#78. It's finally Pride season again!

We talk all about Jennifer's newest release, Melt With You, today on the podcast. We cover favorite ice cream flavors, favorite book Jennifer has written so far, how she has the most fantastic cover art, writing Melt With You from a single POV, writing YA books, and so so so much more! You can find Jennifer on Instagram at @jl_dugan, on Twitter at @JL_Dugan, and on her website: https://jldugan.com/ If you want to buy Jennifer's books or any of the ones we mentioned - consider buying them from our bookshop.org link @ https://bookshop.org/shop/thebookstagays - this is a way to support indie bookstores AND the show (we receive a very small kickback if you purchase through our affiliate link).  As always, you can find us on Instagram and Twitter @thebookstagays, and on our own accounts @thebookadvocate and @staxsonstaxs Cheers Queers! Be gay, read books! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thebookstagays/support

Today we talked to Cameron about their amazing memoir, Save Yourself, their podcast, Queery, and other amazing queer things like book recommendations, favorite podcast guests, the Dyke March, Alison Bechdel, and SO MUCH MORE. You can find Cameron on Instagram at @cameronesposito, on Twitter at @cameronesposito, and on Cameron's website: https://www.cameronesposito.com/ If you want to buy Cameron's book or any of the ones we mentioned - consider buying them from our bookshop.org link @ https://bookshop.org/shop/thebookstagays - this is a way to support indie bookstores AND the show (we receive a very small kickback if you purchase through our affiliate link). As always, you can find us on Instagram and Twitter @thebookstagays, and on our own accounts @thebookadvocate and @staxsonstaxs Cheers Queers! Be gay, read books! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thebookstagays/support

Today we talk to Georgia Clark about her newest book, Island Time, as well as her writing process, writing advice, character POV choices, favorite characters, and so much more!  You can find Georgia on Instagram at @georgialouclark and on her website: https://www.georgiaclark.com/ If you want to buy Georgia's books or any of the ones we mentioned - consider buying them from our bookshop.org link @ https://bookshop.org/shop/thebookstagays - this is a way to support indie bookstores AND the show (we receive a very small kickback if you purchase through our affiliate link). As always, you can find us on Instagram and Twitter @thebookstagays, and on our own accounts @thebookadvocate and @staxsonstaxs Cheers Queers! Be gay, read books! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thebookstagays/support

Today we talk to Andy and DJ about their queer bookstagrammer too, its importance, how it was developed, how they've found people to participate, and how well it's done from last year until now! We discuss how ally's can help promote the posts and follow queer bookstagrammers and read queer books. Andy and DJ always give us some awesome book recs for pride and ALL YEAR LONG!  Follow Andy at @foreverinastory and DJ at @djreadsbooks!  If you want to buy any of the books we mentioned - consider buying them from our bookshop.org link @ https://bookshop.org/shop/thebookstagays - this is a way to support indie bookstores AND the show (we receive a very small kickback if you purchase through our affiliate link). As always, you can find us on Instagram and Twitter @thebookstagays, and on our own accounts @thebookadvocate and @staxsonstaxs Cheers Queers! Be gay, read books! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thebookstagays/support

It's just Alex and Sam as we kick of Pride month with a recap on what's been going on in our life, June plans, and some recent reads! If you want to buy any of the books we mentioned - consider buying them from our bookshop.org link @ https://bookshop.org/shop/thebookstagays - this is a way to support indie bookstores AND the show (we receive a very small kickback if you purchase through our affiliate link). As always, you can find us on Instagram and Twitter @thebookstagays, and on our own accounts @thebookadvocate and @staxsonstaxs Cheers Queers! Be gay, read books! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thebookstagays/support

We talked with TJ about their debut novel, Chef's Kiss! We discuss the characters (grumpy/sunshine and golden retriever characters), the decision to have Ray come out later in the book to Simone, and unlearning/re-learning how to be an ally to other queer people even as part of the LGBTQ+ community. We also gush about our love of Luna, hear some sneak peeks of a potential next book, and talk about other fun life things!  You can find TJ on Instagram at @tjalexandernyc, on Twitter at @tjalexanderNYC, and on their website: https://tjalexander.com/ If you want to buy TJ's book or the ones we mentioned - consider buying them from our bookshop.org link @ https://bookshop.org/shop/thebookstagays - this is a way to support indie bookstores AND the show (we receive a very small kickback if you purchase through our affiliate link).  As always, you can find us on Instagram and Twitter @thebookstagays, and on our own accounts @thebookadvocate and @staxsonstaxs  Cheers Queers! Be gay, read books! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thebookstagays/support

We finally have a chance to interview Alex's favorite author and one who has been mentioned on this podcast SO many times - Ashley Herring Blake. Her most recent book to debut has been Delilah Green Doesn't Care - among her other many phenomenal books. Ashley has written middle grade, young adult, and (now) adult books. We talk about what it's like to write across genres, writing a romance universe, being a middle school teacher and an author, the importance of representation, favorite queer books, and more! You can find Ashley on Instagram at @ashleyhblake, on Twitter at @ashleyhblake, and on her website: http://www.ashleyherringblake.com/ If you want to buy any of Ashley's books or the ones we mentioned - consider buying them from our bookshop.org link @ https://bookshop.org/shop/thebookstagays - this is a way to support indie bookstores AND the show (we receive a very small kickback if you purchase through our affiliate link). As always, you can find us on Instagram and Twitter @thebookstagays, and on our own accounts @thebookadvocate and @staxsonstaxs Cheers Queers! Be gay, read books! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thebookstagays/support

We have Libby back on the podcast again and this time we deep dive into post-coming out - dating apps, embarrassing dating stories (wait until you hear these), Libby's love of pickles, how Alex was unsure how to hug people when dating, and other incredibly awkward and overly honest stories. You can find Libby on Instagram at @sleeprunreadrepeat or on the podcast Libby cohosts at @booksandthecitypod If you want to buy any of the books we mentioned - consider buying them from our bookshop.org link @ https://bookshop.org/shop/thebookstagays - this is a way to support indie bookstores AND the show (we receive a very small kickback if you purchase through our affiliate link). As always, you can find us on Instagram and Twitter @thebookstagays, and on our own accounts @thebookadvocate and @staxsonstaxs Cheers Queers! Be gay, read books! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thebookstagays/support

We talk with Adib about his newest book, Kiss & Tell! We deep dive into favorite boy bands, the inspiration for writing this newest book, favorite characters in Kiss & Tell, queer stereotypes, writing advice, the importance of queer representation, and more!  You can find Adib on Instagram at @adibkhorram, on Twitter at @adibkorram, and on his website https://adibkhorram.com/ If you want to buy any of Adib's books or the books we mentioned - consider buying them from our bookshop.org link @ https://bookshop.org/shop/thebookstagays - this is a way to support indie bookstores AND the show (we receive a very small kickback if you purchase through our affiliate link). As always, you can find us on Instagram and Twitter @thebookstagays, and on our own accounts @thebookadvocate and @staxsonstaxs Cheers Queers! Be gay, read books! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thebookstagays/support

Today we talk to our friend Ren about roller derby, dating apps (does Sam have a picture holding a fish?), pet names for significant others, queer representation/identities, book recommendations, and so much more!  You can find Ren on Instagram at @queersubtext If you want to buy any of the books we mentioned - consider buying them from our bookshop.org link @ https://bookshop.org/shop/thebookstagays - this is a way to support indie bookstores AND the show (we receive a very small kickback if you purchase through our affiliate link). As always, you can find us on Instagram and Twitter @thebookstagays, and on our own accounts @thebookadvocate and @staxsonstaxs Cheers Queers! Be gay, read books! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thebookstagays/support