Mad Dykes, Queer Worlds

by Sarah Cavar (Editor), Ruby Cromer, Kwame Daniels

Sinister Wisdom 139: Mad Dykes, Queer Worlds enters an important tradition of thinking about mental health, well-being, Madness, and rage. In these pages, guest editor Cavar collects a range of important writings that continue the explorations of all these issues.

Cavar writes, “what does it mean to edit a Mad journal issue” of Sinister Wisdom? These are not “narratives that could be categorized as ‘mental health stories,’ or ‘recovery narratives.’” The stories in the pages of Sinister Wisdom 139: Mad Dykes, Queer Worlds are “richly imaginative and painfully real pieces
that addressed truths of Mad dyke life while offering opportunities for imagination.”

Cavar continues, “Mad people see through things. We see things that are there, really are, but which sane people refuse to see. The profound power, prescience, and, yes, “insight” embedded in Mad creative traditions, particularly those that center the inextricable links between Mad, queer, and trans experiences and politics. Right now, I invite you to live with us. Come in.”

Paperback

Published January 1, 2026

About the author

Cavar [sarah] (they/them) is the author of FAILURE TO COMPLY (featherproof books, 2024) and DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS (Northwestern University Press, 2026).

Cavar holds a PhD in Cultural Studies and Science & Technology Studies at the University of California: Davis, and holds a B.A. in Critical Social Thought from Mount Holyoke College. They teach at the University of Maine: Augusta, and are interested in the politics of queercrip / transMad knowledge production.

Reviews

[Sarah Cavar · Rating 5 out of 5]

I edited this, and am so pleased to see it in-person and celebrate all of the incredible authors contained within. This is Sinister Wisdom's first issue dedicated exclusively to political Madness in queer/lesbian culture, and features a piece by the inimitable Elana Dykewomon (z'l).

[D.R.O · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank god I finally am subscribed to this