Queer exposure in media is generally frustrating on good time, exactly what happens when the book launch is happening, well, at this time? writers depend on income being continue telling stories, nevertheless when basic emergency requires precedence over reading, how can queer authors obtain message out over the entire world?


Kristen Lepionka


writes mysteries and


Leah Johnson


pens young have some adult, but both tend to be right here, queer, and excited for their brand-new guides. I asked every one of them about their latest tasks, Zoom functions, and exactly why queer female tales are more vital than before.

GO Magazine: let me know a little bit about your self.

Kristen Lepionka:



I’m author of the


Roxane Weary puzzle show


. My home is Columbus, Ohio with Joanna, my spouse of practically several years, and our very own two kitties. My books are set-in Columbus, too.  Once I’m perhaps not composing, i am probably working as an independent graphic designer, undertaking crossword puzzles, or planning my after that smart job.

Leah Johnson:



I say frequently that I’m an endless Midwesterner moonlighting as a Yorker because I will not be capable shake the small-ish area lady in me personally. And that I genuinely believe that appears plenty in my writing at the same time. In fact, it is nearly my entire brand! We come up with black women from Indiana wanting to navigate competition and sex while slipping in love with by themselves and falling in love — complete stop.

GO: Tell me concerning your publication.

KL:



«Once You Get This Much»


[available for preorder July 8th] may be the 4th guide when you look at the Roxane Weary private investigator secret series. Roxane is actually chosen to check to the apparently unintentional death of a middle-aged college nursing assistant on a hiking trail. The examination results in a missing struggling teen, a church with a troubling level of control of the users’ life, a charismatic feminine tech business owner that is operating for Congress, and somebody who does indeedn’t want Roxane to put the parts collectively. In describing the ebook to friends, I keep locating me saying that it is more about faith, politics, also rude celebration topics.

LJ:



«you really need to See Me in a Crown,»


now available every where]


is a queer YA rom-com about a woman called Liz Lighty whoever aim is to obtain of her little (and small-minded) hometown and go to school. But when their school funding drops through, Liz has to manage for prom queen for any possible opportunity to win the grant that’s attached to the top. All of that will be tough sufficient naturally, however Liz meets the girl around, whom additionally is literally the woman competitors for prom queen, and has now to figure out how to hold the woman newfound crush from destroying the woman try at winning the competition. It really is heavy regarding happiness as well as the relationship, but also the need for those friendships that replace your existence together with methods familial ties — both discovered family and bloodstream — can hold you collectively when you feel just like you’re falling apart.

GO: so why do you choose to create tales about queer characters?

KL:



We determine as bi, and that I need to compose guides about men and women like me and just like the folks I’m sure. You will find lack of mystery/crime books with well-drawn queer characters (a thing that is changing, though maybe not fast enough for my personal flavor!), therefore it is essential in my opinion to be able to write intricate LGBTQ+ people in my books. Good fiction should mirror actuality, specifically crime novels, that are discussing social issues.

LJ:



I did not emerge until my adulthood — I didn’t also see another where being something other than straight ended up being a choice — but i will merely think about just what permission could have been awarded in my opinion therefore other kids when we’d viewed a lot more diverse representation on shelves. If books indicate to us something and that can end up being possible, next we need many stories to provide readers mirrors. I want the mirrors my publications provide to reflect the totality of just what complicated, breathtaking, amazing, unpleasant schedules of chance every kid warrants.

GO: Your guide is unveiling in the center of a pandemic, whenever in-person activities have become restricted, or even more usually, restricted totally. What exactly are you doing to obtain the term out?

KL:



Even though in-person events are extremely much up floating around immediately, i am appreciating doing a lot of Zoom events. The energy differs from the others needless to say but it’s an enjoyable solution to have the ability to relate to folks in an extremely odd time. I additionally co-host a podcast,


Unlikeable Female Characters


, which can be one other way of attaining folks.

LJ:



I am privileged because


almost all of the activities I found myself intending to carry out


have not been canceled, simply relocated on line. It has been shocking to discover, though, that digital activities are just since tiring as an in-person event — if not more so! Simply because i am filming from my childhood bedroom using my Glee poster during the history does not mean that I am not still attempting to arrive and take part in exactly the same way. (The actual only real distinction is actually i am often wearing pajama jeans.)

GO: Do you actually feel queer publications are especially crucial today?

KL:



Queer books will always be important! At this time, things are frustrating across-the-board, and queer-identifying men and women are currently at a better danger of having loneliness, separation, despair, etc. Books are not a secret remedy at all, but seeing yourself reflected from the pages of a book you might be reading will help create individuals feel less by yourself. Even though it feels like worldwide has ceased during all of this, this hasn’t, and each and every story is actually the opportunity to reach some one.

LJ:



As we’re achieving this meeting, black individuals nationwide come into mourning. George Floyd. Tony McDade. Breonna Taylor. Ahmad Arbery. The list goes on. We are shedding our friends and family, however, the manner by which we’ve constantly lost black folks inside nation: to racism, to sexism, to homophobia. All those things to express, the job of reminding black youngsters they are worthy of schedules without discomfort and violence never stops. The task of reminding black queer children that inside a country that will not shield them that they are looked after and seen never ever stops.

In my situation, along with these publications, race and sex are inextricably connected. In order extended as both my personal blackness and my queerness is actually a menace for this nation, and also to folks in jobs of energy, I’ll hold putting these tales of black delight and triumph out in to the world. It is all i am aware how to do, you are aware? A tiny share to unraveling programs being probably going to just take my personal whole life time to unravel. Dark queer delight is a radical work, so these pages are my change.

For much more on the writers, follow


Kristen


and


Leah


on Instagram, and Leah on


Twitter


!