WPS 2026 Day 24: Lucia Laurence

 

Wonderland Pride Spotlight Day 24: Lucia Laurence

Welcome to day 24 of the 2026 Wonderland Pride Spotlight! This is my way to help champion LGBTQ+ books and authors this Pride month! Today I am interviewing Lucia Laurence. Be sure to check out my Instagram for even more excitement with this event!

Lucia Laurence's LGBTQ+ Releases

• Color of Sunshine
• Color of Home
• The Huntsman and the Spellweaver

The Interview

1. Are you LGBTQ+? If so, how?

"Ally and mother to transgender child"

2. What rep do your books have?

"Color of Sunshine: gay, trauma, and OCD

Color of Home: gay and demirose (demiromantic and demisexual), bisexual, gay, lesbian and transgender

The Huntsman and the Spellweaver: gay"

3. If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

"Ooh, this is a difficult question! I love writing MM romance so much, I really can't imagine writing anything else 😆 If I really had to though, I think I would write either character-centered literary fiction or fantasy, though I would have to work REALLY hard to keep romance from creeping in and taking over the plot!"

4. What is your biggest writing inspiration?

"Characters just materialize in my head, and when they do, I know I have to give them life and a story.  Some of my characters, like Eadric in The Huntsman and the Spellweaver, are inspired by characters from classic stories who I feel deserved a far better ending than they got originally.  Others are purely from my imagination, with elements from the people in my life and my own experiences woven through their personalities. Thus far, all the stories I have written have started first with a character, and the plot has evolved around them."

5. Anything exciting for you on the horizon?

"Yes!  I am currently about halfway through my first draft of the third book in my Colors of Us series, and anticipate that it will be released in the fall of this year.  This book is an office place enemies to lovers MM romance. Like all my works, it is character-driven and features hurt/comfort, forced proximity, and a strong emphasis on emotion. Books 4 (MMX, second chance romance) and 5 (college roommates to lovers, himbo MC) will be next, releasing in 2027."

6. Who is a queer figure you look up to?

"There are many widely known queer figures I look up to, but the queer person I look up to most is my daughter.  Five years ago, she came out to her dad and me as trans when she was in kindergarten. All her life, she has taught me more about authenticity and sense of self than anyone else, and I am so infinitely proud of her and grateful to be able to learn with and from her.  Finding the courage to unapologetically be myself has been a challenge in my life, and seeing the way she does this, with so much grace and determination, has empowered me more than anything else."

Outro

I adore this excuse to conduct little author interviews! Happy Pride everyone! Stay tuned tomorrow for another amazing indie author and their LGBTQ+ releases!

WPS 2026 Day 24: Bonnie Solomon

 

Wonderland Pride Spotlight Day 24: Bonnie Solomon

Welcome to day 24 of the 2026 Wonderland Pride Spotlight! This is my way to help champion LGBTQ+ books and authors this Pride month! Today I am interviewing Bonnie Solomon. Be sure to check out my Instagram for even more excitement with this event!

Bonnie Solomon's LGBTQ+ Releases

• Pearly Gates
• The Midnight Croissant

The Interview

1. Are you LGBTQ+? If so, how?

"Bisexual"

2. What rep do your books have?

"Pearly Gates: bi, gay, Sapphic, trans, and non-binary

Midnight Croissant: queer, gay, and aro-ace"

3. What is your biggest writing inspiration?

"I'm inspired to write the kind of world I want to live into - not only one that's queer normative but also one that embraces kindness, belonging, and the everyday magic that comes from being free to be who you really are. I'm also fascinated by the larger questions as to how reality works, who we are as souls, and what we're actually doing here. I love using humor and fantasy to make metaphysical concepts fun and accessible. Also... coffee.

4. Anything exciting for you on the horizon?

"I released my latest book, The Midnight Croissant, on April 7th, and I'm currently working on two new exciting projects! One is The Jingle Rebellion, a holiday novella that wraps up my queer cozy fantasy series (Pearly Gates), and the other is an irreverent rivals-to-lovers romantasy set in the afterlife. I'm currently in pre-launch for a 'Christmas in July' Kickstarter campaign for The Jingle Rebellion. And...I'm super excited to be offering my books several local Pride events in June, including Echo Park Pride, the Monrovia Pride Book Fest, and more."

5. Who is a queer figure you look up to?

"RuPaul is a queer icon who has done so much to support and uplift the LGBTQ+ community. I love the way he blends humor, heart, and entertainment while mentoring young drag artists and keeping the focus as much on inner work (the journey to love oneself) as on outer spectacle. He is 100% himself, with no apology, and I share his mission to spread queer joy!"

Outro

I adore this excuse to conduct little author interviews! Happy Pride everyone! Stay tuned tomorrow for another amazing indie author and their LGBTQ+ releases!

WPS 2026 Day 23: Rachel O’Rourke

  

Wonderland Pride Spotlight Day 23: Rachel O’Rourke

Welcome to day 23 of the 2026 Wonderland Pride Spotlight! This is my way to help champion LGBTQ+ books and authors this Pride month! Today I am interviewing Rachel O’Rourke. Be sure to check out my Instagram for even more excitement with this event!

Rachel O’Rourke's LGBTQ+ Releases

• Be My Saving Grace
• See You Again
• Little One
• Pretending in Paradise
• Until He Found Him

The Interview

1. Are you LGBTQ+? If so, how?

"Demisexual"

2. What rep do your books have?

"Be My Saving Grace: bipolar disorder, depression, self harm, and other various mental health disorders from side characters as the book takes place is a psychiatric Centre. MM relationship"

3. If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

"I already write in multiple subgenres within the MM romance genre, and it's one of the things I love having the freedom to do. I've crossed between contemporary to erotica, with an omegaverse soon to be released. Having range opens your readership and gives options that don't all feel like carbon copies of your own work and for a mood writer like myself, it means I always have ideas ready to write."

4. What is your biggest writing inspiration?

"The world is my inspiration. It could be a quote I hear in a movie, a sentence a friend said or a situation happening on the other side of the world that plants a seed in my head. Its roots grow and fester into this bigger plot with branches of sub plots that are tangled in vines and connected all the way back to that one thing at the root of it all."

5. Anything exciting for you on the horizon?

"Until He Found Him is the first book in an Omegaverse trilogy that is releasing on June 30th. It's my first time writing a trilogy, as I've always written standalones. I'm excited to stay in the world I've created for the next couple of years while simultaneously nervous to tackle the challenges that come with writing a trilogy."

6. Who is a queer figure you look up to?

"Colton Haynes. His book, Miss Memory Lane, speaks about the Hollywood culture of hiding your sexuality in order to obtain jobs and become famous. The internal suffering for anyone in the queer community who are forced to lie about who they are and who they love for the sake of their career is appalling and I admire that Colton spoke up about this and learnt to love himself more than the job."

Outro

I adore this excuse to conduct little author interviews! Happy Pride everyone! Stay tuned tomorrow for another amazing indie author and their LGBTQ+ releases!

WPS 2026 Day 23: CRR Hillin

 

Wonderland Pride Spotlight Day 23: CRR Hillin

Welcome to day 23 of the 2026 Wonderland Pride Spotlight! This is my way to help champion LGBTQ+ books and authors this Pride month! Today I am interviewing CRR Hillin. Be sure to check out my Instagram for even more excitement with this event!

CRR Hillin's LGBTQ+ Release

• The Orphan’s King

The Interview

1. Are you LGBTQ+? If so, how?

"Asexual, panromantic, and nonbinary"

2. What rep do your books have?

"I’m autistic and so are the main characters, one is half white POC, one is plus sized, one has depression and anxiety, and the three I’d consider the main POV characters are bisexual and asexual. Lots of disability rep as well, which is important to me as a disabled person"

3. If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

" Horror! I mostly read fantasy but I absolutely love horror movies. When they’re good, they’re life-changing, and when they’re bad, they’re hilarious. Almost all of my books have romantic elements in them so I’d love to try romance as well (historical or contemporary). "

4. What is your biggest writing inspiration?

"I take inspiration from all sorts of media, but I think we are all sleeping on video games. Video game plotting has near-endless options and we are only just now realizing their potential. The ability to play through the adventure and choose your own story leads to some fascinating narrative dynamics that really help me push my storytelling to the limits."

5. Anything exciting for you on the horizon?

"My nonfiction debut with @online1roomschoolhouse comes out this month, The ActuallyAutistic Guide, and the sequel to The Orphan’s King comes out in August. And of course I have ten other projects I’m working on behind the scenes!"

6. Who is a queer figure you look up to?

"Mary Shelley. I admire a lot of historic queer people (whether it’s verified or not, we all know the score) but Mary Shelley is such an icon."

Outro

I adore this excuse to conduct little author interviews! Happy Pride everyone! Stay tuned tomorrow for another amazing indie author and their LGBTQ+ releases!

WPS 2026 Day 22: Autumn Moore

 

Wonderland Pride Spotlight Day 22: Autumn Moore

Welcome to day 22 of the 2026 Wonderland Pride Spotlight! This is my way to help champion LGBTQ+ books and authors this Pride month! Today I am interviewing Autumn Moore. Be sure to check out my Instagram for even more excitement with this event!

Autumn Moore's LGBTQ+ Release

• Rusthound

The Interview

1. Are you LGBTQ+? If so, how?

"Pansexual and transmasc nonbinary"

2. What rep do your books have?

"Neurodivergent and LGBTQ+"

3. If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

"Probably m/m romance (hfn)"

4. What is your biggest writing inspiration?

"Well, my inspiration for my writing is derived from my life experiences and the compulsive need to find a safe place to explore my trauma, my opinions on society as a whole, and the darker side of corporate history. I’m afab, late-realizing NB individual with late diagnosis audhd who has worked in blue collar industries since I was fourteen. I grew up with parents who suffered from substance issues, abusive behavior, and overall neglect which drove me to learn. Not in the academic sense, because by the time I was old enough to work, I was expected to start pitching into the household. Regular jobs for my assigned gender and age group weren’t going to pay, so I took up farm work. Then, by sixteen, I had dropped out and was working in a garage as a lube tech. I worked alongside men who were paid more to do the same work, with no explanation as to why I didn’t deserve more. I suffer from EDS and have spinal compression from a car accident, which left me unable to work in a shop despite being a licensed mechanic. I wanted to get into towing, as I have the mechanical knowledge and driving experience of straight trucks and was told that I couldn’t because I’m a woman. I found a company that would hire me, loved the work, and decided that one day I will own my own. There’s no school that teaches one how to run this type of business, so I worked at companies of all scales in my area until I finally had a plan and I executed. This industry, out of all of them that I have worked in, between farming, wrenching, general contracting, heavy equipment operation on barges, is by far one of the most sexist and misogynist occupations by far. The constant being told “you can’t” pushed me to say “watch.” I started with one truck, and now at 29, I have one of the bigger fleets where I live. Then, once the businesses started to settle into themselves I decided I wanted to write. Through this, I’ve learned so much about myself and others. My writing has become a container for everything that I tried to repress."

5. Anything exciting for you on the horizon?

"Not really, I’m currently working on two more books, but I’m in no rush. The first one I plan to finish is the sister book, Cinderkeg, which runs parallel to Rusthound and shows the chain of events from a different point of view. The second would be the continuation of Rusthound, focusing on the MMCs."

6. Who is a queer figure you look up to?

"As for a queer figure I look up to, I am not sure if this means historically or currently, but either way my choice would be Joe Carstairs."

Outro

I adore this excuse to conduct little author interviews! Happy Pride everyone! Stay tuned tomorrow for another amazing indie author and their LGBTQ+ releases!

WPS 2026 Day 22: Delilah Belvedere

 

Wonderland Pride Spotlight Day 22: Delilah Belvedere

Welcome to day 22 of the 2026 Wonderland Pride Spotlight! This is my way to help champion LGBTQ+ books and authors this Pride month! Today I am interviewing Delilah Belvedere. Be sure to check out my Instagram for even more excitement with this event!

Delilah Belvedere's LGBTQ+ Release

• Exploring Taboos

The Interview

1. Are you LGBTQ+? If so, how?

"Pansexual"

2. What rep do your books have?

"All have LGBTQ+ rep"

3. If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

"Funny enough, I actually am! I’m working on a fantasy novel right now that’s still spicy and intimate, but with a much darker edge than my audience is used to. It lets me explore magic and mythology while keeping the heat turned up, and I’m excited to push my readers into new territory."

4. What is your biggest writing inspiration?

"Most of my creative fire comes from my own life, my personal journey, my friends, and the world around me. There’s so much negativity out there, especially toward bodies and pleasure. I want to be a force of joy that reminds people they deserve to feel desired and powerful."

5. Anything exciting for you on the horizon?

"I’m gearing up to release my new fantasy novel later this year. It’s full of dangerous magic, aching desire, and blood-soaked secrets. I can’t wait to share it, I’ve had so much fun sinking my teeth into this one."

6. Who is a queer figure you look up to?

"It’s hard to single out just one person because I’m inspired by so many different voices, especially POC who forge their own paths and refuse to let anyone dictate their identities. Seeing them break down barriers and build their own communities keeps me pushing forward in my own work."

Outro

I adore this excuse to conduct little author interviews! Happy Pride everyone! Stay tuned tomorrow for another amazing indie author and their LGBTQ+ releases!

WPS 2026 Day 21: Jodi Davis

 

Wonderland Pride Spotlight Day 21: Jodi Davis

Welcome to day 21 of the 2026 Wonderland Pride Spotlight! This is my way to help champion LGBTQ+ books and authors this Pride month! Today I am interviewing Jodi Davis. Be sure to check out my Instagram for even more excitement with this event!

Jodi Davis's LGBTQ+ Releases

• SoulSearch
• Sacrifice

The Interview

1. Are you LGBTQ+? If so, how?

"Bisexual"

2. What rep do your books have?

"SoulSearch: Bisexual, gay, and lesbian

Sacrifice: Bisexual, pansexual, polyamorous, and trans"

3. If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

"Historical Fiction. It’s the one genre I love that I don’t write. It’s world building only the world is built and you are inviting people into it. I love research but the amount for historical is crazy. I admire and worry for historical fiction writers."

4. What is your biggest writing inspiration?

"Everything? Anything. I love to know even the 'boring' details of anything. And I love books that make you feel like you’ve entered the secret world of anything. Being a cobbler or a beekeeper or cleaning out enclosed tanks."

5. Anything exciting for you on the horizon?

"I have my first audiobook (SoulSearch) coming out this year and a story set in that world coming out in an anthology in the Fall. I’m bouncing up and down excited. I’m also committing to do more in person events with my first two day event in September (Smyrna Beach Florida! )"

6. Who is a queer figure you look up to?

"Historically it’s been difficult to know that someone was Queer even if you admired them. I think it is amazing that this is a part of their lives you can be aware of. Fictionally the first books I encountered that had any representation was Swordspoint by Ellen Kushner and Mercedes Lacky’s Valdemar novels.  I’ve always admired Sally Ride as the first American woman in space. I wanted to be an astronaut and there she was living her life. I wish she would have been able to be open with her partner and had them there with the wives of the astronauts she worked with."

Outro

I adore this excuse to conduct little author interviews! Happy Pride everyone! Stay tuned tomorrow for another amazing indie author and their LGBTQ+ releases!

WPS 2026 Day 21: Millie Abecassis

  

Wonderland Pride Spotlight Day 21: Millie Abecassis

Welcome to day 21 of the 2026 Wonderland Pride Spotlight! This is my way to help champion LGBTQ+ books and authors this Pride month! Today I am interviewing Millie Abecassis. Be sure to check out my Instagram for even more excitement with this event!

Millie Abecassis's LGBTQ+ Releases

• The Color of Time
• A Legacy of Blood and Bone
• Daughters of the Blue Moon

The Interview

1. Are you LGBTQ+? If so, how?

"Bisexual"

2. What rep do your books have?

"The Color of Time: Lesbian & BIPOC

A Legacy of Blood and Bone: Lesbian, gay, and bisexual

Daughters of the Blue Moon: Lesbian and bisexual"

3. If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

"I'd love to write a thriller! It's a genre I love to read. It feels like a difficult genre to tackle, so I haven't tried it yet, but something tells me that one day, I will."

4. What is your biggest writing inspiration?

"Other books. My reading feeds my creativity constantly. Occasionally, a story will be inspired by a dream or a random 'what if' question, but more often, I am inspired by other authors, from the classics to contemporary writers."

5. Anything exciting for you on the horizon?

"I just started drafting a high fantasy novel. Its working title is The Library of the Dead and it's filled with scheming, murder, politics, and lost sapphic love. I haven't written anything new in over six months, so it's good to finally work on a new project."

6. Who is a queer figure you look up to?

"Not a real person but the character of Thirteen in House had a lasting impact on me. It was the first openly bi character I saw in a show who was portrayed in a positive light. As for a real person, I look up to Harvey Milk, the work he did for LGBT rights, and how he paved the way for activists that followed."

Outro

I adore this excuse to conduct little author interviews! Happy Pride everyone! Stay tuned tomorrow for another amazing indie author and their LGBTQ+ releases!

WPS 2026 Day 21: Ally McGuire

 

Wonderland Pride Spotlight Day 21: Ally McGuire

Welcome to day 21 of the 2026 Wonderland Pride Spotlight! This is my way to help champion LGBTQ+ books and authors this Pride month! Today I am interviewing Ally McGuire. Be sure to check out my Instagram for even more excitement with this event!

Ally McGuire's LGBTQ+ Release

• Echoes of the Heart

The Interview

1. Are you LGBTQ+? If so, how?

"Lesbian"

2. What rep do your books have?

"Latina, lesbians, gays, chosen family"

3. If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

"Well...I kind of do, really. Under Ally McGuire I write Sapphic Romance, but under Brey Willows I get to play with different worlds--from vampires in compounds in Pennsylvania to lesbians in space to sapphic fairytales. I want to put sapphics everywhere!"

4. What is your biggest writing inspiration?

"The absolute desire to ask 'what if' and then populate the answer with queer folks."

5. Anything exciting for you on the horizon?

"I'm writing The Truest Heart, another sapphic romance, right now. And we have the Queer the Shelves festival in Nottingham in June, and I LOVE the community that comes with that long running festival. And we'll be at Pride events, too!"

6. Who is a queer figure you look up to?

"Katherine Forrest. She's a fairy godmother of lesbian fiction and everyone should read something by her. I got to hear her speech at GCLS one year and it was phenomonal."

Outro

I adore this excuse to conduct little author interviews! Happy Pride everyone! Stay tuned tomorrow for another amazing indie author and their LGBTQ+ releases!

WPS 2026 Day 20: T. M. Kirk

 

Wonderland Pride Spotlight Day 20: T. M. Kirk

Welcome to day 20 of the 2026 Wonderland Pride Spotlight! This is my way to help champion LGBTQ+ books and authors this Pride month! Today I am interviewing T. M. Kirk. Be sure to check out my Instagram for even more excitement with this event!

T. M. Kirk's LGBTQ+ Release

• A Fragile Spell

The Interview

1. Are you LGBTQ+? If so, how?

"Bisexual"

2. What rep do your books have?

"FF relationship"

3. If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

"I honestly can't see myself writing anything but romance. I'm all about the looooove. The meet cutes, the squeal moments, the tears. I want it all with a guaranteed HEA. But I might consider writing paranormal mystery one day. I love all the witchy and vampire stories, so even if I wasn't romance-centric, I would still write non-humans."

4. What is your biggest writing inspiration?

"I wish I could say something inspirational like a family member encouraged me or a major life event happened, but mostly I just love stories that let me escape from reality. From the time I was little, I've been obsessed with one day creating a book that might sit on the same shelf as some of my heros. Books have always been there for me when I was a lonely kid, and they're still here for me as a lonely adult! 😂"

5. Anything exciting for you on the horizon?

"TBD. I have three series out as well as other unnamed projects, and I'm currently debating what to start next. It's kind of surreal knowing I can write whatever I want because that's the beauty of indie!"

6. Who is a queer figure you look up to?

"Laverne Cox. She's this absolutely incredible transgender actress. Some might know her from Orange is the New Black but she's done a lot more than that. Not only is she unbelievably talented, but she's also this wonderful advocate for the queer community."

Outro

I adore this excuse to conduct little author interviews! Happy Pride everyone! Stay tuned tomorrow for another amazing indie author and their LGBTQ+ releases!

WPS 2026 Day 20: Ryley Banks

 

Wonderland Pride Spotlight Day 20: Ryley Banks

Welcome to day 20 of the 2026 Wonderland Pride Spotlight! This is my way to help champion LGBTQ+ books and authors this Pride month! Today I am interviewing Ryley Banks. Be sure to check out my Instagram for even more excitement with this event!

Ryley Banks's LGBTQ+ Releases

• Heat Waves
• Sacked by the Quarterback
• Eggplant Night
• Teacher Pet
• Dirty Dishes
• Third Time's the Charm
• The Big Bad Book of Bedtime Stories Volume 1: A Spicy Short Story Collection

The Interview

1. Are you LGBTQ+? If so, how?

"Bisexual"

2. What rep do your books have?

"Heat Waves: MM

Sacked by the Quarterback: MM

Eggplant Night: Bisexual

Teacher Pet: FF

Dirty Dishes: Bisexual

Third Time's the Charm: Transfemme and FF"

3. If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

"I absolutely love writing spicy LGBTQ+ romance, so this is a tough one. I'd have to say fantasy. I think I'd have a blast making up new fictional worlds, discovering the logistics behind the societies, that kind of thing. I've dabbled in this somewhat under the romance umbrella, but I may have to do more! It's one of my favorite genres to read, too, ever since I was a little kid and my grandfather read me The Hobbit for the first time. Then I discovered Tamora Pierce's Song of the Lioness series, and it was full speed ahead on the fantasy train!"

4. What is your biggest writing inspiration?

"I can't list any one thing, but maybe it's good that I can find inspiration from everywhere. It could be a social media post or meme, or something someone says or does that sparks an idea. A few days ago a plot bunny hit while I was reading another book. I wrote the inspo down to save for later--it's a very long list at this point. As for who is my biggest writing inspiration, it would be MM romance author Keira Andrews. Her books always hit, and she's successfully been able to write books in various subgenres under the same name, which is what I hope to do as well. She's also super nice."

5. Anything exciting for you on the horizon?

"Yes! I've been working on an expansion and rewrite of one of my favorite short stories, which was featured in a charity anthology a few years ago. It's a high-heat MM contemporary romance set in autumn in New Hampshire, and it has all the fall vibes you could ever want--Hallmark, but make it SPICY. The characters had so much more to tell me, and I'm finally letting them have their say. Even better, it's going to be part of a 4 book series. They should all be novellas, but I'll let the stories tell me for sure.

Also, I'm doing more in-person events in New Mexico. One of my favorite parts about being an author is getting the chance to meet readers so I'm thrilled to have more of this on my schedule this year, and hopefully next. I've got one coming up in Albuquerque in mid-July, so it's just around the corner."

6. Who is a queer figure you look up to?

"I wouldn't necessarily say 'look up to', but queer celebrities like Anna Paquin, Stephanie Beatriz, Billie Joe Armstrong, Lady Gaga, Cardi B, François Arnaud, and many more discussing their bisexuality publicly is so helpful for bi visibility. That's one reason why I write a lot of bi characters too--so readers can see themselves on the page, regardless of what gender their love interest identifies as, or if they've ever dated or been with someone of the opposite or same sex. I want them to know they are valid, just the way they are."

Outro

I adore this excuse to conduct little author interviews! Happy Pride everyone! Stay tuned tomorrow for another amazing indie author and their LGBTQ+ releases!

WPS 2026 Day 20: Nicole Herron

Wonderland Pride Spotlight Day 20: Nicole Herron

Welcome to day 20 of the 2026 Wonderland Pride Spotlight! This is my way to help champion LGBTQ+ books and authors this Pride month! Today I am interviewing Nicole Herron. Be sure to check out my Instagram for even more excitement with this event!

Nicole Herron's LGBTQ+ Release

• Quest to Valadin

The Interview

1. Are you LGBTQ+? If so, how?

" Ally: mother of one non-binary pansexual and one aro/ace teenager"

2. What rep do your books have?

"Asexual/demiromantic, gay, and lesbian"

3. If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

"Prior to starting the current series I had been working on a middle grade fantasy based on Aesop's Fables. I had just left my job as an elementary librarian and had two fifth graders at home, so it was what I was immersed in at the time. One day I'll go back to it, but for now, I feel the need to reach an older audience."

4. What is your biggest writing inspiration?

"I have always loved reading and my tastes change constantly. For my Quest Therapy series, the concept started as a desire for accurate represent of social anxiety in literature. I wanted to show that it was possible to have friends and do the things that scare you, even with social anxiety. I incorporated the tools I'd learned from therapy into an RPG system because I believe in the power of story in all its forms to influence one's mental state. I tell people that writing Quest to Valadin was my effort to therapize myself.

I did not set out to write LGBTQ+ fiction. It just evolved as the story unfolded. My kids are both queer and it is important to me to show the world that they are people, just like anyone, with struggles and victories the same as you or me. It felt completely natural to incorporate that into a story involving mental health."

5. Anything exciting for you on the horizon?

"I'm currently working on Book Two for the series and I'm hoping to have it out by the end of the year. This one will dive deeper into the LGBTQ+ community."

6. Who is a queer figure you look up to?

"That's a tough one to answer. If we're talking public figure, I love Chris Colfer for so many reasons. Not only is he a fantastic performer and singer, but his children's books are so good and filled with subtle advocacy. 

But truthfully, it's the queer individuals in my life that continue to show up in the world, even with the constant media push to erase them. My kids, the lesbian couples I know from church, the queer adoptive parent that fights for her trans daughter, the writer friends I've met throughout my journey, my good friend and brave politician R. Kirk McPike... The list goes on. The world is a better place because they're in it and I will defend that until my last breath."

Outro

I adore this excuse to conduct little author interviews! Happy Pride everyone! Stay tuned tomorrow for another amazing indie author and their LGBTQ+ releases! 

WPS 2026 Day 19: Mira Gonzalez

  

Wonderland Pride Spotlight Day 19: Mira Gonzalez 

Welcome to day 19 of the 2026 Wonderland Pride Spotlight! This is my way to help champion LGBTQ+ books and authors this Pride month! Today I am interviewing Mira Gonzalez . Be sure to check out my Instagram for even more excitement with this event!

Mira Gonzalez 's LGBTQ+ Release

• Strange Lights

The Interview

1. Are you LGBTQ+? If so, how?

"Bisexual"

2. What rep do your books have?

"Nonbinary/genderfluid, bisexual, and polyamory"

3. If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

"I’d probably go with horror. Horror is one of my favorite genres to read, but as an author, I’ve found I get too attached to my characters and have trouble not leaving them with a happy ending."

4. What is your biggest writing inspiration?

"Probably my kids. My toddler character is based off their personality quirks and their various shenanigans."

5. Anything exciting for you on the horizon?

"My book launch this October! Strange Lights is also getting an audiobook, and I’m very excited for that process as well."

6. Who is a queer figure you look up to?

"A queer author I look up to is Aiden Thomas. Growing up, I never read much with character representation of the Latinx side of my heritage, so seeing their books all over Booktok when I was getting into writing made me feel seen."

Outro

I adore this excuse to conduct little author interviews! Happy Pride everyone! Stay tuned tomorrow for another amazing indie author and their LGBTQ+ releases!

WPS 2026 Day 19: Helena Harte

Wonderland Pride Spotlight Day 19: Helena Harte

Welcome to day 19 of the 2026 Wonderland Pride Spotlight! This is my way to help champion LGBTQ+ books and authors this Pride month! Today I am interviewing Helena Harte. Be sure to check out my Instagram for even more excitement with this event!

Helena Harte's LGBTQ+ Release

• Unspoken

The Interview

1. Are you LGBTQ+? If so, how?

"Lesbian"

2. What rep do your books have?

"Postpartum depression, POC, and stud/femme/butch"

3. If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

"Genre: Ha! That's an easy one, because I already do :-) I write thrillers and adventures under Robyn Nyx, and sci-fi under RJ Nyx. I use those pen names to explore the darker side of life. I'm fascinated by the human psyche, why we do or do not, how we navigate life alone and with others (I have a psychology degree and counselling background), and that's rich material to explore in books. I especially like to write across the gray moral areas with the anti-heroes and the people who are certain they're doing what needs to be done for the right reasons. And redemption is a big theme for me too: the path back to morality (that's a big thing in my RJ Nyx Extractor series).

But my romance allows me to express my marshmallow mode with wild abandon (as well as gently encompassing the more difficult aspects of life, like post-natal depression in Unspoken, a narcissistic mother in Stunted Heart, single mom in Call to Me, marital betrayal in Sanctuary etc)."

4. What is your biggest writing inspiration?

"My biggest writing inspiration is humanity in general. I love digging into relationships and the way people navigate them, be they romantic, familial, friendship, or aromantic. There's inspiration all around me in every human interaction, and I think I'll have to write until I'm 100 to capture just 5% of that beauty."

5. Anything exciting for you on the horizon?

"Now you're asking! We've actually got something HUGE on the horizon! My wife and I have always been active in the community, and since we met, our whole company has been built around working with and helping the LGBTQ+ community. But now we're developing something global: a queer reading platform built entirely by and for us. We're all so tired of Amazon and their politics, greed, and lack of transparency. Queer the Shelves Infinite will not only make it easy to publish and find queer literature, but the profits will be used to make donations and grants to LGBTQ+ organizations all over the world. We've already got our CIC status, and we'll be launching a Kickstarter soon! It's all so exciting that it's hard to sleep at night!"

6. Who is a queer figure you look up to?

"Someone queer I look up to? I admire all queer people who have the courage to live authentically, and especially to activists who risk their personal safety to further our cause."

Outro

I adore this excuse to conduct little author interviews! Happy Pride everyone! Stay tuned tomorrow for another amazing indie author and their LGBTQ+ releases! 

WPS 2026 Day 19: Kelly Preston

  

Wonderland Pride Spotlight Day 19: Kelly Preston

Welcome to day 19 of the 2026 Wonderland Pride Spotlight! This is my way to help champion LGBTQ+ books and authors this Pride month! Today I am interviewing Kelly Preston. Be sure to check out my Instagram for even more excitement with this event!

Kelly Preston's LGBTQ+ Releases

• The Demon To Your Right

• If I Could Drag You Under

The Interview

1. Are you LGBTQ+? If so, how?

"Nonbinary lesbian"

2. What rep do your books have?

"I am Audhd and Chronic Illness Chronic Pain. My books all include rep of both and mental health. My books each have a mixed character"

3. If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

"So I write in multiple genres :) I have works in horror, thriller, romance, sci fi, contemporary. I think the one genre I would never touch is 'cozy' if you call that a genre or low plot. I am all about the artistry of crafting a story that makes people feel intense hurt/comfort. I don't think I could ever shy away from the intensities in life. But I love being a multi genre author with that sweet hurt comfort weaving through as the constant. I love to encourage others to grow in empathy for new groups they are not a part of. Example my first two works had a heavy focus on chronic pain and mental health woven in there."

4. What is your biggest writing inspiration?

"My trauma and trauma I have observed from others. Either characters or the people who play them themselves. You can't quite ever remove the person from the equation and I love the realness that always comes through. That inspires me to write real and flawed characters that can help show others a new experience and the depth of someone else's pain and comeback."

5. Anything exciting for you on the horizon?

"I'm a finalist for a Goldie Award this year for the Golden Crown Literary Society, which is pretty exciting for my debut book to get that kind of support. It's just an honor to be included. Mostly seeing if there is a way to accommodate my disabilities for a trip to Florida."

6. Who is a queer figure you look up to?

"Hannah Gadsby, and mostly for helping me explore my Autism and how that intersects with my queerness. I had never before heard someone talk about things that I experienced my whole life and I was only watching her at first because she was gay and queer like me. Her show Douglas changed my life quite literally. Another queer person I looked up to growing up was Angelina Jolie because there were not many publicly queer femme presenting people, aside from Ellen and I never quite vibed with her. I loved how different and relatable Angelina was. I loved the authenticity and her relationship with darkness and struggle. She just felt real. I loved that she never shied away from her sexuality and it for sure was a part of why I never thought being gay was strange. My friend also had a gay aunt and I had a gay uncle so shoutout to them as well for the visibility from a young age."

Outro

I adore this excuse to conduct little author interviews! Happy Pride everyone! Stay tuned tomorrow for another amazing indie author and their LGBTQ+ releases!

WPS 2026 Day 18: Derek Wilks

  

Wonderland Pride Spotlight Day 18: Derek Wilks

Welcome to day 18 of the 2026 Wonderland Pride Spotlight! This is my way to help champion LGBTQ+ books and authors this Pride month! Today I am interviewing Derek Wilks. Be sure to check out my Instagram for even more excitement with this event!

Derek Wilks's LGBTQ+ Release

• On Deck

The Interview

1. Are you LGBTQ+? If so, how?

"Trangender, bisexual, and asexual"

2. What rep do your books have?

"Trans for Trans rep (FtM x MtF)"

3. If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

"Fantasy or sci-fi, whether it be YA or adult fiction, which ultimately is my goal for future projects. As much as I love a good, grounded, human character, I want a little whimsy in my work."

4. What is your biggest writing inspiration?

"Some of my biggest inspirations come from lived experiences and real places that I’ve been in life. The people I talk to, the moments I’ve witnessed, all of those are crucial parts to my world building or character development. It really helps me create a real, human feeling character in the end."

5. Anything exciting for you on the horizon?

"So many things! I have three projects slated for completion before 2030. All Paths, a short story which will be included in The Beauty of Us, a trans centered anthology. An Oath of the Stars, the first book of a YA fantasy duology. And Ten Tine Hollow, an adult horror/thriller novel."

6. Who is a queer figure you look up to?

"Maybe it’s odd to say, but my great uncles on my mother’s side. People that I’ve never met, but they were the only other queer people in my family. Two gay farmers who lived and loved during a time where you got lynched for shit like that. It gives me a sense of strength and gratuity to exist and be able to live the way I do."

Outro

I adore this excuse to conduct little author interviews! Happy Pride everyone! Stay tuned tomorrow for another amazing indie author and their LGBTQ+ releases!

WPS 2026 Day 18: Xan van Rooyen

  

Wonderland Pride Spotlight Day 18: Xan van Rooyen

Welcome to day 18 of the 2026 Wonderland Pride Spotlight! This is my way to help champion LGBTQ+ books and authors this Pride month! Today I am interviewing Xan van Rooyen. Be sure to check out my Instagram for even more excitement with this event!

Xan van Rooyen's LGBTQ+ Releases

• My Name is Magic
• By the Blood of Rowans
• The Other Me
• Obscura Burning

The Interview

1. Are you LGBTQ+? If so, how?

" Nonbinary, demi ace bisexual"

2. What rep do your books have?

"My Name is Magic: queer

By the Blood of Rowans: queer

The Other Me: queer

Obscura Burning: queer"

3. If you were to write in a different genre, what would it be?

"Mystery. My work is already dark and I have already included 'murder mystery' style subplots in my books before. I also love all things noir and crime drama. I love shows like True Detective, Mare of Easttown, The Killing, The Chestnut Man, Blind Spot, Dead Winds, and I especially Nordic noir so it wouldn't be too much of a departure for me to write something in this vein with hints of something a little uncanny or otherworldly."

4. What is your biggest writing inspiration?

"Music for sure. So many of my stories or characters have grown from a what if spawned by song lyrics or imagery used in a music video for one of my favourite songs. I also love to travel and try to take note of a place's idiosyncrasies or oddities, which have also provided inspiration for story settings and world-building details."

5. Anything exciting for you on the horizon?

"Oh yes! On October 2nd my adult dark fantasy novel, Born of Malice, comes out from Ruadan Books and I am so excited for readers to meets my neuroqueer cast of fractious demigod siblings forced to set aside past grievances in order to save the city, and people, they love from annihilation. And then, in December, my YA cyberpunk retelling of Dorian Gray, called Exquisite Decay, comes out from Tiny Ghost Press, and I am beyond excited for readers to get their hands on my ultra-queer, anti-capitalist, tear-it-all-down take on Wilde's classic."

6. Who is a queer figure you look up to?

"So many, especially in the creative world! Marsha P. Johnson immediately comes to mind, as does Harvey Milk, and more modern figures like Dean Atta, Hong Seon-cheok, Alok V Menon, Awkwaeke Emezi, Hunter Schafer, Emma D'arcy, Elliot Page--there are truly so many queer creators who are using their platforms to create positive change, inspiring others within and without the LGBT+ community to live their truth loudly and proudly. I also have to mention the lesser known Swedish author Karin Boye who was vehemently anti-fascist and defied convention in the 1930s by divorcing her husband to live with a woman. She battled the rise of Nazism, the patriarchy, and the bigotry of religion, to embrace her sexuality as well as feminism, all while being an incredible poet, novelist, and fighting her own inner battles with depression. One of my all time films, and one that inspired me to start writing, is the dystopian, tech-noir movie Equilibrium. This film is largely inspired by Boye's similarly dystopian and thought-provoking novel, Kallocain, which deserves to be as well known as A Brave New World or 1984. "

Outro

I adore this excuse to conduct little author interviews! Happy Pride everyone! Stay tuned tomorrow for another amazing indie author and their LGBTQ+ releases!