In this episode of the Book Fair Podcast, host Anthony interviews Kyle Casey Chu, a writer and drag queen, about his debut middle grade novel, 'The Queen Bees of Tybee County.' The conversation explores themes of identity, the writing process, and the importance of representation in literature. Kyle shares insights from his journey as a first-time author, the role of drag in his life, and how his experiences shape the characters and narratives he creates. The discussion also touches on family dynamics, intersectionality, and the significance of finding one's community.

New Releases:

• The Grove by Brooks Whitney Phillips

• The League of Littles by Casey Lyall, illus. by Sara Faber

• If We Survive This by Racquel Marie

• The Tournament by Rebecca Barrow

Chapters

00:00 Meet Kyle Casey Chu: Author and Drag Queen

02:50 The Writing Process: Insights from a First-Time Author

04:43 Exploring Identity: Derek's Journey in The Queen Bees of Tybee County

06:40 The Role of Drag Story Hour in Shaping Identity

07:45 Navigating Opposition: Realism and Optimism in Storytelling

08:49 Intersectionality: Derek's Experience as a Chinese American

10:50 Claudia: The Matriarch and Her Impact on Derek

12:30 Familial Pressure: Derek's Relationship with His Father

14:07 Ro: Breaking Stereotypes in Beauty Pageants

16:06 Finding Community: Derek's Exploration of Identity

18:04 Understanding Gender Identity and Expression

20:45 The Power of Storytelling: Creating Possibility Models

23:09 New Releases

30:42 News