Anna-Marie McLemore: Difference between revisions

| pronouns=[[they/them]]<ref name="twitterbio">[https://twitter.com/LaAnnaMarie Twitter bio], accessed 5 April 2020</ref>

'''Anna-Marie McLemore''' is a Mexican-American author of young adult fiction magical realism, best known for their Stonewall Book Award-winning novel ''When the Moon Was Ours'', as well as ''Wild Beauty'' and ''The Weight of Feathers''.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bustle.com/p/anna-marie-mclemore-creates-space-for-queer-latina-fairy-tale-protagonists-with-her-books-twitter-feed-12133748|title=Anna-Maria McLemore Creates Space For Queer Latina Fairy Tale Protagonists With Their  Books & Twitter Feed|last=Editors|first=Bustle|work=Bustle|access-date=2018-11-10|language=en}}</ref>

McLemore has loved stories their entire life, although their dyslexia made reading difficult. They began writing in highschool and were encouraged by some of their teachers.<ref name="Cary">{{Cite web |title=Author Interview - Anna-Marie McLemore, author of Dark and Deepest Red |last=Cary |first=Alice |work=BookPage.com |date=January 2020 |access-date=3 October 2020 |url= https://bookpage.com/interviews/24720-anna-marie-mclemore-ya}}</ref>

McLemore is a [[queer]] [[Glossary of English gender and sex terminology#L|Latinx]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.gayya.org/2016/06/the-love-that-lives-here-on-queer-girls-transboys-and-sex-on-the-page/|title=The Love That Lives Here: On Queer Girls, Transboys, and Sex on the Page – YA Pride|website=www.gayya.org|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-10}}</ref> which they cite as one of the reasons why they write inclusive, queer, Latinx casts.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cbcdiversity.com/post/166293761493/qa-with-author-anna-marie-mclemore|title=Q&A with Author Anna-Marie McLemore|last=@stylehatch|first=Style Hatch - http://stylehatch.co {{!}}|work=CBC Diversity|access-date=2018-11-10|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/valerie-tejeda/young-adult-authors-honor_b_5833152.html|title=Young Adult Authors Honor Hispanic Heritage Month, Share Why 'We Need Diverse Books'|last=Tejeda|first=Valerie|date=2014-09-17|website=Huffington Post|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-10}}</ref> Their husband is [[transgender]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/13/books/review/the-latest-in-ya-fantasy.html?_r=1|last=Giles|first=Jeff|date=11 November 2016|title=The Latest in Y.A. Fantasy|access-date=15 September 2020|language=en}}</ref> McLemore describes their work as inspired by the fairytales and stories they grew up with and their own background,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://yareview.net/2017/07/interview-with-anna-marie-mclemore/|title=Interview with Anna-Marie McLemore {{!}} YARN|website=yareview.net|access-date=2018-11-10}}</ref> which is why many of their novels feature magical-realist themes, queer characters, and Spanish and French language.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/anna-marie-mclemore/weight-of-feathers/|title=THE WEIGHT OF FEATHERS by Anna-Marie McLemore|work=Kirkus Reviews|language=en-us}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/new-titles/adult-announcements/article/70501-gender-expressions-transgender-books-2016.html|title=Gender Expressions: Transgender Books, 2016|work=PublishersWeekly.com|access-date=2018-11-10|language=en}}</ref> They cite Laura Esquivel's novel ''Like Water for Chocolate'' as one of the reasons they started writing<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/teen/meet-the-lgbtq-authors-who-are-revolutionizing-ya-literature/|title=Meet the LGBTQ+ Authors Who Are Revolutionizing YA Literature|date=2016-03-17|work=The B&N Teen Blog|access-date=2018-11-10|language=en-US}}</ref> and names Carla Trujillo, Malinda Lo, Isabel Allende, and Federico García Lorca as some of their influences.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://link.bookriot.com/view/56a8b7a10aea11997c8b45874n2mx.7qi/7c1dd4f3|title=New Books Oct 10, 2016|website=link.bookriot.com|access-date=2018-11-10}}</ref><ref name="Serrao">{{Cite web |title=Anna-Marie McLemore previews Wild Beauty: See the cover reveal |trans-title= |last=Serrao |first=Nivea |work=Entertainment Weekly |date=6 January 2017 |access-date=15 September 2020 |url= https://ew.com/books/2017/01/06/anna-marie-mclemore-wild-beauty-cover-reveal/ |language=EN}}</ref> McLemore was named a Lambda Literary Emerging Writer Fellow in 2011.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.lambdaliterary.org/features/07/03/2011-emerging-writers-retreat-fellows/|title=2011 Emerging Writers Retreat Fellows|last=Valenzuela|first=Tony|date=2011-07-03|work=Lambda Literary|access-date=2018-11-10|language=en-US}}</ref>

Their debut young adult novel, ''The Weight of Feathers'', was published in 2015 by Thomas Dunne Books. It deals with themes of discrimination and marginalization<ref name="González">{{Cite web |title=Amid uncertain times, 11 new and necessary Latino books to read |last=González |first=Rigoberto |work=NBC News |date=30 November 2016 |access-date=15 September 2020 |url= https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/amid-uncertain-times-11-new-necessary-latino-books-read-n689086?cid=sm_tw}}</ref> in a magical-realist story about black magic,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bustle.com/articles/150069-12-young-adult-novels-with-poc-protagonists|title=12 Awesome YA Novels Featuring POC Protagonists|last=Kovach|first=Catherine|work=Bustle|access-date=2018-11-10|language=en}}</ref> and includes a generational feud between Mexican-American and Romani rival families.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/teen/exclusive-cover-reveal-the-weight-of-feathers-by-anna-marie-mclemore/|title=Exclusive Cover Reveal: The Weight of Feathers by Anna-Marie McLemore|date=2015-02-09|work=The B&N Teen Blog|access-date=2018-11-10|language=en-US}}</ref> Their debut was chosen as a William C. Morris Debut Award Finalist in 2016<ref name=":2">{{Cite news|url=http://www.ala.org/news/press-releases/2015/12/2016-morris-award-finalists-announced|title=2016 Morris Award finalists announced|last=ALAM|date=2015-12-03|work=News and Press Center|access-date=2018-11-10|language=en}}</ref> and received a starred review from Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Quealy-Gainer|first=Kate|date=2015-09-15|title=The Weight of Feathers by Anna-Marie McLemore (review)|url=https://muse.jhu.edu/article/592408|journal=Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books|language=en|volume=69|issue=2|pages=102–102|doi=10.1353/bcc.2015.0723|issn=1558-6766}}</ref> It also was chosen for Young Adult Library Services Association's 2016 Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults list.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.ala.org/yalsa/2016-top-ten-best-fiction-young-adults|title=2016 Top Ten Best Fiction for Young Adults|last=ALAM|date=2016-01-13|work=Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)|access-date=2018-11-10|language=en}}</ref>

Their second novel, ''When the Moon Was Ours,'' a magical-realist fairytale about a transgender Pakistani-American boy and a [[cisgender]] queer Latina falling in love,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/70579-lgbtq-lit-for-children-and-teens-comes-of-age.html|title=LGBTQ Lit for Children and Teens Comes of Age|work=PublishersWeekly.com|access-date=2018-11-10|language=en}}</ref> was published in 2016 by Thomas Dunne Books''.'' It won the James Tiptree Jr. Award<ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://tiptree.org/award/2016-james-tiptree-jr-award|title=2016 James Tiptree, Jr. Award « James Tiptree, Jr. Literary Award|website=James Tiptree, Jr. Literary Award|language=en-US|access-date=2018-11-10}}</ref> in 2016 and the Stonewall Honor Award<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=http://www.ala.org/awardsgrants/stonewall-book-awards-mike-morgan-larry-romans-children%E2%80%99s-young-adult-literature-award|title=Stonewall Book Awards - Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children's & Young Adult Literature Award {{!}} Awards & Grants|website=www.ala.org|language=en|access-date=2018-11-10}}</ref> in 2017. It was also named a Best Book of the Year by Kirkus Reviews<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/issue/best-of-2016/section/teen/lists/|title=Best Teen Books of 2016 by Category|work=Kirkus Reviews|language=en-us|access-date=2018-11-10}}</ref> and Booklist.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.booklistonline.com/When-the-Moon-Was-Ours-AnnaMarie-McLemore/pid=8202562|title=When the Moon Was Ours, by Anna-Marie McLemore {{!}} Booklist Online|website=www.booklistonline.com|access-date=2018-11-10}}</ref> ''When the Moon Was Ours'' received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews,<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/anna-marie-mclemore/when-the-moon-was-ours/|title=WHEN THE MOON WAS OURS by Anna-Marie McLemore {{!}} Kirkus Reviews|language=en-us}}</ref> School Library Journal,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=when-the-moon-was-ours-by-anna-marie-mclemore-slj-review|title=When the Moon Was Ours by Anna-Marie McLemore {{!}} SLJ Review|work=School Library Journal|access-date=2018-11-10}}</ref> and Booklist.<ref name=":0" />

McLemore's third novel, ''Wild Beauty,'' about a family of cursed women and magical gardens, was published in 2017 by Feiwel and Friends<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-250-12455-5|title=Children's Book Review: Wild Beauty by Anne-Marie McLemore. Feiwel and Friends, $17.99  (352p) ISBN 978-1-250-12455-5|work=PublishersWeekly.com|access-date=2018-11-10|language=en}}</ref>''.'' It again received three starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews,<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/anna-marie-mclemore/wild-beauty/|title=WILD BEAUTY by Anna-Marie McLemore {{!}} Kirkus Reviews|language=en-us}}</ref> School Library Journal,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.slj.com/?detailStory=wild-beauty-by-anna-marie-mclemore-slj-review|title=Wild Beauty by Anna-Marie McLemore {{!}} SLJ Review|work=School Library Journal|access-date=2018-11-10}}</ref> and Booklist,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.booklistonline.com/Wild-Beauty-AnnaMarie-McLemore/pid=8946933|title=Wild Beauty, by Anna-Marie McLemore {{!}} Booklist Online|website=www.booklistonline.com|access-date=2018-11-10}}</ref> and was also named a Best Book of the Year by Kirkus Reviews<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/issue/best-of-2017/section/fiction/lists/|title=Best Fiction of 2017 by Category|work=Kirkus Reviews|language=en-us|access-date=2018-11-10}}</ref> and Booklist.<ref name=":1" /> ''Wild Beauty'' was nominated for a Northern California Book Award in 2018.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nciba.com/book-awards.html|title=Book Awards|website=NCIBA|language=en|access-date=2018-11-26}}</ref>

Their fourth novel, ''Blanca & Roja'', is a Latinx retelling of Swan Lake<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.bustle.com/p/blanca-roja-by-anna-marie-mclemore-is-the-latinx-swan-lake-retelling-youve-always-wanted-cover-excerpt-8026725|title=This New YA Book Is A Latinx 'Swan Lake' With Feuding Sisters — & You Can Start Reading Now|last=Trombetta|first=Sadie|work=Bustle|access-date=2018-11-10|language=en}}</ref> and Snow White, about two sisters who fall in love with a boy who can turn into a bear and a nonbinary teen who can turn into a cygnet.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/978-1-250-16271-7|title=Children's Book Review: Blanca & Roja by Anna-Marie McLemore. Feiwel and Friends, $17.99  (384p) ISBN 978-1-250-16271-7|work=PublishersWeekly.com|access-date=2018-11-10|language=en}}</ref> It was published by Feiwel and Friends in 2018. ''Blanca & Roja'' received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews,<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/anna-marie-mclemore/blanca-amp-roja/|title=BLANCA & ROJA by Anna-Marie McLemore|work=Kirkus Reviews|language=en-us}}</ref> School Library Journal,<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.slj.com/?reviewDetail=blanca--roja|title=Blanca & Roja|work=School Library Journal|access-date=2018-11-10}}</ref> and Booklist<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.booklistonline.com/Blanca-Roja-AnnaMarie-McLemore/pid=9694150|title=Blanca & Roja, by Anna-Marie McLemore|work= Booklist Online|access-date=2018-11-10}}</ref> as well. School Library Journal named ''Blanca & Roja'' a best book of 2018.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.slj.com/?page=best-books-2018|title=School Library Journal|website=www.slj.com|access-date=2018-11-26}}</ref>  

Their fifth novel, ''Dark and Deepest Red'', is a split-timeline story based on the fairytale ''The Red Shoes'', set in 1518 Strasbourg and 2018. The book was published in January 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.goodreads.com/work/best_book/68749682-dark-and-deepest-red|title=Dark and Deepest Red|website=www.goodreads.com|access-date=15 September 2020}}</ref> It was while creating this novel that McLemore realised they are nonbinary.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=LaAnnaMarie|number=1217070068871450629|title=I figured out #IAmNonbinary in the middle of DARK AND DEEPEST RED’s production process. Which meant realizing why I related gender-wise not only to Lala & Rosella, the brown girls of my Latinx heart, but also to medieval trans boy apprentice Alifair & science nerd boy Emil|date=14 January 2020}}</ref>

Their sixth novel, ''Miss Meteor'', is about two girls attempting to change their town's future while they participate in a talent competition. It's their first co-written novel, together with author Tehlor Kay Mejia, and will be published by HarperCollins in 2020.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/childrens/childrens-industry-news/article/76750-rights-report-week-of-may-1-2018.html|title=Rights Report: Week of May 1, 2018|work=PublishersWeekly.com|access-date=2018-11-10|language=en}}</ref>