Avast!: Pirate Stories from Transgender Authors, edited by Michael Earp and Alison Evans
Get ready to set sail with a crew of rebels and misfits in this thrilling anthology of pirate tales. From CD burners to space pirates with an otherworldly crew, these stories blur the lines between criminal and separatist, playful and heartfelt and showcase a range of unique characters and found families.Featuring seven long-form pieces of writing, including a graphic novella and a verse novella, this collection has been edited by and features trans and non-binary writers, ensuring a fresh and diverse perspective on the pirate genre. So come aboard and discover a world of queer pirates, grey morals and homebrewed ale.
Avast! Pirate Stories From Transgender Authors Edited by Michael Earp and Alison Evans
(2024)
From the Publisher:
Get ready to set sail with a crew of rebels and misfits in this thrilling anthology of pirate tales. From CD burners to space pirates with an otherworldly crew, these stories blur the lines between criminal and separatist, playful and heartfelt and showcase a range of unique characters and found families.
Featuring seven long-form pieces of writing, including a graphic novella and a verse novella, this collection has been edited by and features trans and non-binary writers, ensuring a fresh and diverse perspective on the pirate genre. So come aboard and discover a world of queer pirates, grey morals and homebrewed ale.
Stories from:
Michael Earp
Alison Evans
Madison Godfrey
Alexander Te Pohe
Maddison Stoff
Vika Mana
Mia Nie
Edited by Michael Earp
Contains contributions by: Marlee Jane Ward, Erin Gough, Michael Earp, Jax Jacki Brown, Claire G Coleman, Nevo Zisin, Jen Wilde, Christos Tsiolkas, Ellen van Neerven, Omar Sakr, Alison Evans and Benjamin Law
Overall
This is just a diverse collection of stories aimed squarely at young people. Most of the protagonists are in their mid to late teens or are trying to deal with issues from that point. I would argue that as usual, it is not diverse enough. No one is intersex, no one is ace or aroace, I don't think any of the main characters is trans. But what it does give us is indigenous and disability voices.
Rats by Marlee Jane Ward
Lesbian
Featuring narrator Michielle and interest Maita. It's so very Melbourne it uses our iconic places and the pace of our CBD to drive the story. It feels a bit like a slice of life for the chaotic Michelle. Honestly, it's quite an effective opening.
In Case of Emergency, Break Glass by Erin Gough
Lesbian or Bisexual, Awakening
Featuring narrator Amy and interest Reg. Amy is 16 and kissing her boyfriend is uninspiring to her. While catering at a fancy party she meets Reg. Amy and Reg have this perfect little space that is in almost direct opposition to everything else Amy is with in the story. It is all presented so well the awakening, the flight.
Bitter Draught by Michael Earp
Gay
Featuring narrator Simeon and interest Wyll, with a cameo by Wren an nb Witch. It's a simple-ish find the witch save the girl story. It feels like historical fantasy. It's a well-constructed story short story working well with trope and genre limits, expectations. But it is oh so bittersweet.
I Like Your Rotation by Jax Jacki Brown
Lesbian, Disability
Featuring narrator Jem and interest Drew. Both Jem and Drew are in wheelchairs, though different kinds of chairs. The story kinda focuses a bit on the otherness and exclusion that can appear even in queer safe spaces. That idea of protection. It ends in a perfect place of both pain and optimism.
Sweet by Claire G Coleman
Non Binary
Featuring narrator Roxy and their mad bunch of friends. This is set in a dystopia where gender is illegal, of note is race, Roxy and all her friends are indigenous. Sweet as a story is brilliant playing well on role reversal and fear. The characters are captivating, particularly Sweet herself and Roxy. You want to see them all thrive. Even in such a short story, there are indications of developed lore, Coleman has clearly thought it out well.
Light Bulb by Nevo Zisin
Non Binary or Agender
Featuring a nameless narrator. Light Bulb in one phrase... positively weird. It uses a lot of symbolism and metaphor. This is the kinda one that you just has to be read. But it is good.
Waiting by Jen Wilde
Bisexuality, Lesbian, (lowkey Autism)
Featuring narrator Audrey and interest Josie. Audrey is autistic and bi, a fangirl, from what I know iconic Jen Wilde. This has one of my fave quips about fandom vs sport. "Can I ask you something?" [...] "What's the difference between us being cosplay, and you going to the footy in your team's jersey?" [...] "I'm genuinely curious about this," she continues. "We're here as fans, some of us cosplay. And you're going to the football as a fan, in your own kind of cosplay" - Josie. I have removed the idiot boys' responses because they are less than useful. This one is coming of age brilliance that really makes me want to read Queens of Geek. It's relatable to an adult that community vibe that cons present like nothing else. Yes, like those who are queer we are outsiders nearly everywhere else but get us together and it is like home. A home made up of a loud, eclectic family.
Laura Nyro at the Wedding by Christos Tsiolkas
Gay
Featuring narrator Jack and boyfriend Paul. I'm going to be honest this is the story that stayed with me. This is the longest of the stories at 30 pages, Jack and Paul are also the oldest protagonists. Set in Victoria with at least one migrant protagonist, Serbian Paul. I'm going to put the rest under spoiler because this goes heavy fast.The focus of this is the queerness as in the otherness of having a weight over you, something not about you. It's the power of forgiveness, the impact of the other on family units. I know it is a short story but the story does just end.
Each City by Ellen van Neerven
Queer
Featuring an unnamed narrator and interest Talvan. Set in a slightly dystopian future both main characters are indigenous. The protagonist is running for her safety after gaining government attention as an activist. It's an odd story but I couldn't be more white if I tried, this isn't my culture.
An Arab Werewolf in Liverpool by Omar Sakr
Gay
Featuring narrator Wafat and interest Noah. Unsurprisingly this is supernatural fiction but also adds the cultural other of Islam. It's fun and will likely speak to people of faith. Not just Islam but other faiths as well. I do like it for its variation, it's nice to have the supernatural element covered.
Stormlines by Alison Evans
Non Binary
Featuring narrator Marling and interest New. These two use ve and they pronouns respectively. This is not a romance, it is a story of home. It's effective storytelling if slightly predictable. Alison pushes a neutral pronoun agenda which is always a welcome approach. It gives people permission, options, freedom, license.
Questions to Ask Straight Relatives by Benjamin Law
Gay/Queer
Unlike the other stories in the collection, this isn't a fictional story. It's a mix of a personal story and advice for people of any identity. "Coming out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex or queer can be a massive relief, but it also usually marks the start of having to answer questions from straight people for the rest of your life."... for the rest of your life. now isn't that the scariest part of this coming out thing. Honestly, this section contains just plain brilliant advice for queer people of identity at any point in their life. I can see why Michael Earp positioned it last in the book.
Everything Under the Moon: Fairy tales in a queerer light Edited by Michael Earp and Illustrated by Kit Fox
(2023)
From the Publisher:
Some damsels don’t want to be rescued. Some curses don’t need to be broken. And some of the best happy ever afters won’t be found in storybooks.
Think you know fairy tales?
Think again.
These twelve fairy tales have been spun through a queered lens to reflect our world in stories as old as time. From the furthest reaches of space and the darkest depths of the forest to the street just around the corner, this anthology will excite, challenge and move you.
Featuring stories from some of the biggest names in young adult fiction, Everything Under The Moon is an illuminating celebration of queer love and identity.
Lushly illustrated by up-and-coming talent Kit Fox, this collection includes stories by Michael Earp, Alison Evans, Helena Fox, Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner, Will Kostakis, Jes Layton, Gary Lonesborough, Amber McBride, Abdi Nazemian, Maggie Tokuda-Hall, Alexandra Villasante and Lili Wilkinson.
Kindred: 12 Queer #LoveOzYA Stories edited by Michael Earp
(2019)
From The Publisher:
Twelve of Australia’s best writers from the LGBTQ+ community are brought together in this ground-breaking collection of YA short stories.
What does it mean to be queer? What does it mean to be human? In this powerful #LoveOzYA collection, twelve of Australia’s finest writers from the LGBTQ+ community explore the stories of family, friends, lovers and strangers – the connections that form us. This inclusive and intersectional #OwnVoices anthology for teen readers features work from writers of diverse genders, sexualities and identities, including writers who identify as First Nations, people of colour or disabled. With short stories by bestsellers, award winners and newcomers to young adult fiction including Jax Jacki Brown, Claire G Coleman, Michael Earp, Alison Evans, Erin Gough, Benjamin Law, Omar Sakr, Christos Tsiolkas, Ellen van Neerven, Marlee Jane Ward, Jen Wilde and Nevo Zisin.
Advance praise from Lili Wilkinson: “Beautiful, fresh and exciting, Kindred brings together the pleasure of reading about people who share your own experience, and the delight in discovering lives, worlds and ways of being that are utterly unlike your own. It made me believe that the world is bigger, kinder and more beautiful than I’d thought possible. Kindred peels back the labels we all wear to find the people, stories and beating hearts underneath. It’s a book for everyone.”
An excellent LGBT+ short story anthology with heaps of diversity not just in gender and sexuality but in race, religion and ability as well. My only qualm was that, like the Proud anthology from the UK, there were no asexual characters.
* * *
Rats by Marlee Jane Ward - 2/5 - Not quite my thing but an imaginative way to start the anthology. (wlw)
In Case of Emergency, Break Glass by Erin Gough - 4/5 - disaster lesbians ruining parties to save endangered birds? love it. (wlw)
Bitter Draught by Michael Earp - 3/5 - A bittersweet story about gay farmers looking for herbs. Needed a bit more room to establish the world and relationships. (mlm)
I Like Your Rotation by Jax Jacki Brown - 5/5 - This one had wlw wheelchair users so it’s automatically my favourite. Loved the intersectionality here too. (wlw)
Sweet by Claire G Coleman - 3/5 - I liked the idea of this one and it's very diverse but I was completely lost in regards to the setting. (trans/NB)
Light Bulb by Nevo Zisin - 4/5 - Beautiful imagery with a lovely parent/child relationship. Always good to see supportive parents in queer stories. (trans)
Waiting by Jen Wilde - 5/5 - Can I have an entire novel about Audrey and Josie falling in love and becoming fandom superqueens please??? Awesome #OwnVoices autism rep too! (bi)
Laura Nyro at the Wedding by Christos Tsiolkas - DNF - This one just … does not feel like YA. I didn’t connect to the characters at all. (mlm)
Each City by Ellen van Neerven - 2/5 - Another genre piece that needed a bit more room to develop. (gender diversity)
An Arab Werewolf in Liverpool by Omar Sakr - 4/5 - Wacky and fun. Loved the Muslim LGBT+ rep. (mlm)
Stormlines by Alison Evans - 4/5 - A gentle sci-fi story set amongst the ocean with loads of characters with different gender identities.
Questions to Ask Straight Relatives by Benjamin Law - 5/5 - A nonfiction piece that brilliantly examines the queer perspective. An excellent way to wrap up the anthology. (mlm)
Avast! Pirate Stories from Transgender authors edited by Michael Earp and Alison Evans
goodreads
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Voting ended onSep 12, 2024
Get ready to set sail with a crew of rebels and misfits in this thrilling anthology of pirate tales. From CD burners to space pirates with an otherworldly crew, these stories blur the lines between criminal and separatist, playful and heartfelt and showcase a range of unique characters and found families.Featuring seven long-form pieces of writing, including a graphic novella and a verse novella, this collection has been edited by and features trans and non-binary writers, ensuring a fresh and diverse perspective on the pirate genre. So come aboard and discover a world of queer pirates, grey morals and homebrewed ale.
Mod opinion: I haven't heard of this anthology before, but it sounds interesting and I would like to read it at some point.
