JOFFE BOOKS PRIDE Q&A – Lizzie Fry

Here at Joffe Books we’re looking to celebrate Pride Month over the month of June. We’re very keen to show how proud we are of our LGBTQ+ authors, their hard work and their amazing achievements.

This week we caught up with Lizzie Fry — read below to find out what Pride means to her.

What was it about psychological thrillers that drew you to the genre?

In my view, psychological thrillers are some of the most captivating and suspenseful stories out there. They often explore the dark side of human nature and can be both terrifying and enlightening. For me, they offer a unique way to examine the complexities of the human mind and understand what drives people to do terrible things.

I also find that psychological thrillers often have strong female characters, which is something I always look for in a story. In many ways, these women are my heroes; they’re brave, flawed and human, and I can’t help but root for them as they try to outsmart their opponents.

Even better, these enigmatic female characters don’t have to be heroes! They can be antiheroines, or even downright villainous, too. When I was growing up, female characters were often sidelined, and when they did appear, they were frequently heavily idealized. Yet real women are complex, and just because we’re female does not mean we’re automatically 'better’ or less likely to do bad things. I love psychological thrillers because we are not reduced to eye candy or goody two-shoes. 

Who is an LGBTQ+ author that everyone should read?

There are many LGBTQ+ authors who everyone should read, but one that stands out for me is Clive Barker. I grew up reading his books, such as Imajica, and as a closeted bisexual teen, it was so meaningful for me. Gentle, one of the three protagonists in Imajica, could be described as bisexual or pansexual (although being written in the early 90s, this could not be openly discussed). 

Later that same decade, Barker published his novel Sacrament, which was a huge deal — it was one of the first books with an openly gay hero and Barker appeared in multiple LGBTQ+ publications, such as The Advocate and Out. Having grown up in the shadow of Section 28, it suddenly felt very possible that I could be accepted, not only as a queer person, but a queer writer. 

I also relate to Barker because he says: 

‘Being gay does provide an interesting tension. Part of me wants to say that I am just a regular guy, but another part of me says that there is a gay sensibility. This isn’t just about acts performed in the bedroom — it alters your point of view, your aesthetic. Part of me wants to blend in, but part of me wants to stay separate, because there are things about both worlds that are admirable.'

 As a bisexual person, I have always felt both worlds are great (or can be!), and Barker is one of the few people I have seen acknowledge this. 

How do you celebrate Pride and what does it mean to you?

I’ve always loved Pride, though I was not able to go until I was an adult. Growing up, I lived in the middle of nowhere, so obviously there were no Pride events near me. I always felt left out and wanted to go because Pride is a time to celebrate who you are, and to be proud of who you are. Pride is also a time to reflect on the progress we’ve made, and to continue fighting for the rights of all LGBTQ+ people.

For me, Pride is a time to celebrate my identity as a queer woman. It’s a time to be visible and stand up for what I believe in. It’s also a time to connect with other LGBTQ+ people and allies, and to build community. Pride is about celebrating our differences and coming together to fight for equality.

What do you hope to see more of in the publishing industry?

As an LGBTQ+ writer, I hope to see more diversity and inclusion in the publishing industry. I want to see more queer characters and stories being told, and I want to see more publishers working to be inclusive of all voices. 

I hope to see more visibility and understanding for LGBTQ+ writers in the industry, especially trans-identifying writers: male, female and non-binary. The current ‘trans panic’ we’re living in right now echoes the ’90s: the term ‘trans lobby’ is just a re-run of the ‘gay mafia’ nonsense back then, as is the constant fearmongering around toilets, sports or ‘single sex’ spaces. I’m appalled to see this rehash of history in my lifetime. 

Finally, I also hope to see more support for LGBTQ+ writers within the industry. I want to see more opportunities for us to share our stories, and I want to see publishers who are willing to invest in us and our work. I want us to be able to tell our stories without fear of discrimination or judgment, and I want our voices to be heard loud and clear — which is why I was delighted that Joffe Books asked me my thoughts for this special Pride newsletter!

How do you think allies can help raise awareness of the issues that the LGBTQ+ community face?

I think allies can help raise awareness of the issues that the LGBTQ+ community face by amplifying our voices. When we speak out about our experiences, allies can help share our stories with a wider audience and create dialogue about the challenges we face (even something as simple as a like, share or retweet helps!). Additionally, I think it’s important for allies to be active participants in creating inclusive environments for everyone, so that everyone can feel comfortable being themselves.