Hi folks!

The Trans Rights Readathon is over, and I hope you all discovered some great books. It was a bit different for me this year as it was my first one as a trans author, and I was knee deep in a new WIP so didn’t read as much as usual.

But I DID read two incredible books, three fantastic short stories, and have two more books on the go!

Books I read:

Ander & Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa.

I cried 5 times while reading this book. It’s so, so emotional and so gorgeous.

A non-binary Mexican American teenage artist falls for a waiter at their parents’ restaurant. But ICE is a spectre in the background, threatening their happiness.

SO good.

The Spirit Bares its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White.

This is INCREDIBLE.

About a young transmasc medium who tries to escape an arranged marriage but ends up in a school for ‘sick’ girls.

As a trans man who was raised in an institution, it hit hard in a really cathartic way.

Short stories:

Making the Team by Akiva Lee.

Read for free on Akivaleewrites.com

Loved this adorable short story, about a trans swimmer falling for his team captain! It is sweet and spicy, featuring transmasc rep and Jewish rep.

Don’t Press Charges and I Won’t Sue by Charlie Jane Anders.

Read for free on Boston Review.

Loved this terrifying short story.

In a dystopian future, a trans woman is forced to undergo a horrifying procedure, administered by her childhood friend.

Sad, scary, but cathartically enraging.

To Balance the Weight of Khalem by RB Lemberg.

Read for free on Beneath Ceaseless Skies.

I adored this fantasy short story, about a young refugee trying to survive, setting out to sea for an uncertain future.

Current reads:

Somadina by Akwaeke Emezi

I’m halfway through and it’s really intriguing so far! About a girl in a magical land with mysterious powers, trying to find her kidnapped twin brother.

YA fantasy inspired by indigenous Igbo culture.

The Exodontists by Drew Huff (ARC)

I’m a third in, it’s freaking me out in the best way!

A family of creepy supernatural dentists try to find a solution when their warehouse lair is taken over by a Halloween costume store.

Drew also did the cover for my book, so talented!

Much love,

Disco

Hi everyone,

I’m so so excited to reveal the cover for my queer dystopian novella THIS IS HOW THE WORLD ENDS, publishing on 16th September. It’s available for preorder now, via the link!

Cover designed by the incredible Drew Huff.

I love it so much!

Here’s the blurb:

Run the race. Or die.

Britain is at war, isolated by a digital blockade. 

Dissidents run a deadly race for the public’s entertainment, while the flood-ravaged country falls apart. The Cartwright family tries to soldier on, refusing to give in to fear. But when catastrophe looms, Emma Cartwright flees – only to find that life beyond the border is anything but safe. 

The fight for survival has begun. 

This is how the world ends.

I’m still pinching myself, I still can’t quite believe this is happening!

Love,

Disco

Hi Disco Dancers!

I’m doing the official cover reveal for my book THIS IS HOW THE WORLD ENDS on Wednesday on social media, but I wanted to give you a sneak peek ahead of time (please don’t share it until then). Preorders will also be launching on Wednesday.

My queer dystopian novella is coming!

Here’s the blurb:

Run the race. Or die.

Britain is at war, isolated by a digital blockade. 

Dissidents run a deadly race for the public’s entertainment, while the flood-ravaged country falls apart. The Cartwright family tries to soldier on, refusing to give in to fear. But when catastrophe looms, Emma Cartwright flees – only to find that life beyond the border is anything but safe. 

The fight for survival has begun. 

This is how the world ends.

And here’s the cover! Designed by the incredible Drew Huff:

I love it so much!

Love,

Disco

Hi folks!

I celebrated UK Pancake Day a little early yesterday, as I personally like to have a distraction from Valentine’s. I love love, but I’ve just never been a Valentine’s boy. For those for whom this holiday isn’t your thing, here are 3 romance-free diverse SFF books that I love.

Squire by Nadia Shammas and Sara Alfageeh

A brilliant graphic novel by a Palestinian author about an oppressive empire, and a young girl from a marginalised group who signs up for the army as her only route to citizenship. Once she gets there however, her perception of the empire is challenged, and she sees a dire need for change.

The Upper World by Femi Fadugba

A Black boy from south east London experiences the worst day of his life, but then discovers a way to travel back in time, can he change his future?

I adore this book and the way it represents south east London, a very Black area of London and where I lived during my 20s. The dialogue is written in SE London dialect too, which is rare to see and find very well. There’s also tons of fun wibbly wobbly timey wimey stuff.

Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett

This is a standalone Discworld novel, a comedy fantasy Mulan retelling, that follows a young ‘girl’ who signs up for the army and pretends to be a boy. I say ‘girl’ because this was the first positive transmasc rep I’d ever encountered as a kid, and many other trans people have identified with it. Terry Pratchett (my favourite author), said he was honoured that the trans community took comfort in it.

Disco xx

Hi folks!

I’ve had a wild reading week. I’ve been flat out at work and instead of cosying up with comfort reads, I delved into conceptual sci fi and weird horror instead. Everything I read was great though! But perhaps not for the squeamish.

There is No Antimemetics Division by qntm.

A mind-bending conceptual sci fi thriller about an organisation dealing with unknown entities that manipulate and wipe memories.

One of the best sci fi books I have EVER read. I’m still thinking about it. Confusing, enthralling, dark, funny… a masterful piece of writing.

Chomp Chomp by Azalea Crowley

A horror romance novella from one of my absolute favourite writers. An elegant Asian-American woman goes on a date in the 80s, but the evening has surprises in store…

This is a lot gorier than Azalea’s usually cute/creepy work, and I am so here for it. But be warned, it’s a… well… it’s a LOT. I had a blast though. I really am in my horror phase.

How to Cook and Eat the Rich by Sunyi Dean

A short story about cooking and eating the rich. I don’t want to say more than that other than I loved it! Very funny and I loved the format, all done in second person one-sided dialogue, which worked fantastically for the story.

And one of the coolest covers ever.

Let me know what you’re reading in the comments, or join us on the Discord!

Love,

Disco