QUILTBAG Compendium

(This was originally published as a post with still-relevant comments here.)

***Please note that this page is no longer being updated as of 2017. Please see LGBTQReads.com 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 MG/YA/NA. Since I’m always kinda going on about it in a lot of random places, I wanted that info in one spot, which also has a comments section, since obviously I’m far from the be-all and end-all of knowledge on the subject.

Table of Contents

Publishers, Book Blogs, Rec Lists, and Resources
Agents/Editors seeking QUILTBAG MG/YA/NA
Published QUILTBAG MG/YA/NA
Upcoming QUILTBAG MG/YA/NA

A note on using “QUILTBAG”: Yes, it’s kind of a dumb word (for the unfamiliar, it stands for Queer/Questioning Undecided 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 and pronounceable option.

Publishers, Book Blogs, Rec Lists, and Resources

Publishers

Harmony Ink – the YA imprint of Dreamspinner Press

Bold Strokes Books – a publisher of LGBTQ YA/NA

Less Than Three Press – a publisher of queer NA

Triton Books – the YA imprint of Riptide Books

Bella Books – a lesbian publisher with a Young Adult category

Duet Books

Sites/Blogs/Reviewers

Lee Wind’s review site

Gay YA – A site dedicated to LGBTQIA+ characters in and authors of YA fiction

Queer YA – A site dedicated to highlighting sexuality and gender identity diversity in youth culture

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

Ace Literature – not specifically about Kidlit, but with Asexuality so underrepresented, it’s worth checking out

True Colorz

A feed of LGBTQIA+ Booktubers, compiled by Jeanne

A list of Queer and Queer-Friendly Bloggers, almost entirely compiled by Patrice Caldwell

Bisexual Books, which reviews books of all categories from the bisexual perspective

The Lesbrary

Posts/Rec Lists

I’m Emily Quinn, and I’m Intersex, by Emily Quinn via MTVAct

2015 Rainbow List

Asexuality in YA Books, by Kelly Jensen for Bookriot

Top 10 LGBT Books for Pre-Teens, by Susie Day for The Guardian

YA Books About LGBT Characters of Color and More YA and YA-Friendly Books about LGBT Characters of Color, by Malinda Lo

8 LGBTQ Canadian YA Novels You Might Have Missed and Should Read, by Robin Stevenson

YA LGBTQ Novels Where the Focus Isn’t Coming Out, by Nita Tyndall

An Alternative School Reading List: Here is Every YA Ever with Lesbians, by Jill Guccini on AfterEllen

LGBTQ & You: How to Support Your Students, by Lauren Barack in School Library Journal

Graphic Guide to YA Novels with LGBTQ Characters, by Molly of Molly is Wrapped Up in Books, as part of this post for YALSA

25 Must Read Books Featuring Gay Protagonists, by Epic Reads

8 Great LGBTQ Characters in YA Lit, by Me, via Barnes & Noble Blog

12 Must-Read LGBTQ YAs of 2014, by Me, via Barnes & Noble Blog

13 Under-the-Radar LGBTQ YA Must-Reads, by Me, via Barnes & Noble Teen Blog

A 2015 LGBTQI YA Preview, by Me, via Barnes & Noble Teen Blog

15 of Our Most Anticipated 2016 LGBTQ YAs of 2016, by Me, via Barnes & Noble Teen Blog

Along those lines, here are some agents who have stated they are actively seeking QUILTBAG MG/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. Also please note that A) submission guidelines are still to be followed as stated on each individual agent’s site, and B) inclusion here is not an endorsement by me of any given agent or agency.)

• 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
• Pete Knapp of Park Literary
• Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary Agency
• Victoria Lowes of The Bent Agency
• Caitlin McDonald of Sterling Lord Literistic
• Sara Megibow of KT Literary Agency (I highly rec reading this interview I did with her on YA Misfits)
• Patricia Nelson of Marsal Lyon Literary Agency
• Rebecca Podos of Rees Literary Agency
• Jessica Regel of Foundry Literary+Media
• Lindsay Ribar of Sanford J. Greenburger
• Rena Rossner of the Deborah Harris Agency
• Brooks Sherman of The Bent Agency
• Bridget Smith of Dunham Literary Agency
• Saba Sulaiman of Talcott Notch Literary
• Blair Thornburgh of Quirk Books*
• Alycia Tornetta of Entangled Publishing*
• Maria Vincente of P.S. Literary Agency
• Kent D. Wolf of The Friedrich Agency
• 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 MG/YA/NA.

Requirements for being on this list are:

1) The main* character and/or love interest has to be QUILTBAG

and

2) If I haven’t read it, at least one QUILTBAG person whose opinion I respect has to have loved it and confirmed good representation of all QUILTBAG characters. (So, no gay books with biphobia, for example.) Authors are welcome to mention their own books in the comments, but I will not be adding more to the published list unless I’ve personally read and loved them, though exceptions may be made for books in highly underrepresented categories.

*Multi-POVs in which at least one narrator is 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 people I trust.

If a book is in blue, it means it’s intersectional in that the main character who is QUILTBAG is also a Person of Color. (For more intersectional titles, check out my Resources for Writing Marginalized Perspectives.)

Books are tagged for the identities they encapsulate in the main characters and love interests. If you are the author of the book, please tell me if you feel that is not the correct label and I will happily change it. I’m not trying to force anything; 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. (Please note that in sometimes I just use Q in lieu of not knowing.)

I’ve also coded gender for B, Q, and T characters: the letter in orange means that character identifies as male; in green as female; in purple as a non-binary identity.

If you see a + after a title, it means there are at least two characters on the queer and/or gender spectrum in the book in addition to the main character and any love interests. (A set of parents counts as one.) Again, I can only put in what I know/remember, so please feel free to let me know if something should be modified.)

• STARRING KITTY by Keris Stainton (MG – L)
• BETTER NATE THAN EVER and FIVE, SIX, SEVEN, NATE! by Tim Federle (MG – G)
• GEORGE by Alex Gino (MG – T)
• GRACEFULLY GRAYSON by Ami Polonsky (MG – T)

• MORE HAPPY THAN NOT by Adam Silvera (YA – G)
• SIMON VS. THE HOMO SAPIENS AGENDA by Becky Albertalli (YA – G)
• The Rainbow Trilogy by Alex Sanchez (YA – G)
• 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)
• ARISTOTLE AND DANTE DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE by Benjamin Alire Saenz (YA – G)
• HERO by Perry Moore (YA – G)
• OPENLY STRAIGHT by Bill Konigsburg (YA – G)
• ONE MAN GUY by Michael Barakiva (YA – G)
• ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN by Will Walton (YA – G)
• THE GREAT AMERICAN WHATEVER by Tim Federle (YA – G)
• TRUE LETTERS FROM A FICTIONAL LIFE by Kenneth Logan (YA – G)
• PROXY by Alex London (YA – G)
• THE CULLING by Steven dos Santos (YA – G)
• IT LOOKS LIKES THIS by Rafi Mittlefehldt (YA – G)
• LAST SEEN LEAVING by Caleb Roehrig (YA – G)
• TATTOO ATLAS by Tim Floreen (YA – G)
• TIMEKEEPER by Tara Sim (YA – G)
• JERKBAIT by Mia Siegert (YA – G)
• THE FIVE STAGES OF ANDREW BRAWLEY by Shaun David Hutchinson (YA – G)
• WE ARE THE ANTS by Shaun David Hutchinson (YA – G)
• I’LL GIVE YOU THE SUN by Jandy Nelson (YA – G)
• AND I DARKEN by Kiersten White (YA – G)
• YOU KNOW ME WELL by Nina LaCour and David Levithan (YA – G,L)
• ANNIE ON MY MIND by Nancy Garden (YA – L)
• ASK THE PASSENGERS by AS King (YA – Q)+
• CODA by Emma Trevayne (YA – B)
• WHATEVER by S.J. Goslee (YA – B)
• OVER YOU by Amy Reed (YA – B)
• FAR FROM YOU by Tess Sharpe (YA – B)
• NOT OTHERWISE SPECIFIED by Hannah Moskowitz (YA – B)+
• VANISHED and AVENGED by E.E. Cooper (YA – B)
• EMPRESS OF THE WORLD by Sara Ryan (YA – B)
• THE DISTANCE FROM A TO Z by Natalie Blitt (YA – B)
• LOOK BOTH WAYS by Alison Cherry (YA – Q)+
• ASH by Malinda Lo (YA – L)
• HUNTRESS by Malinda Lo (YA – Q)
• ADAPTATION and INHERITANCE by Malinda Lo (YA – B)
• THE ART OF WISHING and THE FOURTH WISH by Lindsay Ribar (YA – B)
• THE MISEDUCATION OF CAMERON POST by Emily Danforth (YA – L)
• SILHOUETTE OF A SPARROW by Molly Beth Griffin (YA – Q)
• GEOGRAPHY CLUB by Brent Hartinger (YA – G,B)
• FANS OF THE IMPOSSIBLE LIFE by Kate Scelsa (YA – G,Q)+
• 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)
• TELL ME AGAIN HOW A CRUSH SHOULD FEEL by Sara Farizan (YA – L)
• THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN YOU AND ME by Madeleine George (YA – L,Q)
• DIRTY LONDON by Kelley York (YA – L)
• THE SHATTERING by Karen Healey (YA – L)
• DARE TRUTH OR PROMISE by Paula Boock (YA – L)
• SISTER MISCHIEF by Laura Goode (YA – L)
• SCARS by Cheryl Rainfield (YA – L)
• GREAT by Sara Benincasa (YA – L)
• BLEEDING EARTH by Kaitlin Ward (YA – L)
• THE SUMMER I WASN’T ME by Jessica Verdi (YA – L)+
• EVERYTHING LEADS TO YOU by Nina LaCour (YA – L)
• DATING SARAH COOPER by Siera Maley (YA – L)
• FRESHMAN YEAR by Annameekee Hesik (YA – L)
• AN UNSTILL LIFE by Kate Larkindale (YA – L)
• AFTERWORLDS by Scott Westerfeld (YA – Q)
• OTHERBOUND by Corinne Duyvis (YA – B,L)
• MY YEAR ZERO by Rachel Gold (YA – B,L)
• THE SCORPION RULES by Erin Bow (YA – B)
• UNDER THREAT by Robin Stevenson (YA – L)
• KEEPING YOU A SECRET by Julie Anne Peters (YA – L)
• WITHOUT ANNETTE by Jane B. Mason (YA – L)
• TUMBLING by Caela Carter (YA – L)
• WINNING by Lara Zeises Deloza (YA – L)
• SOUTH OF SUNSHINE by Dana Elmendorf (YA – L)
• LIES WE TELL OURSELVES by Robin Talley (YA – L)
• THIS IS WHERE IT ENDS by Marieke Nijkamp (YA – L)
• SOUND by Alexandra Duncan (YA – L)
• THE ABYSS SURROUNDS US by Emily Skrutskie (YA – L)
• 37 THINGS I LOVE (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER) by Kekla Magoon (YA – Q,L)
• ABOUT A GIRL by Sarah McCarry (YA – L,B,T)+
• UNDER THE LIGHTS by Dahlia Adler (YA – L,B)
• CUT BOTH WAYS by Carrie Mesrobian (YA – B)
• WILLFUL MACHINES by Tim Floreen (YA – G)
• WHAT WE LEFT BEHIND by Robin Talley (YA – L,GQ)+
• WONDERS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD by Christopher Barzak (YA – Q)
• ASK ME HOW I GOT HERE by Christine Hepperman (YA – B)
• TRUST ME, I’M TROUBLE by Mary Elizabeth Summers (YA – B)
• THE IMPOSTOR QUEEN by Sarah Fine (YA – B)
• SHALLOW GRAVES by Kali Wallace (YA – B)
• GENA/FINN by Hannah Moskowitz and Kat Helgeson (YA – B)
• A DARKLY BEATING HEART by Lindsay Smith (YA – B)
• RUN by Kody Keplinger (YA – B)
• GIRL MANS UP by M-E Girard (YA – Q)
• AS I DESCENDED by Robin Talley (YA – B,L)
• GEORGIA PEACHES AND OTHER FORBIDDEN FRUIT by Jaye Robin Brown (YA – L)
• OF FIRE AND STARS by Audrey Coulthurst (YA – B,L)
• BEAST by Brie Spangler (YA – T)
• WHEN THE MOON WAS OURS by Anna Marie McLemore (YA – Q,T)
• LOVE IN THE TIME OF GLOBAL WARMING by Francesca Lia Block (YA – B,T)
• IF I WAS YOUR GIRL by Meredith Russo (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)
• BEING EMILY by Rachel Gold (YA – T)
• JESS, CHUNK, AND THE ROAD TRIP TO INFINITY by Kristin Elizabeth Clark (YA – T)
• THE UNINTENTIONAL TIME TRAVELER by Everett Maroon (YA – T)
• THE ART OF BEING NORMAL by Lisa Williamson (YA – T) (UK only)
• DEADLY SWEET LIES by Erica Cameron (YA – L,A)
• ALEX AS WELL by Alyssa Brugman (YA – I)
• GOLDEN BOY by Abigail Tarttelin (YA* – I)
• PANTOMIME and SHADOWPLAY by Laura Lam (YA – I,B)
• NONE OF THE ABOVE by I.W. Gregorio (YA – I)
• THIS SONG IS (NOT) FOR YOU by Laura Nowlin (YA – A)
• WE AWAKEN by Calista Lynne (YA – A)
• SEVEN WAYS WE LIE by Riley Redgate (YA – P,A)
• LIZARD RADIO by Pat Schmatz (YA – NB)
• SYMPTOMS OF BEING HUMAN by Jeff Garvin (YA – GF)

• STRONG SIGNAL by Megan Erickson and Santino Hassel (NA – G)
• TRUST THE FOCUS by Megan Erickson (NA – G)
• FOCUS ON ME by Megan Erickson (NA – G)
• OUT OF FRAME by Megan Erickson (NA – G,B)
• SOCIAL SKILLS by Sara Alva (NA – G)
• LOVE LESSONS by Heidi Cullinan (NA – G)
• OUT IN THE OPEN by A.J. Truman (NA – G)
• OFF CAMPUS by Amy Jo Cousins (NA – B,G)
• NOTHING LIKE PARIS by Amy Jo Cousins (NA – G)
• THE UNDERSTATEMENT OF THE YEAR by Sarina Bowen (NA – G)
• CARRY THE OCEAN by Heidi Cullinan (NA – G)
• OVEREXPOSED by Megan Erickson (NA – G,D)
• THE GRAVITY BETWEEN US by Kristen Zimmer (NA – L)
• TAKE THEM BY STORM by Marie Landry (NA – L)
• THE GIRL NEXT DOOR by Amy Jo Cousins (NA – B)
• **THE WICKED WE HAVE DONE and OUR BROKEN SKY by Sarah Harian (NA – L)
• OUT ON GOOD BEHAVIOR by Dahlia Adler (NA – P,L)
• JUST GIRLS by Rachel Gold (NA – L,B/T)
• TREASURE by Rebekah Weatherspoon (NA – L)
• THE GOOD GIRLS by Teresa Mummert (NA – L,B)
• UNCOVERING RAY by Edie Danford (NA – GQ)
• BLACK IRIS by Elliot Wake w/a Leah Raeder (NA – Q,B)
• CAM GIRL by Elliot Wake w/a Leah Raeder (NA – B,GQ/L)+
• BAD BOY by Elliot Wake (NA – B/T)+
• HOLD ME by Courtney Milan (NA – T)

*Technically published as Adult, but reportedly very YA-appropriate, and obviously Intersex is a rare enough category

**LGBTQ romance is secondary in the novel, but primary in the associated novella

And finally, a list of upcoming* QUILTBAG MG/YA/NA:

2017

• STAR-CROSSED by Barbara Dee (MG – L)

• HISTORY IS ALL YOU LEFT ME by Adam Silvera (YA – G)
• THEY BOTH DIE AT THE END by Adam Silvera (YA – G)
• THE ART OF STARVING by Sam Miller (YA – G)
• THESE BOOKS BELONG TO KEN Z by R. Zamora Linmark (YA – G)
• LOVE INTEREST by Cale Dietrich (YA – G)
• THE GENTLEMAN’S GUIDE TO VICE AND VIRTUE by Mackenzi Lee (YA – B)
• MEG & LINUS by Hanna Nowinski (YA – G,L)
• HOW TO MAKE A WISH by Ashley Herring Blake (YA – B)
• QUEENS OF GEEK by Jen Wilde (YA – B)
• NOTEWORTHY by Riley Redgate (YA – B)
• BOOMERANG by Helene Dunbar (YA – B)
• LIKE WATER by Rebecca Podos (YA – B)
• LITTLE & LION by Brandy Colbert (YA – B)
• A GOOD IDEA by Cristina Maracho (YA – B)
• THAT INEVITABLE VICTORIAN THING by E.K. Johnston
• RAMONA BLUE by Julie Murphy (YA – Q)
• 10 THINGS I CAN SEE FROM HERE by Carrie Mac (YA – Q)
• ECHO AFTER ECHO by Amy Rose Capetta (YA – Q,L)
• OUR OWN PRIVATE UNIVERSE by Robin Talley (YA – L)
• IT’S NOT LIKE IT’S A SECRET by Misa Siguira (YA – L)
• THE GALLERY OF UNFINISHED GIRLS by Lauren Karcz (YA – Q)
• KALEIDOSCOPE SONG by Fox Benwell (YA – Q)
• 27 HOURS by Tristina Wright (YA – G,B,Q,B/T)+
• IF FOUND RETURN TO ASTROPOP by Lucas Hargis (YA – GF)
• MASK OF SHADOWS by Linsey Miller (YA – GF)
• LOOKING FOR GROUP by Rory Harrison (YA – BT)
• THE 57 BUS by Dashka Slater (YA – AG)
• TASH HEARTS TOLSTOY by Kathryn Ormsbee (YA – A)

2018

• A LINE IN THE DARK by Malinda Lo (YA – L)
• LIZZIE by Dawn Ius (YA – L)
• STARWORLD by Audrey Coulhurst and Paula Garner (YA – L)
• PULP by Robin Talley (YA – L)
• DEAR RACHEL MADDOW by Adrienne Kisner (YA – Q)
• SEMPER AUGUSTUS by Mackenzi Lee (YA – Q)
• THE SUMMER OF JORDI PEREZ (AND THE BEST BURGER IN LA) by Amy Spalding (YA – L)
• LOVE AND OTHER CARNIVOROUS PLANTS by Florence Gonsalves (YA)
• SOCIAL INTERCOURSE by Greg Howard (YA – G)
• THE ART OF BLENDING IN by Angelo Surmelis (YA – G)
• SOMETIME AFTER MIDNIGHT by L. Philips (YA – G)
• THE TRUE QUEEN by Sarah Fine (YA – B)
• GIRL MADE OF STARS by Ashley Herring Blake (YA – B, GQ)
• THE APOCALYPSE OF ELENA MENDOZA by Shaun David Hutchinson
• LET’S TALK ABOUT LOVE by Claire Kann (YA – A)
• ALL OUT, ed. by Saundra Mitchell

2019

• When We Set the Dark on Fire by Tehlor Kay Mejia

TBA

• THE QUIET ONES by Ellen Goodlett (YA – B)
• REIGN OF THE FALLEN by Sarah Glenn Marsh (YA – Q)

Non-Fiction

• BEYOND MAGENTA by Susan Kuklin (YA – T)
• BEING JAZZ by Jazz Jennings (YA – T)
• FEMINISM FOR THE REAL WORLD edited by Kelly Jensen (YA – L,G,B,T,T,Q)

*In order to be listed, the book must be contracted (if being traditionally published) or completed (if self-published) and on Goodreads with a release date.

If you’ve got a book rec, or read a blog post on the subject that meant a lot to you, or are an author of QUILTBAG YA whose book isn’t listed here, or you’re an agent who wants to be added to the list – whatever – please drop a note in the comments! (Please note I won’t be adding any books to the list I haven’t read.)