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Blood, Sweat & Queers: Vampiric Love Stories
CRACK OPEN THE COFFIN AND UNLEASH THE VAMPIRE.
An ancient beast stirs in the shale beneath an oil rig. Lovers languish in a lakeside cottage. A man swipes right, hunting flesh with a predator’s patience. A woman reels from government-sanctioned body horrors.
All queer. All ravenous. All relentless.
Vampires have always been vessels of longing, craving not only blood, but sex, power, and the sanctity of the taboo. And what hunger is more righteously denied, more persistently policed, than queer love? Like the vampire, the queer spirit endures, unkillable and unashamed.
With a foreword by vampire scholar Margaret Hall, Blood, Sweat & Queers presents decadent tales of queer love from eight LGBTQ+ authors, all intertwined with the eternal allure of the vampire— stories of desire unbound, of passion unending, and hunger that threatens to consume everything in its path. Crack open the coffin, if you dare.
An ancient beast stirs in the shale beneath an oil rig. Lovers languish in a lakeside cottage. A man swipes right, hunting flesh with a predator’s patience. A woman reels from government-sanctioned body horrors.
All queer. All ravenous. All relentless.
Vampires have always been vessels of longing, craving not only blood, but sex, power, and the sanctity of the taboo. And what hunger is more righteously denied, more persistently policed, than queer love? Like the vampire, the queer spirit endures, unkillable and unashamed.
With a foreword by vampire scholar Margaret Hall, Blood, Sweat & Queers presents decadent tales of queer love from eight LGBTQ+ authors, all intertwined with the eternal allure of the vampire— stories of desire unbound, of passion unending, and hunger that threatens to consume everything in its path. Crack open the coffin, if you dare.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 7, 2025
8 people are currently reading
285 people want to read
About the author
Mae Murray
10 books63 followersMae Murray is a writer and editor hailing from Arkansas, now living in eerie New England. She contributes essays and film criticism to Fangoria.com and Dread Central. She is the recipient of the 2022 Brave New Weird Award for Superior Achievement in Short Fiction. The Book of Queer Saints Volume I was her editing debut and a 2023 British Fantasy Award nominee in the Best Anthology category. I'm Sorry If I Scared You is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 16, 2025
Review breakdown by each contributed piece of this anthology (SPOILERS):
1. Sweet Crimson Dripping: Overture by Ezra Wren shares the chaotic, choking beauty of the 1996 version of Romeo and Juliet - lush, violently saturated descriptions brought back down to earth with sharp dialogue and a charming MC. The push and pull between Amrbose and Algernon gives verbal fencing with all the same flirty sportsmanship. The quick spiral into the grief of lost love is masterful and tempered well by the warmth of new love in all its forms.
2. Blood and Oil by Mae Murray pushed the sharp scent of heavy machinery and desert mud right up into my sinuses. The gnawing, nodding rhythm of this piece trudges along, hungry and alive through what is arguably the most visceral contribution in the anthology. Horror done only as Murray can do it - through the body and straight up the spine. Darling, who kills their nightmare with the flick of a bic, will always be a badass in my heart.
3. Teeth Sharper than Moonlight by U.M. Agoawike is a delightful romp through predator/prey play and the necessity of consent throughout. Sensations that flow, quick and unyielding as the smooth surface of a river, abound. I loved the interplay between Gwyn and Rodrigo as they play their game but also stay connected to each other in the reality of the situation. Their devotion to each other rivals Gomez and Morticia, but is equally as syrupy. I’m reminded of the post somewhere online that says being sexy requires a smidge of something disgusting, and I think this piece really nails that in the absolute most mouth-watering way. Oh, to lick the grey matter from the inside of my lover’s skull…
4. Sukr by Austen Lee wheeled me up I-5 to a dreary Portland evening with arguably the smartest vampire I’ve read in recent memory. Using a dating app to find victims is… delicious. Jackson’s attempt at patience is charming, and Sky’s lying-in-wait approach during their first date (meeting? Stake out? Haha stake) makes the gravity of this initial contact scene feel a bit more potent than usual. The foreshadowing is wicked. Physicality, indelicate and crass in the way a vampire who hunts using a dating app should be.
5. The Girl in the Grove by Andi Astra thuds along to the sound of heavy hoofbeats on wet grass with the salty scent of freshly spilled blood mingling with the night air. The gentleness with which Alondra handles Secret throughout this story aches. Everything, actually, about this story aches from the way in which the grove is mostly destroyed, Alondra’s realization about who Secret is, and everything that follows.
6. When the Day Met the Night by Anna McG strips back what it means to heal through being loved the right way down to its very bones. Veronica shattered my heart with her very first flinch. Seeing Aileen’s reaction to that flinch re-shattered my already razor-sharp pieces. There is something so cathartic about a cozy story in which a vampire kills an abusive ex-partner, a catharsis that speaks very personally to me. I feel seen by this. I feel healed by this. Needless to say, as I’m typing through tears, this contribution is my unabashed favorite.
7. Hi, I’m the author of this one, so I won’t be reviewing my own work. Shameless opinion, though, that healthcare “system” in America is a joke, even for vampires.
8. Sweetest Midnight by Lyndall Clipstone is every vampire-loving ballerina’s dream (hi, it’s me). Dreamy, draped in gossamer and spiderwebs, the story of Juniper and Lenore is equal parts demented (yum) and wholesome. The scene where they dance together in particular took my breath away. The dark satisfaction of their revenge plan was the perfect way to end their story.
Overall, this anthology has something for everybody. There’s no gratuitous smut that takes away from any of the plots, fresh tones in a genre that sometimes can fall into a well-worn pattern, and a multi-faceted continuation of queer voices singing hope into the world when times are so, so dark. We are here. We always have been. We always will be.
Disclaimer: I am a contributing author to this anthology; however, this is my first read-through of the piece in its entirety. That said, it is an honor to be at the table with this talented group of authors.
1. Sweet Crimson Dripping: Overture by Ezra Wren shares the chaotic, choking beauty of the 1996 version of Romeo and Juliet - lush, violently saturated descriptions brought back down to earth with sharp dialogue and a charming MC. The push and pull between Amrbose and Algernon gives verbal fencing with all the same flirty sportsmanship. The quick spiral into the grief of lost love is masterful and tempered well by the warmth of new love in all its forms.
2. Blood and Oil by Mae Murray pushed the sharp scent of heavy machinery and desert mud right up into my sinuses. The gnawing, nodding rhythm of this piece trudges along, hungry and alive through what is arguably the most visceral contribution in the anthology. Horror done only as Murray can do it - through the body and straight up the spine. Darling, who kills their nightmare with the flick of a bic, will always be a badass in my heart.
3. Teeth Sharper than Moonlight by U.M. Agoawike is a delightful romp through predator/prey play and the necessity of consent throughout. Sensations that flow, quick and unyielding as the smooth surface of a river, abound. I loved the interplay between Gwyn and Rodrigo as they play their game but also stay connected to each other in the reality of the situation. Their devotion to each other rivals Gomez and Morticia, but is equally as syrupy. I’m reminded of the post somewhere online that says being sexy requires a smidge of something disgusting, and I think this piece really nails that in the absolute most mouth-watering way. Oh, to lick the grey matter from the inside of my lover’s skull…
4. Sukr by Austen Lee wheeled me up I-5 to a dreary Portland evening with arguably the smartest vampire I’ve read in recent memory. Using a dating app to find victims is… delicious. Jackson’s attempt at patience is charming, and Sky’s lying-in-wait approach during their first date (meeting? Stake out? Haha stake) makes the gravity of this initial contact scene feel a bit more potent than usual. The foreshadowing is wicked. Physicality, indelicate and crass in the way a vampire who hunts using a dating app should be.
5. The Girl in the Grove by Andi Astra thuds along to the sound of heavy hoofbeats on wet grass with the salty scent of freshly spilled blood mingling with the night air. The gentleness with which Alondra handles Secret throughout this story aches. Everything, actually, about this story aches from the way in which the grove is mostly destroyed, Alondra’s realization about who Secret is, and everything that follows.
6. When the Day Met the Night by Anna McG strips back what it means to heal through being loved the right way down to its very bones. Veronica shattered my heart with her very first flinch. Seeing Aileen’s reaction to that flinch re-shattered my already razor-sharp pieces. There is something so cathartic about a cozy story in which a vampire kills an abusive ex-partner, a catharsis that speaks very personally to me. I feel seen by this. I feel healed by this. Needless to say, as I’m typing through tears, this contribution is my unabashed favorite.
7. Hi, I’m the author of this one, so I won’t be reviewing my own work. Shameless opinion, though, that healthcare “system” in America is a joke, even for vampires.
8. Sweetest Midnight by Lyndall Clipstone is every vampire-loving ballerina’s dream (hi, it’s me). Dreamy, draped in gossamer and spiderwebs, the story of Juniper and Lenore is equal parts demented (yum) and wholesome. The scene where they dance together in particular took my breath away. The dark satisfaction of their revenge plan was the perfect way to end their story.
Overall, this anthology has something for everybody. There’s no gratuitous smut that takes away from any of the plots, fresh tones in a genre that sometimes can fall into a well-worn pattern, and a multi-faceted continuation of queer voices singing hope into the world when times are so, so dark. We are here. We always have been. We always will be.
Disclaimer: I am a contributing author to this anthology; however, this is my first read-through of the piece in its entirety. That said, it is an honor to be at the table with this talented group of authors.
October 11, 2025
This was really good and I think an important reflection of our current world. The forward was everything to me
December 29, 2025
There are anthologies about certain themes and creatures (even ones as interesting as vampires) that could become repetitive because the stories only explore the same vein of said creature. THIS IS NOT one of those anthologies where things get repetitive.
EVERY SINGLE STORY explores a different aspect (almost like different genres), every facade of queer vampirism, from horror to fantasy to dystopian. What underlines my favorite stories are the ones where there is a clear social commentary.
The ones that especially stood out are:
Best vibe: Blood and Oil by Mac Murray, this is probably one of the shorter short stories, but writing wise this is definitely the most sensual and magnificent in the whole anthology. It is the one that makes me feel the sensation of falling in love with a monster, it’s filled with symbolism, gorgeous writing, and dramatic yet almost dark fairytale like imagery of a vampire romance that end in a blaze of glory.
Best fantasy (and love interest): The Girl in the Grove by Andi Astra, usually in vampire stories, vampires are the subject of obsession, but in this one the love interest who is fae actually takes the spotlight as we see the main character who is a vampire yearns for her. The fae character is described so well that I fell in love w her every movement through the vampire’s eyes, even though I don’t usually like fae as a mythical creature, this story that made me fell in love with her. Yet in the end, I love how the nature of the vampire clashes with the nature of fae. One belong to nature, and one can only take and hurt. You cannot cage what was is the world. Absolutely stunning.
Best setting: Still, We Rot by LA. Baron. A dystopian setting where vampires are treated as more like drug addicts, set in a world whereas I read it I can feel the world pressing down on me. This is clearly a vampire as almost pretend “cure” for chronic illness, only for it to turn out to be something worse. I felt like this one has the strongest message wise. Again it does not have a happy ending, but I think it works absolutely magnificently in showcasing vampires, something mythical and powerful, as being cawed and ostracized and represents how society treats chronically ill and marginalized folks.
EVERY SINGLE STORY explores a different aspect (almost like different genres), every facade of queer vampirism, from horror to fantasy to dystopian. What underlines my favorite stories are the ones where there is a clear social commentary.
The ones that especially stood out are:
Best vibe: Blood and Oil by Mac Murray, this is probably one of the shorter short stories, but writing wise this is definitely the most sensual and magnificent in the whole anthology. It is the one that makes me feel the sensation of falling in love with a monster, it’s filled with symbolism, gorgeous writing, and dramatic yet almost dark fairytale like imagery of a vampire romance that end in a blaze of glory.
Best fantasy (and love interest): The Girl in the Grove by Andi Astra, usually in vampire stories, vampires are the subject of obsession, but in this one the love interest who is fae actually takes the spotlight as we see the main character who is a vampire yearns for her. The fae character is described so well that I fell in love w her every movement through the vampire’s eyes, even though I don’t usually like fae as a mythical creature, this story that made me fell in love with her. Yet in the end, I love how the nature of the vampire clashes with the nature of fae. One belong to nature, and one can only take and hurt. You cannot cage what was is the world. Absolutely stunning.
Best setting: Still, We Rot by LA. Baron. A dystopian setting where vampires are treated as more like drug addicts, set in a world whereas I read it I can feel the world pressing down on me. This is clearly a vampire as almost pretend “cure” for chronic illness, only for it to turn out to be something worse. I felt like this one has the strongest message wise. Again it does not have a happy ending, but I think it works absolutely magnificently in showcasing vampires, something mythical and powerful, as being cawed and ostracized and represents how society treats chronically ill and marginalized folks.
October 11, 2025
Blood, Sweat, & Queers is an anthology where each story is written by someone in the queer community, and many of these authors are first-time authors! These stories explore all the aspects of vampirism in various different ways and feature characters who are also queer. Each story is filled with love, heartbreak, a little bit of spice, and some revenge. Each of these stories left me wanting more and not wanting them to end! And if all of this wasn’t enough, proceeds of purchases go to support The Trevor Project! ❤️
If you’re looking for something spooky for the season, be sure to pick up BSQ! 🧛🏻♀️🧛🏻♂️🩸
If you’re looking for something spooky for the season, be sure to pick up BSQ! 🧛🏻♀️🧛🏻♂️🩸
October 21, 2025
Blood, Sweat & Queers opens with a killer foreword by Hall and carries this theme through to the end. While I don't have a favorite story, I particularly enjoyed the strained family loyalties and ecological messaging of The Girl in the Grove by Andi Astra.
Go ahead, judge this book by its gorgeous cover. I'm glad I got the box box since I also love the story-specific illustrations.
Go ahead, judge this book by its gorgeous cover. I'm glad I got the box box since I also love the story-specific illustrations.
October 9, 2025
Overall, I enjoyed these stories.
I didn’t love most of them but I had fun. Sometimes I felt confused, or like I didn’t really know who the characters were, or just that I felt thrusted in the middle of a story. Idk. But I liked it. Specifically the first and last story!
I didn’t love most of them but I had fun. Sometimes I felt confused, or like I didn’t really know who the characters were, or just that I felt thrusted in the middle of a story. Idk. But I liked it. Specifically the first and last story!
October 29, 2025
I adored this collection. Full review to come!
October 29, 2025
3? I think each story needs its own rating
story 1
4.75 ⭐️
“Where am I?”
“Home, River,” Ambrose said. He met their eyes, watched hope sink into the blue. A surge of joy gave him life for a minute. “You’re home.”
wow. you know what’s better than a vampire? a trans one. A nonbinary one. an 800-year-old aroace vampire which is so sick by the way!
I loved this first story so much! their found family means everything to me.
story 2
3 ⭐️
Such a fire would burn for thousands of years, until their furious love cracked the earth, and they would rise again.
this was short but just as powerful of an impact darling and her creature <3
story 3
4 ⭐️
“It’s how I was remade,” he pressed the words into their wrist. “I don’t know anything else but loving you, Wyn.”
the chase was so fun, and I loved their dynamic!
story 4
3 ⭐️
sky is so insanely hot. I hated jackson so that part was satisfying but the husband subplot confused me so his husband cheated on him, died and he was avenging him? I wouldn’t personally but maybe I’m just assuming
story 5
4.75 ⭐️
this one was so poetic probably the most gripping story so far! toxic doomed yuri YAY!
“Your secret.”
“My secret place. Thank you for holding me.”
I really loved the ending. tes, it was tragic but it fit so well! this story was so gripping, intense and emotional.
story 6
4 ⭐️
aileen and her human girlfriend were so cute and soft! I loved how aileen used her vampiric nature to protect and avenge.
Life, whether you are mortal or immortal, is rife with trials and tribulations. But if you’re lucky enough, you will be afforded the luxury of a love so transcendent that all obstacles seem to crumble to dust. A love that is warm, and patient, and absolving of sin. Darkness always passes, and the light of the morning brings the promise of a new day—a new life, filled with love and possibilities.
story 7
3 ⭐️
this story was so boring I genuinely didn’t care
okay it wasn’t all bad. I loved the trans guy × sick, disabled vampire trope and the worldbuilding was interesting. the ending was super sad though
story 8
2 ⭐️
am I in a reading slump, or am I simply not enjoying this one? I don’t know. probably both
story 1
4.75 ⭐️
“Where am I?”
“Home, River,” Ambrose said. He met their eyes, watched hope sink into the blue. A surge of joy gave him life for a minute. “You’re home.”
wow. you know what’s better than a vampire? a trans one. A nonbinary one. an 800-year-old aroace vampire which is so sick by the way!
I loved this first story so much! their found family means everything to me.
story 2
3 ⭐️
Such a fire would burn for thousands of years, until their furious love cracked the earth, and they would rise again.
this was short but just as powerful of an impact darling and her creature <3
story 3
4 ⭐️
“It’s how I was remade,” he pressed the words into their wrist. “I don’t know anything else but loving you, Wyn.”
the chase was so fun, and I loved their dynamic!
story 4
3 ⭐️
sky is so insanely hot. I hated jackson so that part was satisfying but the husband subplot confused me so his husband cheated on him, died and he was avenging him? I wouldn’t personally but maybe I’m just assuming
story 5
4.75 ⭐️
this one was so poetic probably the most gripping story so far! toxic doomed yuri YAY!
“Your secret.”
“My secret place. Thank you for holding me.”
I really loved the ending. tes, it was tragic but it fit so well! this story was so gripping, intense and emotional.
story 6
4 ⭐️
aileen and her human girlfriend were so cute and soft! I loved how aileen used her vampiric nature to protect and avenge.
Life, whether you are mortal or immortal, is rife with trials and tribulations. But if you’re lucky enough, you will be afforded the luxury of a love so transcendent that all obstacles seem to crumble to dust. A love that is warm, and patient, and absolving of sin. Darkness always passes, and the light of the morning brings the promise of a new day—a new life, filled with love and possibilities.
story 7
3 ⭐️
this story was so boring I genuinely didn’t care
okay it wasn’t all bad. I loved the trans guy × sick, disabled vampire trope and the worldbuilding was interesting. the ending was super sad though
story 8
2 ⭐️
am I in a reading slump, or am I simply not enjoying this one? I don’t know. probably both
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2025
A fun anthology! I loved some stories, while others were “just okay”. I think it was worth the purchase for its contribution to The Trevor Project, and worth the read for some fun, queer short stories.
October 23, 2025
I absolutely adored this anthology. I love how each story was so unique. There are so many different themes covered and this will leave you feeling everything.
December 21, 2025
Flawed, but engaging. I particularly enjoyed Still We Rot by L.A. Barron.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews