Voices of Now: Young Queer Writers You Should Be Reading
Carmen Maria MachadoPhoto Credit: Carmen Maria Machado / Instagram
Today, reading has become a pastime one usually does while scrolling through social media. For those who have enough time to sit down and actually enjoy a novel it’s probably done on a tablet device. It’s not a bound book and that’s okay, as long as fans are keeping literature alive, it won’t be forgotten. For the queer community, their stories are only now becoming the narratives in popular fiction. Not even 30 years ago some booksellers hid works about the LGBTQ+ community in the mental health and wellness section. Now our stories can be found in all sections, even in children’s books. Queer writers are finally at the forefront of modern storytelling, and their stories aren’t just changing where they are placed in the card index cabinet, but how they affect the lives of people reading them. Here are six queer authors writing fiction for modern times and making sure queer stories are archived for future generations.
The craze that Casey McQuiston created with their work “Red, White and Royal Blue” is still palpable. The film adaptation brought queer awareness to the literary space and added to the ever-growing gay romantic comedy genre which thanks to their book has become a prominent theme in mainstream cinema. When asked how it felt writing a bi character, Casey — who is bisexual herself — said :
“It feels amazing! I love being bi. There are so many layers and shades of it to explore, I think it has really forced me to spend more time with my own feelings and get to know myself better. There are so few bisexual leading characters in media.”
Torrey Peters
Torrey Peters burst onto the literary scene with her deeply personal novel, “Detransition, Baby,” it’s culturally important because one the problem with mainstream society regarding trans issues is the lack of education. Her writing explores gender, relationships, and identity, making her one of the most talked-about and important voices in contemporary fiction.
Akwaeke Emezi
A genre-defying storyteller, Emezi brings a distinct voice to queer fiction through novels like “Freshwater.” That profound work challenges traditional narrative structures by narrating from different points of view, and it gets into exploring identity, and spirituality. It’s a journey from birth to self-realization. Emezi has this to say about her experience writing it. “Oh, it was terribly difficult to write. There was a lot of trauma revisited, and doing so through the lens of Igbo ontology was unfamiliar and terrifying, especially at first.”
Ocean Vuong
Modern queer writers who explore multiple genres allow many eyes to experience their works and therefore many markets. While mostly known as a poet, Ocean Vuong’s fiction has captured wide attention for its emotional depth and lyrical style. His “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” introduces readers to a relaxed and introspective form of queer storytelling that explores social hardships and cultural dynamics. It might be tough to read in some parts, but the story isn’t unique.
Kacen Callender
Kacen Callender is a prolific and versatile writer, whose stories span genres—from contemporary to queer and trans characters. Mostly aimed at Young Adults, Callender explores perspectives not readily available in mainstream fiction. Their work, “Felix Ever After” speaks directly to younger audiences who might be navigating their own identity and working toward self-acceptance. Reading their books might be a rite of passage for some young bookworms.
Carmen Maria Machado
Horror and fantasy are popular genres among queer people and Carmen Maria Machado provides perspectives in that genre not often written about in the contemporary world. Her works are geared toward YA readers but center around gay and trans characters. “Her Body and Other Parties” is a collection of short stories that should be read because of its inventive narratives and untapped sexually dynamic storytelling.
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