Author Profile: Bill Konigsberg

It would be virtually impossible to not include Bill Konigsberg among the authors we admire and among those who have brought a literary revolution to our generation. Not only are his books extremely inclusive for LGBQT+ communities but they also express racial diversity and address, in a very digestible way, teenage issues such as depression, suicide, and sexual harassment.

He sold his first book Audibles (later renamed Out of the Pocket) to Penguin in 2007 which was then released in 2009. However, it was with his second novel Openly Straight in 2013 that his name began to rise to the top of the pack. On his website, he describes the novel as:

“Twilight-like, only without vampires and wolves and angsty teenage girls. Also, set in an all-boys boarding school in Massachusetts. Otherwise, it’s like an exact replica.”

Since then he has released several books and received countless awards including the USA Literary Award and the Stonewall Book Award for The Porcupine of Truth released in 2015. His literary works have begun to pave the way for LGBTQ+ authors and characters in such a profound way, that the National Councils of Teachers of English Assembly on Literature for Adolescents (ALAN) established the Bill Konigsberg Award for Acts and Activism for Equality and Inclusion through Young Adult Literature. It’s easy for anyone to see how great of an honor this achievement is, but despite this, he has remained as down to earth and relatable as ever as he is frequently seen spending time with his husband and their two dogs on Instagram.

To be frank, this man is a hero.

He is a hero because his writing is not only filled with vivid imagery and profound topics, but also because he writes what we want to see, not just what the media believes we want to see. He writes stories that are so simple yet so entertaining. They aren't all doused in trauma or overly sexualized thoughts. The characters just get to be themselves, and it's a beautiful thing to read a book about people being authentically who they are.

Konigsberg also currently has an open letter on his website regarding the petition against his books in libraries by concerned parents. He put in really excruciating detail why they should rescind their requests in one of the most respectful manners possible. His book The Bridge is a commentary on suicide that is written from four different perspectives which helps teenagers see the future actions of their consequences. Clearly, it stands as a vital novel that covers traumatic topics, but it is definitely less graphic than 13 Reasons Why or Go Ask Alice.

Bill Konigsberg has helped the voices of many be heard and appreciated. He is and will continue to be, adored by countless fans.

Article edited by Lola Lujan.