When our founders Tash and Adam published their book in January and planned a few events, they didn’t realise what was in store. They’ve now completed a full national book tour, featuring eighteen events in ten different towns/cities. It’s been a whirlwind — but one of the best ways to share stories that started out in The Log Books podcast back in 2019. They’ve also held a series of Queer Story Spaces, and are looking for more partners for these unique events.

Most of the book tour events took place in independent bookshops. Indie booksellers have thrown their support behind The Log Books, and it really shows – with window displays, smart event chairing, and community outreach. The event in Sheffield library was a real treat too – the organiser has the colours of the bisexual flag dyed into her hair!

Although Tash and Adam read from the book and answered questions about the stories it contains, it was the reflections and offers from the readers in the audience that really stood out. Some OG fans of the podcast came along, with one remembering listening to the podcast in lockdown as she walked to the fertility clinic (they now have a baby!). Others wanted to share that the podcast and book had helped them to understand the importance to them of the support they got from Switchboard when they called the helpline decades ago. Another still said that the book event was his first LGBTQ+ event since 1997, having had one bad experience in a gay pub that led him to retreat from queer spaces. Hopefully he felt more welcome in the indie bookshop, among queer readers like him.

As part of the tour, which was mostly organised by the publisher Faber, Tash and Adam also held three Queer Story Spaces. These are Aunt Nell’s signature events that bring queer people together in community spaces, to share, to listen, to reflect. Thanks to the Queer Emporium in Cardiff, Triangle in Deptford, and Folkestone Bookshop (pictured top, with bookseller Hunter) for hosting us for these special, intimate circles. We have three more Queer Story Spaces, in different cities, in the works, so stay tuned.

Another thing that came up on the tour was how the events felt very different to the kind of giant, branded Pride events that became familiar over recent years. People from Newquay to Glasgow shared how local Pride events, which don’t have huge corporate sponsors or restrictive policing, are friendly, fun and grounded in community – exactly what LGBTQ+ people need to come together. The community is the space we make with each other, to listen, whether it’s in a bookshop, between podcast headphones, or in a park with a couple of tinnies. (Roll on summer…!)

Although the book tour for the hardback release is done, we’re planning other events over the coming months – from private talks to public bookshop evenings. You can always contact us if you’d like to enquire about hosting one.