Off the straight and narrow
Jes Battis, author of The Winter Knight, shares some of their favourite novels with trans and neurodivergent protagonists.
Since the 2013 publication of Imogen Binnie's Nevada, there's been an explosion of novels with trans protagonists who are allowed to be complex, messy, and beautiful. Trans and nonbinary stories haven't always been embraced by traditional publishing, but this list features a variety of nuanced characters, from rock stars and prom kings to heroes and futuristic dog-walkers. These are books crafted for trans and nonbinary readers in particular, and many of them feature neurodivergent characters as well. They reveal how trans and nonbinary people have always existed, across genres and histories, and how we persist into the future.
Nevada
I recommend this book to everyone. In many ways, it started a Renaissance of realist trans literature designed to be accessible for trans readers. After her girlfriend breaks up with her, a New York bookstore employee quits her job and goes on a road-trip to find herself. Full of dark wit and great advice, like: “If you think you’re trans, you probably are.”
View eBook View AudiobookQueens of Geek
Two protagonists—one queer, one autistic—navigate a complex fan convention, full of internal dramas and catastrophes. I love how this novel deals with fandom, and needing to stand out vs. trying to fit in (plus, there’s a sweet romance).
View eBook View AudiobookLittle Fish
Follows the lives of trans women living in Winnipeg, and the complex friendships they form as a means of solidarity and survival. Wendy is one of my favorite flawed and relatable protagonists, and there’s a neurodivergent supporting character as well.
View eBook View AudiobookMay the Best Man Win
The prom story you didn’t know you needed. Jeremy battles with his ex, Lukas, for the title of prom king. I love that Jeremy gets to be angry, and Lukas is a rare and wonderful example of queer autistic representation.
View eBook View AudiobookFuture Feeling
A gentle dystopia that includes techno-witches, a spiritual journey through transition, and a dog-walker protagonist who accidentally curses his celebrity crush. Both a delicate satire and a moving story of trans futures.
View eBook View AudiobookI Wish You All the Best
A gut-punching but beautiful YA novel about a teen thrown out of their house after they come out as nonbinary. The relationship between Ben and Nathan is both sweet and nuanced. Deaver’s book has also paved the way for more novels with nonbinary protagonists.
View eBook View AudiobookAny Other City
This novel is designed brilliantly as an album. Side A focuses on Tracy St. Cyr as she connects with a community of trans women in a mythical city. Side B explores her rise to fame as lead-singer of the Static Saints. A lush and beautiful follow-up to Little Blue Encyclopedia for Vivian.
View eBookFierce Femmes and Notorious Liars: A Dangerous Trans Girl’s Confabulous Memoir
A fantasy memoir about a haunted kung-fu expert who finds a community of trans women warriors in the Street of Miracles. This YA novel is full of femme magic and characters who fight back. ◼︎
View AudiobookJES BATTIS (they/them) is a queer autistic writer and teacher. Their first novel, Night Child, was shortlisted for the Sunburst Award. Jes teaches queer and trans studies, medieval literature, and representations of disability/neurodiversity in pop culture at the University of Regina.
The Winter Knight
The Winter Knight is a propulsive urban fairy tale and detective story with queer and trans heroes that asks what it means to be a myth, who gets to star in these tales, and ultimately, how we make our stories our own.
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