Guide to Finding Books by LGBTQ+ Authors

Here are five tips to help you explore voices of the LGBTQ+ experience as well as a convenient clickable list of LGBTQ+ authors linked directly to our catalog for placing requests or checking out e-books and audiobooks.

1. Read an award winner.

Make a selection from some of the most distinguished honors in literature.

• Awarded since 1971, The Stonewall Book Award goes to books of exceptional merit relating to the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender experience. See the Stonewall Award winners in our catalog here.

• The Lambda Literary Awards (or “Lammys”) have been awarded for more than 30 years. The Lammys are given in 24 categories celebrating LGBTQ storytelling. See the Lambda Literary Award winners in our catalog here.

2. Borrow e-books or downloadable audiobooks.

Browse OverDrive's LGBTQIA+ collections of e-books and downloadable audiobooks.

• OverDrive LGBTQIA+ Fiction
• OverDrive LGBTQIA+ Fiction for Teens
• OverDrive LGBTQIA+ Nonfiction
• OverDrive LGBTQIA+ Nonfiction for Teens

If you have never borrowed from OverDrive or the OverDrive Libby app before, both browser directions and app directions are available as well as a video tutorial and Overdrive/Libby Support.

Need more help? Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian.

3. Get reading recommendations from IndyPL staff

Click on a featured booklist to get reading recommendations or see more LGBTQ+ reading recommendations from IndyPL Librarians for kids, teens & adults. Also browse the American Library Association Rainbow List.

Under the gaydar (scifi/fantasy)
In case you want some LGBTQ+ content but don't want the whole world to know it from the cover or description.

Transgender Fiction
Celebrate and recognize the transgender community with these reads.

LGBTQ+ Manga Artists More and more manga is being published with LGBTQ+ characters and themes. Here is a short list of manga by artists who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Queer Vampires
Between the exchange of fluids and the forbidden desire, vampirism and queerness have been linked in literature for decades. Sexy or scary, you can really sink your teeth into these novels.

4. Use your IndyPL Library card to login to Novelist Plus

On Novelist Plus you'll find recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning books all by LGBTQ+ authors. You can browse the LGBTQIA category and see sample and see listings that show a star rating and the option to "Check Availability" to see if it is available to borrow from IndyPL. When you click on a book you can read a brief description and get ideas for read alikes.

5. Subscribe to the Rainbow Reads Newsletter from NextReads

Subscribe to NextReads to receive reading recommendation in your inbox monthly. Book suggestions are linked to our catalog for easy requesting. It's FREE! See a sample issue. Subscribe to NextReads here!