#book news

[brandyschillace]

The Forgotten History of the World’s First Transgender Clinic

I finished the first round of edits on my nonfiction history of trans rights today. It will publish with Norton in 2025, but I decided, because I feel so much of my community is here, to provide a bit of the introduction.

[begin sample]

The Institute for Sexual Sciences had offered safe haven to homosexuals and those we today consider transgender for nearly two decades. It had been built on scientific and humanitarian principles established at the end of the 19th century and which blossomed into the sexology of the early 20th. Founded by Magnus Hirschfeld, a Jewish homosexual, the Institute supported tolerance, feminism, diversity, and science. As a result, it became a chief target for Nazi destruction: “It is our pride,” they declared, to strike a blow against the Institute. As for Magnus Hirschfeld, Hitler would label him the “most dangerous Jew in Germany.”6 It was his face Hitler put on his antisemitic propaganda; his likeness that became a target; his bust committed to the flames on the Opernplatz. You have seen the images. You have watched the towering inferno that roared into the night. The burning of Hirschfeld’s library has been immortalized on film reels and in photographs, representative of the Nazi imperative, symbolic of all they would destroy. Yet few remember what they were burning—or why.

Magnus Hirschfeld had built his Institute on powerful ideas, yet in their infancy: that sex and gender characteristics existed upon a vast spectrum, that people could be born this way, and that, as with any other diversity of nature, these identities should be accepted. He would call them Intermediaries.

Intermediaries carried no stigma and no shame; these sexual and Gender nonconformists had a right to live, a right to thrive. They also had a right to joy. Science would lead the way, but this history unfolds as an interwar thriller—patients and physicians risking their lives to be seen and heard even as Hitler began his rise to power. Many weren’t famous; their lives haven’t been celebrated in fiction or film. Born into a late-nineteenth-century world steeped in the “deep anxieties of men about the shifting work, social roles, and power of men over women,” they came into her own just as sexual science entered the crosshairs of prejudice and hate. The Institute’s own community faced abuse, blackmail, and political machinations; they responded with secret publishing campaigns, leaflet drops, pro-homosexual propaganda, and alignments with rebel factions of Berlin’s literati. They also developed groundbreaking gender affirmation surgeries and the first hormone cocktail for supportive gender therapy.

Nothing like the Institute for Sexual Sciences had ever existed before it opened its doors—and despite a hundred years of progress, there has been nothing like it since. Retrieving this tale has been an exercise in pursuing history at its edges and fringes, in ephemera and letters, in medal texts, in translations. Understanding why it became such a target for hatred tells us everything about our present moment, about a world that has not made peace with difference, that still refuses the light of scientific evidence most especially as it concerns sexual and reproductive rights.

[end sample]

I wanted to add a note here: so many people have come together to make this possible. Like Ralf Dose of the Magnus-Hirschfeld-Gesellschaft (Magnus Hirschfeld Archive), Berlin, and Erin Reed, American journalist and transgender rights activist—Katie Sutton, Heike Bauer. I am also deeply indebted to historian, filmmaker and formative theorist Susan Stryker for her feedback, scholarship, and encouragement all along the way. And Laura Helmuth, editor of Scientific American, whose enthusiasm for a short article helped bring the book into being. So many LGBTQ+ historians, archivists, librarians, and activists made the work possible, that its publication testifies to the power of the queer community and its dedication to preserving and celebrating history. But I ALSO want to mention you, folks here on tumblr who have watched and encouraged and supported over the 18 months it took to write it (among other books and projects). @neil-gaiman has been especially wonderful, and @always-coffee too: thank you.

The support of this community has been important as I’ve faced backlash in other quarters. Thank you, all.

NOTE: they are attempting to rebuild the lost library, and you can help: https://magnus-hirschfeld.de/archivzentrum/archive-center/

#support trans rights #trans history #trans #transgender #trans woman #trans rights #trans representation #interwar period #weimar #equality #autistic author #nonbinary #lgbtq representation #lgbtqia #book news #book #books #new books #thank you #neil gaiman #for your support

[onebluebookworm]

We are all aware that libraries across the United States are under attack. Thanks to groups like Moms for Liberty and other outspoken “concerned citizens,” there has been actual legislative action at multiple levels of government to limit what libraries can do and provide to their communities. Even in the places where there hasn’t been that kind of action, those same concerned citizens have mounted acts of intimidation to instill fear and block access...In light of this, I’ve heard many iterations of the same question: how can we help? What do libraries and library staff need right now?

#book news #resources #censorship #library stuff #support your local library

[cyanide-latte]

Hey here's the heads up that if you're not wanting to give Amazon your money for these two Prime days and you're looking to buy books while also giving back to bookstores around the US and also get free shipping? Bookshop.org is doing free shipping on all orders today (Oct. 10) and tomorrow (Oct. 11)

#bookshop.org #prime deal days #book news #Cyanide speaks

[bookphile]

I can’t believe the first drama of the book world in 2023 is an author coming back from the dead and admitting they faked suicide. 

#booklr #book news #tw: suicide mention

[nevermoorsource]

Silverborn US Delay

The release date for America has changed from September 10th, 2024 -> January 28th, 2025. Time will tell if the Australian and UK dates change further as well, otherwise we’re looking at a huge gap until the American release date.

#nevermoor #silverborn #book news #😭😭😭😭😭 #on the day after Morrigan Crow’s birthday no less! #no clue yet on if Australian and UK dates will change further. but 😭😭😭 #can I please get some stuff to post on here for once that isn’t a delay….🥲

[his-dark-materials-trilogy]

#the book of dust #philip pullman #hdm #his dark materials #book #book news #writing #trilogy #lyra #lyra silvertongue #author #tbod #la belle sauvage #the secret commonwealth

[anwhitebooks]

Fanfiction is in Jeopardy: Here’s how you can help

February 27, 2024 If you’re not plugged into bookish social media, you may not have seen the news: Onyx_and_Elm, the author of a popular Harry Potter fanfiction called Breath Mints and Battle Scars, has removed their works from AO3. This is due to the rampant (and illegal) issue of people selling bound copies of fanfiction online, often in storefronts like Etsy. This announcement from…

View On WordPress

#AO3 #book blog #book blogger #book discussion #book news #dramione #fanfiction #harry potter fanfiction

[thequietpercussionist]

I swear it's one thing after another

#the quiet percussionist #thequietpercussionist #how the fuck #ask tumblr #writing #writing problems #congress #dont let this bill pass #fanfiction #ao3 #destiel meme #destiel #supernatural #news #book news #destiel news

[godzilla-reads]

ITS OFFICIAL Y’ALL

WATERSHIP DOWN IS GETTING A GRAPHIC NOVEL 👏

THANK YOU JOE SUTPHIN

#godzilla reads #Watership down #new books #graphic novels #book news #joe sutphin #booklr #book blog #bookish #booklife

[drbarty]

The next book is going well! um! Have I mentioned that I've been working on the next book? :D It's already gone through four stages of revision and I am halfway through the fifth. I have two more beta readers lined up, and then I'll do one more edit, and then? Possibly in April??? The story will continue-! if you would like to be updated when that happens, please send me an email at BartholomewWayman/gmail to be put on the book mailing list! I hope you are all having a wonderful evening!

#book news

[tellnotalespod]

It occurs to me that I’ve been posting about this over on Twitter, but have been woefully neglecting to share it here!

So hi, I’m Leanne, I write, produce, and voice Leo in Tell No Tales. And in addition to silly little stories about ghosts, I also write silly little stories about romance.

My debut YA rom-com, Lover Birds, will be released in July 2024 in the UK, and I’m losing my mind about it. We recently revealed the cover, which I’m in love with:

And here’s a little glimpse into what’s inside!

I’m aware it’s a bit of a tone shift from Tell No Tales, but if any of this sounds like your cup of tea, it’s currently available to pre-order or add on Goodreads here.

That link also contains my personal Twitter, which is where I’m posting most of my book updates :)

#tell no tales #book news

[harrowfuckinghark]

So I preordered Heavenly Tyrant (the sequel to Iron Widow) through Barnes and Noble a couple of months ago and I got an email last night saying that the publisher has postponed the release date to 12/24/24 from 4/30/24. I’ve been searching to try and find out why and I haven’t found anything. I work at Barnes and Noble and in our system the release date is still listed as April. I checked Xiran Jay Zhao’s Instagram and the publisher’s website and there’s no info about the change anywhere. Has anyone else had their preorder postponed? Do y’all have any idea what happened?

#xiran jay zhao #iron widow #heavenly tyrant #iron widow release date #publishing question #publishing #ya books #book news #like I’m so confused #also really worried this has something to do with them being so vocal about Palestine #like the original publishing date was supposed to be in 2023 but it got postponed because xiran jay zhao didn’t get paid enough #like I’m worried that their publisher is screwing them over for some reason but I don’t know that for sure

[onebluebookworm]

“Hyperbolic and misleading rhetoric continues to ignite fear over the types of books in schools. And yet, 75 percent of all banned books are specifically written and selected for young audiences,” explained Kasey Meehan, program director for PEN’s Freedom to Read Program. “Florida isn’t an anomaly — it’s providing a playbook for other states to follow suit. Students have been using their voices for months in resisting coordinated efforts to suppress teaching and learning about certain stories, identities, and histories; it’s time we follow their lead.”

#book news #banned book week #censorship

[bookphile]

I’ve been in the book community for over a decade at this point, and I’m still somehow surprised when I hear about an author acting like a jerk towards a reviewer. It’s the year 2023, how do authors -- especially younger authors who grew up with the internet -- still don’t know online etiquette or author v reviewer etiquette? And worst of all, I don’t understand how other people can watch them behave like a jerk and still support them in any way. 

#This is about CJ Pipper dog pilling on a book reviewer and sending people to mass flag their account and getting it perma banned from tiktok #booklr #book drama #book news #how many authors have we had behave this way #this is as bad as lauren hough last year #she's the new anne rice

[nevermoorsource]

A Nevermoor graphic novel is releasing in France on October 26th! It is adapted by Maxe L’Hermenier and illustrated by Thomas Labourot.

#nevermoor #book news #nevermoor graphic novel #sorry for the blurry image but I can’t find any better. I think because listings may have just gone up lol #in the future if I get an HD pic I’ll edit the post to replace the image #I can’t read french to justify a physical copy but I wonder if it’ll ever be released digitally #I think I’ve read nevermoor enough to be able to follow it without being able to read the dialogue anyways! lol

[thebookbin]

Bookish News You Need To Know

HarperCollins Publishing Union is on Strike NOW

Since July, HarperCollins workers have been bargaining with their corporation to receive fair wages, diversity commitments in the industry (which has remained 90% white), and for their right to collectively bargain. To stave off the strike HarperCollins agreed to come to the table, but refused to engage in good faith.

HarperCollins UAW 2110 has been on strike since 10 November.

How you can help:

All this information comes straight from the union. Visit their website for the most up-to-date information. Follow their lead when it comes to direct action!

Donate to the strike fund! You can use this link here or make our cheques to: ATTN Lynne Weir Region 9A UAW 111 Founders Plaza, 17th floor East Hartford, CT 06108 "HarperCollins" on the memo line

Bring supplies to the picket line Email dm @hcpunion on instagram to see what they need right now. But in general things that would be helpful are: lunch, gluten-free and vegan options, hand-warmers, and scarves.

Don't boycott HarperCollins titles The union is asking you not to boycott, because they still support their authors and want them to succeed. Improved conditions for HarperCollins workers means improved conditions for HarperCollins authors.

Contact HarperCollins and share the news Your support for the union should be addressed to [email protected] and [email protected]

If you're near NYC, join the picket line 195 Broadway, New York, NY 10007

DO NOT REVIEW HARPERCOLLINS BOOKS UNTIL THEY PROVIDE FAIR CONTRACTS TO THEIR EMPLOYEES. And if they are nominated for any awards like the GoodReads Choice Awards withhold your vote on HarperCollins titles.

Reblog this post This isn't part of the official union instructions, but it would really help spread the word around the tumblr book community.

Sources: HCP Union social medias: Twitter Instagram The Citizen's Guide to Following the Money and Holding the Powerful Accountable free ebook PDF MorePerfectUnion @harpercollins

#harpercollins #harper collins #union busting #unionize #book news #featured #someone will remember us even in another time