Tags
Alex London, Alex Sanchez, Alycia Tornetta, Amy Boggs, AS King, Barry Goldblatt, Benjamin Alire Saenz, Bill Konigsburg, Blair Thornburgh, Brent Hartinger, Brian Katcher, Bridget Smith, Caitlin McDonald, Corinne Duyvis, David Levithan, DiversifYA, Diversity in YA, Heidi Cullinan, Jennifer Laughran, Jessica Verdi, Julie Anne Peters, Julie Sondra Decker, Kaylee Davis, Kelley York, Kristen Zimmer, Kristin Elizabeth Clark, Laura Biagi, Laura Bradford, Laura Lam, Laura Zats, Leah Raeder, LGBTQ, Lindsay Ribar, Lydia Sharp, Malinda Lo, Maria Vincente, Meredith Rich, Molly Beth Griffin, Nancy Garden, Nina LaCour, Nyrae Dawn, QUILTBAG, Rena Rossner, Robert Guinsler, Robin Talley, Sara Farizan, Sara Megibow, Sarah Harian, Sarah Tregay, Tess Sharpe, Victoria Lowes
Note: This post and the greater Compendium are no longer being updated as of April 2016. For far more comprehensive book lists, please visit LGBTQReads instead!
If you follow me on Twitter, or listen to me babble anywhere else, there’s a good chance you know I’m a pretty massive advocate of QUILTBAG YA/NA.
Yes, QUILTBAG is kind of a dumb word (for the unfamiliar, it stands for QUeer/QUestioning Intersex Lesbian Transgender Bisexual Asexual Gay), and I do sincerely apologize to anyone for whom this is not the preferred term, but I’ve chosen it for being the most outwardly inclusive option, particularly given that I actively wanted to highlight some Intersex books as well.
Since I’m always kinda going on about it in a lot of random places, I thought it’d probably be a good idea to get all that information down in one spot, particularly a spot with a comments section, since obviously I’m far from the be-all and end-all of knowledge on the subject.
(For a waaaay more comprehensive site entirely on the subject of GLTBQ+ YA, check out Lee Wind‘s fantastic review site. )
This will be another one of those posts I update with some frequency, but it’s important to me to get it started, so, this is me, doing that.
First up, some websites and blog posts – emphasizing the importance of writing and supporting it, recommending it, and helping you write and/or publish it:
Blogs/Sites
Gay YA – a site dedicated to featuring LGBTQIA+ characters in Young Adult Literature
Queer YA – A site dedicated to fiction for LGBTQ teens
DiversifYA – all posts under their QUILTBAG tag, including their DiversiTheme Roundtable on Diversity and Sexuality
Diversity in YA, which emphasizes both racial and sexual diversity and often includes specific rec lists
Publishers
Harmony Ink – the YA imprint of Dreamspinner Press, dedicated to publishing LGBT-themed YA
Bold Strokes Books – a publisher of LGBTQ YA/NA
Triton Books – the YA imprint of Riptide Press
Posts
LGBTQ & You: How to Support Your Students, by Lauren Barack in School Library Journal
All Things Queer and Wonderful, by Leah Raeder, on the importance of “Gaying up New Adult”
Graphic Guide to YA Novels with LGBTQ Characters, by Molly of Molly is Wrapped Up in Books, as part of this post for YALSA
YA Books About LGBT Characters of Color, by Malinda Lo
YA LGBTQ Novels Where the Focus Isn’t Coming Out, by Nita Tyndall
25 Must Read Books Featuring Gay Protagonists, by Epic Reads
8 Great LGBTQ Characters in YA Lit, by Me, via Barnes & Noble Blog
YA Misfits: Interview with Sara Megibow, on being LGBTQ-friendly
(Many thanks to Julie Sondra Decker, author of the upcoming THE INVISIBLE ORIENTATION: AN INTRODUCTION TO ASEXUALITY, for providing so many additional links in the comments!)
Along those lines, here are some agents who have stated they are actively seeking QUILTBAG YA/NA:
(Please note, I’d venture to say most, if not all, are! I just didn’t want to list anyone here without consent. Everyone here has specifically responded to this post.)
Laura Biagi of Jean V. Naggar Literary Agency
Amy Boggs of Don Maass Literary Agency
Laura Bradford of Bradford Literary Agency
Kaylee Davis of Dee Mura Literary Agency
Barry Goldblatt of BG Literary
Robert Guinsler of Sterling Lord Literistic
Cate Hart at Corvisiero Literary Agency
Saritza Hernandez at Corvisiero Literary Agency
Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary Agency
Victoria Lowes of The Bent Agency
Caitlin McDonald of Sterling Lord Literistic
Sara Megibow of Nelson Literary Agency
Jessica Negron of Talcott Notch Literary Agency
Jessica Regel of Foundry Literary+Media
Lindsay Ribar of Sanford J. Greenburger
Meredith Rich of Bloomsbury Spark*
Rena Rossner of the Deborah Harris Agency
Brooks Sherman of The Bent Agency
Bridget Smith of Dunham Literary Agency
Blair Thornburgh of Quirk Books*
Alycia Tornetta of Entangled Publishing*
Maria Vincente of P.S. Literary Agency
Kent D. Wolf of Lippincott Massie McQuilkin
Laura Zats of Red Sofa Literary
*Editor who accepts unagented submissions. NOT an agent.
Next up, a not-at-all comprehensive list of published QUILTBAG YA/NA.
Requirements for being on this list are:
1) The main* character, storyline, or love interest has to be QUILTBAG
and
2) At least one person whose opinion I respect has to have loved it, even if I didn’t (though if I thought it was a legit terrible book, it’s not making it on here)
*Dual-POVs in which one of two are QUILTBAG have been included
If a book is bolded, it means I’ve read it. If it isn’t, it means it was recommended by someone I trust. Just FYI, in case you have questions/complaints about a particular title. (And if I haven’t read it, it’s on my TBR.)
If a book is in blue, it means it’s intersectional – at least one of the characters who is QUILTBAG is also a PoC.
And yes I’m tagging which letters it encapsulates where I feel like it’s been firmly established (and Q where it hasn’t, I’m not sure because I haven’t read it, and/or the book is particularly focused on not putting characters in boxes) and please feel free to tell me if you think I’m misrepresenting, especially if you’re the author. I’m not trying to force any labels; I just want people to more easily be able to find the books they’re looking for, particularly the ones dedicated to less frequently represented members of the community:
The Rainbow Trilogy by Alex Sanchez (YA – G)
ANNIE ON MY MIND by Nancy Garden (YA – L)
ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE by Benjamin Alire Saenz (YA – G)
ASK THE PASSENGERS by AS King (YA – Q)
BOY MEETS BOY by David Levithan (YA – G)
EVERY DAY by David Levithan (YA – Q)
TWO BOYS KISSING by David Levithan (YA – G)
WILL GRAYSON, WILL GRAYSON by John Green and David Levithan (YA – G)
CODA by Emma Trevayne (YA – B)
TWIN SENSE by Lydia Sharp (YA – B)
EMPRESS OF THE WORLD by Sara Ryan (YA – Q)
ASH by Malinda Lo (YA – Q)
HUNTRESS by Malinda Lo (YA – Q)
ADAPTATION and INHERITANCE by Malinda Lo (YA – Q)
THE ART OF WISHING and THE FOURTH WISH by Lindsay Ribar (YA – B)
HERO by Perry Moore (YA – G)
FAN ART by Sarah Tregay (YA – G)
OPENLY STRAIGHT by Bill Konigsburg (YA – G)
THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST by Emily Danforth (YA – L)
PROXY by Alex London (YA – G)
SILHOUETTE OF A SPARROW by Molly Beth Griffin (YA – Q)
GEOGRAPHY CLUB by Brent Hartinger (YA – G,B)
MY MOST EXCELLENT YEAR by Steve Kluger (YA – Q)
WILDTHORN by Jane Eagland (YA – L)
IF YOU COULD BE MINE by Sara Farizan (YA – L)
PANTOMIME and SHADOWPLAY by Laura Lam (YA – I,B)
THE ELEMENTALS by Saundra Mitchell (YA – B)
OVER YOU by Amy Reed (YA – B)
GOLDEN BOY by Abigail Tarttelin (YA* – I)
SUICIDE WATCH by Kelley York (YA – Q)
THE SHATTERING by Karen Healey (YA – L)
SISTER MISCHIEF by Laura Goode (YA – L)
SCARS by Cheryl Rainfield (YA – L)
GREAT by Sara Benincasa (YA – L)
THE SUMMER I WASN’T ME by Jessica Verdi (YA – L)
FAR FROM YOU by Tess Sharpe (YA – B)
ONE MAN GUY by Michael Barakiva (YA – G)
EVERYTHING LEADS TO YOU by Nina LaCour (YA – L)
AN UNSTILL LIFE by Kate Larkindale (YA – L)
OTHERBOUND by Corinne Duyvis (YA – B,L)
LIES MY GIRLFRIEND TOLD ME by Julie Anne Peters (YA – L)
LUNA by Julie Anne Peters (YA – T)
FREAKBOY by Kristin Elizabeth Clark (YA – T)
BEAUTIFUL MUSIC FOR UGLY CHILDREN by Kristin Cronn-Mills (YA – T)
THE OTHER ME by Suzanne van Rooyen (YA – T)
ALMOST PERFECT by Brian Katcher (YA – T)
I AM J by Cris Beam (YA – T)
SOCIAL SKILLS by Sara Alva (NA – G)
LOVE LESSONS by Heidi Cullinan (NA – G)
THE GRAVITY BETWEEN US by Kristen Zimmer (NA – L)
MISMATCHED by Lydia Sharp (NA – L)
*Technically published as Adult, but whatever
And finally, a list of upcoming QUILTBAG YA/NA:
2014
I’LL GIVE YOU THE SUN by Jandy Nelson (YA – G)
TELL ME AGAIN HOW A CRUSH SHOULD FEEL by Sara Farizan (YA – L)
LIES WE TELL OURSELVES by Robin Talley (YA – L)
AFTERWORLDS by Scott Westerfeld (YA – L)
RUSH by Nyrae Dawn (NA – G)
FEVER PITCH by Heidi Cullinan (NA – G)
*THE WICKED WE HAVE DONE and OUR BROKEN SKY by Sarah Harian (NA – L)
*LGBTQ romance is secondary in the novel, but primary in the associated novella
2015
SIMON VS. THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA by Becky Albertalli (YA – G)
MORE HAPPY THAN NOT by Adam Silvera (YA – G)
NONE OF THE ABOVE by I.W. Gregorio (YA – I)
WONDERS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD by Christopher Barzak (YA – Q)
UNSPEAKABLE by Abbie Rushton (YA – L)
BLEEDING EARTH by Kaitlin Ward (YA – L)
FANS OF THE IMPOSSIBLE LIFE by Kate Scelsa (YA – G,B)
UNBREAKABLE by Robin Talley (YA – GQ,L)
UNDER THE LIGHTS by Dahlia Adler (aka Me) (YA – B,L)
OFF CAMPUS by Amy Jo Cousins (NA – G,B)
TRUST THE FOCUS by Megan Erickson (NA – G)
BLACK IRIS by Leah Raeder (NA – Q)
SETH & GREYSON by Jessica Sorensen (NA – G)
If you’ve got a book rec, or read a blog post on the subject that meant a lot to you, or you’re an agent who wants to be added to the list – whatever – I just want to be as comprehensive as possible, so please help make it easier in the comments!
C.K. Oliver (@ckoliver_writes) said:
My NA fantasy novel, tentatively titled EMBERS, featuring a lesbian protagonist, a pandemisexual protagonist, and a host of other characters that are trans, bisexual, and nonbinary will release in Spring 2016 from Oktopus Ink–If you’re up to 2016 yet!
Ann Hunter said:
I have a contemporary YA horse racing series (North Oak) with a bi heroine I’d love to see on the list. It’s not as apparent in the first book, but things start happening in book 2.
Ryan Patterson said:
Valuable information. Lucky me I found your web site by accident, and I’m shocked
why this coincidence did not happened in advance!
I bookmarked it.
Corinne Duyvis said:
Hiiii Dahl! I just read THE ELEMENTALS by Saundra Mitchell, which features a bi protag. The author says she’s also genderfluid, but as she explains here, that’s authorial intent and not necessarily in the pages of the book: http://diversityinya.tumblr.com/post/52870290826/when-there-are-no-words
Pingback: Oh, the Books! Bookish Guides: LGBTQ in YA | Oh, the Books!
Pingback: LGBTQ in YA month | I. W. Gregorio
Ryan said:
Thank you so much for putting this together! I’m doing something similar for #LGBTApril and you can bet I’m going to link back to this, the Mother Ship.
Pingback: It’s More Than Representation: My Thoughts on the Lack of Diversity in Children’s Books | Whimsically Yours
Philip Siegel said:
You deserve your own float at the gay pride parade. You already have the tiara. (seriously, am bookmarking this post) 🙂
Dahlia Adler said:
You win for best comment on my entire blog. CONGRATULATIONS.
Christopher Barzak said:
My novel, Wonders of the Invisible World, will be published in 2015 by Knopf on their teen list, and its protagonists are QUILTBAG. Thanks!
Dahlia Adler said:
Awesome! I’m so excited for how much there already is in 2015! Adding it!
jessiedevine said:
This is awesome, Dahl. I especially like the blogs you included.
Audrey C. said:
Awesome list – and thanks so much for posting the agents as well. I’m querying now, so that’s a huge help.
A fantastic book I’d recommend adding is Sister Mischief by Laura Goode (YA – L). The writing is just amazing. If anyone is interested specifically in YA books with queer female protagonists, I have a decent list going on my Goodreads page: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/1303322-audrey-c?shelf=lesbian-young-adult
Heather DiAngelis said:
Thanks for compiling this!
Here’s another that you might want to add:
ANNIE ON MY MIND, by Nancy Garden (L, published in 1982)
It was one of the forerunners in YA LGBT literature.
Dahlia Adler said:
Oh, yes! I meant to add that one yesterday – I know it’s one of my CP Marieke’s favorites, thank you!
Jamie K. (@Rockets2Writing) said:
I love this post! Lots of great books to add to my to read list.
Here’s another one for your list
Almost Perfect by Brian Katcher (YA – T)
James said:
Great list! While I haven’t read it yet, I’d also suggest Freakboy by Kristin Elizabeth Clark, which is about a transgender boy (who starts off in a gay relationship). There’s also pretty much anything by Alex Sanchez (one of the big original three, along with Brent Hartinger and David Levithan). I’d also include Bill Konigsberg’s first novel Out of the Pocket, which is a gay sports YA. Trying to think of more but am blanking. I have an ARC of One Man Guy and I cannot wait to read it!
Steve Berman (@thesteveberman) said:
Vintage, A Ghost Story is a YA with a gay protagonist that was a finalist for the Andre Norton Award. I’m the author. And my book of urban fairy tales for gay teens just released last week: Red Caps
lexacain said:
It’s wonderful to see those agents who are brave and caring enough to want diversity! I’m recommending AN UNSTILL LIFE By Kate Larkindale. 😀
Julie Sondra Decker said:
Here are some you might want to add, Dahlia!
Julie Anne Peters’s other books are often pretty good. I have kinda disliked a couple of them but here are the ones I think are good:
Between Mom and Jo by Julie Anne Peters (YA – L) (A boy has lesbian mothers, the moms split up and the non-bio mom has no legal rights to him, great issue)
Far From Xanadu by Julie Anne Peters (YA – L) (The only gay girl in town and the only gay guy in town are best friends, and she gets a crush on a straight girl)
Keeping You a Secret by Julie Anne Peters (YA – L) (A girl who previously IDed as straight realizes she’s gay in high school, realistic fallout ensues)
I would also recommend these:
Dangerous Angels series by Francesca Lia Block (YA – various) (Gay guys father a child with a straight woman, and in one later book, Baby Be-Bop, one of the gay guys’ past realizing he’s gay is explored)
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (Literary/Adult – I) (I’m recommending this even though it is not YA/NA because there are so few intersex books)
Sparks: The Epic, Completely True Blue, (Almost) Holy Quest of Debbie by S.J. Adams (YA – L) (I haven’t read this but my friend’s husband wrote it, and it was a Stonewall Honor Book)
I Am J by Cris Beam (YA – T) (Trans guy book, not fantastic in my opinion but also not problematic as far as I can tell)
And here are a few books that have asexual characters (!!!) but I think some of them are not YA:
Demonosity (Amanda Ashby, Puffin, 2013)
Quicksilver (R.J. Anderson, Carolrhoda Books, 2013)
Banner of the Damned (Sherwood Smith, DAW, 2012)
Guardian of the Dead (Karen Healey, Little, Brown, 2010)
The Oathbound (Mercedes Lackey, DAW, 1988)
The Bone People (Keri Hulme, Spiral Press, 1984)
Also, I mark posts on Tumblr that are about LGBTQ fiction. Malinda Lo posted this:
It’s a list of books about LGBT characters of color.
Epic Reads posted this list about gay main characters in YA:
http://www.epicreads.com/blog/25-must-read-ya-books-featuring-gay-protagonists/
Molly made this list which has some cool divided-by-type lists:
And that same list has a “full post” with some downloadable PDFs:
http://www.yalsa.ala.org/thehub/2013/08/06/a-guide-to-ya-novels-with-lgbtq-characters/#more-7356
Diversity In YA tumblr posted this super list of trans protagonists:
And . . . are you ready for this?? . . . here is a list of queer books to read recommended BASED ON WHAT HOGWARTS HOUSE YOU ARE.
http://knowhomo.tumblr.com/post/50663046386
Raven said:
Hey! Great list. I like a novel by Kate Larkindale – “An Unstill Life”. (YA – L)