Teens Talk About LGBTQIAP+ YA: Part 1
Earlier this year, we asked teens to tell us about the LGBTQIAP+ YA books that have touched their lives. This is our first round-up of those stories! We are so excited to be able to share these. Books can touch lives in unseen ways, something that is especially the case for LGBTQIAP+ YA books. We wanted to make some [...]
On shelving–and unshelving–the book of my heart
by Rebecca Kim Wells In 2015 I reached a major milestone in my writing career: I signed with a literary agent. The book I had written was a dark fairy tale-inspired YA fantasy, drenched with blood and magic and lies and quests. It was also a book featuring a queer main [...]
Writing Your Way Out Of The Closet
by Abdi Nazemian Many years ago, after my first book – an adult gay novel called The Walk-In Closet was published – a wonderful and open-minded Iranian therapist hosted a book club at her home. The attendees were largely Iranians of my parents’ generation. They all dressed for the event like it was an awards show. It was very [...]
When Queer Books Lead to Queer BFFs
by Kelly Quindlen Three years ago, when I was going through a rough patch, my parents gave me some advice. “We think you need queer friends,” my dad said. “Have you considered a gay cruise?” I laughed out loud when he suggested it, but I knew the larger point was true: I [...]
The Path to Publication: Writing the Queer Black Girls of Cinderella Is Dead
by Kalynn Bayron I’ve always been a fan of genre fiction. From horror to fantasy to sci-fi. I love all things magical and atmospheric and bone chilling. I’m a writer because I was a reader, first. In those stories I found ghosts, mythical creatures, people with impossible powers, aliens, orcs, fairies, elves, kings and queens. What I didn’t [...]
Interview: Kacen Callender, author of Felix Ever After
Aaron H. Aceves, author of This Is Why They Hate Us (Spring 2022), interviews Kacen Callender, author of Felix Ever After. Hi, Kacen! In the span of only two years or so, you’ve published two Middle Grade books, two Young Adult books, and a novel for adults. First of all, how are you so damn prolific! Haha, thanks! Honestly I tend to [...]