The team behind internationally acclaimed LGBTQ fairy tale Promised Land have released a preview of their second book Maiden Voyage and launched pre-orders ahead of the release of their book in June.
Written by Jaimee Poipoi, Adam Reynolds & Chaz Harris, the book features 32 beautiful illustrations by Christine Luiten & Bo Moore.
In Maiden Voyage, when a fisherman’s daughter inherits a map and joins the crew of a courageous female captain, a bond between them grows into love. Pursuing them on their high seas adventure is a band of pirates, bewitched by a wicked Queen determined to keep her dark secret from surfacing.
Since the release of their first book Promised Land, co-authors Adam Reynolds & Chaz Harris have received support from LGBTQ activist Sir Ian McKellen, inclusive education organisation GLSEN and media coverage from BuzzFeed, Upworthy, Teen Vogue and more. A recently released animated narration of Promised Land on YouTube has almost 10,000 views.
“After the release of our first book, many readers wanted to see queer female characters included. By collaborating with writers of other queer identities we’re hoping to continue filling the void of LGBTQ+ representation in children’s literature. If we exist in the world, we should exist in stories. If we don’t see ourselves in stories, we don’t see ourselves in the world,” co-author Chaz Harris said.
“It’s important for young people to feel included, that they have a place in the world and something to relate to,” says co-author Jaimee Poipoi, who identifies as Takat?pui (a M?ori term used to describe same-gender attraction).
“We want to create the kind of stories we needed to see when we were growing up, because love is love and everyone deserves to live happily ever after,” adds co-author Adam Reynolds.
Promised Land and Maiden Voyage raised over $30,000USD on Kickstarter. Promised Land has received reader acclaim and celebrity support including Sir Ian McKellen (Lord of the Rings), who said, “From every point-of-view, including artistically, it’s a beautiful book.”