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In recent years, trans and nonbinary characters have begun to gain more prominent roles in literature, moving beyond being mere side characters or stereotypes. High-profile releases such as Stag Dance by Torrey Peters and Emily St. James’s Woodworking reflect this shift, highlighting the rich narratives that can be created around these identities. PW recently engaged with authors whose upcoming works focus on the multifaceted portrayals of trans and nonbinary characters.
Layered Meanings
A.E. Osworth’s upcoming novel Awakened tells the story of a group of trans witches battling against a malicious artificial intelligence. Osworth shares that they used an unconventional AI, named Botnik Voicebox, to help craft the AI antagonist while drawing inspiration for the human characters from tarot readings. They emphasize the idea of representation as subjective: “While I may not find characters that mirror my experience exactly, I see elements of myself in many different portrayals,” Osworth notes. Their intent is to showcase diverse dimensions of the trans community rather than positioning a single character as an all-encompassing representative.
Andrew Joseph White introduces readers to You Weren’t Meant to Be Human, marking his transition from young adult horror to adult fiction. The narrative explores themes of identity through the lens of a mutant invasion, focusing on a mute, autistic trans man named Crane who faces an unexpected pregnancy. White articulates that his work sheds light on the struggles of marginalized identities, positing that horror provides a necessary framework to confront societal pressures directly. “In truly seeing ourselves, we often have to confront uncomfortable truths about existence,” he explains.
In When the Harvest Comes, debut author Denne Michele Norris presents Davis, a professional violinist grappling with familial loss and its emotional aftermath on his relationship with Everett. Norris aims to weave a love story where the protagonist, despite being marginalized, is still portrayed as flawed and relatable. “I wanted to craft characters who resemble real people—imperfect and making poor choices, much like anyone else,” she states.
The narrative landscape surrounding representation is evolving, as authors like Lee Lai observe. Lai’s forthcoming graphic novel, Cannon, explores the complexities of friendship between two queer Chinese comedians, emphasizing that identity does not always dictate the narrative. “As storytellers, we are moving towards nuanced portrayals of identity that transcend mere labels,” Lai reflects.
Only Human
Nicola Dinan’s latest work, Bellies, with Disappoint Me, follows Max, a trans woman reevaluating her life choices in her 30s. Through this narrative, Dinan underscores the societal expectations placed on individuals as they navigate their personal journeys. “My characters reflect the struggles of those around me, reinforcing that complexities and shortcomings make them relatable,” she affirms.
Debut author Max Delsohn expresses excitement for the growing diversity within trans literature, emphasizing the importance of unique narratives that reflect personal experiences rather than a singular viewpoint. His story collection, Crawl, set against the backdrop of Seattle, explores the intricate lives of transmasculine characters, each faced with their own challenges.
Mason Deaver’s The Build-a-Boyfriend Project involves the character Eli, a trans man navigating themes of love and identity within the complexities of adult relationships. Deaver reflects on the progress made in trans representation, explaining how contemporary narratives allow characters to exist outside of their gender identities, thus making them more human and relatable. “Writing Eli, I found that my experiences resonated not only with my identity but also with those around him,” he states.
In Notes from a Regicide, Isaac Fellman explores the life of Griffon Keming, a trans journalist dealing with deep personal loss amid a futuristic setting. The story addresses themes of love and identity through the lens of personal history. “The evolution of representation in literature highlights the necessity for trans characters to exist as fully realized individuals, rather than symbols or clichés,” Fellman notes, suggesting a positive shift in the literary landscape.
This development is indicative of the larger cultural shifts taking place, where diverse and realistic portrayals are increasingly valued in storytelling. Authors today can share complex narratives that resonate deeply without being forced into a singular identity narrative. As trans and nonbinary representations gain traction, characters can explore the vastness of human experience beyond just gender identity.
Read more from our LGBTQ+ Books feature.
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These YA Novelists Celebrate Queer, Fat Characters
6 Inclusive Nonfiction Books for Kids and Teens
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