Is this thing still on...

In fairness to myself, I did publish a book, have two major occurrences in the family and set up a queer marketing studio.

The last time I wrote to you, it was the eve of my book launch.

My book Outrage was published nearly seven months ago now, and being an author is both more than I could ever have expected and also remarkably similar to everyday life.

Spotting your book out and about never gets old, nor does having readers come up to you in the street. At the same time, it has been bittersweet to have written a book at a time when things are materially getting worse for LGBTQ+ people.

I’m currently writing the edits for the paperback, and reflecting upon the last months has been devastating. What is worst, for me, is that it is clearly not for lack of trying; 100k+ people can show up for London Trans+ Pride and still be ignored. That’s not a lack of effort, that is an active choice by the government, institutions, companies and individuals to look away from harm.

There are, of course, moments that make the entire process worth it. The joy of walking into a bookshop and seeing your name on the shelf. The emails from readers saying your words helped them feel less alone. The conversations with people who’ve brought the book into their schools, GP’s waiting rooms, their book clubs, their workplaces. Being an author means getting to be part of those small but powerful connections not just in the UK but globally - my book has travelled far more internationally than I ever have.

I’m still booking in book events, so if you’re interested in hosting me, please get in touch.

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Pansy Studios

If you’ve been on Instagram, you’ll have likely seen that I set up Pansy Studios, a queer-led marketing business. This was, in part, a clever way to brand my marketing work – the thing that actually paid the mortgage - so it was easier for people to know that it was a service I offered. As part of this I knew I would need access to a freelance talent pool and – lo and behold – I accidentally set up the largest directory of LGBTQ+ freelance talent anywhere in the world. Oops.

I ended up doing a number of very successful projects, not least securing massive international press, selling over two thousand streaming tickets, and developing marketing campaigns that reached millions for an all-trans production of Twelfth Night, introduced by Sir Ian McKellen.

What has been most rewarding, though, is seeing LGBTQ+ freelancers find work, pay their bills, and collaborate on projects they actually care about. In the middle of everything else – book launches, edits, family health crises, moving siblings, trying to make sure I eat and sleep – building something that sustains other queer people has been the best kind of accident.

If you’re interested in working with mea on your project, get in touch at contact@pansystudios.co.uk

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The Coast is Queer Festival

In October I’ll be at The Coast is Queer festival in Brighton. It’s one of the best queer lit festivals in the country and I’m really glad to be part of it - I adored attending last year. One of my events is already sold out, but there are tickets left for the second event which is specifically about what we can do to fight for LGBTQ+ equality. If you’re nearby - or just fancy a weekend at the seaside – come along. Book tickets, bring your mates, make it a thing.

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Tomorrow I head off to spend a week off with my best friend Wednesday, a brilliant trans and queer illustrator and community organiser. There’s more I want to write about the past few months, and I will, in due course. But I’m hoping that for now you’ll accept that I am tired, on the eve of a holiday and wanted to reach out in this small way in the hope it’s easier to write the next newsletter. There are so many things I want to say about queerness, disability and the state of things and I’m sure I will. But when I’m rested, because otherwise, what is the point?