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- SASS Newsletter: The First Edition
SASS Newsletter: The First Edition
Welcome to the first issue of SASS!
“Writing is the only way I know to demand justice from an uncaring universe.”
Introducing SASS
The Sapphic Action Support Squad (SASS) is a collective community action group that has come together to organize, support, and advocate for the international sapphic literature community at a time when our literature, our rights, and our very lives are being threatened by the growing dangers of authoritarianism and oligarchy.
The purpose of SASS is to:
Serve as a crucial hub for organizing community initiatives, including this newsletter, online campaigns, and a repository of legal and support resources, and;
Provide a sense of connectedness and hope so that members of our community can be reassured that there is an active effort to push back against the forces of hatred and oppression.
Our priorities are informed by the larger sapphic lit community, which is providing guidance and feedback via a comprehensive needs assessment survey. We encourage you to add your responses by accessing the survey here.
While SASS operates as an independent entity, it shares a close and collaborative relationship with the Golden Crown Literary Society (GCLS). This partnership allows both organizations to leverage their respective strengths and resources, working in tandem to advance the shared goal of promoting and celebrating sapphic literature.
Current Threats and Concerns
Even before the current U.S. administration took office, our community was faced with the growing incidence of book bans of our literature, as well as the literature of other marginalized groups. Award-winning authors, including Malinda Lo, Alice Walker, Margaret Atwood, and Toni Morrison, plus a long list of young adult titles, were impacted by these bans.
In addition, conservative U.S. states and countries with autocratic leaders enacted a range of restrictive laws that prevented public school teachers from teaching about or discussing LGBTQ+ issues in their classrooms (the so-called “Don’t Say Gay” laws) and banned trans youth from accessing gender-affirming health care and participating in sports teams aligned with their gender identity.
With the election of the current U.S. administration, these regressive measures have grown exponentially, with no signs of letting up. The government has effectively erased the transgender community from all federal websites and from national historic sites, including the Stonewall National Monument. In the U.K., where anti-trans organizing has been active for the past few years, the country’s highest court ruled that trans women are not protected by laws banning discrimination against women.
The proposed elimination of the U.S. Department of Education threatens the very existence of public education, and anti-DEI threats to large public school systems, including New York City, seek to impose wide-ranging bans on LGBTQ+ and anti-racism curricula.
As tech magnates like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Jeff Bezos have aligned themselves with the current administration, providing cash contributions and content capitulation, there have been calls from within our community to boycott both Amazon and Facebook. While these impulses are understandable, boycott campaigns have real implications for the authors of sapphic literature, many of whom, especially indies, derive their livelihood from books purchased on Amazon and royalties from Kindle Unlimited, as well as the promotional visibility afforded by Facebook and Instagram, where sapphic lit readers tend to congregate.
—Cindy Rizzo
Panel Discussion
Lynn Ames chatted with K. Aten, Karin Kallmaker, Tara Scott, Anne Shade, and Rachel Spangler about how they're feeling in the current moment and how they're coping.
Sapphics and the ‘Zon
There have been waves of discourse over the past several months about the relationship between the sapphic book community and Amazon amidst calls for blanket boycotts of the platform. If you want to read more about that and want to induce a migraine, you can find tons of this easily on Threads. To quote Molly Jong-Fast, “The discourse is cursed.”
If you are reading this, you know sapphic fiction exists.
If you are reading this, you probably want to buy your books in the way that a) is most financially supportive of independent queer authors and publishers; b) is cost effective and convenient for you; and c) aligns with your politics. These elements are often in tension because real life is nuanced, and the book business is stranger than fiction.
If you are reading this, you may be wondering: Why isn't the sapphic book community calling for an outright boycott of Amazon?
Without access and discoverability, we cannot sell books.
Indie authors whose business model relies on KU’s unique platform are contractually forbidden from selling their ebooks anywhere other than Amazon. It doesn’t get simpler or more direct than this. But KU authors are the tip of the iceberg.
For every person reading this, for every queer person worldwide who is out and proud and connected to queer community (online and/or irl), there are scores of sapphic readers worldwide—more every day!—who are not connected, for whom it is not safe to be connected. And there are scores of people who do not know sapphic books or publishers exist. They don’t know what they don’t know! They do, however, know that Amazon exists. They do shop in the Kindle store. And they do find our books there.
Everyone in the sapphic book world—authors traditionally published by small and midsized independent queer publishers, independent queer publishers, indie authors, and the freelance editors and artists and production folks who support authors and publishers—does this labor of love so our books can be found by every queer or questioning person looking for books that reflect our lives. If we don’t sell our books on every platform we can, including the platform that reaches the most people all over the world, we’re yelling in an echo chamber.
Reading, writing, and publishing sapphic books are political acts. Keeping our stories in the public discourse is an act of rebellion.
Of course, if you are reading this and want alternatives to Amazon for non-KU titles, I promise authors and other bookish folks like me will point you in helpful directions.
—Ruth Sternglantz
Queering Your Library
Did you know you can help an author just by recommending their book to your local library? You can find your local library on-line and check out the menu for links like “suggest/request a book” or “ask to purchase” a certain book. The form might be as simple as filling out author and book title, or they might require ISBN number (which can be found on the publisher’s website or even the dreaded Amazon website). If your library doesn’t have that option on their menu, give them a call. Find out their recommendation process. They might take your request over the phone. They will help you. They are our allies. Librarians are front line warriors for writers. They are fighting for our books to stay in libraries. If more people reach out and ask for them, then our books get more traction.
Side note: Some libraries even accept donations! Check their guidelines first, but if you have queer books that you think will help other readers in your area, please donate them. If they don’t, reach out to local colleges. I’ve coordinated two book drives and donated hundreds of books to five different colleges within driving distance of Kansas City. I live in a red state and there are so many young LGBTQ+ people who don’t even know queer books exist. Getting our books in their hands is so important right now more than ever.
—Kris Bryant
As an individual author, it is easy to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of challenges facing us, whether it’s book bans or AI copyright theft. The Author’s Guild is an organization that provides its members with the following services:
Free legal services (contract review, copyright, dispute intervention)
Web services
Insurance (help navigating insurance & discounts)
Community
Continuing education (video lecture series)
Dues as of today are $149/yr (monthly plan available) with discounts for unpublished writers and students. If you only join one writer’s association (aside from queer writers’ orgs, of course), this is the one to choose.
Not in the US?
European Writer’s Council
With more than 220,000 members from the industry, the European Writer’s Council (EWC) is a federation of 50 professional writers’ associations and unions with a mission similar to the Author’s Guild. You can find your local member association on their website to get involved and follow along with news and legal developments that affect the industry.
—Anna Burke
Community Matters
The past few months have been an especially trying time for the sapphic lit community, and it’s easy to feel down and alone at times like this. One of the main reasons we formed SASS is to help provide a sense of community to those of us needing more support right now. Join the SASS FB group to be part of the SASS community and hear about all upcoming events, including online writing sessions. You can also follow SASS on Instagram and Bluesky for updates. In addition to the SASS community that we are in the process of building, here are some other communities available to support authors and readers that you may be interested in joining.
I Heart SapphFic author newsletter: https://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/400233/102127810225637229/share
The Sapphic Quill author newsletter & website: https://thesapphicquill.com/newsletter/
I Heart SapphFic author FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ihlauthorforum
The Sapphic Quill author FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thesapphicquill
Sapphic Lit Pop-Up Bookstore: https://sapphiclitpopup.com/
I Read Indies (sapphic indie authors, may not be very active right now): https://www.ireadindies.com/
I Read Indies FB group for authors: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ireadindiesauthorcentral
I Heart SapphFic newsletter: https://iheartsapphfic.com/contact/#subscribe
I Heart SapphFic reader FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/iheartlesfic
Jae’s FB group for readers of sapphic books: https://www.facebook.com/groups/JaeReaderGroup
Sapphic Book Lovers FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/sapphbooklovers
Lesfic Reading Group on FB: https://www.facebook.com/groups/lesficbooks
—Avery Brooks
Two-Minute Marketing Tip with Melissa Brayden
You can learn more about Melissa Brayden and her books at http://www.melissabrayden.com/.
Interested in learning more about marketing? Check out the GCLS’s Writing Academy 3 course.
Reader’s Nook
The Instrument
An instrument, finely sculpted
with curves as smooth as marble, moves underneath my fingertips.
She warms up,
my touch strums her body to life.
I feel her heart beat against my lips and desire flow sweetly from within.
Her hips rock slowly, deeply,
as she sways with me
to a rhythm as old as love itself.
—Kris Bryant
Other Girls
Excerpt from Avery Brooks’ sapphic romance Other Girls.
“Here’s to friends, Fridays, and freakin’ tequila,” Drea said with a raised glass.
“Oh, hell yeah,” Sam said, clinking her glass with Drea’s.
They had been coming to Charlie’s for years. At first glance, it was the usual dive bar—dim lighting, a couple of pool tables and dart boards in the back—but it was one of the longest-running gay bars in New Orleans. The fact that it was in Uptown was an added bonus. Over the years it had accumulated a loyal group of patrons who kept it in business and supported each other. For Sam, it was a second home, a place where she could relax and be herself. It didn’t hurt that Charlie’s had some of the best margaritas in town.
“So, how was your week?” Drea asked, after a generous sip from her agave margarita.
“I was ready for this drink on Monday,” Sam deadpanned. She licked some salt off the rim of her cocktail glass and took another sip, closing her eyes, savoring it. “Damn, that’s good.”
“Any other run-ins with your favorite old pal?” Drea flashed a mischievous grin.
Sam rolled her eyes and blew out a breath. “No, thank god. I’m hoping this city is big enough that I won’t see her again before she rolls back out of town . . . and I hope that’s soon. It was a shock to see her, but with any luck, it will be another twenty years before—” Sam stopped mid-sentence and felt the blood drain from her face.
A very attractive, tall blonde woman in black leather pants that left little to the imagination strode across the room toward the bar, leaving a wave of turning heads in her wake.
Drea turned in her chair to follow Sam’s gaze, then looked back at Sam, wide-eyed. “Holy shit! That’s not her, is it?” Sam couldn’t find words, which gave Drea her answer. “Dammmnnn,” Drea said with raised brows, “time has been good to her.”
Sam stared at her drink, twirling it absentmindedly, the shock of seeing Ashley again suffocating any thoughts she had held moments prior.
Drea fought to get Sam’s attention back by telling her about a prank she had pulled on her new intern at work, but Sam found it almost impossible to be present. Her attention was drawn to the small table across the room where Ashley Valence sat with the blonde woman from the other night.
Why the hell was she here? It had taken Sam so long to let go of her high school memories and Ashley’s torment. And they were memories no part of her wanted to relive. She was a different person now—stronger, more aware—and just fine with her current existence, domestic as it was. Jake was all she needed.
When Ashley’s gaze met hers, Sam quickly looked away. It was too late though. “Shit, shit, shit, shit,” she murmured before downing what was left of her margarita.
“What is it?” Drea asked, with concern.
“Samantha, hi,” Ashley said, stopping at their table, smiling down at Sam.
Sam tried to feign a smile, but it came out more like a grimace. She saw Drea smirk at her failed attempt. “Oh, hi, I didn’t realize that was you.”
Ashley’s gaze wandered across the table. “Drea Cordeira. Wow. Long time no see.”
“Ashley,” Drea replied coolly. “Are you back here for a visit?”
Ashley’s smile dimmed. “No, actually, I just moved back a couple weeks ago.”
Sam felt like she was going to throw up and knew her face probably wasn’t doing much to hide it. Drea just nodded.
“I see you two are still close,” Ashley said, glancing between the two women.
“Why mess with perfection?” Drea retorted, but Ashley’s attention was already back on Sam.
Drea waited a moment, then reached for Sam’s empty glass. “Well, I think I’ll grab another round.”
Sam lunged for Drea’s hand, feeling a surge of panic. “No! Stay. Please. Wait for the waitress.”
After Drea managed to pry her hand free, she leaned in and whispered, “You’ll be okay. Trust me, you’re going to want another drink.” She turned and headed for the bar.
Ashley stared at Sam, which made her squirm. “It’s really nice to see you again, Samantha. You look great.”
Sam’s eyes narrowed as she waited for the insult that didn’t come. “Um, thanks,” she replied hesitantly, wondering what alternate universe she’d entered—one where Ashley played the part of a kind human being.
She braced herself as Ashley opened her mouth to say something, then closed it, and smiled. “Well, I just wanted to say hi. I hope I see you around again.”
Sam gave a half-hearted nod as she imagined about a million things she’d prefer to running into Ashley again: being mauled by alligators, sharks, run over by a car—the options were endless. Her gaze lingered on Ashley’s retreating form as she headed for the exit. She does look good in those pants though, Sam thought lazily, before mentally shaking herself.
Drea returned, drinks in hand. “She certainly was interested in talking to you. What did she want?”
Sam shook her head slowly, still staring where Ashley had stood moments before. “No idea. I must be more desperate than I realized if I’m finding Ashley Valence attractive.”
Drea gave her a look. “Sam. That . . .” Drea nodded her head at the door, “that woman was hot. Ashley Valence or not.” She sipped her drink and puckered her lips at the taste. “That girl can wear the hell out of some leather pants. Damn.” She shook her head with a look of reverence.
Sam glared at Drea. As she sat there, Sam felt an eerie calm spread through her body, and she knew with absolute certainty that Ashley’s return was significant. She could already feel the stirring of the memories she had spent nearly twenty years pushing out of her mind. She didn’t want to revisit them.
Drea’s gaze swept over the people in the room before returning to Sam. “You think she realized she was in a gay bar?”
The SASS newsletter provides our community with information, analysis, resources, and even short sapphic fiction to keep us informed, mobilized, and connected. By working together to defend our community, our literature and our livelihoods, we can surmount the obstacles placed in our path and thrive!