The Ghetto Goddess Series: Brew, Keeper, and Incarnate - a Trans Teen Witch (and her Mother) Find Themselves in the Middle of a Conspiracy

Brew by Dane Figueroa Edidi

Arjana Rambeau, a trans teenager from Baltimore, carries many secrets, one of which is she is a witch. Beginning to start a new school, she finds herself at the center of an unwarranted conspiracy. As she makes new friends, while attempting to maintain her old ones, she must learn how to distinguish who she can trust, because it seems everyone wants a piece of her and her growing powers.

Bembe Rambeau is a mystery, infamous amongst the magical community, she has very few friends but a collection of enemies; enemies, who seem to be attempting to remove not only her allies but her daughter as well; threatening both her small empire and family’s legacy. Bembe must now combat shifting loyalties while crafting an alliance with an enemy who she once wished dead.

Brew follows the lives of a mother and daughter, one who thinks she knows everything and another discovering what she knew isn’t true at all.

Keeper

Arjana Rambeau and Candace Jones are best friends. Born in the heart of Baltimore, both teenagers’ lives have taken drastically different turns. As a secret society of witches gathers, and the Brotherhood of Winter returns, each one of the friends finds themselves in a fight for their lives.

Bembe Rambaeu, and Moni Oshun are powerful witches, but as their collective past returns to haunt them each woman must band together to discover the chilling secret of the legendary GodSlayer, but will what they find be their salvation or their undoing…

Victoria Rambaeu, a former zombie, and an infamous assassin witch, returns to Baltimore much to the displeasure of anyone who has had the misfortune to cross her path. As an ancient lover comes to exact revenge, she must contend with the children she abandoned and the destruction she left behind.

Keeper is the second book in the Ghetto Goddess series and follows a coven of witches and their allies who must do battle with past choices for a future that may destroy their very souls.

Incarnate

When Arjana Rambeau started Magic School, she could never imagine the perils she would have to face. As an old adversary rises and the Brotherhood of Winter exacts revenge, she, her best friend Candace, and her allies must prepare themselves for war.

Bembe Rambeau is trapped in the clutches of a powerful being. As the Heavens mourn and the Underworld rages, new Gods rise to answer the prayers of humanity but peace may only come at the expense of destroying everything the one they call The Savior Of Witches holds dear.

The death of a powerful Witch leaves a power vacuum that shakes the foundation of the magical community, as enemies mount, Marquita Jones and Moni Oshun must team up to protect the legacies of their dead friend.

Incarnate is Book III of the Ghetto Goddess Series and follows a family of Witches and their allies as they fight to protect the universe and survive a devastating Spiritual War.

Gratitude to Rah Froemming-Carter's HALLOWQUEEN: A QUEER HORROR ROUNDUP over at BookRiot where I found out about these titles! Add your review of "Brew," "Keeper", and/or "Incarnate" in comments!

I'm Speaking Tonight in Culver City, California, on a panel about Book Publicity and Marketing

**UPDATE: 10/28/19 1:00 PM Pacific

Because of the fires in Los Angeles, this event has been cancelled and will be rescheduled.**

Wearing my day-job hat as the director of marketing and programming for the nonprofit Independent Book Publishers Association, I'll be on a panel for the Independent Writers of Southern California (IWOSC) / Publishers Association of Los Angeles (PALA):

Publicity Panel — Seeing 2020 Book Publicity More Clearly

Moderated by Steven Sanchez (Vice President, Independent Writers Of Southern California), my fellow panelists include: Emanuela Cariolagian (Senior Public Relations & Transformation Strategist); Kathleen Kaiser (President, Small Publishers, Artists and Writers Network); and Desireé Duffy (Founder of Black Château.)

You can find all the details here.

The light in me recognizes and acknowledges the light in you,
Lee

The Unbinding of Mary Reade - A YA novel "based on the true story of a girl who disguised herself as a boy to sail with the infamous pirates Anne Bonny and Calico Jack—and fell in love with Anne Bonny"

The Unbinding of Mary Reade by Miriam McNamara

There’s no place for a girl in Mary’s world. Not in the home of her mum, desperately drunk and poor. Not in the household of her wealthy granny, where no girl can be named an heir. And certainly not in the arms of Nat, her childhood love who never knew her for who she was. As a sailor aboard a Caribbean merchant ship, Mary’s livelihood—and her safety—depends on her ability to disguise her gender.

At least, that’s what she thinks is true. But then pirates attack the ship, and in the midst of the gang of cutthroats, Mary spots something she never could have imagined: a girl pirate.

The sight of a girl standing unafraid upon the deck, gun and sword in hand, changes everything. In a split-second decision, Mary turns her gun on her own captain, earning herself the chance to join the account and become a pirate alongside Calico Jack and Anne Bonny.

For the first time, Mary has a shot at freedom. But imagining living as her true self is easier, it seems, than actually doing it. And when Mary finds herself falling for the captain’s mistress, she risks everything—her childhood love, her place among the crew, and even her life.

Add your review of "The Unbinding of Mary Reade" in comments!

Wayward Son - the follow-up to Rainbow Rowell's awesome answer to our 'Gay Harry Potter' wishes, "Carry On"

Wayward Son (Simon Snow Series #2) by Rainbow Rowell

The story is supposed to be over.

Simon Snow did everything he was supposed to do. He beat the villain. He won the war. He even fell in love. Now comes the good part, right? Now comes the happily ever after… So why can’t Simon Snow get off the couch?

What he needs, according to his best friend, is a change of scenery. He just needs to see himself in a new light…

That’s how Simon and Penny and Baz end up in a vintage convertible, tearing across the American West.

They find trouble, of course. (Dragons, vampires, skunk-headed things with shotguns.) And they get lost. They get so lost, they start to wonder whether they ever knew where they were headed in the first place…

With Wayward Son, Rainbow Rowell has written a book for everyone who ever wondered what happened to the Chosen One after he saved the day. And a book for everyone who was ever more curious about the second kiss than the first. It’s another helping of sour cherry scones with an absolutely decadent amount of butter.

Come on, Simon Snow. Your hero’s journey might be over – but your life has just begun.

I'm so excited about this sequel to Carry On! Add your review of "Wayward Son" in comments!

Highlights from Models of Pride 2019

I'm just back from Models of Pride 2019, and I'm so delighted to have once again presented a workshop in the youth track. There were more than 1,500 LGBTQ and Allied young people there, and every seat was filled in my Queer History is Everywhere session!

Some highlights for me:

1) The genuine excitement in the room - these young people wanted to be there, they wanted to learn about our LGBTQ history - and that made me excited to share with them!

2) The literal mouth-open jaw drop in surprise that I saw twice!

3) The many kind words of thanks shared with me by the young attendees after my session.

4) The happy rush of 'no way, we're getting a copy of his book?' when I shared the final crowdfunded copies of "Queer as a Five-Dollar Bill" with the volunteers who read different primary source materials off the handout.

5) The gift of being sketched by a teen who didn't know me, but drew me sharing my enthusiasm and doing my best to empower these LGBTQ and Allied teens with the same information and stories and history that has empowered me!

6) Seeing the wonderful Jessica, Jake, and the Camp Brave Trails crew at the lunchtime resource fair!

7) Having my teenager attend Models of Pride, too!

Our world can be such a frustrating place, with the pace of change not fast enough, and with negative people and energy taking power and trying to undo the drive towards equality and equity and diversity and not just tolerance, or acceptance, but celebration of others...

But there are moments when I think about how far our world has come--Models of Pride is in its 27th year, and it's huge, and important, and while I didn't have it when I was a teen, I'm so glad it's here now.

And that progress gives me hope. And that's a beautiful thing.

The light in me recognizes and acknowledges the light in you,
Lee

White Rabbit - A YA Murder Mystery

White Rabbit by Caleb Roehrig

Rufus Holt is having the worst night of his life. It begins with the reappearance of his ex-boyfriend, Sebastian—the guy who stomped his heart out like a spent cigarette. Just as Rufus is getting ready to move on, Sebastian turns up out of the blue, saying they need to "talk." Things couldn’t get worse, right?

Then Rufus gets a call from his sister April, begging for help. He and Sebastian find her, drenched in blood and holding a knife beside the dead body of her boyfriend, Fox Whitney.

April swears she didn’t kill Fox. Rufus knows her too well to believe she’s telling him the whole truth, but April has something he needs. Her price is his help. Now, with no one to trust but the boy he wants to hate yet can’t stop loving, Rufus has one night to clear his sister’s name . . . or die trying.

Add your review of "White Rabbit" in comments!

The Stone Rainbow - A YA novel where love and prejudice collide in a small town

The Stone Rainbow by Liane Shaw

A continuation of Jack's story from Caterpillars Can't Swim.

Jack Pedersen is finding life complicated ever since he came out to his mom. Even though she's been doing her best to be understanding, it's obvious to Jack that his mom still wants to cry every time she says the word gay.

Complications go into overdrive when a new student named Benjamin arrives at his high school, and Jack starts experiencing feelings he's never allowed himself before. When a near tragedy turns life upside down, Jack realizes it's time to stop hiding and to stand up--for Pride, for Benjamin, and for himself.

Add your review of "The Stone Rainbow" in comments!

Caterpillars Can't Swim - A YA Novel Where a Friendship Between a Disabled Swimmer and a Closeted Gay Teen Help Them Both Go Against Stereotypes.

Caterpillars Can't Swim by Liane Shaw

For sixteen-year-old Ryan, the water is where he finds freedom from his wheelchair. But he never imagined he would become his small town's hero by saving his schoolmate, Jack, from drowning. For Jack, disappearing into the river seemed better than living through one more day of high school, where he is dogged by rumors about being gay. When Ryan invites Jack on a trip to Comic Con with his best friend Cody, the captain of the swim team, the three boys make an unlikely combination. This trip will give them the chance to go against the stereotypes the world wants to define them by.

Add your review of "Caterpillars Can't Swim" in comments!

Chaotic Good - A Teen Girl Takes on a Secret Identity as a Boy in the World of Comic Book Stores, Cosplay, and Costumes

Chaotic Good by Whitney Gardner

Cameron's cosplay creations are finally starting to earn her attention--attention she hopes to use to get into the CalArts costume design department for college. But after she wins a major competition, she inadvertently sets off a firestorm of angry comments from male fans online.

When Cameron's family moves the summer before her senior year, she hopes to complete her costume portfolio in peace and quiet away from the abuse.

Unfortunately, the only comic shop in town--her main destination for character reference--is staffed by a dudebro owner who challenges every woman who comes into the shop.

At her twin brother's suggestion, Cameron borrows a set of his clothes and uses her costuming expertise to waltz into the shop as Boy Cameron, where she's shocked at how easily she's accepted into the nerd inner sanctum. Soon, Cameron finds herself drafted into a D&D campaign alongside the jerky shop-owner Brody, friendly (almost flirtatiously so) clerk Wyatt, handsome Lincoln, and her brother Cooper, dragged along for good measure.

But as her "secret identity" gets more and more entrenched, Cameron's portfolio falls by the wayside--and her feelings for Lincoln threaten to make a complicated situation even more precarious in this geek girl anthem from You're Welcome, Universe author Whitney Gardner, complete with fully illustrated comic pages inked by Gardner herself.

What's even more Queer about this book@ is that Boy Cameron is asked out by one of the other characters, who is gay.

Add your review of "Chaotic Good" in comments!

Models of Pride 2019 is Saturday October 19, at Los Angeles City College (LACC) - An Amazing Event for LGBTQ and Allied Teens!

Models of Pride is the world’s largest free conference for LGBTQ youth & allies, including parents & professionals. The full-day event includes an Opening Session, over 130 workshops, lunch, a resource fair, college fair, job fair, dinner, entertainment hour, and outdoor dance party – all free!

I'm delighted to once again be part of Models of Pride, presenting one of those 130+ workshops. Mine is:

Queer History is Everywhere!

Online registration for Models of Pride will close Wednesday, October 16, at 10 a.m., but you can also register onsite the morning of Models of Pride beginning at 7:30 a.m. You must register/check-in before 1:30 p.m. to participate in the conference.

Go here to read all about it and register!

Hope to see you at Models of Pride 2019!

The light in me recognizes and acknowledges the light in you,
Lee

The company that gave the world Barbie is launching a new line of Gender Neutral dolls!

As reported by Tod Perry on Upworthy, this is pretty cool news:

"The dolls, which cost $29.99, don't have broad shoulders like Ken or breasts like Barbie. Creatable World dolls can be played with as a boy, a girl, or neither. They're slim with androgynous faces and short hair and can be fitted with wigs and a wardrobe consisting of sneakers, graphic tees, hoodies, tutus, or camouflage pants."

Mattel's Creatable World line of gender-less dolls

Nice to see this - it's certainly about time!

Read the full article here.

The light in me recognizes and acknowledges the light in you,
Lee

p.s. - thanks to my amazing husband for the heads-up on this one!

Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars - A Trans Teen Coming-of-Age Novel

Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars: A Dangerous Trans Girl's Confabulous Memoir By Kai Cheng Thom

This is the highly sensational, ultra-exciting, sort-of true coming-of-age story of a young Asian trans girl, pathological liar, and kung-fu expert who runs away from her parents' abusive home in a rainy city called Gloom. Striking off on her own, she finds her true family in a group of larger-than-life trans femmes who live in a mysterious pleasure district known only as the Street of Miracles. Under the wings of this fierce and fabulous flock, the protagonist blossoms into the woman she has always dreamed of being, with a little help from the unscrupulous Doctor Crocodile. When one of their number is brutally murdered, she joins her sisters in forming a vigilante gang to fight back against the transphobes, violent johns, and cops that stalk the Street of Miracles. But when things go terribly wrong, she must find the truth within herself in order to stop the violence and discover what it really means to grow up and find your family.

Check out this excellent interview with the author at Teen Vogue here. The author says that "she sought to write the book that she would have needed as a young trans girl." How awesome is that?

The novel was also a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award. Add your review of "Fierce Femmes and Notorious Liars: A Dangerous Trans Girl's Confabulous Memoir" in comments!

Thanks to my friend Karol for the heads-up on this one!

Lee Wind Video Newsletter: October 2019

Instead of a regular newsletter, welcome to the launch of this new way to update, inform, and hopefully inspire YOU!



Click here or on the video still above to watch the October 2019 edition of the Lee Wind Video Newsletter. Links and a transcript follow...

[Duration: 3:46]

Transcript

Hi Community – I’m Lee Wind. It’s October 2019, and instead of a regular newsletter, I’m launching this new way to update, inform, and, hopefully inspire YOU. Let’s jump in…

#QUEER HISTORY IS EVERYWHERE

CNN is reporting that the “Lovers of Modena”, this pair of ancient skeletons that were found buried together holding hands, which was really romantic, were actually two guys.

So everyone just assumed, back in 2009, when they found this couple buried, that they were a man and a woman. But scientists tested the enamel on the teeth of both skeletons and discovered a peptide found only in guys. So they actually were two guys!

Which just proves that even in Modena, Italy, back 1,500 or 1,700 years ago, Queer history really is everywhere.

(shout out to Gay Elder Dr. Don Kilhefner for sharing this one in his newsletter!)

LEE WIND AUTHOR UPDATE

I just heard from my editor at Zest/Lerner Books that THE QUEER HISTORY PROJECT: NO WAY, THEY WERE GAY? will be released in May of 2021. I’m really excited, stay tuned for more on that.

READERS SAY

Over on NetGalley, Gloria M. gave Queer as a Five-Dollar Bill 5 out of 5 stars!

She writes, “Wyatt (our MC) has the most insufferable bff known to ya fiction, but all that turns about when he meets a librarian who gives him a book that hey hey shows omg Lincoln may have been gay… The drama can be fun or irritating depending on which way you swing, but I would still recommend the hell out of this gem.”

Thanks, Gloria!


EVENTS

It’s October 2019. On the 19th, I’ll be at Models of Pride in Los Angeles, talking to LGBTQ and Allied Teens about discovering our LGBTQ History.

And then on October 25 and 26 I’ll be down in La Jolla at the La Jolla Writers Conference on faculty doing three talks, wearing both my author hat and my director of marketing and programming for the Independent Book Publishers Association hats, and I hope to see you at one of those!


READING IN, WRITING OUT

This month, I’m really enjoying

ONCE AND FUTURE
By Amy Rose Capetta and Cori McCarthy

It’s a retelling of the King Arthur legend, but far in the future, in space, and there’s lots of LGBTQ characters. And the whole culture is really attuned to the fact that there isn’t a gender binary—there are fluids, who they use the ‘they’ pronoun, and it’s just a lot of fun, I’m really having a great time with it.

INSPIRATION

I was listening to the Big Gay Author Podcast by Jeff Adams and Will Knauss, and they shared this amazing quote from Toni Morrison, who just passed away, and it was so inspiring, so I want to share it with you…

In a book called “Keep Going” by Austin Kleon, which was all about staying creative and positive in the difficult times we’re living in, Toni Morrison said, “This is precisely the time when artists go to work. There is no time for despair, no place for self-pity, no need for silence, no room for fear. We speak, we write, we do language. That is how civilizations heal. I know the world is bruised and bleeding, and though it is important not to ignore its pain, it is also critical to refuse to succumb to its malevolence. Like failure, chaos contains information that can lead to knowledge—even wisdom. Like art.”

Thank you, Toni.

Want more? Check out I’M HERE. I’M QUEER. WHAT THE HELL DO I READ? at leewind.org

Until then,

The light in me recognizes and acknowledges the light in you.

Thanks!