So disappointed in Lambda Literary. I am so sorry that they could not show more courage. Love your writing. And as a librarian in a tiny town in rural NH I featured your book when it came out. I’ll do the same for Sandra Newman.
The fact that they caved to Twitter vigilantes is sad and obscene. The fact that their mission statement includes the words “Lambda Literary nurtures and advocates for LGBTQ writers” has made them liars, but their self-destruction doesn’t erase the fact that this is a giant bunch of bullshit and I’m sorry it has happened to you.
You deserve to be nominated for something less pitiful for this letter alone.
LITHT was the first book I've read that made me feel seen. I think I was in a literary coma before I stumbled across your book; it unlocked something in me, and I know this is true for so many others. If Lambda Lit. truly believed that "LGBTQ lives are affirmed when our stories are written, published, and read," they wouldn't let Twitter influence who they deem worthy of recognition. LITHT is important.
I’m sorry. This is fucked up. You wrote a great book. They can’t take that away. Or your integrity. Integrity always has a price. The price still sucks. And hurts. There’s no reason to be stoic about it. It sucks.
I’m so terribly sorry. Wading into that with the innocent idea that I could just say “hey, I’ve read this. You misunderstand” and being called a TERF and then a kike was truly one of the weirdest fucking experiences of my long weird life. The Men is beautiful and your book is beautiful and just fuck all those people.
I remember in many classes when the professor was constantly calling out students because they kept insinuating that the author of the book WAS the main character. I guess it’s easy to fall into that mode of thinking because there is a genuine lack of imagination. The book I’m writing is a mix of things that really happened to me with fictional components. Writing involves using your thoughts and feelings, of course, to craft something extraordinary whether it’s real or invented. Many of my classmates could not grasp this concept. It was astonishing. The attacks on writers via Twitter are nauseating and it makes me sad when they go after you and others.
I am really sorry this happened to you. I don’t use twitter so this is new to me. Also incredibly bizarre that an awards committee can turn on a potential winner like they have. Spineless doesn’t begin to describe these folks. One thing I love about you and your writing is your courage. Would be worth doing an expose on just how these committees actually work because this one has gotten twisted on itself.
I just wish I understood why people think good books are hugs. Books aren't hugs. Books aren't soft pillows. They don't owe us comfort or agreement. They don't owe us cuddles. You don't have to agree with a book for it to be worthwhile... it all feels so... limiting. And anyway this all sucks.
I loved your book so much! It made me laugh and cry. I’ve gifted numerous copies since it’s one of my favorite books ever. Everyone I’ve shared a copy with has adored it. I recently sent a copy to a non binary friend who grew up in a hardcore charismatic church. They felt seen with your book. This Lamdbda decision is insane. I read the tweets. That person is still spewing bullshit and purposefully being antagonistic. How could a literary association take this seriously? I’m so sorry this happened to you. Your writing deserves acknowledgement and praise. Social media is a dangerous place where people hide behind profiles and perpetuate hate. I don’t understand how it makes them feel better and I can’t imagine how awful it is to constantly be under attack. I just read on Twitter and don’t interact.
I did find you on Twitter and your book that way. But, now you’re a NYT bestseller with a known name and hopefully you no longer need Twitter for marketing.
Sending you a big hug. Wish I could hack all the mean accounts and keep them away from you.
A question for Lambda Literary
So disappointed in Lambda Literary. I am so sorry that they could not show more courage. Love your writing. And as a librarian in a tiny town in rural NH I featured your book when it came out. I’ll do the same for Sandra Newman.
The fact that they caved to Twitter vigilantes is sad and obscene. The fact that their mission statement includes the words “Lambda Literary nurtures and advocates for LGBTQ writers” has made them liars, but their self-destruction doesn’t erase the fact that this is a giant bunch of bullshit and I’m sorry it has happened to you.
You deserve to be nominated for something less pitiful for this letter alone.
LITHT was the first book I've read that made me feel seen. I think I was in a literary coma before I stumbled across your book; it unlocked something in me, and I know this is true for so many others. If Lambda Lit. truly believed that "LGBTQ lives are affirmed when our stories are written, published, and read," they wouldn't let Twitter influence who they deem worthy of recognition. LITHT is important.
You and your book deserve better.
I’m sorry. This is fucked up. You wrote a great book. They can’t take that away. Or your integrity. Integrity always has a price. The price still sucks. And hurts. There’s no reason to be stoic about it. It sucks.
I’m so terribly sorry. Wading into that with the innocent idea that I could just say “hey, I’ve read this. You misunderstand” and being called a TERF and then a kike was truly one of the weirdest fucking experiences of my long weird life. The Men is beautiful and your book is beautiful and just fuck all those people.
I remember in many classes when the professor was constantly calling out students because they kept insinuating that the author of the book WAS the main character. I guess it’s easy to fall into that mode of thinking because there is a genuine lack of imagination. The book I’m writing is a mix of things that really happened to me with fictional components. Writing involves using your thoughts and feelings, of course, to craft something extraordinary whether it’s real or invented. Many of my classmates could not grasp this concept. It was astonishing. The attacks on writers via Twitter are nauseating and it makes me sad when they go after you and others.
My son is a trans man, and he and I are both TERF's. We will all become TERF's eventually, so we might as well stop being afraid of the word.
This is McCarthyism.
Do you think some penises are female?
Is it literal violence to say "pregnant women" instead of "pregnant people"?
Are the words "male" "female" or "biological sex" examples of hate speech?
If you answered no to any of the questions above, you are a TERF and must be punished for your thought crimes.
As Audre Lorde said "your silence will not protect you."
Soon we will all be TERF's, and none of us will be allowed to think or speak.
Anyone who's ever capitulated to these lunatics is partly responsible for how destructive they've become.
Stop Feeding This Beast.
I am really sorry this happened to you. I don’t use twitter so this is new to me. Also incredibly bizarre that an awards committee can turn on a potential winner like they have. Spineless doesn’t begin to describe these folks. One thing I love about you and your writing is your courage. Would be worth doing an expose on just how these committees actually work because this one has gotten twisted on itself.
OFFS. I'm sorry. That fucking sucks.
I’m so sorry this happened to you. You are not the first and you will not be the last. They silence women.
I just wish I understood why people think good books are hugs. Books aren't hugs. Books aren't soft pillows. They don't owe us comfort or agreement. They don't owe us cuddles. You don't have to agree with a book for it to be worthwhile... it all feels so... limiting. And anyway this all sucks.
That's fucked up. They caved becasue of Twitter?? WTAF?
You wrote a great book. I’m sorry this happened to you, that is not right. Did I mention .......YOU WROTE A GREAT BOOK.
“I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member.” Groucho Marx
I loved your book so much! It made me laugh and cry. I’ve gifted numerous copies since it’s one of my favorite books ever. Everyone I’ve shared a copy with has adored it. I recently sent a copy to a non binary friend who grew up in a hardcore charismatic church. They felt seen with your book. This Lamdbda decision is insane. I read the tweets. That person is still spewing bullshit and purposefully being antagonistic. How could a literary association take this seriously? I’m so sorry this happened to you. Your writing deserves acknowledgement and praise. Social media is a dangerous place where people hide behind profiles and perpetuate hate. I don’t understand how it makes them feel better and I can’t imagine how awful it is to constantly be under attack. I just read on Twitter and don’t interact.
I did find you on Twitter and your book that way. But, now you’re a NYT bestseller with a known name and hopefully you no longer need Twitter for marketing.
Sending you a big hug. Wish I could hack all the mean accounts and keep them away from you.
Oh Lauren. I’m so sorry. This is so fucked up. 🥺💔