Dear Mothman

by Robin Gow

Winner, LGBTQ+ Middle Grade Lammy Award (Lambda Literary Award) Robin Gow's acclaimed middle grade novel in verse about a young trans boy dealing with the loss of his friend by writing to his favorite cryptid, Mothman Moving and lyrical, Dear Mothman is a story about finding belonging and hope in the most unexpected places. A few months ago, Noah's best friend and the only other trans boy in his school, Lewis, passed away in a car accident. Feeling lost and alone, Noah starts writing letters to Mothman, Lewis's favorite cryptid, wondering if he would understand how Noah feels. At first, Noah isn't sure whether he actually believes in Mothman—not like Lewis did. But when strange things start to happen around his wooded home, Noah wonders whether there might be something to the stories. He decides to make his science fair project about Mothman, despite his teacher's urging to study something "real." As Noah's mind begins to open, so does his world. He makes friends with a group of girls in his grade and finally feels like he belongs. But most people are not so accepting, and he has no evidence to prove that Mothman exists. With the science fair looming closer, Noah decides to risk everything, trek into the woods, and find Mothman himself. "A hauntingly moving examination of grief, friendship, and identity, reminiscent of my favorite classics. Robin Gow has a magic with words, stirring and shining a light on the deepest of emotions, leaving behind goosebumps (and tears) for Noah's story. This book is a gift." —Kacen Callender, author of the National Book Award winner King and the Dragonflies Also by Robin Gow Gooseberry Saber-Tooth

Unknown Binding

About the author

Gow grew up in rural Pennsylvania and lives in Allentown Pennsylvania with their two pugs, Eddie and Gertie and their queer family. He works at Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center coordinating supportive services for the local LGBTQIA+ community.

Awarded the Jerry Cain and Scott James Creative Writing Fellow, Gow earned their MFA in Creative Writing from Adelphi University where they also taught writing courses as an adjunct professor.

Gow runs the trans & queer reading series Gender Reveal Party and co-edits the new magazine The Comments Section.

Robin is the author of the chapbook Honeysuckle by Finishing Line Press and the collection Our Lady of Perpetual Degeneracy by Tolsun Books.

Their first YA novel in verse, A Million Quiet Revolutions, is forthcoming March 2022 with FSG Books for Young readers and their first essay collection, Blue Blood, is forthcoming with Nasiona Publishing House.

They is a managing editor The Nasiona and the assistant editor at large at Doubleback Books. They served for four years as the production editor of the Lantern literary magazine and are Social Media Coordinator for Oyster River Pages. They has also worked to help produce several zines and taught creative writing workshops in a variety of community spaces, including online forms.

They are an out and proud autistic bisexual genderqueer man passionate about LGBTQIAA+ issues.