Building Fires in the Snow: A Collection of Alaska LGBTQ Short Fiction and Poetry

by Martha Amore (Editor), Lucian Childs (Editor)

Diversity has always been central to Alaska identity, as the state’s population consists of people with many different backgrounds, viewpoints, and life experiences. This book opens a window into these diverse lives, gathering stories and poems about lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer life into a brilliant, path-breaking anthology.
            In these pages we see the panoply of LGBTQ life in Alaska today, from the quotidian urban adventures of a family—shopping, going out, working—to intimate encounters with Alaska’s breathtaking natural beauty. At a time of great change and major strides in LGBTQ civil rights, Building Fires in the Snow shows us an Alaska that shatters stereotypes and reveals a side of Alaska that’s been little seen until now.

More about the book at buildingfiresinthesnow.com.

Genres: Poetry, Fiction, Queer, LGBT, Short Stories

360 pages, Paperback

Published September 15, 2016

Reviews

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wrote a review for terrain.org:

http://www.terrain.org/2017/reviews-r...

[Greyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wouldn't say that all--or even most--of the writing here is excellent, but given the rurality and tenor of Alaskan politics/social mores many of these pieces are at least "brave".

The poetry, as a whole, 2*. The prose pieces, 4.5*. Particularly the longest work, Going Too Far. Generally optimistic as well, which was good for a winter read.

[Sayde · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding!!! One of the best books I've read this year. The stories and poems inside are inspiring, filled with a passion and an honesty which captures the feel of Alaska in a raw and accurate way like I've never found before. The difference of experience, opinion, and confidence of each writer shines through and their stories have made me laugh, made me cry, and more then anything have made me proud of my fellow Alaskans.

[fern · Rating 3 out of 5]

bought this for my friend from alaska for xmas and decided to annotate it for them. many of the stories are written by young people in rural areas and aren’t necessarily groundbreaking writing in terms of the way they are written but moreso in the messages and stories themselves (if that makes sense). overall a nice winter read that taught me a little about growing up queer in alaska!

[sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Filled with beautiful poems and short stories, really feel like I got a taste of the love of those who stay for the rugged winters and endless sun
Makes me want to experience the life in the interior first hand