Introducing The QLP Quarterly!
We launched our first audio product, our first print zine—as well as more extras for patrons and paid subscribers.
It’s been an exciting few months for us at The Queer Love Project. Since launching last year, we’ve seen our subscribers grow and have had the absolute pleasure of sharing dozens of original personal essays as well as revealing answers to our questionnaire.
I have to say, I’ve gotten pretty emotional about it! I didn’t predict that I’d commission pieces from writers in the Middle East, Africa, and Europe—or that I’d learn so much in the process. As I’ve told many people over the years, my two criteria that guide me in life are:
Are you having fun?
Are you learning something new?
Luckily, I’ve had the privilege to have so many great experiences where one or the other is happening. With QLP, both are true, and I’m enjoying getting back to my roots in indie publishing. At the moment, I’m furiously copying, sorting and folding the debut issue of our zine, The QLP Quarterly. Here’s a preview of the cover, with an illustration I commissioned from Australian-based artist Frances Cannon:
Come Out to Hear Us Read!
We will have our first launch event for the zine in Los Angeles later this month at Book Soup on March 23. If you’re in the area, please come out and join us as we celebrate! We’ll have contributors Asya Graf, Martin Goodman, and Bob Merrick joining myself and co-editor Michael Narkunski to read selections of their work.
The Queer Love Project will also be at the AWP Conference & Bookfair in LA from March 26-29. It’s my first time attending this massive event (TBH, I didn’t even know about the massive annual extravaganza until last year when it was suggested we get a table to promote our publication). Along with participating in informational dialogues with attendees, we’ll be hosting author signings on Friday, March 28 by Rasheed Newson (author of My Government Means to Kill Me), Kristen Felicetti (author of Log Off), Manuel Betancourt (who I interviewed about his latest book), and Martin Goodman (who contributed this wonderful piece). So, come on by and say hello if you’re attending.
Plus, there will be merch!
We are now offering T-shirts and this tote on our Etsy page. So if you want to wear your queer love, here’s your chance. I’m planning more fun swag, and if you have any suggestions of stuff that you’d want to purchase or wear (or design), let us know!
This is all to say, we also want to provide additional perks and features for our patrons—those paid subscribers who have decided to dedicate their resources to help us keep this community growing. While you will always get our weekly personal essays and the QLP Questionnaire in your inbox, it’s worth upgrading! That’s how we pay our contributors and keep this thing alive.
All Founding Members will receive a tote and a copy of the zine (you’ll just have to send your mailing address so you can receive your gift).
Listen Up!
The first episode of the Queer Love Podcast is now live. In it, QLP co-editor Michael Narkunski and I discuss the mission of this platform, the reason he decided to publish “A Pleasure to Have in Class” as his second essay, as well as his motivation for writing memoir, including the book he’s working hard to publish.
We plan to bring you a new episode every month. I hired a podcast producer to help make this a reality, so yes, that’s another expense. But I love collaborating and miss that energy from my days working in mainstream media. Plus, it’s so much more fun when you can find creative queer people who want to make cool shit happen. If you’re interested in joining the team, let me know!
Want to Read Together?
I’m also working on the details for the QLP Virtual Book Club that will be available to paying subscribers who want to participate. We’ll all read a book together and then have a casual, friendly conversation about the themes—and I hope to invite the authors to join in when possible. I have a few books in mind, but if you’d like to suggest one (or more), let me know. Stay tuned for more details very soon.
OK, I think that’s enough enthusiasm for now. The world needs more queer love stories, and with your help, we’re making that a reality. Thanks for your support!
Would love to get a shirt and support you but there are no sizes listed
Love it