2021 Queer YA Debut Interviews Pt. 1

by Kaitlin Mitchell

There’s something special about the end of the year for book lovers. Roundup posts and best-of lists. Holiday book shopping for loved ones–and a present or two for yourself. And, of course, the excitement for the next year’s new releases. With the new year finally approaching, YA Pride is here to make your 2021 tbr lists a bit longer. This week, we have two roundup posts featuring interviews with several 2021 debut authors of queer YA books! Happy reading!

2021 Queer YA Debut Interviews – Part 1 

YESTERDAY IS HISTORY by Kosoko Jackson

February 2, 2021

Question 1: What part of being a debut are you most excited about?

For me, I’ve spent 2 years writing YESTERDAY IS HISTORY and besides my agent, my boyfriend, and my editor, no one has really read the story. It feels like this novel is so close to me and so personal that I really want to get the words out there so people can experience the same wonders I’ve been crafting and re-reading for the past 2 years! It is kinda like I have a secret I can’t wait to share with people and its finally happening!

Question 2: Have you received any great debut year advice? 

I read Julie Dao’s series on being a debut a lot and I think the biggest piece of advice I can pass on and internalized is that debuting is a real accomplishment. There will always be people who get more press, more buzz, more…everything than you. But you wrote, edited, and sold a book. Few people did that. Even getting this far puts you in such a small subset of people. We accomplished something so many people only dream of and we should be proud of that. It really helped me.

Question 3: Tell us about your book! 

My debut, YESTERDAY IS HISTORY, follows Black and queer Andre Cobb who is recovering from a liver transplant. He suddenly gains the ability to time travel and engages in a love triangle with Michael Gray, an activist from 1969, and Blake McIntyre, the younger brother of Andre’s liver donor who is charged with teaching him time travel. It’s a coming of age story about romance, how we process grief, and finding your true self. It comes out 2/2/21 from SourcebooksFire!

Question 4: One huge writer dream we likely all have is to see our work adapted on the big or small screen. Have you fancast your own writing? What songs would definitely be on your adaptation’s soundtrack?   

So the song piece I’m going to keep secret because that’s part of the soon-to-be announced pre order campaign! But for fan casting? 100% For Andre, I’d love to see Diggy Simmons. For Blake, Jacob Elordi would be amazing and for Michael, our blonde rebel, David Corenswet, dyed blonde. Also, Blake’s mother, Claire, plays a HUGE role and I’d die to have Kate Walsh play her! If anyone can make any of this happen my movie agent info is on my website!

Question 5: What do you hope teens will take away from your book? 

I wrote YESTERDAY for 2 main reasons. One, I wanted to write a book that stared a queer black boy who was the apple of someone(s) eyes, was smart, confident, grew as a character, and him being Black and gay wasn’t the focus, but a part of the book. I wanted Black teens to get a time travel adventure so many other teens get. I also wrote it because I wanted to write about grief, and how we each deal with it differently. Every character in YESTERDAY has lost, or is at risk of losing something and you can see how each of them deal with it differently. I hope it helps teens who are dealing with grief understand, process and validate their own feelings.

Question 6: Can you give us a sneak peek about your favorite part of the book, or one of the most meaningful scenes you got to write?

Sure! Not to give away too much but one of my FAVORITE scenes to write was the conversation Claire has with Andre during a super emotional moment. It talks about the privilege and curse of time travel and really addresses the topic that’s danced around a lot in time travel fiction: why CAN’T we just do whatever we want. It shows Claire in a new light and adds depth to her in a way I really really love.

Question 7: Is there anything the online community could do to help make your unconventional debut year better? 

I think, like always, especially for POC books and queer books, word of mouth is so so important. Talk about the book, tweet things you love about it. Everyone is dealing with a lot, and struggling, so I get that and I don’t think asking people to spend money during this time is the easiest or most fair ask, but if you can borrow it from the library, or buy it, or even if you’re just really excited about the book—let people know. Tweet out buy links (they are on my website and the pinned tweet of my twitter handle, @KosokoJackson), and just…help us in the odd time to promote books. Word of mouth and reader engagement is the tried and true method to get books out there, and that costs nothing.

Kosoko Jackson is a digital media specialist, focusing on digital storytelling, email, social and SMS marketing, and a freelance political journalist. Occasionally, his personal essays and short stories have been featured on Medium, Thought Catalog, The Advocate, and some literary magazines. When not writing YA novels that champion holistic representation of black queer youth across genres, he can be found obsessing over movies, drinking his (umpteenth) London Fog, or spending far too much time on Twitter. His YA debut, YESTERDAY IS HISTORY, will come out in 2021, published by SourceBooks Fire and his adult #OwnVoices queer Romcom, I’M SO (NOT) OVER YOU will come out in 2022, by Berkley Romance.

THIS GOLDEN FLAME by Emily Victoria 

February 2, 2021

Question 1: What part of being a debut are you most excited about?

I have already had so many amazing debut experiences: connecting with others in my debut class, seeing my cover for the first time, getting to hold my book in ARC form. However, I’d say that what I’m most excited about is seeing my book on the shelves of my local library (as well as at my local bookstore). That’s something I’ve dreamed about for years.

Question 2: Have you received any great debut year advice?

I think the best advice I’ve received is to focus on what brings you joy during your debut. There is a lot to do in the debut year, and it can be overwhelming at times, but this person advised to really go after those opportunities that made you excited. For me, there were things I definitely wanted to do, like connecting with my debut class, finding some swag goodies, and doing some fun giveaways. All of these things have allowed me to connect both with readers and other writers, and they’ve made this whole process so amazing.

Question 3: Tell us about your book!

My book is called This Golden Flame and it comes out on February 2, 2021. The main character, Karis, is ace, and she works for the mysterious Scriptorium. Her life changes when she manages to reanimate an ancient automaton, Alix, and she finds out that he can think and talk, and do all these things that automatons are not supposed to be able to do. The story has magic and pirates and automatons, and it’s in an ancient Greece inspired setting. It’s truly the story of my heart.

Question 4: One huge writer dream we likely all have is to see our work adapted on the big or small screen. Have you fancast your own writing? What songs would definitely be on your adaptation’s soundtrack?

You know, for all the stories I’ve written, I’ve never really been able to answer this question. And I don’t know why. I can just never seem to think of actors I know well enough to fancast them.

Question 5: What do you hope teens will take away from your book?

My book deals with identity and about finding your purpose. I hope that teens realize the inner strength that every one of them has. And I hope that my book shows them the amazing things that they are capable of and that we can all create change together.

Question 6: Can you give us a sneak peek about your favorite part of the book, or one of the most meaningful scenes you got to write?

So many of my favorite scenes are so full of spoilers, but I will say that two of my favorite moments happen between Karis and Alix, one about midway through the book and one close to the end. It was really the connection between Karis and Alix that first made the book come alive for me, the ways that they found each other and changed each other. So writing the moments that they shared together was always my favorite. (Also, writing any of the automaton parts was lots of fun).

Question 7: Is there anything the online community could do to help make your unconventional debut year better?

The online community is absolutely amazing and I’ve already felt so supported by so many people. All I wish for is that the community continues to be as wonderful as it already is, and to support the many fantastic books coming out in 2021 and beyond.

Emily Victoria is a Canadian prairie girl who writes young adult science fiction and fantasy. When not word-smithing, she likes walking her over-excitable dog, drinking far too much tea, and crocheting things she no longer has the space to store. This Golden Flame is her debut novel.

A DARK AND HOLLOW STAR by Ashley Shuttleworth

February 23, 2021

Question 1: What part of being a debut are you most excited about?

Honestly, the thing I’m most excited for about debuting is getting to see my book on shelves in bookstores. This has been such a long process for me, has required a lot of work and dedication to get A DARK AND HOLLOW STAR off the ground. Of course, it’s been a rewarding experience as well, and I’m so grateful for the time the entire team around me has put into getting me ready for debut, but that finish line is now in sight and after many years spent working as a bookseller for Indigo, I’m really looking forward to seeing that final, completed product out in the world.

Question 2: Have you received any great debut year advice?

There’s been a lot of really great advice I’ve received in the time leading up to debut, but I think the best thing I’ve come to learn/been told is to not try and do everything. I’m a debut author. This is my first book out in the world, and I’ve been waiting what feels like forever for this moment. Like many other authors in my position, there’s the incredible temptation to do everything and anything possible to promote and celebrate my book, be it book tours, Instagram tours, interviews, virtual events, pre-order campaigns, etc. On their own, they’re relatively simple things, but once all these little things your doing start piling up, it gets to be quite a lot to juggle. On top of drafting and editing that next book in the works, the flurry of emails that start heading your way, and the other exciting things that come along closer to your book’s launch, if you have too much on your plate you’re going to start cutting into what’s most important—actually enjoying the debut of your book. So I think the best piece of advice I’ve received and can pass on to future debut authors is to do the things that make you happiest, and learn both how to gauge how much you can handle, and how to politely decline/say no to things you might like but don’t need to do.

Question 3: Tell us about your book!

A Dark and Hollow Star (February 23rd 2021) is a YA Urban Fantasy about faeries, Greek mythology, and alchemy, inspired very heavily by both my undergraduate studies and my video game obsessions. It’s a sapphic/achillean epic slow-burn (like, incredibly slow, the slowest of burns, I like drawing things out) and tells the story of four queer teens who join together to stop the deadly alchemist plotting against the faerie Courts of Folk.

And it’s a big book. I know it’s a big book. A very common comment made about A Dark and Hollow Star is that there’s a lot going on in it—and I take that as a compliment. Because even using 2020 as an example, life has a lot going on in it. It was very much my intention to blend a number of things to bring this world to life, and to lend the Final Fantasy scope of worldbuilding to my story. How well that will be received I guess we’ll find out, but I hope it will be appreciated that I tried to bring a serious amount of groundwork to establishing my empire, so to speak haha.

Question 4: One huge writer dream we likely all have is to see our work adapted on the big or small screen. Have you fancast your own writing? What songs would definitely be on your adaptation’s soundtrack?

I haven’t so much fancasted my characters with anyone apart from the fact that I like to imagine the grown-up versions of my girls Arlo and Nausicaä would be played by Anne Hathaway and Cate Blanchett haha I do however have a very long playlist that I like to listen to, and imagine as the soundtrack for the movie or Netflix series version of A DARK AND HOLLOW STAR. Which, unsurprising to anyone, involves a lot of video game music, particularly from the Final Fantasy games. There’s one song in particular I listen to for a lot of movie-imaginings, and it’s Endlessness by Really Slow Motion—the song they used for the FFXV Omens trailer.

I also really like Believer by Imagine Dragons and My Way, covered by Chase Holfelder and both of these songs are on the Nausicaä side of the soundtrack, as a hint for what’s to come.

Question 5: What do you hope teens will take away from your book?

I think, above anything else, what I want teens to take away from my book is that they aren’t alone. I’ve mentioned it a few times in other things, but A Dark and Hollow Star is a book that deals with darker, heavier topics underneath my brand of sarcasm and glittering magic and pretty things. Depression and suicide being two of the more blatant subjects, but there’s also a lot focused on anger, and toxic relationships, and grief and loss. And the sequel descends into even “lower deeps”—I do not shy away from the difficult things, because children and teens and young adults are not spared from the trauma many want to believe only affects adults. My intention with this series is to acknowledge that, to give teens a space in which they can see themselves truly represented and know they aren’t alone in whatever they have to suffer—that it’s good to reach out and ask for help when they need it.

On a slightly lighter note, I also want them to look at this book where pretty well every character is on the queer spectrum—every character, doing every day ordinary things, perfectly normal and unquestioned—and come away with the knowledge that their own queerness, however it’s expressed, isn’t an “othering” thing.

Question 6: Can you give us a sneak peek about your favorite part of the book, or one of the most meaningful scenes you got to write?

There are a number of scenes that are really meaningful to me, and that I just all around enjoyed writing. I have to say, though, that it’s my prologue that probably means the most to me. It was the one hill I was determined to die on, when I was querying this story, and when we put it out on submission. It’s the one chapter that’s remained more or less the same throughout the revisions and edits that brought it from its first draft to publication, and something I’m very proud of. Because it required quite a lot of feeling to write, and allowed me to put to words probably the first time what anger, and grief, and exhaustion feels like to me. It was a very cathartic moment, and very rewarding as well that the people with whom it resonates really seem to enjoy it.

For a sneak peek: “Her fate was now up to her, and if the oh-so-powerful deities weren’t brave enough to Destroy her, she was going to make them regret letting her discover just how satisfying it was to watch things burn.”

Question 7: Is there anything the online community could do to help make your unconventional debut year better?

2020 has truly been an unconventional year, and a lot of that is spilling over into 2021. Likely, things wont even begin to resemble what we consider normal until 2022 at earliest, so the best thing the online community can do for the authors putting content out during this time is to talk about the books they’re excited for.

Personally, I appreciate it every time someone takes a moment to tweet, or post about, or take pictures of A DARK AND HOLLOW STAR. Book bloggers are whole champions. They’ve always been working so hard to help promote things, and now more than ever people are looking to them for what to read next since browsing in bookstores is next to impossible right now. But you don’t need to have a platform to help out. You don’t need a huge follower count, or multiple social media angles. One person telling one more person “hey, this book comes out XYZ and I highly recommend it” is an incredibly powerful thing. One tweet, one post, one text or zoom conversation about a think you’re excited for—just spreading the word during a time when we all feel like we’re shouting “buy my book” into a void is help I personally am very grateful to have.

Furthermore: pre-order the books you’re exited for. Most sites don’t even make you pay until the book ships, and those pre-orders are precious sales for authors. They let the publishers know there’s genuine excitement for their book, and reader excitement = more books that author gets to write. If you can’t pre-order for whatever reason, the first week sales are also very important, so if you can pick up your copy within that time is also something that goes a long way towards supporting authors both new and senior.

Ashley Shuttleworth is a young adult fantasy author with a degree in English literature and a slight obsession with The Legend of Zelda, Kingdom Hearts, and Final Fantasy. They currently live in Ontario, Canada, with their cat named Zack and a growing collection of cosplay swords.

LOVE IS FOR LOSERS by Wibke Brueggemann

February 23, 2021

Question 1: What part of being a debut are you most excited about?

To be honest I’ll just be really happy to know that my book is out there, and that it may be found by someone who needs to read it.
I also think it’ll make people laugh and adding laughter to the world is just the best.

Question 2: Have you received any great debut year advice?

I’ve been given advice that has since been at the very forefront of my mind and, to be honest, terrifies me and is the cause of my nightly anxiety dreams: “It’s easy to get published, it’s hard staying published.”

Question 3: Tell us about your book!

Love is For Losers is a really funny love story. The protagonist is fifteen-year-old Phoebe, and she vows to herself that she’s never going to fall in love because she doesn’t want to lose her mind like all those love-struck losers around her. Then she meets a brilliant girl called Emma and well, let’s just say things don’t exactly go to plan.

Question 4: One huge writer dream we likely all have is to see our work adapted on the big or small screen. Have you fancast your own writing? What songs would definitely be on your adaptation’s soundtrack?

I don’t know who’d play Phoebe or Emma but let me tell you right now that the character of Phoebe’s godmother Kate is written entirely for actress Michelle Gomez. You’ll hear it when you read it. (You’re welcome.)

I think Rhianna’s “Umbrella” is Phoebe and Emma’s song. OMG, it’s actually making me really emotional thinking about that.

Question 5: What do you hope teens will take away from your book?

Hope.
I think life is really hard and complicated at the moment, and I would love to make their burden of growing up in it a bit lighter. The book celebrates family and friendship, and not just the “traditional” set-ups, and I think I’d like people to know that love and support can and will come from often unexpected sources; even when you feel like you’ve got no one, and that everyone plays a part in that.

Question 6: Can you give us a sneak peek about your favorite part of the book, or one of the most meaningful scenes you got to write?

I got to write about sex and vaginas, and I think my favourite part is when Phoebe and her BFF are sitting in Starbucks discussing orgasms. And the lack thereof.

Question 7: Is there anything the online community could do to help make your unconventional debut year better?

Yes, if you love my book tell everyone. If you hate it, tell no one. 😊

Wibke grew up in northern Germany and the southern United States, but London is her home. 

She studied acting at the Academy of Live and Recorded Arts (ALRA) but ended up becoming a writer and has a Master’s in Writing for Young People from Bath Spa University.

Wibke has had every day job under the sun, some she loved, some she loathed; the worst one was working in a call centre that overlooked a funeral parlour.

Wibke enjoys travelling, and is a clandestine lover of romantic poetry and Renaissance art. She loves classical music and plays the cello badly.

Her name is pronounced: Vibka.

I THINK I LOVE YOU by Auriane Desombre 

March 2, 2021

Question 1: What part of being a debut are you most excited about?

Honestly, every part of the debut process has felt like a dream come true. Even copyedits! It was so satisfying (and low key magical) to watch someone catch tiny continuity errors and work out how to fix them.

At this point, the part I’m most excited about is my actual book birthday. Especially after the pandemic pushing it back twice, I’m so excited to finally hold a copy of my book and visit it in a bookstore! I’m also really looking forward to the friend I dedicated the book to being able to get his own copy. 

Question 2: Have you received any great debut year advice? 

Enjoy the process! It’s so easy to get caught up in publishing anxiety, especially after everything that 2020 has thrown at us, so it’s always great advice when fellow writers help me put that in perspective. Plus, celebrating each milestone is so much fun!

Question 3: Tell us about your book! 

I Think I Love You is a YA rivals-to-lovers rom com set over the course of a summer film competition, and alternates between Emma and Sophia as they fight it out through their camera lenses. Emma is a die-hard romantic who wants to make a short film with bi representation and a happily ever after. Sophia, who’s just gotten back from a year in Paris after her parents’ divorce, wants to make an artsy (read: pretentious) film with a message. They both hate the other’s artistic vision — at least at first. 

Question 5: What do you hope teens will take away from your book? 

My aim with this book was to give queer teens a happy ending, and also to show the importance of teen voices in queer representation. Emma holds bi representation near and dear to her heart, and keeps fighting for it throughout the film competition. I want teens to come away feeling empowered to go after their happy endings and creating the representation they want to see in their fields.

Auriane is the author of I Think I Love You, and works as a middle school teacher and freelance editor. She holds an MA in English Literature and an MFA in Creative Writing for Children & Young Adults. She lives in Los Angeles with her dog, Sammy, who is a certified bad boy.

CAN’T TAKE THAT AWAY by Steven Salvatore

March 9, 2021

Question 1: What part of being a debut are you most excited about?

I began writing stories when I was six–The Lion King fanfic! — so I’ve dreamt of this moment for most of my life. It would be easy to say something splashy and dreamy and extra like a sold-out in-person book signing where I get to wear a fabulous tuxedo dress (because hello, that’s the dream!), but to be honest, the thing I’m most excited for is to walk into a bookstore and see CAN’T TAKE THAT AWAY on the shelf. In normal, non-pandemic times, I spent so much of my free time browsing bookstores and envisioning my books in between the spines. My husband and I would trace the shelves alphabetically until we reached the S’s and we’d always make a space in between where mine would mine. I would visualize a front-facing display and I’d get to sign some copies and leave them there for whoever happened to stumble upon them. It’s the little moments like that, that I look forward to the most, especially as it seems like in-person events are less and less likely, at least in the beginning of 2021.

Question 2: Have you received any great debut year advice?

Enjoy every little moment because you only debut once! I’m trying my hardest not to focus on the pandemic of it all, and instead just to soak in the milestones, from submitting all the rounds of edits to connecting with The 21ders Debut Group to meetings with my team to my ARC unboxing and everything that’s still to come.

Question 3: Tell us about your book!

CAN’T TAKE THAT AWAY, which publishes March 9th, 2021 from Bloomsbury YA, is the book of my heart. I wrote it as I was working through my own genderqueer identity, and I poured so much of myself and my struggles and lived experiences into the main character, Carey Parker–though I wish I were even a fraction as fabulous and fearless and talented as they are. Carey is a genderqueer teen who dreams of being a diva like their hero Mariah Carey, but when they are cast in the lead female role in their high school musical production of WICKED, they face discrimination from a teacher, a few parents, and their tormentor, and are removed from the show. Carey must learn that in order to be their authentic self, they will have to find their voice, rally their friends, and fight against injustices from a closed-minded school administration.

Question 4: One huge writer dream we likely all have is to see our work adapted on the big or small screen. Have you fancast your own writing? What songs would definitely be on your adaptation’s soundtrack?

Music plays such a major role in CAN’T TAKE THAT AWAY. Carey Parker is named after Mariah Carey, who is a major influence on the book and Carey. If the book were to ever be adapted in any capacity, the wish would obviously be for Mariah to curate (and pen, and sing tracks for) the soundtrack–there are two original songs that I wrote for Carey, so it would be a dream to see those come to life. But for now there’s a companion playlist in the finished book (and the ARC), and there will be an official playlist on Bloomsbury’s Spotify, so stay tuned for that. Until then, a few morsels: Mariah Carey’s “8th Grade,” Sam Smith’s “How Do You Sleep?,” and “The Wizard and I” from Wicked.

Question 5: What do you hope teens will take away from your book?

When teens, specifically LGBTQ+ teens, read CAN’T TAKE THAT AWAY, I hope they walk away from it knowing that their voices matter, that they can make a difference in changing the status quo and challenging bigotry and hate, and that they are worthy of absolutely everything the world has to offer them. And for every non-binary and genderqueer teen out there who needs to see themselves the way I wish I could have when I was a teen, this is for you.

Question 6: Can you give us a sneak peek about your favorite part of the book, or one of the most meaningful scenes you got to write?

My favorite scenes from the book–although they’re all relatively short–involve Carey’s grandmother, who they call “Grams.” She’s suffering from late stage Alzheimer’s, but she was always Carey’s biggest fan and cheerleader. She may have a relatively small on-page presence, but her impact looms large over everything, I think. Grams is based on my own relationship with my grandmother, who I helped nurse as she suffered with Alzheimer’s. There is one scene in particular, toward the third act, that serves as a kind of dream sequence that still makes me cry. There was something very healing about getting to write that particular scene, and I hope it resonates with readers!

Question 7: Is there anything the online community could do to help make your unconventional debut year better?

Lift up the voices of LGBTQ debut authors — tweet about our books, post about us on Instagram, add us on Goodreads, and most importantly, request our books from your local librarians, pre-order our books (and shout about it!).Pre-orders are especially important for debuts, but even more so during these wildly uncertain times, when we’re not sure if physical shopping will be restricted or how it will be restricted due to shutdowns. And make sure to pre-order from your local independent bookshops!

I’ve seen so much love from online book communities and from YA author communities. We’re a wonderfully supportive bunch who tend to uplift each other, and that’s been one of the most encouraging things to see! I’m proud to be debuting now, and I can’t wait to continue shouting about my peer’s books–especially all the LGBTQ+ young adult and middle grade books coming out in 2021. It’s going to be an incredibly gay year!

Steven Salvatore is a gay, genderqueer author, educator, Mariah Carey lamb, and Star Wars fanatic who spends most days daydreaming and making up stories. They have an MFA in Creative Writing from The New School. They were formerly a full-time Assistant Professor of Composition and Director of the Writing Center at The College of New Rochelle. After the college permanently closed in 2019, they took a step back from teaching full-time to focus on their writing, though they do still teach at a few colleges while running a writing workshop at The LOFT, an LGBT resource center in White Plains, New York. Steven currently lives in Peekskill, New York, with their amazingly patient husband, whose name is also Steve.

FRAGILE REMEDY by Maria Ingrande Mora

March 9, 2021

Question 1: What part of being a debut are you most excited about?

Can I be honest for a moment? I was most excited to sign books at ALA Chicago and to have a launch party at my local indie bookstore. It’s been a huge adjustment for me to get excited about virtual events after working on this book for half a decade. When I put my grief over those expectations aside, I am still terribly excited to know that this book will end up in the hands of young readers.

Question 2: Have you received any great debut year advice? 

Write your next book!

Question 3: Tell us about your book! 

This is a book for people who love science-fantasy, whump (yeah, I said it), friends to lovers, morally gray side characters you accidentally become obsessed with, and extreme pining.

FRAGILE REMEDY is a story about finding hope within yourself. When Nate learns that he’s running out of time, he has to decide how he will spend the end of his life, and what the family he’s made for himself means for him. It’s a dystopian story with dark themes, but it ultimately celebrates resilience and love — both romantic and platonic love. Nearly everyone in the book is queer. Fight me.

Question 4: One huge writer dream we likely all have is to see our work adapted on the big or small screen. Have you fancast your own writing? What songs would definitely be on your adaptation’s soundtrack?   

I have not fancast FRAGILE REMEDY, but the soundtrack would involve Cold War Kids and Lana Del Rey for sure.

Question 5: What do you hope teens will take away from your book? 

I hope teens will feel like they escaped the real world for a little while. Reading is a very personal journey. I believe some teens will see reflections of their own experiences, such as dealing with toxic friendships, pining for a friend, or struggling to help a loved one experiencing a substance use disorder. But ultimately there’s no universal read here. And there’s nothing wrong with enjoying the book as pure escapism. The best outcome to me is for a reader to spend some time daydreaming about this world and wondering what’s going to happen next.

Question 6: Can you give us a sneak peek about your favorite part of the book, or one of the most meaningful scenes you got to write?

There’s a very heartbreaking scene involving a misunderstanding between main character Nate and his love interest, Reed. It isn’t my favorite part, exactly, but it did make me cry every single time I revised this book. I hope it affects readers similarly. Everything will be okay!

Question 7: Is there anything the online community could do to help make your unconventional debut year better?

Word of mouth is so important for indie debuts. Reviewing, boosting, requesting from the library, putting in a good word with your local indie bookstore, putting together mood boards, tweeting… all these things can be so helpful. I know everyone has a ton of Zoom fatigue, but attending online events can be a big morale boost for authors, too.

Maria Ingrande Mora is a graduate of the University of Florida, where she received her bachelor’s degree in English with a focus in creative writing. She is a marketing executive with over 18 years of experience building brand narratives, editorial strategies, and digital campaigns for clients across multiple industries.

She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and is on the board of directors of Keep St. Pete Lit, a non-profit promoting literacy through art, education and events in Tampa Bay. A single mom, Ingrande Mora lives in St. Petersburg with her two middle schoolers and a small menagerie of rescue animals. 

FRAGILE REMEDY is her debut. 

SWEET & BITTER MAGIC by Adrienne Tooley 

March 9, 2021

Question 1: What part of being a debut are you most excited about?

My answer is probably pretty obvious, but it’s being able to share my book with readers, to be able to offer the heart of SWEET & BITTER MAGIC, the exploration of grief, and love, and sense of self with readers who might need to take that journey with Tamsin and Wren.

It isn’t lost on me how significant it is to see a fantasy novel with two girls holding hands on the cover. I wish I’d had a book with such clear rep when I was growing up. Would it have changed my journey? Who knows. But it’s the knowing. The visibility. I’m so excited for this book to belong to readers. To share my stories.

Question 2: Have you received any great debut year advice?

Keep your eyes on your own paper, and focus on the next book. It can be so tempting to look at the trajectory of other authors, but at the end of the day, there is so little that we as writers can control. In the end it’s about our stories, our characters, and our words.

Question 3: Tell us about your book!

SWEET & BITTER MAGIC is my love letter to girls who love girls, to the girls whose hearts feel wrong, who are haunted by their own ghosts, who are caught in webs of guilt and responsibility and obligation and grief. Wren, a girl made of magic and Tamsin, a witch cursed never to love, are forced to team up to search for the root of a memory-stealing plague. It features a slow-burn sapphic romance and a lot of *feelings*. It’s a quiet book, but one that’s full of heart.

Question 4: One huge writer dream we likely all have is to see our work adapted on the big or small screen. Have you fancast your own writing? What songs would definitely be on your adaptation’s soundtrack?

I’ve never actually fancast my book, but I absolutely have a few songs that would make it onto the soundtrack:
Love is All – The Tallest Man on Earth
Wildfire – Laura Marling
Shrike – Hozier
She Burns – Foy Vance

Question 5: What do you hope teens will take away from your book?

This book is for anyone who felt confused, or empty, or was grieving, or was carrying the weight of guilt. It’s a book about growth and confronting the past, and, ultimately, about love, in all its shapes and forms. I hope that if teens see themselves reflected in the pages of S&BM, they know they are not alone.

Adrienne Tooley grew up in Southern California, majored in musical theater in Pittsburgh, and now lives in Brooklyn with her wife, six guitars, and a banjo. In addition to writing novels, she is a singer/songwriter who has currently released three indie-folk EPs. Her debut novel, SWEET & BITTER MAGIC, will publish Spring of 2021. Her second novel, SOFI AND THE BONE SONG, will release in 2022.

MAGIC MUTANT NIGHTMARE GIRL by Erin Grammar 

March 10, 2021

Question 1: What part of being a debut are you most excited about?

Debuting with my friends! Ashley Shuttleworth, Lyndall Clipstone, and so many others have been on this journey to publication with me for so long. I can’t wait to hold all our books in my hands by the end of the year! It’s going to be so amazing to have a whole shelf full of people I admire and respect so much. Possibly seeing MMNG fanart is #2 on the list!

Question 2: Have you received any great debut year advice?

The very best one is so cliché, but it’s “eyes on your own book.” Don’t compare yourself to your friends, other debuts, or NYT bestsellers. Do what’s fun for YOU when it comes to promo. Everyone has their own style of interaction and boosting their work on social media, and the best thing you can do for your book—and your mental health—is to lean into your own style.

Question 3: Tell us about your book!

MAGIC MUTANT NIGHTMARE GIRL is my love letter to magical girls, comic book tropes, and the kind of campy fantasy with a ton of heart—and guts—you see on late night TV. Here’s the expanded blurb:

Holly Roads wants to be alone.

Desperate to distract herself from family tragedy, the bi, anxious 18-year-old uses her inheritance to fuel a passion for Harajuku fashion. Her fairy tale aesthetic makes her feel beautiful—and it keeps the world at arm’s length.

Holly’s an island of one, until advice from an amateur psychic expands her universe. A midnight detour ends with her vs. exploding mutants in the heart of San Francisco. Brush with destiny? Check. Waking up with blue blood, emotions gone haywire, and terrifying strength that starts ripping her magical girl wardrobe to shreds? Totally not cute.

Bad gets worse when Special Agent Michael Brannon tracks her down with an irresistible deal. Help him find the monsters his mad scientists accidentally unleashed on the city, and they’ll cure her powers. Now she’s stuck with the bossy, infuriatingly handsome jerk and his N.E.R.D.s until their mission is over. But who are they, really? And who are they really hunting?

With Halloween approaching, the city is full of masks. People aren’t always who they seem.

Question 4: One huge writer dream we likely all have is to see our work adapted on the big or small screen. Have you fancast your own writing? What songs would definitely be on your adaptation’s soundtrack?

I think every author has at least the passing thought of what their book adaptation’s Netflix title card might look like! I have aesthetics I’ve made with models that have the right feel for the characters, but I haven’t picked any actors. I do think Tyler (@ghosthoney) on TikTok would make an excellent Nuñez—he exudes that kind of chaotic chill energy. Milly Shapiro wears J-fashion in real life, and that appreciation combined with her background in horror movies would make her a perfect candidate for Holly. I don’t think she’d mind getting a little gross for fight scenes!

Question 5: What do you hope teens will take away from your book?

The found family aspect of MMNG—learning to trust and open your heart to others, even after trauma—is such an important thread running through the book, and it’s one I hope young readers really click with. So many of us collect the people closest to us, not just those who are blood-related, and remembering that love comes unexpectedly, in all shapes and sizes, is such an important lesson.

Question 6: Can you give us a sneak peek about your favorite part of the book, or one of the most meaningful scenes you got to write?

Everyone loves the “only one bed” trope, right? What happens when there’s only one bed—but it’s been destroyed by a magical girl transformation that’s more gory than girly? There are two sleepovers in the book that get progressively less awkward. Brannon takes the floor both times, but Holly’s apartment is pretty small, and his spot is definitely right under her tiny vintage couch.

Question 7: Is there anything the online community could do to help make your unconventional debut year better?

Serious author answer: Spread the word about MMNG before publication on March 10th. Request an eARC on Netgalley or even via DM—I can always pass them on! Tag me in positive reviews or recommendations, make memes, post random photos or TikToks that remind you of the characters. Really anything to get the word out there if you’ve enjoyed the book or are really stoked about the concept! I wouldn’t say no to that fanart mentioned in question number one, either, wink-wink.

Real answer: Start a grassroots movement to give Bruce Campbell (@GroovyB ruce) my book so he can take a picture with it covered in blood. The campy horror aspects of Evil Dead are my forever inspiration while writing—I want to spark that same kind of rabid, insatiable fandom. We did it for Claribel Ortega and Ghost Squad with Lin-Manuel Miranda, help me give MMNG to my hero!

Erin Grammar writes about horrible things happening to good people—while looking as cute as humanly possible. When she isn’t working on her latest novel, she likes to hunt for gemstones and Hello Kitty collectibles, spend time with her family (including two real and very demanding cats), craft, watch horror movies, and style wigs big enough to hold tons of secrets. You can connect with her at www.eringrammar.com or on Twitter and Instagram @eringrammar.

GENTLEMAN’S CLUB: AVALON KNIGHT by N.T. Herrgott

Question 1: What part of being a debut are you most excited about?

It’s been a really long six years and I can’t wait for these characters, who have basically become my family, to get out into the world. And it’s exciting because, being a debut author, there are no preconceived notions of what or how you write. Who you are as an author. It gives you the chance to surprise people.

Question 2: Have you received any great debut year advice? 

A friend of mine told me not to pretend to be a certain way on social media. Tweet those ridiculous shower-thoughts! Make your Insta a collection of neat-looking rocks you found! Or just chill out and stick to basics.

Your stories are a reflection of who you are — if people like you, they’ll probably like your stories, too. Your social media platforms are the best way to let readers know what to expect.

Question 3: Tell us about your book! 

Gentleman’s Club, the first book of the Avalon Knight series is about Luca Wexler — a transmasc seventeen-year-old who’s gearing up to start a career as a superhero. His timing’s either awful or fantastic because his home city of San Francisco is suddenly plagued by a very strange cyber-terrorist called ‘The Gentleman.’ And while he may seem like a modern-day Robin Hood, Luca develops serious doubts when he stumbles upon the Gentleman’s actual plans.

The story is about whether we can trust public faces, the danger of anonymity, and how to sort out friend from foe when we share objectives, but differ in methods.

Question 4: One huge writer dream we likely all have is to see our work adapted on the big or small screen. Have you fancast your own writing? What songs would definitely be on your adaptation’s soundtrack?

I’d like to pretend that I haven’t thought about this constantly but… what writer hasn’t? My dream would basically to have a Ryan Murphy produced series on Netflix starring Elliot Fletcher (or Sam Collins, but I don’t know if he can act). But as far as music goes, I’d like to see the kind of soundtrack that manages to blend Amy Winehouse with The Darkness while still feeling completely natural.

Question 5: What do you hope teens will take away from your book? 

• Don’t let other people tell you who you are.
• Don’t listen to people who say you can’t change the world.
• Normalize confidence.
• Stand up for people who need help. If people say that’s against the rules, break the rules.

Question 6: Can you give us a sneak peek about your favorite part of the book, or one of the most meaningful scenes you got to write?

Very early on, we see Luca and his dad’s morning routine and it feels very human and grounded to me. This was one of the first things I envisioned in the book and through all the drafts and edits, it has probably remained the most unchanged across all versions.

Really, I just like how Luca’s father, Andrew, plays out as a whole. Single dads don’t get a whole lot of representation. But also, Queer media seems to like to depict all fathers as bigoted, and they always need to get over it. If they’re even in the picture at all. Here, there’s nothing to get over, and there’s no after-school-special lesson; Luca’s trans-and-bi-ness is just a non-issue. His school performance is another story…

Question 7: Is there anything the online community could do to help make your unconventional debut year better?

Keep supporting queer authors. Especially during the ongoing pandemic, it’s important to boost queer visibility. Supporting queer stories is always important, but especially important now. Every book you buy or review or talk about… means all that much more [especially for debut authors].

And — if you’re in a really charitable mood — check out my Podcast “A Thousand Tiny Tantrums” on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

N.T. Herrgott drinks too much coffee and plays too many video games. Writing stories from a very early age, he has always had an avid fascination with super heroes… And not because of thicc thighs and tights. You can preorder N.T.’s debut here.

BETWEEN PERFECT AND REAL by Ray Stoeve

April 13, 2021

Question 1: What part of being a debut are you most excited about?

Oh wow, hard to choose! I think one of the things I’m most excited for is reader engagement; it has meant so much to me to hear from the people, especially young people, who have read early copies BETWEEN PERFECT AND REAL and loved it. My hope is that my work will make a positive impact for trans youth in some way, so I’m looking forward to seeing how that will play out.

Question 2: Have you received any great debut year advice?

I definitely have! I think one that has been grounding for me is to keep focused on the things that are in my control. For instance, I can’t control how well the book will sell, or whether I’ll debut on the New York Times bestseller list. But I can control how I spend my debut release day, and where I choose to put my promotional energy: into things that bring me joy and connect me to the most important reasons why I write.

Question 3: Tell us about your book!

Absolutely! BETWEEN PERFECT AND REAL is about Dean, a high school senior who is out as a lesbian, but in the closet as a trans boy. When he’s cast as Romeo in the school play, the role helps him come to terms with his desire to come out and transition. It’s very much a story about relationships, too; one of my favorite aspects of the book is Dean’s friendships with the different people in his close circle, and how everyone else in the book is on their own journey to be their authentic self alongside Dean. For me, that’s the heart of the book: how do we be our fullest selves, even under external and internal pressure not to be that person?

Question 4: One huge writer dream we likely all have is to see our work adapted on the big or small screen. Have you fancast your own writing? What songs would definitely be on your adaptation’s soundtrack?

Oh, this is definitely a dream of mine! I tend not to think that much about fancasting, because I have such a specific idea in my head of what my characters look like, but it would be important to me that Dean be played by an up-and-coming trans actor. Brigette Lundy-Paine is a young nonbinary actor I can see in the role. As far as music, that’s a major way I connect with my story’s world, and you better believe I am READY with the playlists. Tegan and Sara, Lorde, King Princess, The Cure, and David Bowie are just a few of the artists on BETWEEN PERFECT AND REAL’s playlist.

Question 5: What do you hope teens will take away from your book?

A sense of being seen and affirmed in some way; that they aren’t alone in their experiences; that there is a world out there waiting for them and even if they don’t have it now, it is possible for them to find a place and community that loves and celebrates them for who they are. Also, that there are so many ways to be queer and trans, and they get to explore and change as much as they want within those identities.

Question 6: Can you give us a sneak peek about your favorite part of the book, or one of the most meaningful scenes you got to write?

Yes! Okay, so I need to be careful of spoilers, but there’s a scene where Dean tries on a suit for the first time, and let’s just say his feelings and realizations are very much drawn from my own experience. Also, any of the scenes between Dean and his dad, or Dean and Jared, who is lowkey one of my favorite characters and on his own masculinity journey that was important to me to represent. It’s always meaningful when I can pull from my life to inform a character or a scene and this book is full of those connections.

Question 7: Is there anything the online community could do to help make your unconventional debut year better?

The online YA community, whether on Twitter or in my debut group, has already been such a wonderful source of support for me. I love when other authors reach out to tell me they’re excited for my book, or that they have read it and loved it. Specific feedback is my catnip, so just tell me in detail exactly what you loved about it and help me feed my insatiable Leo ego. Just kidding. Sort of.

Ray Stoeve is a writer. They received a 2016-2017 Made at Hugo House Fellowship for their young adult fiction, and created the YA/MG Trans and Nonbinary Voices Masterlist, a database that tracks all books in those age categories written by trans authors about trans characters. They contributed to Take The Mic: Fictional Stories of Everyday Resistance (Arthur A. Levine/Scholastic Books). Their first young adult novel, Between Perfect and Real, will be published by Amulet Books on April 13, 2021, with a second standalone novel to follow. When they’re not writing, they can be found gardening, making art in other mediums, or hiking their beloved Pacific Northwest.

THESE FEATHERED FLAMES by Alexandra Overy

April 20, 2021

Question 1: What part of being a debut are you most excited about?

There are definitely a lot of firsts that I’m really excited about, but one that really encapsulates that dream of being published will be when I first see my book in stores. I spend so much time wondering the aisles of bookstores, so seeing my book there among so many of my favourites will be really amazing!

Question 2: Have you received any great debut year advice? 

I think the best advice I heard this year is that your debut doesn’t have to define your career—it’s just one book and you still have lots more in you. I think there can be so much pressure on your debut book, and so much stress for debut authors, so it was a relief to hear it put like that. 

Question 3: Tell us about your book! 

My book These Feathered Flames is a YA fantasy inspired by the Russian folk tale “The Firebird”. My friend came up with a great fun pitch which I now use at every opportunity: it’s like Frozen, if Ana were the magical lesbian. 

But for a proper pitch: It’s about two sisters, one raised to be queen and one raised to be the Firebird, a mythical creature that ensures the price of magic is always paid. When their mother dies unexpectedly, they are thrust into their roles and have to try to figure out their relationships with each other and what really happened to their mother all while dealing with court politics and mysteries. It’s basically a queer, feminist Game of Thrones with Russian folklore, lots of twists, and bears you can ride.

Question 4: One huge writer dream we likely all have is to see our work adapted on the big or small screen. Have you fancast your own writing? What songs would definitely be on your adaptation’s soundtrack?   

That’s definitely a writer dream! I’ve just been watching The Queen’s Gambit, and I really feel like Anya Taylor-Joy would play Izaveta so well. She has that great vibe of I will destroy you while looking amazing, which really fits Izaveta. And as the main two sisters are twins, I think she’d also make a great Asya with some of her softer side. As for the soundtrack, I’d have to say any songs by Ruelle as I listened to so much of her music on repeat while drafting TFF!

Question 5: What do you hope teens will take away from your book? 

I really hope they take away that queer teens can have adventures too and they can have love stories full of twists and turns and angst without queerness being an issue at all. Stories that examine queer pain are important too, of course, but with These Feathered Flames I really wanted to make a queer normative world where the characters didn’t have to struggle with their sexuality—instead they just had to deal with regular fantasy problems like who murdered their mother and if magic might become unbalanced and destroy them all. 

Question 6: Can you give us a sneak peek about your favorite part of the book, or one of the most meaningful scenes you got to write?

I really loved writing the last three or four chapters, the emotions are all coming to a head and I’d been looking forward to writing it for so long. But that’s a lot of spoilers, so a non-spoilery scene I really loved writing was a sparring scene between two love interests. Here’s a sneak peek at that:

“Spar with me,” she said again. “And if you win, you don’t have to say another word to me.”

Something shifted on the strashe’s face. The glint of a challenge in those gray eyes. Not sharp, like the edge of a sword. But almost mischievous. It was a piece of the strashe Asya had never expected to see. “I’ll hold you to that, Firebird.”

Asya took a step back, gripping her shashka. “But if I win,” she added, “you have to call me Asya.”

Question 7: Is there anything the online community could do to help make your unconventional debut year better? 

I feel like the online community has really been amazing in coming together and helping books that were released this year which has been so nice to see. It’s been quite a lot to adapt to, but bloggers and bookstagrammers and all the online book community have taken it in their stride and worked so hard to keep promoting books (especially debuts)! Even with quite a bit of time to go until my book is out, the online book community has already made me feel so much better about the lack of in-person events by supporting it and sharing excitement for it. Really that kind of word of mouth makes all the difference, and I appreciate all the people who’ve been talking about my book!

Alexandra was born in London, England. She lived there until she was 21, when she moved to Los Angeles to attend UCLA to study history. She went on to complete her MFA in screenwriting, also at UCLA.
Ever since she was little she has loved being able to escape into another world through books. She’s been writing as long as she can remember, everything from a screenplay about a stolen Gameboy, to the memoir of the youngest evil overlord ever, to novels about murderous princesses.

She still lives in Los Angeles, and when she’s not working on a new manuscript or procrastinating doing work, she can either be found obsessing over Netflix shows, or eating all the ice cream she can.

MEET CUTE DIARY by Emery Lee

May 4, 2021

Question 1: What part of being a debut are you most excited about?

I think I’m mostly just excited for my book to actually be read by someone other than my friends LOL. I’m especially excited to see how trans teens will respond as my book was written for them, and I hope it brings them comfort.

Question 2: Have you received any great debut year advice? 

I’ve gotten a LOT of good advice to be honest. Most of it has been about pacing yourself and finding balance between all the excitement and all the chaos. I think the best advice I’ve received thus far though is to only focus on promoting in ways I’m excited about. So far, the whole promotion process has been a lot of fun, and I think focusing on things that make me excited really resonates with people and keeps me from burning out too much.

Question 3: Tell us about your book! 

MEET CUTE DIARY is a YA trans romcom about a trans teenager who runs a blog of trans meet cutes, but when the blog is threatened by a troll, he has to stage a fake relationship with a fan to prove the blog’s legitimacy. It’s a story of first love, heartbreak, friendship, and identity through a trans lens, but most importantly, it’s a fun, happy romcom specifically for queer people of color, especially trans people, because we really don’t enough of these stories.

Question 4: One huge writer dream we likely all have is to see our work adapted on the big or small screen. Have you fancast your own writing? What songs would definitely be on your adaptation’s soundtrack?   

I actually never fan cast my books, and I think that’s largely because 1. I can’t think of any actors that actually fit the identities of my main characters, and that’s an important element for me, and 2. Because I actually love when book adaptations bring in new talent. It’s always nice to see new actors get a chance in a franchise that already has an established fanbase, especially when those actors are marginalized. As for the soundtrack, that I’ve definitely thought about! I don’t have a specific list of songs that I’d want on the soundtrack (largely because I can’t pick and having an eighty song soundtrack is not really a thing) but I’d definitely want Troye Sivan, Twin XL, Keiynan Lonsdale on it since they’re three artists I used to hype me up to draft the book.

Question 5: What do you hope teens will take away from your book? 

The whole message of MEET CUTE DIARY is that you’re never too much to deserve a happy ever after, and I think that’s the big thing I want my readers to take from it. The world always tells marginalized teens that they have to shrink themselves down to deserve basic respect, and I’m just not about that LOL. I want teens to know that they deserve to live fully as themselves and still find happiness.

Question 6: Can you give us a sneak peek about your favorite part of the book, or one of the most meaningful scenes you got to write?

Okay, so no spoilers, but in the book, Noah drafts this list of 12 steps that every perfect relationship has to go through, and step 11 is called “the gesture”, and it’s basically that romcom trope where the love interest does this big sweeping thing to bring the main couple back together after circumstances push them apart. Let me just say that I really love “the gesture” in MEET CUTE DIARY and it was probably the one scene I had most looked forward to when I first crafted the idea.

Question 7: Is there anything the online community could do to help make your unconventional debut year better?

Emery Lee is a kidlit author, artist, and YouTuber hailing from a mixed-racial background. After graduating with a degree in creative writing, e’s gone on to author novels, short stories, and webcomics. When away from reading and writing, you’ll most likely find em engaged in art or snuggling cute dogs. Eir debut novel MEET CUTE DIARY releases from Quill Tree/HarperCollins May 4, 2021.

INDIVISIBLE by Daniel Aleman

May 4, 2021

Question 1: What part of being a debut are you most excited about?

There are so many things about debut year that I’m looking forward to, but I’d say the main one is connecting with new people. I’ve already had a chance to meet many amazing authors, readers, bloggers, booksellers, and librarians, and I’ve found so much joy in these connections. I am so excited to continue growing my community as the publication date for INDIVISIBLE comes closer, because nothing makes me happier than being surrounded by people who love books as much as I do.

Question 2: Have you received any great debut year advice?

Absolutely — one of the best pieces of advice I’ve received is to shift focus to a new book as soon as possible, which is precisely what I’ve been doing lately. There is a lot of waiting involved in the process of publishing a book, so focusing on a new, shiny project is a great way to avoid feelings of anxiety or restlessness. Other great pieces of advice I’ve received are to welcome all opportunities that come your way, to uplift fellow authors, and to always be kind.

Question 3: Tell us about your book! 

INDIVISIBLE is a contemporary young adult novel set in New York City. It follows the story of Mateo, a Mexican-American teenager whose life is thrown into chaos when his parents, undocumented immigrants, are detained by ICE, which leaves him to care for his seven-year-old sister. While Mateo tries to piece his life back together, he must confront questions about his own identity as an American and about his place in a country that seems to reject his own mom and dad.

At its core, this book is emotional, but it also has many moments of warmth and humor, as Mateo attempts to navigate his relationships with his friends, his family, and an unexpected love interest. I am incredibly proud of this story, and I can’t wait to share it with everyone! It is coming on May 4, 2021 from Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.

Question 4: One huge writer dream we likely all have is to see our work adapted on the big or small screen. Have you fancast your own writing? What songs would definitely be on your adaptation’s soundtrack?  

I’ve heard a couple of people say they think Michael Cimino (Love, Victor) would be wonderful as Mateo, which I could totally see. Since Mateo’s biggest dream at the start of the book is to become an actor, I also can’t help but feel as though it would be appropriate to have a newcomer step into his shoes — a young actor who’s in the process of making his own dreams come true. As for the soundtrack, I haven’t thought of any specific songs, but it would be incredible to have a soundtrack like the ones for To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before or Love, Simon.

Question 5: What do you hope teens will take away from your book? 

My main hope is that teenagers will feel less alone after reading Indivisible. I hope that this story will reach readers who need it, and who haven’t gotten to see pieces of themselves, their lives, or their families reflected in media before.

Question 6: Can you give us a sneak peek about your favorite part of the book, or one of the most meaningful scenes you got to write?

My favorite scene in the book is one that some people have started referring to as “the cockroach incident.” I don’t want to spoil it, but it involves, well… a cockroach. It was such a fun scene to write, and it always makes me laugh whenever I revisit it. At the same time, there’s a quiet sadness to it, and it ultimately serves as a crucial turning point for the main character.

Another one of my favorites is a scene near the end of the book, which takes place at Coney Island Beach. This is where the title of the book takes on a whole new meaning, and I like to think that this moment is in equal parts heartbreaking and joyful.

Question 7: Is there anything the online community could do to help make your unconventional debut year better? 

One thing I’ve heard authors say recently is how much they love hearing from enthusiastic readers. If you’ve read a book and loved it, send the author a nice note! It’ll make their day for sure.

And, of course, pre-ordering books that you’re excited about is a wonderful way to support authors and bookstores during these uncertain times. Other great ways to help are by showing books love on Goodreads and social media, writing reviews, and recommending them to your friends!

Daniel Aleman was born and raised in Mexico City. A graduate of McGill University, he is passionate about books, coffee, and dogs. After spending time in Montreal and the New York City area, he now lives in Toronto, where he is on a never-ending search for the best tacos in the city. He is the debut author of Indivisible (May 4, 2021).

IT GOES LIKE THIS by Miel Moreland 

May 18, 2021

Question 1: What part of being a debut are you most excited about?

I’m excited to connect with readers about queer love, music, and fandom!

Question 3: Tell us about your book!

IT GOES LIKE THIS is about four queer teens realizing that sometimes you have to risk hitting repeat on heartbreak. A year and a half before the main events of the book, Moonlight Overthrow was on top of the world—Grammy Awards, international tours, and a secret, starry-eyed romance between two of their members. But a sudden falling out leads to the dissolution of the band, their friendship, and Eva and Celeste’s relationship. After a devastating storm in their hometown, the four band members reunite for a benefit concert. As they prepare for one last show, they’ll discover whether growing up always means growing apart.

Question 4: One huge writer dream we likely all have is to see our work adapted on the big or small screen. Have you fancast your own writing? What songs would definitely be on your adaptation’s soundtrack?

The problem with asking the author of a band book about adaptation soundtracks is that, well, my complete playlist is about one hundred songs long! I would have to include “Do Anything” by Mary Lambert, because a lyric from that was the epigraph for the novel for a long time, and “End Game” by Taylor Swift, because Ed Sheeran’s verse—after the storm, something was born on the Fourth of the July—is a pretty exact summary (note: the song came out after most of the first draft was written!).

Question 5: What do you hope teens will take away from your book?

For LGBTQ teens specifically, I hope they take away that they are loved—that they are worthy of all kinds of love, from family love to friendship love to romantic love—that there is joy and community for them. I hope all teens close the book with a renewed sense of the power of friendship and with grace toward themselves and others as those friendships shift over time. Really, I hope everyone emerges with a little bit of hope that it’s always okay to change your mind.

Question 6: Can you give us a sneak peek about your favorite part of the book, or one of the most meaningful scenes you got to write?

Eva is sleeping beside her, her body curled away from Celeste. She’s always been the little spoon. Celeste brushes a stray curl away from Eva’s face. She won’t stir, not from these little adjustments, little caresses. You can’t survive as a touring artist if you’re a light sleeper. Too many bus nights, across the vast darkness of the United States, then Europe, if you’re lucky. Overnight flights on private jets across Asia and Australia, if you’re the luckiest. Which they are.

Tonight, though, is a hotel night. A real bed, a room to themselves.

Celeste sits propped against the headboard. She tips her head back until it connects with the wood with a soft, satisfying thump.

She lets an idle hand drift over Eva’s hair, her shoulder, come to rest on her arm where the blanket has fallen away. It’s pitch-dark in the room, thanks to the blackout shades. Celeste knows Eva’s body so well by now, though. She knows its curves and divots, its bumps and angles.

I’m going to break up with you, she thinks.

She has to.

There is no other option, not really, because. Well.

Gina’s leaving. She and Gina haven’t talked about it so much as honestly answered who are you emailing or who was that on the phone when Eva and Steph aren’t around.

Steph is a spiral, obviously with no interest in continuing to record, nor the energy to pretend. A spiral, but not stupid.

And then there were two.

Celeste can’t stay with her. You don’t stay with your teenage girlfriend, you know? First loves don’t get a happy ending. Especially not in Hollywood.

First loves crash. First loves burn out.

Question 7: Is there anything the online community could do to help make your unconventional debut year better?

Check back with me about that! I’ve got some ideas for online fun that are still in the works. Libraries buy new books a few months out from release, so it would be lovely if everyone could put a note in their calendar for March to request that their local library order a copy.

Miel Moreland was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota. With time spent in California and France, she has a Midwestern heart but wandering feet. She studied English, Politics, and French in college, and has spent most of her career working in education. When not making pop music references and celebrating fandom, she is likely to be found drinking hot chocolate and making spreadsheets. She currently resides in Boston. IT GOES LIKE THIS is her first novel.

MAY THE BEST MAN WIN by Z.R. Ellor

May 18, 2021

Question 1: What part of being a debut are you most excited about?

I’m so excited for my work to finally make it on shelves! I’ve been writing ever since high school, so it feels like a great fit to tell a story set in a school so much like the one I attended. I can’t wait to share this project with the world.

Question 2: Have you received any great debut year advice?

The best advice I received was to not compare myself to other authors. Every author’s journey is unique, and playing comparison games is often fruitless. The one thing you can control in the publishing industry is your own writing!

Question 3: Tell us about your book!

MAY THE BEST MAN WIN is the story of a trans boy who challenges his ex boyfriend for Homecoming King at their elite Maryland high school. It’s full of hijinks and elaborate schemes, and also deals with heavier topics like transphobia and bullying. Perfect for fans of Becky Albertalli and Sophie Gonzales!

Question 5: What do you hope teens will take away from your book?

I hope what queer teen readers take away is how power comes from building supportive communities, not from ingraciating yourself with harmful systems. No matter how intimidating it can be to express your true self, there’s always people out there who will support you. Focus on those relationships and not institutions that tear you down.

Question 6: Can you give us a sneak peek about your favorite part of the book, or one of the most meaningful scenes you got to write?

I loved writing Jeremy and Lukas during the Homecoming festivities. There’s a particular scene involving a very gay dance number that stood out to me for its over-the-top energy, and the pivotal role it plays in their relationship.Anything involving parties and extravagance is so much fun to create!

Question 7: Is there anything the online community could do to help make your unconventional debut year better?

Promote, pre-order, and library request the book! I love seeing readers get excited about MAY THE BEST MAN WIN on social media. Telling other people about the books you’re looking forward to, online and in-person, is the best way to support authors in difficult times.

Zabé “Z. R.” Ellor grew up in Washington, DC and narrowly escaped a career in the sciences to write and agent novels. He holds a BA in English Lit and biology from Cornell University. When not writing, he can be found running, playing video games, and hunting the best brunch deals in Dupont Circle.

We hope you enjoyed reading our first round of interviews! Check back tomorrow for the second post!