If I Tell You, Alicia Tuckerman (2018) Note: We don't give star-ratings. We review in order to encourage the development of AusQueerYA, by deconstructing the good and the bad bits, to learn and grow as writers. *mega spoilers* The Blurb: ‘The second our eyes lock in the dark is all the time I need to … Continue reading Review: If I Tell You, Alicia Tuckerman
Love, Actually, isn’t just Romantic.
Re-imagining romance and sex in YA fiction, inclusive of asexual/aromantic identities. It was Valentine’s Day recently (in case you didn’t realise). What’s this got to do with AusQueerYA? Not a lot, really. But Valentine’s Day, and in particular the weeks of lead up to this day, have inspired a thought train. There is an invisibility … Continue reading Love, Actually, isn’t just Romantic.
Saying Goodbye: The Place of Death in Queer YA
CW: Death, grief, mention of suicide. Extra warning: spoilers ahead, avert your gaze if you do not want spoilers to Alicia Tuckerman's, If I Tell You, or Adam Silvera's, They Both Die at the End. I read two YA books over the Christmas break, and both of them involved the death of a Queer main … Continue reading Saying Goodbye: The Place of Death in Queer YA
Year in Review
Well, we certainly got our words out this year. First up, a huge and heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported us, followed us, boosted us and reached out to us this year. Without you, none of the following would have been achieved. So go on, give yourself a big hug. A bigger one … Continue reading Year in Review
You Are Not Alone: Why Queer YA Matters
The Australian Queer community is facing a tough battle right now. Our identity, lifestyle and basic human rights are being publicly debated, as though we are a new species of cane toad, rather than human beings. Many people in the Queer community have logged off, powered down and are patiently waiting out the storm. This … Continue reading You Are Not Alone: Why Queer YA Matters
You Are Enough: Queer activism and how being strong and being vulnerable are not mutually exclusive states.
There is this confusion in activism that being strong means never let anything touch you. People think it means having a thick skin, a core of rock and never feeling afraid. Sure, you can be all these things as an activist, but being vulnerable, being scared and being emotional doesn’t mean you’re not cut out … Continue reading You Are Enough: Queer activism and how being strong and being vulnerable are not mutually exclusive states.
Diversity: You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
Content warning: swear words and generally angry rant ahead. I get it. I really do. I’ve fallen into the diversity trap multiple times in the last few weeks alone, but I’m putting a stop to it now. I’m calling for a blackout on the word ‘diverse’. And sorry to break it to you Straight people, … Continue reading Diversity: You keep using that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.
