It’s summer, and I’m excited to share these author updates:

1)
You can still join more than 150 other backers in the BRAVE Kickstarter to empower hundreds of LGBTQIA2+ and Allied teens with their own copy of my gay teen action adventure romance, A DIFFERENT KIND OF BRAVE. But if you want to help out (and maybe get a collector’s edition hardcover for yourself) you need to act now – the campaign ends at 6:50am Pacific Saturday Jul 20. And the way Kickstarter works, if we don’t hit the target goal, none of the money pledged is charged and the project doesn’t happen at all… so please, if you can, join in and spread the word! Best link: bit.ly/BRAVEkickstarter

2)
I had an amazing time at the American Library Association 2024 conference in San Diego. (Big wave to the librarians I met there!) In addition to my day-job hat for IBPA, with my author hat I met so many wonderful librarians and a few very cool teens! I signed copies of A DIFFERENT KIND OF BRAVE at the IPG booth (they distribute Duet Books/Interlude Press/Chicago Review Press), I signed copies of LOVE OF THE HALF-EATEN PEACH at the Reycraft Booth, I signed copies of THE GENDER BINARY IS A BIG LIE at the Lerner booth, and had the opportunity to speak to about 45 librarians and friends on the Diversity Stage about how the gender binary really is a big lie!

3)
We’re having a free webinar to celebrate gender diversity and the launch of THE GENDER BINARY IS A BIG LIE! This book I’ve worked on for more than four years is about to publish: August 6, 2024 is the official on-sale date, and you’re invited to what is going to be a fabulous discussion with Actor, Comedian, and Intersex Advocate Seven Graham; Author, Illustrator, and Creator of the Gender Wheel Maya Gonzalez, and the first out Trans person elected to the Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota State Representative Leigh Finke. The idea is that just like the book is a party of gender diverse voices throughout time and around our world, the launch event should reflect that, and center the voices of gender diverse leaders in our Queer community today. This free webinar will be Thursday August 8, 2024 at 10am Pacific/1pm Eastern, it’s organized by the awesome folks at my publisher Lerner, and I hope you will join us! Register here

4)
Picture Book Recommendation: – Rainbow Allies: The True Story of Kids Who Stood Against Hate, by Nancy Churnin, Illustrated by Izzy Evans. This kid-friendly take on how love can be stronger than hate centers children taking action to make their lesbian neighbors feel safer after someone vandalizes their home and tears down their rainbow pride flag. The children organize, and spread rainbow pride flags throughout the community in a beautiful and elegant act of solidarity and kindness.

As I read the book (review copy provided to me by the publisher), I kept thinking how it was a great companion to my own picture book about a town standing up to hate, also led by a child’s initiative, Red and Green and Blue and White, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinksy. They would make a great pair for reading aloud with kiddos, and then discussing.

5)
A Nonfiction Social Science and Trans Studies Book Recommendation: He/She/They: How We Talk About Gender and Why It Matters by Schuyler Bailar (He/Him/His). I’m listening to the audiobook (read by the author) and I can’t say enough about Schuyler’s insights and grace. I’ve followed him on Instagram @pinkmantaray for a long time, and the book delivers. The analysis of male privilege from someone who didn’t have it until their late teens is eye-opening, and the entire discussion about Trans Athletes is spot-on brilliant. I actually think the publisher could spin off just that chapter as it’s own little book about the inclusion of Trans Athletes. Next time someone argues with you about that, just tell them to read this book first.

6)
I’ve added a new place I’m playing with social media online: Bluesky. It reminds me of the early days of twitter – I pretty much can see just what I’m interested in (I only follow the KidLit Mega Feed) and am finding a pretty lovely KidLit community there. If you’re curious about KidLit people moving away from X and Instagram, I wrote about it on the SCBWI Blog here: “Break Up With Your X” – Can you do it without hurting your #kidlit career? Brian Kirby has receipts (a.k.a., the stats.)

7)
I had a great time being interviewed by David Lowbridge-Ellis, MBE, on the License to Queer podcast! The invitation happened because David read A Different Kind of Brave and it really resonated, prompting him to say, “If this book had been around when I was a teenager it would have changed my life. As an adult who’s had to find their own narrative path – with many bumps along the way – it made me cry with queer joy!” David and I had a great conversation about Bond movies, writing characters that feel real, Queer representation, and so much more. You can listen to it anywhere you listen to podcasts, and you can also watch our License to Queer episode as a TV interview on YouTube!

That’s the July update! Thanks for being part of my community — I’m grateful for your light.
Lee