Books by Trans & Nonbinary Authors to Read for the 2025 Trans Rights Read-a-thon

Look, we think you should read books by trans authors all year round, but we love a good reason to come together and celebrate these stories. Join us in promoting trans, nonbinary, 2Spirit, and gender-nonconforming authors and characters by participating in the 2025 Trans Rights Read-a-thon.

This read-a-thon will take place March 21 through 31. Learn more here.

Adam's Recommendations:

Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo

This is the first, but no the last Lee Mandelo you will see on this list. Summer Sons is everything we love in a horror book–super queer and in a creepy Appalachian setting. This was the first book many of us read by Lee Mandelo and, wow, did it set the bar high. Good thing he continues to put on stellar works of fiction.

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Exquisite Corpse by Poppy Z. Brite

Exquisite Corpse is an important part of both horror and queer history. This book was actually pulled from publication by two different publishers for being "too nihilistic, too extreme, a bloodbath without justification". It was finally purchased by Simon & Schuster and published several years after it was orginally completed.

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Invaginies by Joe Koch

This under-the-radar collection of  literary horror and weird fiction centers around apocalyptic stories of gender, corruption, and the supernatural. If you're wanting a book that puts queer voices front and center in the horror-genre, this is one to check out. 

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Courtney's Recommendations:

Mistress of Lies by K.M. Enright

Mistress of Lies is a debut dark fantasy, and let me tell you, this book is one of the best debuts I’ve read in a long time. It's got politics. It's got violence. It's got a cast of diverse (multiracial, queer, and trans) morally grey characters. Oh, and it has the beginnings of a why choose romance. Literally what else could you want?

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I Feed Her to the Beast and the Beast is Me by Jamison Shea

They weren't kidding when they called this one a "villain origin story". Set in the Paris Ballet, this story is what I imagine would have happened if Christine Daae had actually listene to the Phantom. It's a blood-filled revenge story about a teen who is determined to get what she deserves, even if she has to take it.

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Feed Them Silence by Lee Mandelo

Subtly eerie and overwhelmingly sensual, Feed Them Silence explores who our desire to be more than ourselves can keep us from the things around us. It's a raw, intimate look at connection, desperation, and the things we do to find comfort and safety. This one will make you question what is actually right in the world.

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Dominic's Recommendations:

Leech by Hirron Ennes 

Adjacent to the "sporror" genre, Leech is one of the strangest books we've had the pleasure of reading. It's a compelling mix of science, apocalyptic, and gothic fiction that will appeal to readers across genres. This one made us an Ennes fan for life.

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The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw

This is another one with cross-over appeal. We would technically consider this one dark fantasy, but it's got enough viscera at times that we can see why some find it to lean towards horror. The short-description of The Salt Grows Heavy is a mermaid and a nonbinary plague doctor stumble into a Lord-of-the-Flies-esque town full of creepy children doing creepy things.

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A Song for You and I by K. O'Neill

If you want books that feel like a warm hug, look no further than K. O'Neill. While they're best known for The Tea Dragon Society, their newest graphic novel was an immediate staff favorite. Give your heart a break by jumping into this magical story that focuses on the importance of being gentle with yourself.

 

PS: We still have a couple signed copies available!

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Halli's Recommendations:

This Day Changes Everything by Edward Underhill

Fate! Universe! Destiny! Whatever you call it, that's what throws two small town band kids together. It's kind of a book about band kids performing in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, but MOSTLY about band kids embracing their queerness in a city where anything feels possible. 

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The Prospects by KT Hoffman

This is a queer, rivals-to-lovers romance that takes place in a minor-league baseball team. Casey McQuiston called it "tenacious, sexy, effervescent, doggedly hopeful, and endlessly charming" and if it's good enough for them, it's definitely good enough for us. Plus, you don't need to know anything about sports to get swept up in this one. We promise!

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Gwen & Art Are Not in Love by Lex Croucher

Set in Camelot, it is time for the descendant of King Arthur and his bethrothed to get married. But, like the title suggests, they are not in love (because they're gay!!). The tone of this book is so playful, with a heartwarming sibling dynamic and a full cast of lovable idiots. It's Heartstopper meets A Knight's Tale.

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