Abdi Nazemian is the screenwriter of The Quiet, Celeste in the City, Beautiful Girl, and the short film Revolution, which he also directed. He is an alumnus of the Sundance Writer’s Lab, a mentor at the Outfest Screenwriter’s Lab, and has taught screenwriting at UCLA Extension. He lives in Los Angeles with his two children, and his dog Hedy Lamarr. The Walk-In Closet is his first novel.
How to Lose Yourself Completely (2026) Peter Bognanni "Peter Bognanni's How to Lose Yourself Completely is a book to lose yourself in, completely. Through stunning prose, this novel of uncommon depth and astounding empathy will take you on a powerful and hopeful adventure into the human heart that will leave you breathless."
The Rebel Girls of Rome (2025) Jordyn Taylor "Sweepingly romantic and achingly mysterious, Jordyn Taylor's The Rebel Girls of Rome is both a historical document and a page turner. Through vivid prose and vibrant characters, Taylor reminds us of the power of love, family, and human resilience."
Let Them Stare (2025) Julie Murphy and Jonathan Van Ness "Jonathan van Ness and Julie Murphy's Let Them Stare is a magical queer romp of a book that will enter your heart purse first and linger there forever. A beautiful and hilarious ode to celebrating, uncovering, and growing out of our history."
Tehrangeles (2024) Porochista Khakpour "Like all great satires, Porochista Khakpour's Tehrangeles is both hilarious and heartfelt. With razor-sharp writing, Khakpour brings to life a family, a place, and a series of modern dilemmas that will leave you laughing, thinking, and wanting more."
Teenage Dirtbags (2024) (Moorestown High) James Acker "James Acker's The Long Run introduces us to two funny, unique, passionate narrators, and also to a boldly authentic new voice in queer fiction. Written with equal doses of heart and ferocity, this is a fabulous debut. Bash and Sandro will run away with your heart."
The Manor House Governess (2023) C A Castle "The Manor House Governess weaves past and present together to create a queer story of love and intrigue that feels thrillingly new and boldly relevant."
No Perfect Places (2023) Steven Salvatore "With NO PERFECT PLACES, Steven Salvatore has gifted us a unique and deeply personal book that beautifully explores the different forms grief can take, the subtle ways secrets can pull us apart, and the unexpected joys that await us when we embrace imperfection."
Brighter Than the Moon (2023) David Valdes "With Brighter Than the Moon, David Valdes gifts us a beautifully emotional and carefully crafted story about the messy process of connecting the dots of our own identities and connecting to each other in a fragmented world."
I Miss You, I Hate This (2022) Sara Saedi "Sara Saedi's I Miss You, I Hate This is a book you'll miss as soon as you put it down. This magical novel is like being inside a friendship, with all the love, heartache, and laughter a best friend brings us. Saedi poignantly reminds us that connection is always more powerful than isolation."
This Is Why They Hate Us (2022) Aaron H Aceves "Aaron H. Aceves' This Is Why They Hate Us is a debut novel written with humor and passion. This book is as bold and urgent as its title, and it introduces us to a fresh new queer perspective and protagonist."
The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School (2022) Sonora Reyes "A bold debut that invites us into a world of cultural specificity and queer love through the voice of a heroine who is impossible to resist. I'm so thrilled for readers to go on this uniquely hilarious and deeply moving journey of self-acceptance."
Kiss & Tell (2022) Adib Khorram "Adib Khorram's Kiss & Tell is a hyperpop blast of queerness that examines the perils of finding your identity under the spotlight of fame, and celebrates the transformative power of the artistic process. I loved it."
Maybe We're Electric (2021) Val Emmich "Val Emmich's Maybe We're Electric is a beautifully rendered portrait of two complicated teens who find the secrets to unlocking their authentic selves through an unexpected connection. Written with tenderness and heart, this is a book that will light readers up."
Last Night at the Telegraph Club (2021) (Last Night at the Telegraph Club) Malinda Lo "Malinda Lo's Last Night at the Telegraph Club is a beautifully observed story about finding love and fighting for one's identity against tremendous odds. In bringing a fascinating chapter of history to vivid life, this novel illuminates a path to the future through a careful understanding of our past. It's vivid, emotional, and hopeful. I loved it."
Miss Meteor (2020) Anna-Marie McLemore and Tehlor Kay Mejia "A luminous romp of a book that is both hilarious and tender. Mejia and McLemore have gifted us with a story that celebrates the eternal power of friendship."
The Black Flamingo (2019) Dean Atta "The Black Flamingo is an essential addition to the canon of queer coming-of-age stories. Dean Atta has gifted us with words that are lyrical, hilarious and intimate. I'm obsessed with this book and you will be too."
