#proudbook

[dreamalottie]

The best day @yalc_uk sharing this UTTER BEAUT of a #ProudBook cover, designed by Stripes’ art director Paul Coomey - huge thanks to Juno Dawson for her helping with the great cover uncloseting! We can’t wait to share the whole anthology of poetry, stories and art by an absolutely stellar line up of brilliant LGBTQ+ creatives in March 2019. Watch this space for preorder news. (At the Young Adult Literature Convention at Olympia Conference and Exhibition Centre, London 2018)

[bunnyreading]

I started off pride month with this wonderful anthology compiled by Juno Dawson. I read it all in about two days, I could have probably done it in one tbh, but I'm still revising for my last exam. I loved this book! My favourite stories were On the run by Kay Staples (art by Alex Bertie), The Phoenix's Fault by Cynthia So (art by Priyanka Meenakshi), and Love poems to the city by Moïra Fowley-Doyle (art by Fatti Burke) My all time favourite story though was I Hate Darcy Pemberley by Karen Lawler (art by Kameron White). I have always wanted a gay Pride and Prejudice and her writing style is so witty and fun to read, I really enjoyed reading it. ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

[thereadingchallengechallenge]

Proud: Stories, Poetry and Art on the Theme of Pride Rating: 4/5

"Sing it in defiance of all the people who want you to be quiet. Sing it to lift your own soul from the depths. Sing it to be the music you want in the world." - David Levithan

Proud is an exquisite anthology of short stories, poetry and art about teenagers from across the LGBT+ spectrum. From gay penguins to lesbians with firebirds to campaigning for equality on the streets of Dublin, this is a stunning cross-section of life for LGBT+ teens in the UK and Ireland. My only qualm was that there were no asexual characters.

A wonderful collection perfect for a pick-me-up.

Dive Bar by Caroline Bird - 2/5 - I didn't completely understand this one but it had a nice atmosphere. 

Penguins by Simon James Green - 5/5 - I exploded from the cute (and, of course, I loved Alice Oseman’s artwork). Kippie and Jingles are my new OTP.

On the Run by Kay Staples - 5/5 - Cute and sweet with a little dash of angst. 

The Phoenix’s Fault by Cynthia So - 3/5 - Sweet disaster lesbians with an East Asian setting.

As The Philadelphia Queer Youth Choir Sings Katy Perry’s “Firework”… by David Levithan - 5/5 - Absolutely beautiful. Always love David Levithan’s poetry <3 

Almost Certain by Tanya Byrne - 5/5 - I’m crying. This one just hit something deep inside and resonated. Beautiful.

The Other Team by Michael Lee Richardson - 4/5 - Fun and sweet. Loved the soccer team setting. 

I Hate Darcy Pemberley by Karen Lawler - DNF - I’m sure other people would love a wlw retelling of Pride and Prejudice but it wasn’t for me. 

The Courage of Dragons by Fox Benwell - 4/5 - The best heist story I’ve read for a long time. Loved all the DnD references!

The Instructor by Jess Vallance - 5/5 - Gays learning to drive featuring a chaotic good driving instructor and a peacock named Lionel. Fantastic! 

Love Poems to the City by Moïra Fowley-Doyle - 4/5 - Lyrical and lovely. Nice to get a look at the Irish LGBT+ landscape. 

How to Come Out As Gay by Dean Atta - 5/5 - A beautiful closer reminding us once more that it’s okay to be proud.

[thereadingchallengechallenge]

I’m reading the UK LGBT+ anthology, Proud, and it is just so good. Fingers crossed I can get through it before Thursday so I can review it this week. I love it so much, I wanna share it with everyone lol

[dreamalottie]

Looking back at the photos from YALC yesterday and the crowd turn out for the PROUD cover reveal makes me feel so emotional. It genuinely brings me so much joy and strength and hope to see so many people excited for this LGBTQ+ anthology and I can’t wait to share the stories, poems and art with the world. Time to start planning an epically Queer PR year of which to be well and truly proud.

[dreamalottie]

Today’s #PrideMonthReads prompt is books that need a sequel, and it’s coincided brilliantly with the announcement of our #ChangeBook follow up, LGBTQ+ YA short story anthology #ProudBook, and our big reveal! Here are the four new voices joining the line up alongside our established authors, debut authors Kay Staples, Cynthia So, Michael Lee Richardson and Karen Lawler. They were chosen from over a hundred submissions, with stories spanning representations and genres! We can’t wait to share their stories in March 2019! 🏳️‍🌈🎉🎉🎉🏳️‍🌈

[dreamalottie]

DREAM COME TRUE! #Repost @stripesbooks. Happy Valentines Day booklovers, we are delighted to share that in March 2019 we will publish LGBTQ+ anthology #ProudBook. The line up includes poets @DeanAtta & Caroline Bird, authors @ThisFoxWrites, @tanyabyrne, @moirawithatrema, @simonjamesgreen, @davidlevithan, @jessvallance1 - curated by @junodawson! #ProudBook will also be illustrated! We have @therealalexbertie, @drillustration, @leo.greenfield, @saffa.k and @AliceOseman confirmed to take on an illustration for a story - with more names to be announced. AND THAT’S NOT ALL! As with #UKYAHomeBook and #ChangeBook we will be opening submissions to new unagented writers who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community. Submissions are open now through to end of March. This includes an opportunity for an LGBTQ+ aspiring editor to shadow #ProudBook’s editor @racheltheeditor - deadline for applications is 28th February 2018, in two weeks time, so get your CV ready! Details for submissions and applications at the link bit.ly/ProudBook . Happy Valentine’s Day booklovers! . ❤️💛💚💙💜💖