victorine

"This is Ankh-Morpork, you know. We've got extra pronouns here."

"Female? He told you he was female?" "She," Angua corrected. "This is Ankh-Morpork, you know. We've got extra pronouns here." She could smell his bewilderment... "Well, I would have though she'd have the decency to keep it to herself," Carrot said finally. "I don't think it's very clever, you know, to go around drawing attention to the fact." "Carrot, I think you might have something wrong with your head," said Angua. "What?" "I think you might have it stuck up your bum."

Sir Terry Pratchett - "Feet of Clay"

This is CARROT being the asshole. Carrot who has, throughout all the prior books, been depicted as basically the best of all possible people. He is noble, brave, considerate, kind. He is the good guy in the entire City...

... and yet, he grew up dwarf, and has picked up their more conservative views on gender identity.

Discworld dwarves start out in the books as basically a people without visible gender differences (thanks to the woman growing beards just like the men) and using "he/him" pronouns as their default. Anything else is seen as breaking the most basic of social conventions. (Dwarf dating is described early on as being two dwarves who like each other spending an inordinately long time trying to find out, as tactfully as possible, what gender the other dwarf is)

Carrot does immediately adopt the "she" pronoun for Cheery, which is but wishes she didn't make such a fuss about it. He's prepared to tolerate her choices, but he doesn't APPROVE of them, and thinks that that is enough.

Carrot, because he IS Carrot, does learn to open his mind on this subject, perhaps his final frontier of bias, but I do love that it's addressed as something he has to work on, and succeed.

1) I don't have the book to hand, but when Cheery comes out she changes her name to Cheri, because "sometimes, when you shout who you are to the whole world, you need to do it quietly." It's such a beautiful expression of coming out being a process, and one that needn't be undertaken all at once.

BREAKING NEWS: WILL GRAHAM IS A TROUBLED SLUT OF A YOUNG MAN.

Anyone but him.

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Light Paths (2026)

A queer fantasy romance two novelette collection. Light Paths features dungeons, princes, thieves and games of chance. With intriguing world-building and mysterious pasts, this collection is perfect for curling up in front of the fire on a cold night.

Two all new novelettes from: by Cinnamaldeide and Johannes T. Evans.

Cover artwork: Marika Bailey

Dark Paths (2025)

A queer horror romance four novelette collection. Dark Paths features crossroad visitations, gods, vampires and werewasps. This is a perfect horror for those looking for a collection that combines introspection and humour.

Four all new novelettes from: Amanda M. Blake, TT Madden, Clinton Seiter and Leigh V Twersky.

Cover artwork: Elliott Cassel

Other Worlds (2024)

A diverse anthology from writers around the world. From distant lands to the distant future, “Other Worlds” features folklore, fantasy, speculative, horror, contemporary fiction, and science-fiction exploring places, communities, and situations that are othered.

Twelve all new stories from: Samir Sirk Morató, Briar Ripley Page, Chey Rivera, Busayo Akinmoju, Roxane Llanque, A.L. Davidson, Victor Okechukwu, Bhumika Anand, Von Reyes, Eve Morton, Christina Ladd, and Booker G. A. Feniks.

Cover artwork: Pangaea

Other & Different (2023)

A diverse anthology from writers around the world. From prehistory to the not-too-distant future, “Other & Different” features folklore, fantasy, gothic, speculative, supernatural, sci-fi, weird, horror, and contemporary fiction exploring what it is to be other or different.

Thirteen all new stories from: Busayo Akinmoju, Malik Berry, A.M. Gautam, Anita Goveas, Heather Haigh, Miriam H. Harrison, Anastasia Jill, Avra Margariti, Kyungseo Min, Samir Sirk Morató, Corinne Pollard, Jonathan Olfert, and Marianne Xenos.

Cover artwork: Will Heron

Note: This is not a YA novella; however, it is suitable for older teens. 15+

As children, Adrian and Cyrus spent every summer together, forming a deep bond while Cyrus visited family in Scotland. But just as they were on the verge of childhood friendship blooming into something more, closely guarded secrets, teenage angst, and family drama drove them apart.

Now adults, Adrian is living in the US, trying to build a life for himself in Cyrus’s hometown. He’s not looking to reunite with his old friend, but when they inevitably run into each other, Adrian can’t help but be hopeful. There’s just one problem: Cyrus has no idea who Adrian is.

As Adrian and Cyrus grow close once more, will their new relationship survive Adrian’s decision not to reveal his identity? Or will the mask he clings on to destroy their chance to truly know — and love — each other, for good?

A tale of trans romance, Summer Nights, Cigarettes & Spearmint Toothpaste is a tender friends-to-lovers story told over multiple childhood summers and one unexpected, complicated reunion.

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