We’re another week closer to Pride Book Fest (PBF), and another round of panels has been announced. Last week, PBF shared one panel per weekday. This week, they gave us even more to look forward to, as they doubled up their announcements! Check out this week’s announcements below.
Coming of Age: Love, Dating, Sex, and Coming Out
Join Isaac Fitzsimmons, Emery Lee, Adiba Jaigirdar, Margot Wood, Robbie Couch, and Jonny Garza Villa as they discuss their first loves, how coming out works within their stories, what “coming of age” means for queer teens, and more! The panel is moderated by Kati (@kati.reads.books on TikTok and Instagram).
Queercoded: Monsters, Villains, and Machines
Zoe Hana Mikuta, Jessica Lewis, Adam Sass, H.E. Edgmon, and Caleb Roehrig provide an engaging and thoughtful conversation about the history of villains, monsters, and machines being queercoded in pop culture. Rosie (@merrowchild on Instagram and TikTok) will moderate.
If This Gets Out Live Event
On Saturday, June 12 at 11:00 EST, PBF welcomes Sophie Gonzales and Cale Dietrich to discuss their upcoming YA novel If This Gets Out. PBF will host the event in collaboration with East City Bookshop. The event will be livestreamed on PBF’s YouTube channel and is free to attend. Readers who pre-order a copy of the book directly from East City Bookshop will receive a bookplate signed by both authors. If This Gets Out releases on December 7. Pre-order your copy here.
Be Gay, Do Crimes: Writing Queer Thrillers & Mysteries
Listen to this thrilling conversation with Wendy Heard, P.J. Vernon, Nekesa Afia, Mia P. Manansala, and Nicolas DiDomizio as they discuss genre conventions (e.g. tropes, pacing, etc.), how they research, and how queer identities impact their stories. Erik (@theboywiththeraventattoo on Instagram) moderates the panel.
Politics & Queer Activism in Young Adult Lit
Camryn Garrett, Abdi Nazemian, Jasper Sanchez, Steven Salvatore, and Daniel Aleman take a deep dive into reader expectations, the power of teen activism, how queer writing is activism in itself, the limitations of fiction, and more.
Queer Adventure: Epic Quests, Buried Treasure, and Space Operas
Traverse the vast expanse of the universe with Maggie Tokuda-Hall, Amy Ewing, M.K. England, C.B. Lee, and F.T. Lukens as they discuss the adventure sub-genre of sci-fi/ fantasy and the intersection of queerness, exploring worldbuilding, genre conventions, what makes the genre so epic, and more! The panel is moderated by Kaliisha (@kalisbookishrambles on Instagram).
In Our Words: A Call to Action
Celeste Castro, Latoya Hankins, Anne Shade, Akil Wingate, and Mayapee Chowdhury come together to discuss the creation of the anthology book In Our Words: Queer Stories from Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Writers – a book created in the wake of George Floyd’s murder to celebrate BIPOC authors. The group will discuss their stories and putting out a call to action within and outside of the publishing industry to better support queer Black creators.
Writing Queer Middle Grade
Maulik Pancholy, Claribel A. Ortega, Chad Lucas, Jake Maia Arlow, and A.J. Sass remind us that even the youngest readers need queer rep! Join them as they discuss writing creating compelling stories that resonate with young readers and are close to their hearts. Mx. Bree (@mx.readtherainbow on Instagram and TikTok) moderates.
How to Craft Complex Queer Characters
Creating great characters isn’t easy, but Leah Johnson, Adam Silvera, Phil Stamper, and Mark Oshiro will give a little insight as they discuss how to craft strong and rounded queer characters, as well as dive into their own personal experiences in the industry.
LGBTQ+ writers who watch this panel will also have the chance to enter a givewaway to win a query critique by a literary agent. To enter follow the link in the panel video description (schedule to come). Five winners will be chosen. More details and guidelines will release at a later date.
Let’s Talk About Sex Positivity Live Event
Join authors Camryn Garrett (Off the Record) and Jason June (Jay’s Gay Agenda) on Friday, June 11 at 7. p.m. ET as they discuss sex positivity within queer lit. This live event is hosted by Charis Books & More and will be moderated by Steven Salvatore. Make sure to tune into this must see panel on PBF’s YouTube channel.
Pride Book Fest will take place virtually from June 11-13. The event will feature over 100 queer authors, illustrators, and creators joining together to discuss all things queer lit in pre-recorded panels and other live events. The official schedule will be released in June. In the meantime, follow PBF Twitter and Instagram, and be sure to subscribe to their YouTube channel. Check back next week for the next round of panels.
