How you can keep getting books
Because they might be gone sooner than you think.
I assume you’re here because you love books and, in particular, are a reader of my books featuring LGBTQ+ characters. Don’t worry, this isn’t another “processing election feelings, keep your chin up” email—this is a purely practical email about maintaining access to the things you love to read.
Let’s get into it.
What’s happening in a nutshell:
Queer books are at risk of being banned on a large scale.
Project 2025 considers books (YA and younger) that feature trans/nonbinary characters and likely all queer character to be p0rn0graphy. They want to criminalize the creation and distribution of these books. (See the relevant passage below.)
How do we know they mean books instead of, you know, garden-variety p0rn? Note the mention of public librarians and teachers. What else would they be referring to?
Publishers will almost certainly preemptively censor by buying and promoting fewer queer books.
Because publishing works on roughly a 2-year lead time, they don’t know what’s going to happen with all this, and they are always prioritizing their bottom line.
Queer authors are in danger of losing all their income.
See: all of the above.
It’s me. *I* am in danger of losing all my income.
From Project 2025:
If you can’t afford to buy books:
Review the ones you’ve read on retailers.
Authors of queer lit need every scrap of support they can get right now. A review helps other buyers know a book is worth their hard-earned money.
Short is FINE! “This book made me happy. Worth the money. Get it!” is a completely acceptable review.
Put in a free, easy purchase request at your local library.
It’s usually as simple as filling out a quick online form! Look for something on the library website called “suggest a book” or “purchase request,” etc. All else fails, librarians are generally nice folk. Just ask via email, chat, or phone.
As a former librarian, let me assure you—libraries LOVE to know exactly what their patrons want. Don’t be shy!
Even if you can afford to buy the book, you can do this anyway to make sure it’s available to your local community.
Keep tabs on your local school and library boards, which is where a lot of book challenges and bans are happening right now.
It’s not just a Project 2025 thing; this has been going on for decades, but has particularly ramped up since 2022 thanks to Moms for Liberty (from my home county in Florida! So great! *sarcasm font*).
Pay attention to the news, speak up, and vote.
And by vote, I mean in small local elections like school boards, city councils, state-level positions, etc. Virginia has a chance to kick Governor Youngkin to the curb next year! Let’s do it!
Look after the queer folks in your life, especially those who are trans, nonbinary, or people of color.
Everyone is mad and scared and sad. Give love, support, and safe spaces.
If you CAN afford to buy books:
If you want books that have already released, get them now.
We have no idea if or when they may push for this. Probably unlikely to be a day 1 priority, but there’s truly no way to tell. They’ve got plenty of time. If this goes through, books will likely be pulled from sale.
If they lean on the Comstock Act, you won’t be able to get them by mail within the U.S. after whatever goes down.
Books make great gifts! Especially signed copies!
Pre-order forthcoming books to prove to publishers there is demand.
Preorder wherever you can afford to. It all counts.
Preorders from independent books stores best help publishers gauge interest and give authors the best chance of hitting bestseller lists, but don’t let the perfect be the enemy of the good.
You can preorder my upcoming books from the retailer of your choice here.
Put banned or threatened books in Little Free Libraries!
Help others discover our work and get queer books to those who might not be able to afford them.
If you can shop at your local indie bookstore, please do. They will likely take a hit from this, too. (Find your local shop here.)
Their margins are always razor thin, so anything that hurts their ability to get books to the people who want them will be detrimental to their survival.
They are essential community cornerstones and defenders of your freedom to read, just like libraries are. They’ll be fighting for us, and they’ll need your support.
Special thanks to author and agent sibling Alison Stine who sent a similar newsletter recently and inspired this one. Her newest book Dust, which is extremely relevant right now, is out on 12/3.
Finally, please support my upcoming releases:
Roll for Love, my YA novel about two southern country girls falling in love across the D&D table, is possibly my most at-risk book. It’s also the one I think is needed most right now. Out April 8th.
All Fired Up is my adult romcom about a professional firestarter (for science!) and a firefighter falling in love via shenanigans as they try to save their best friend from herself. It’s a shot of pure queer joy all about letting go of the past to love yourself and make way for new things. This one is kicking off a fresh reputation in a new genre, so it really, really matters. Out April 29th.
I’m also part of two incredible anthologies next year: Why On Earth: An Alien Invasion Anthology is full of hilarious and poignant stories about belonging, being understood, and one (1) singing bass. There are many cow jokes from yours truly. This is How We Roll isn’t up for preorder yet, but I’ll keep you updated. As a queer Dungeons & Dragons anthology, it’s also at risk.
I’m not stopping. ♥
These are scary times but I’m not stopping until they force me to. I’ve got queer books under contract and in the pipeline for several years yet, and I’m gonna do everything I can to make sure they get to shelves.
Let’s keep fighting.
