Statewide

Iowa man convicted for burning LGBTQ library books, ordered to pay fines

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ORANGE CITY — Paul Dorr, who made national news when he burned LGBTQ library books in a Facebook live video, was convicted of criminal mischief on Tuesday. Sioux County, Iowa Attorney Thomas Kunstle told NBC OUT that Dorr, 63, was found guilty of the misdemeanor Tuesday and ordered to pay approximately $147 in fines and court costs. Dorr had reportedly tried to get the case dismissed, saying other people don’t return library books and he was “selectively” being prosecuted. The court didn’t buy that. He had burned the books while livestreaming in October 2018.

Central Illinois

IWU grad publishes LGBTQ young adult novel

By , Publisher/blogger |

BLOOMINGTON — Illinois Wesleyan University alum Sabina Khan has just published a novel for Muslim LGBTQ youth. A press release from IWU said the book, The Love and Lies of Rukhsana Ali, follows the story of Rukhsana Ali, a Muslim American teenager in a secret relationship with her classmate Ariana. Her parents send her to Bangladesh in an effort to distance their daughter from Western influences. But she finds her grandmother’s diary and gets inspiration from it. “There are a hundred different versions of Rukhsana’s story out there and it would still be about a South Asian LGBTQ Muslim,” Khan told NBC in an interview.

Regional

Iowa library gets flooded with donations after LGBTQ books are burned

By , Publisher/blogger |

ORANGE CITY, Iowa — In the days since an anti-LGBTQ activist burned some books, the Orange City Public Library has gotten flooded with donations. The Des Moines Register reported on Wednesday that more than 200 books had been sent to the small public library in northwester Iowa. Plus, thousands of dollars have been raised on multiple GoFundMe campaigns. From the Register:

Justin Scott said he started a Facebook fundraiser as a “knee-jerk reaction” to Dorr’s video. Within days, he had raised more than $1,000.

Chicagoland

Chicago lesbian BDSM author wins Goldie Award

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CHICAGO — Give Me Thorns, A Lesbian BDSM Romance, by Elizabeth Andre won a Golden Crown Literary Award for best erotica last month. The Golden Crown Literary Society is an organization dedicated to the promotion and recognition of lesbian literature and presented the award at its annual convention in Chicago in July. Elizabeth Andre is a Chicago-based author who has published many works over the past couple of decades. Give Me Thorns is also a finalist for a Golden Flogger Award from the BDSM Writers Convention and has received an honorable mention from the Rainbow Awards. “In 1990 I was at the Michigan Womyn’s Music Festival when the leatherdykes were banned from the land.

books

Gilbert Hernandez Talks About Marble Season at Quimby’s 4/18

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Quimby’s Bookstore Join beloved cartoonist Gilbert Hernandez (LOVE & ROCKETS) as he launches his new D+Q graphic novel MARBLE SEASON, his first semiautobiographical story of his childhood. Hernandez will present a fascinating slide show “From Funnybooks to Graphic Novels” featuring the comics of his childhood, in addition to a Q+A and signing. These silver age comics not only influenced MARBLE SEASON, but also set the course for Gilbert, as well as his brothers Jaime and Mario, to become the legendary comics creator they are today.MARBLE SEASON is the first ever semi-autobiographical novel by acclaimed cartoonist Gilbert Hernandez of Love & Rockets, and is also his first graphic novel for Drawn & Quarterly. Meet Huey. He’s the middle child of a big family, growing up in a California suburb in the 1960s.

books

Lauren Barnett, Neil Fitzpatrick & Bernie McGovern event 8/18

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Quimby’s BookstoreCome see three bright stars from the Hic & Hoc roster – Lauren Barnett, Neil Fitzpatrick, and Bernie McGovern – signing their amazing books on Saturday, August 18, from 7-9pm.Lauren Barnett is very, very funny. This fact is easily verifiable as she has been posting dailoy comics on her blog melikesyou.blogspot.com since 2007. Her new book from Hic & Hoc, Me Likes You Very Much, collects the best of these five years of jokes, swear words, and awkward animals. Lauren is schlepping all the way out from New York for this so you really should come and say hi.Neil Fitzpatrick has been knocking out his superb Neil Jam brand of comes for over a decade now featuring his bug eyed characters milling about and self-reflecting. He’s gone the minicomic route with a self-published series, the anthology route in titles like Kramers Ergot, as well as the webcomic route (neiljam.com).

books

“Bad Zine, Everyone’s Fault” Zine Tour Kick Off Reading 7/20

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Quimby’s BookstoreA night of zine readings by four zinesters setting off on their East Coast tour. Readings by: Jen Twigg writes zines about playing music as a lady-identified punx, the dubious crossroads of football and feminism, and living in two places at once. She is writing a grad thesis about Star Trek and is an organizer of the Chicago Zine Fest. Heather C writes Dig Deep, a zine about public libraries, street harassment, & the rad ways she’s working to create a full life. She also runs Stranger Danger, a zine distro that specializes in feminist, queer, & trans zines.

books

W.C. Presents The Last Man 7/14 at Quimby’s

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Quimby’s BookstoreWC Turck’s new book The Last Man, warns of a world ruled by a single powerful corporation and the one man who defied it. More than fiction, The Last Man is a prophetic story, a freedom manifesto, a celebration of diversity, and reminder that one man can make a difference. With all proceeds going to support Occupy Chicago, reading The Last Man is like standing in solidarity with those who demand a better tomorrow. In 2011, Turck’s first play, Occupy My Heart: A Revolutionary Christmas Carol made national headlines and helped change the media narrative about the Occupy movement. The Last Man continues that effort and support with the only novel endorsed by Occupy Chicago.