Alyson Publications
Encyclopedia
Alyson Books, formerly known as Alyson Publications, is a book
publishing house which specialises in LGBT
fiction
and non-fiction
. Former publisher Don Weise described it as "the world's oldest and largest publisher of LGBT literature
" and "the home of award-winning books in the areas of memoir
, history
, humor, commercial fiction, mystery, and erotica
, among many others".
, USA, in 1980
by Sasha Alyson
, Alyson Publications began in 1990
to sell LGBT-themed children's books, entitled Alyson Wonderland. It was acquired by Liberation Publications in 1995
and sold to Regent Entertainment Media, Inc. in 2008,
and in November, as Alyson Books, named Don Weise its publisher. He works presently from the company's New York
office, having previously been Senior Editor at Carroll & Graf, responsible for the launching of that publisher's gay and lesbian division, and also at Cleis Press
. He has written of his commitment to Alyson's traditional areas of specialisation, but has stated that he is keen also to embrace "more serious nonfiction—particularly in the areas of current affairs, politics
, self-help
, and autobiography
—as well as literary fiction
and works by today's most respected LGBT author
s."
(e-book) publishing only, with plans to convert backlist titles in this fashion. Don Weise is no longer with Alyson.
Book
A book is a set or collection of written, printed, illustrated, or blank sheets, made of hot lava, paper, parchment, or other materials, usually fastened together to hinge at one side. A single sheet within a book is called a leaf or leaflet, and each side of a leaf is called a page...
publishing house which specialises in LGBT
LGBT
LGBT is an initialism that collectively refers to "lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender" people. In use since the 1990s, the term "LGBT" is an adaptation of the initialism "LGB", which itself started replacing the phrase "gay community" beginning in the mid-to-late 1980s, which many within the...
fiction
Fiction
Fiction is the form of any narrative or informative work that deals, in part or in whole, with information or events that are not factual, but rather, imaginary—that is, invented by the author. Although fiction describes a major branch of literary work, it may also refer to theatrical,...
and non-fiction
Non-fiction
Non-fiction is the form of any narrative, account, or other communicative work whose assertions and descriptions are understood to be fact...
. Former publisher Don Weise described it as "the world's oldest and largest publisher of LGBT literature
LGBT literature
Gay literature is a collective term for literature produced by or for the LGBT community, or which involves characters, plot lines or themes portraying male homosexual behavior.-Subgenres:...
" and "the home of award-winning books in the areas of memoir
Memoir
A memoir , is a literary genre, forming a subclass of autobiography – although the terms 'memoir' and 'autobiography' are almost interchangeable. Memoir is autobiographical writing, but not all autobiographical writing follows the criteria for memoir set out below...
, history
History
History is the discovery, collection, organization, and presentation of information about past events. History can also mean the period of time after writing was invented. Scholars who write about history are called historians...
, humor, commercial fiction, mystery, and erotica
Erotica
Erotica are works of art, including literature, photography, film, sculpture and painting, that deal substantively with erotically stimulating or sexually arousing descriptions...
, among many others".
History
Founded in BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, USA, in 1980
1980 in literature
The year 1980 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*Marguerite Yourcenar becomes the first woman to be elected to the Académie française....
by Sasha Alyson
Sasha Alyson
Sasha Alyson is an American businessman who started Alyson Publications in 1979. It was based in Boston, Massachusetts, where Alyson lived at the time. The company concentrated on subjects important to gay people. The company particularly focused on groups that were under-represented in gay...
, Alyson Publications began in 1990
1990 in literature
The year 1990 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*J. K. Rowling gets the idea for Harry Potter while on a train ride from Manchester to London. She says "I was staring out the window, and the idea for Harry just came. He appeared in my mind's eye, very fully formed...
to sell LGBT-themed children's books, entitled Alyson Wonderland. It was acquired by Liberation Publications in 1995
1995 in literature
The year 1995 in literature involved some significant events and new books.-Events:*The Dylan Thomas Centre in Swansea is opened by Jimmy Carter....
and sold to Regent Entertainment Media, Inc. in 2008,
and in November, as Alyson Books, named Don Weise its publisher. He works presently from the company's New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
office, having previously been Senior Editor at Carroll & Graf, responsible for the launching of that publisher's gay and lesbian division, and also at Cleis Press
Cleis Press
Cleis Press is an independent publisher of books in the areas of sexuality, erotica, feminism, gay and lesbian studies, gender studies, fiction, and human rights. The press was founded in 1980 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, later moved to San Francisco, and is now based out of Berkeley, CA...
. He has written of his commitment to Alyson's traditional areas of specialisation, but has stated that he is keen also to embrace "more serious nonfiction—particularly in the areas of current affairs, politics
Politics
Politics is a process by which groups of people make collective decisions. The term is generally applied to the art or science of running governmental or state affairs, including behavior within civil governments, but also applies to institutions, fields, and special interest groups such as the...
, self-help
Self-help
Self-help, or self-improvement, is a self-guided improvement—economically, intellectually, or emotionally—often with a substantial psychological basis. There are many different self-help movements and each has its own focus, techniques, associated beliefs, proponents and in some cases, leaders...
, and autobiography
Autobiography
An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
—as well as literary fiction
Literary fiction
Literary fiction is a term that came into common usage during the early 1960s. The term is principally used to distinguish "serious fiction" which is a work that claims to hold literary merit, in comparison from genre fiction and popular fiction . In broad terms, literary fiction focuses more upon...
and works by today's most respected LGBT author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
s."
Switch to e-book only publishing
More recently, Publishers Weekly announced that Alyson Books will switch to digital(e-book) publishing only, with plans to convert backlist titles in this fashion. Don Weise is no longer with Alyson.
Some books published by Alyson
- Finding H.F.Finding H.F.Finding H.F. is a 2001 young adult novel by Julia Watts, published by Alyson Books. It won the Lambda Literary Award for Children's/Young Adult fiction that same year...
(ISBN 1-55583-622-4), a young adult novel by Julia WattsJulia WattsJulia Watts is an American author of novels, short stories, etc., especially in the genres of young adult fiction and lesbian fiction/erotica....
. - Young, Gay and ProudYoung, Gay and ProudYoung, Gay and Proud is a book written for adolescents who are exploring a gay identity.It was edited by Sasha Alyson and Lynne Yamaguchi Fletcher. The book has been banned by different public libraries.This book is based on a person called Jack Woodhouse...
(ISBN 1-55583-001-3), edited by Sasha Alyson and Lynne Yamaguchi Fletcher. - The Dykes to Watch Out ForDykes to Watch out ForDykes to Watch Out For was a comic strip by Alison Bechdel. The strip, which ran from 1983 to 2008, was one of the earliest ongoing representations of lesbians in popular culture and has been called "as important to new generations of lesbians as landmark novels like Rita Mae Brown’s Rubyfruit...
cartoon series, by Alison BechdelAlison BechdelAlison Bechdel is an American cartoonist. Originally best known for the long-running comic strip Dykes To Watch Out For, in 2006 she became a best-selling and critically acclaimed author with her graphic memoir Fun Home.-Early life:... - The Second Coming: A Leatherdyke Reader (ISBN 1-55583-281-4), edited by Pat CalifiaPatrick CalifiaPatrick Califia , born 1954 near Corpus Christi, Texas is a writer of nonfiction essays about sexuality and of erotic fiction and poetry. Califia is a bisexual trans man.-Biography:...
and Robin Sweeney - Melting Point (ISBN 1-55583-162-1), short stories by Pat CalifiaPatrick CalifiaPatrick Califia , born 1954 near Corpus Christi, Texas is a writer of nonfiction essays about sexuality and of erotic fiction and poetry. Califia is a bisexual trans man.-Biography:...
- Doing it for Daddy (ISBN 1-55583-227-X), short stories by Pat CalifiaPatrick CalifiaPatrick Califia , born 1954 near Corpus Christi, Texas is a writer of nonfiction essays about sexuality and of erotic fiction and poetry. Califia is a bisexual trans man.-Biography:...
- Macho SlutsMacho SlutsMacho Sluts is a 1988 book of erotic short stories by Pat Califia, published by Alyson Publications.Exploring S/M fantasy concepts, it includes the stories "The Calyx of Isis" and "Jessie" along with six other shorter works, "The Finishing School", "The Hustler", "The Surprise Party", "The...
(ISBN 1-55583-115-X), erotic fiction by Pat CalifiaPatrick CalifiaPatrick Califia , born 1954 near Corpus Christi, Texas is a writer of nonfiction essays about sexuality and of erotic fiction and poetry. Califia is a bisexual trans man.-Biography:... - Doc and Fluff (ISBN 1-55583-176-1), a novel by Pat CalifiaPatrick CalifiaPatrick Califia , born 1954 near Corpus Christi, Texas is a writer of nonfiction essays about sexuality and of erotic fiction and poetry. Califia is a bisexual trans man.-Biography:...
- Latter DaysLatter DaysLatter Days is a 2003 American romantic drama film about a gay relationship between a closeted Mormon missionary and his openly gay neighbor. The film was written and directed by C. Jay Cox. It stars Steve Sandvoss as the missionary, Aaron, and Wes Ramsey as the neighbor, Christian. Joseph...
(ISBN 1-55583-868-5), novelization by T. Fabris for the 20032003 in filmThe year 2003 in film involved some significant events. Releases of sequels took place with movies like The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, 2 Fast 2 Furious, Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle, The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions, Pokémon Heroes, Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines,...
major motion picture of the same name. - The First Gay Pope and Other Records, by Lynne Yamaguchi Fletcher
- The Femme Mystique (ISBN 1-55583-255-5), short stories edited by Lesléa NewmanLesléa NewmanLesléa Newman, born in 1955 in Brooklyn, New York, is an American author and editor. She is Jewish, a feminist and openly lesbian.She has written and edited 57 books and anthologies. She has written about such topics as being a Jew, body image and eating disorders, lesbianism, gay parenting, and...
- Pillow Talk (ISBN 1-55583-419-1), short stories edited by Lesléa Newman
- Pills, Thrills, Chills and Heartache (ISBN-10 1555837530), Los Angeles TimesLos Angeles TimesThe Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
bestseller & 2004 Lambda Literary Awards finalist. - The Lillian Byrd crime fiction series, by Elizabeth SimsElizabeth SimsElizabeth Sims is an American writer.Author of two series of crime novels, she is also a contributing editor at Writer's Digest magazine.Sims is best known for her Rita Farmer Mysteries, a suspense series published by St. Martin's Press Minotaur....
- Revolutionary VoicesRevolutionary VoicesRevolutionary Voices: A Multicultural Queer Youth Anthology, edited by Amy Sonnie, is an anthology created by and for radical queer youth, committed specifically to youth of color, young women, transgender and bisexual youth, abled youth, and poor/working class youth.The anthology gave rise to the...
: A Multicultural Queer Youth Anthology (ISBN 1-55583-558-9), edited by Amy Sonnie. - The Trouble with Harry Hay: Founder of the Modern Gay Movement, by Stuart Timmons
- Half-Life, a novel by Aaron KrachAaron KrachAaron Krach is an American film critic, journalist, writer and artist currently living in New York City.-Background:Aaron Krach was born in Ionia, Michigan on February 15, 1972. He grew up in Alhambra, California, and graduated from Alhambra High School. He attended the University of California San...
- Out on Fraternity Row: Personal Accounts of Being Gay in a College Fraternity, by Shane Windmeyer
- Secret Sisters: Stories of Being Lesbian & Bisexual in a College Sorority
- Best Lesbian Love Stories, 2003-2005, edited by Angela Brown
- Mentsh: On Being Jewish and Queer, edited by Angela Brown
- Love, Bourbon Street: Reflections of New Orleans, edited by Greg Herren and Paul J. Willis -- winner 2006 Lambda Literary Award for Anthology
- Bi Any Other Name: Bisexual People Speak OutBi Any Other Name: Bisexual People Speak OutBi Any Other Name: Bisexual People Speak Out, an anthology edited by Loraine Hutchins and Lani Ka'ahumanu, is one of the seminal books in the history of the modern bisexual rights movement...
(ISBN 1-55583-174-5), edited by Loraine HutchinsLoraine HutchinsLoraine Hutchins is an American bisexual and feminist author, activist, and sex educator.She is the co-editor with Lani Ka'ahumanu of the anthology, Bi Any Other Name: Bisexual People Speak Out...
and Lani Ka'ahumanuLani Ka'ahumanuLani Ka'ahumanu is a bisexual and feminist writer and activist. She is openly bisexual and writes and speaks on sexuality issues frequently.She is the co-editor with Loraine Hutchins of Bi Any Other Name: Bisexual People Speak Out .... - The Bisexual's Guide to the Universe, by Michael Szymanski and Nicole Kristal -- winner 2006 Lambda Literary Award for Bisexual
- Entangled Lives: Memoirs of 7 Top Erotica Writers (ISBN 1-55583-998-3), edited by Marilyn Jaye LewisMarilyn Jaye LewisMarilyn Jaye Lewis is an American writer and editor of erotic short stories and novels.-Early career as a singer-songwriter:Lewis studied recording and audio engineering in New York City, after moving there from her home town of Columbus, Ohio in 1980...
- First You Fall a novel by Scott ShermanScott ShermanScott Sherman is a U.S. writer and podcaster. His first novel, First You Fall, won the 2009 Lambda Literary Award for Best Gay Mystery. His writing has also appeared in many periodicals....
, winner of the Lambda Literary Foundation Award, 2009, Best Gay Mystery. - Girl Meets Girl: A Dating Survival Guide 2007 (ISBN 978-1-55583-989-5) by Diana CageDiana CageDiana Cage is an American lesbian-identified author, essayist, radio personality, cultural critic, and performer. Her work examines sexuality, feminism, and LGBT issues.- Career :...