We’re about a week and a half into Pride Month! So, it’s time for my next Pride Month post, featuring Transgender Authors! Specifically, transgender authors with books coming out sometime this year. In the last few years, there has been a drastic increase in the amount of transgender authors and characters in the YA realm. Which is a great thing! But there’s still a long way to go.
While this post is going to focus specifically on books published in 2021, I encourage you to look up others and read them too! I’ve a few recommendation posts on this (you can find them here and here), so get reading and supporting these authors!
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Transgender Authors Publishing in 2021
Schuyler Bailar – Obie is Man Enough
Obie knew that his transition wouldn’t be easy. Switching to a new swim team and ready to find where he truly belongs. He’s ready to prove himself to everyone who tries to take him down. Bailar is the first openly transgender NCAA swimmer, and this book is based on his own experiences.
H.E. Edgmon – The Witch King
Wyatt’s marriage to the fae prince of Asalin, Emyr, was supposed to help the relations between fae and witches. But when Wyatt loses control of his magic, he flees to the human world. Which only makes matters worse. Magic and romance, what more could you want? Edgmon is a debut author, but we can expect more from them!
Z.R. Ellor – May the Best Man Win
May the Best Man Win follows Jeremy and Lukas. Jeremy just came out as transgender and won’t let it stop his senior year. Lukas is his ex-boyfriend, and also his competition for Homecoming King. While this seems like a rom-com, be warned that it gets pretty serious and dark in places. But it has some great rep!
Isaac Fitzsimons – The Passing Playbook
After transitioning lead to a year of bullying at his old school, Spencer is ready to start over at Oakley. It seems like the perfect place, until a rule forces Spencer to be benched. This book just came out last week, and I can’t wait until my hold comes in at the library to read it! It sounds like a great summer book.
Jason June – Jay’s Gay Agenda
In Jay’s Gay Agenda, Jay finally gets the chance to interact with other people from the LGBTQ+ community when his family moves to Seattle. But soon he’ll have to choose between his heart and his hormones. While the main character isn’t trans in this, the author is! And there are secondary characters that are, too.
Emery Lee – Meet Cute Diary
Meet Cute Diary follows Noah Ramirez, who runs a blog about happy ever afters for transgender people. When someone threatens to expose his blog as fake, he starts fake dating a handsome boy named Drew to save it. This is the perfect summer rom-com to read, with some excellent discussions about gender throughout.
Tobly McSmith – Act Cool
August Greene lands a spot at the prestigious School of Performing Arts in New York. However, in order to go, he has to promise his parents that he won’t transition. August is convinced he can do it. This book comes out later this year, but I have an eARC to review, so be on the lookout for that!
Steven Salvatore – Can’t Take That Away
Another music themed book, Can’t Take That Away follows Carey, who was just cast in their school’s musical. However, they get pushback, since they’re genderqueer. If you love musicals, you’ll definitely fall in love with this debut book. There are so many great musical references throughout!
Ray Stoeve – Between Perfect and Real
We’re really focusing on theater with these last few books. In Between Perfect and Real, Dean is cast as Romeo in his school play. It helps him with his coming out process, and confirms his identity even more. This book really sucks you in and pulls you along, with great characters and overall great conversations.
Peyton Thomas – Both Sides Now
Finch Kelly is ready to take his future by storm. He just has to nail the National Debate Tournament and go on to college in Washington DC. A few bumps in the road: falling for Jonah, not getting accepted into college, and the topic of the tournament. Will he be able to pull it off? This is being pitched for fans of Red, White, & Royal Blue, and I can’t wait to read it!