One reason I’m an author is to find people who want to enjoy the imaginary world in my head. The women who appear and tell me their stories want to meet you all. However, it can be lonely when you’re sitting at home writing, with only a fictional couple for company. It’s hard to know how readers feel about them – do they like your world? Would they want to know your characters as friends? Events like Queer the Shelves give us a window to meet readers and find out what they like, or don’t.
As a fairly new author, events like QTS give a face to the world where I still feel like the new girl at school, wondering if I’m going to get welcomed or have my pigtails pulled. Imposter syndrome is common within the author community and it’s through physical events that new entrants like myself can learn that both authors and readers are human too! The Sapphic Romance community is one of the most welcoming places I’ve been and it’s through similar events that I originally gained the confidence to first share my work with others.
As a trans woman, there’s another dimension to both these aspects. The imposter syndrome takes on another level when you aren’t sure whether people are going to welcome you as the person you know you are. Will authors and readers see me not just as a creative, interesting author, but also as a woman? Both my debut, Ransom to Love, and brand new release – Caretaking Love – contain trans women. (Both will be available at the event to be signed!) Their stories are especially close to my heart. While I don’t want to write a trans account of life, I do want my stories to have real-feeling, positive role models. Showing that people like me exist in life is vital to show that we’re normal. So if you want to read about strong, normal trans women then look for my books… but if you want to meet the real life trans author equivalent then look out for me at the event!
book events, lesbian writers, lesfic, lgbtq, lgbtq book festival, literary festival, nottingham, queer the shelves
