distinct magic system. The novel introduces Helena Marino, a prisoner of war, and Kaine Ferron, a former classmate, tracing their obsessive relationship amidst necromancy, alchemy, war trauma, and moral ambiguity. Billed as 'dark' fantasy, it features extensive content warnings including human experimentation, medical torture, eugenics, cannibalism, and necrophilia. Sen, who uses they/them pronouns, clarifies that while often mislabeled as 'romantasy,' they consider it a 'love story' rather than an aspirational romance. Sen addresses the societal bias against fanfiction, highlighting its unfair criticism compared to similar works like Greek retellings, especially when created by women or LGBTQ+ individuals. Growing up in a conservative, religious household, Sen initially avoided serious writing. They began 'Manacled' on their phone during their baby's nap time, drawn to fanfiction's pseudonymity and accountability. The process of transforming 'Manacled' into 'Alchemised,' which involved stripping out Harry Potter and Handmaid's Tale references and building entirely new systems, was described as 'traumatic' by Sen. War is a central theme, partly inspired by Sen's half-Japanese heritage and their family's internment during WWII, prompting exploration of 'omitted narratives' in history. Feminist works, such as Svetlana Alexievich’s 'The Unwomanly Face of War,' also influenced the portrayal of women in resistance movements within the novel. Fans have eagerly embraced 'Alchemised,' with many sharing emotional reactions on TikTok, describing profound feelings of loss and devastation after reading the intense love story.