This Thursday is International Trans Day of Visibility—an annual opportunity to celebrate the voices and experiences of the trans community, and an important reminder of the struggles the community continues to face, as well as the resiliency and courage its members have wielded to live their most authentic existence. This week at RLBC, we encourage our readers to check out these new and forthcoming books that are written by trans and gender nonconforming authors, or that highlight the LGBTQ2+ experience.
Non-Fiction
Special Topics in Being a Human: A Queer and Tender Guide to Things I’ve Learned the Hard Way about Caring For People, Including Myself by S. Bear Bergman, illustrated by Saul Freedman-Lawson (Arsenal Pulp Press)
Coming October, 2022!
Written by advice columnist S. Bear Bergman, Special Topics in Being a Human is an illustrated guide to practical advice for the modern age, shown through a queer lens. The book showcases the author’s experiences as a trans parent, and includes a chapter of advice on getting pronouns correct the first time.
This Has Always Been a War: The Radicalization of a Working Class Queer by Lori Fox (Arsenal Pulp Press)
Coming May, 2022!
Lori Fox is a non-binary author and journalist. In This Has Always Been a War—a critical collection of essays—they examine the capitalist patriarchy and its impacts on every portion of our lives. The book looks at the politics of gender, environment, and sexuality.
Crip Kinship: The Disability Justice & Art Activism of Sins Invalid by Shayda Kafai (Arsenal Pulp Press)
Sins Invalid is a performance project that amplifies the work of artists of colour and queer, non-binary, and trans people with disabilities.Their work as disability activists is chronicled in this book by Shayda Kafai.
The Care We Dream Of: Liberatory and Transformative Approaches to LGBTQ+ Health edited by Zena Sharman (Arsenal Pulp Press)
Zena Sharman is a Lambda Literary award-winner, known for her LGBTQ2+ health advocacy. In The Care We Dream Of, Sharman imagines a new health care system and approach to healing that centres the needs and expertise of the LGBTQ2+ community. The book uses historical examples as well as possible futures to envision a new, more inclusive healthcare system.
Kids Books
The Ooze by Tash McAdam (Orca Book Publishers)
A science-fiction thriller for kids aged 9-12 that features a trans teen named Bran as its protagonist. The Ooze is a new Orca Anchor title which includes enhanced accessibility features as well as a high-interest storyline.
The Loudest Bark by Gail Marlene Schwartz and Lucie Gagnon, illustrated by Amélie Ayotte (Rebel Mountain Press)
“This delightful story encourages children to defy traditional gender norms and explore their identity and serves as a wonderful resource for parents and teachers who want to start a conversation with young children about gender identity.” —Canadian Children’s Book News
I Am Everything in Between by Sydney Sunderland (Rebel Mountain Press)
An exceptional picture book that introduces children to the concept of gender identity and teaches them that it’s okay to feel different. Young readers will learn to feel proud of their gender expression and to be true to themselves.
Poetry and Fiction
Magodiz by Gabe Calderon (Arsenal Pulp Press)
Coming October, 2022!
Releasing this fall from Arsenal Pulp Press, Magodiz is a stunning novel that highlights the spiritual and cultural role of Indigenous Two-Spirit people. The author is also a poet and educator, and identifies as Two-Spirit, trans and queer.
My Volcano by John Elizabeth Stintzi (Arsenal Pulp Press)
An experimental work of fiction by award-winning author John Elizabeth Stintzi, whose previous accolades include a shortlist nomination for the Amazon Canada First Novel Award and an RBC Bronwen Wallace Award win. The pre-apocalyptic novel features several trans characters.
DISINTEGRATE/DISSOCIATE by Arielle Twist (Arsenal Pulp Press)
Twist’s debut poetry collection was the winner of the Dayne Ogilvie Prize for LGBTQ Emerging Writers (Writers’ Trust of Canada) and the Indigenous Voices Award. Her powerful poems explore what it means to be an Indigenous trans woman.
Belated Bris of the Brainsick by Lucas Crawford (Nightwood Editions)
A tactful collection of poetry that explores themes of identity, mental illness, the trans experience, religion, and politics. Stories in this collection are told from queer, transgender, and disabled perspectives.