Behind the Scenes of AQ Books

(aka: what actually happens when you think I’m “just writing”)

People love to say, “Wow, you’re so productive.”

What they mean is: How do you keep releasing books without collapsing into a decorative pile of hoodies and anxiety?

Welcome to AQ Books: Behind the Scenes, where the vibe is controlled chaos, the to-do list is feral, and the dogs run at least one department each.

AQ Books Is Not a Company. It’s a System.

AQ Books started because I needed a place where stories didn’t have to behave. Where queer lives could be messy, funny, spiritual, sexual, political, soft, loud, and sometimes all in the same chapter. Traditional publishing loves a box. I brought a crowbar.

Behind the scenes, AQ Books is:

• Multiple imprints with distinct voices

• A release calendar that looks like a murder board

• Brand colors I care about way more than a normal person should

• And a firm belief that if it doesn’t feel honest, it doesn’t ship

  
  

The Writing Part (Yes, That Still Happens)

I write fast. I revise slow. I obsess quietly and then panic loudly. Drafting is chaos goblin energy—coffee, notes everywhere, dialogue appearing at inconvenient times. Editing is surgical. That’s when I stop being fun and start being precise.

Nothing gets published unless it:

1. Says something true

2. Knows exactly who it’s for

3. Would make my younger self feel less alone

If it doesn’t pass all three, back to the doc it goes.

Branding Is a Love Language

Covers. Fonts. Taglines. Logos. Color palettes. This is not extra—it’s storytelling. AQ Books isn’t just selling books; it’s selling tone. When you pick one up, you should already know what kind of emotional damage you’re about to receive (with consent).

Yes, I will argue with myself for 45 minutes about whether a subtitle needs a colon.

No, I will not apologize.

The Dogs Are On Payroll

Let’s be clear: Roxi and Xena are not mascots. They are staff.

One handles morale. The other handles judgment. Both supervise naps and ensure I log off occasionally before my eyes fall out.

If you’ve ever wondered why some posts feel chaotic and others feel grounding—congratulations, you’ve met their influence.

Why a Kickstarter?

Because independence costs money, and I want to scale without selling my soul or watering down the work. The Kickstarter isn’t about starting AQ Books—it’s about fortifying it. Better production. Wider reach. More room to take creative risks without asking permission.

Also? I want readers inside the process. Not just at checkout.

The Real Behind-the-Scenes Truth

AQ Books exists because I refuse to pretend anymore. About grief. About sex. About faith. About being queer and complicated and still standing. Every book is a piece of that refusal.

So when you read something from AQ Books, know this:

It wasn’t rushed.

It wasn’t sanitized.

And it definitely wasn’t made to make everyone comfortable.

You’re not just reading a book.

You’re stepping into the chaos—welcome.