noahsingh's review against another edition
emotional
informative
inspiring
medium-paced
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Racism, Transphobia, and Racial slurs
Minor: Ableism, Medical content, Rape, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Eating disorder, Fatphobia, Hate crime, Incest, Mental illness, Outing, Pedophilia, Suicide attempt, Classism, Deportation, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Addiction, Colonisation, Deadnaming, Dysphoria, Murder, and Physical abuse
nacirema's review against another edition
5.0
A fantastic series of interviews, this book is a stellar read for artists and academics.
Each essay is a transcript of an interview that lead-editor Nia King conducted for her podcast series with different queer and/or trans artists of color, and the selections have been curated masterfully. While certain themes continually appear throughout the book (the prevailing white supremacy of academia, the importance of making the transition to paid artist, etc.), each interview subject gives their own unique spin on the issues. Nia also skillfully conducts each interview, making the speaker feel comfortable divulging stories of their art life and experiences, including in many cases, several delightful tangents and anecdotes that serve to illustrate the themes of the collection.
Because each chapter is a different transcript, this also makes the book a very easy read, which is meant entirely as a compliment. The transcripts, by nature, take on a conversational tone, and as someone used to reading screenplays, any instance of, essentially, dialog simply reads faster for me. I was able to absorb and underline with exceptional clarity the entire way through book.
Many of the stories are powerful, and while I did not want to put the book down, I found myself needing a break after certain chapters simply because of the passionate subject matter. I would definitely recommend this book to other minority artists, as well as anyone who wants a better grasp on the experiences of QTPOCs who are striving to make their art seen and their voices heard.
Each essay is a transcript of an interview that lead-editor Nia King conducted for her podcast series with different queer and/or trans artists of color, and the selections have been curated masterfully. While certain themes continually appear throughout the book (the prevailing white supremacy of academia, the importance of making the transition to paid artist, etc.), each interview subject gives their own unique spin on the issues. Nia also skillfully conducts each interview, making the speaker feel comfortable divulging stories of their art life and experiences, including in many cases, several delightful tangents and anecdotes that serve to illustrate the themes of the collection.
Because each chapter is a different transcript, this also makes the book a very easy read, which is meant entirely as a compliment. The transcripts, by nature, take on a conversational tone, and as someone used to reading screenplays, any instance of, essentially, dialog simply reads faster for me. I was able to absorb and underline with exceptional clarity the entire way through book.
Many of the stories are powerful, and while I did not want to put the book down, I found myself needing a break after certain chapters simply because of the passionate subject matter. I would definitely recommend this book to other minority artists, as well as anyone who wants a better grasp on the experiences of QTPOCs who are striving to make their art seen and their voices heard.
sazuka's review against another edition
4.0
I found this book in the bathroom of a queer-friendly coop I was a house guest in, in a stack of books with the Sandman and Notes from Gaza.
These interviews are honest. They are soulful. They are about art and race and sexuality and light up in a million spots for me. There's practical advice within, too, but above all this book inspires because it shines minority artists in the spotlight and showers aspiring artists with role models.
These interviews are honest. They are soulful. They are about art and race and sexuality and light up in a million spots for me. There's practical advice within, too, but above all this book inspires because it shines minority artists in the spotlight and showers aspiring artists with role models.
touko's review against another edition
4.0
I found this book in the bathroom of a queer-friendly coop I was a house guest in, in a stack of books with the Sandman and Notes from Gaza.
These interviews are honest. They are soulful. They are about art and race and sexuality and light up in a million spots for me. There's practical advice within, too, but above all this book inspires because it shines minority artists in the spotlight and showers aspiring artists with role models.
These interviews are honest. They are soulful. They are about art and race and sexuality and light up in a million spots for me. There's practical advice within, too, but above all this book inspires because it shines minority artists in the spotlight and showers aspiring artists with role models.
svetyas4's review against another edition
5.0
Thoughtfully edited, meticulously put together, interesting, funny, sweet, sad. Everyone should read this!
sucreslibrary's review against another edition
5.0
lots of really great discussions happening in this that are still relevant 7 years later! also a great introduction to artists I would have never heard of otherwise. it did kinda make me chuckle how many artists talked about their tumblrs now that tumblr is a shell of the site it used to be and most artists have fled from it, as well as talking about "call-out culture", an earlier form of "cancel culture". some parts felt a little tedious because it feels like these things have been talked to death by now, but a lot of that was just beginning when this book was written.
alenka's review against another edition
5.0
This book is an incredible, must-read for anyone interested in creating political art, or doing community organizing. Nia is a wonderful interviewer and lets each artist share their stories in a way that truly lets their passion shine through. This book is chock full of good advice, and will guide you to other books and works of art created by queer and trans people of color. Nia King is amazing, read this and fund her indiegogo for her second book!