And Then I Got Fired: One Transqueer's Reflections on Grief, Unemployment & Inappropriate Jokes About Death

by J Mase III

Feel free to scream directly into this book if you need to. It won't judge you, promise! This book gets grief. The good, the bad and the snotty noses. Through a healthy mix of poems, personal testimony, bad jokes and choose-your-own-journey workbook style, "And Then I Got One Transqueer's Reflections on Grief, Unemployment & Inappropriate Jokes About Death", is an unexpected and lively conversation between the author and reader on grief, Black Trans survival and the arts. Whether you are currently moving through grief mode, love a good poem, or just want some tools to deal with painful experiences, this book is for you. More importantly, this book is for all of us who deserve a place to be honest when things get hard.

Genres: Queer, Poetry, Nonfiction, LGBT, Gender, Memoir

84 pages, Paperback

Published March 14, 2019

About the author

J Mase III is a Black/Trans/queer poet & educator based in Seattle by way of Philly. As an educator, Mase has worked with community members in the US, UK, and Canada on the needs of LGBTQIA+ folks and racial justice in spaces such as K-12 schools, universities, faith communities and restricted care facilities. He is founder of awQward, the first trans and queer people of color talent agency.

He was raised by a Baptist Mother and Nation of Islam father.

J Mase is author of And Then I Got Fired: One Transqueer’s Reflections on Grief, Unemployment & Inappropriate Jokes About Death as well as White Folks Be Trippin’: An Ethnography Through Poetry & Prose.

As a performer, he has shared stages with world renowned artists like Chuck D, Billy Porter, MJ Rodriguez and the Indigo Girls. His work and musings have been featured on MSNBC, NBC OUT, Essence Live, Atlanta Black Star, GO Magazine, Believe Out Loud, Everyday Feminism, Black Girl Dangerous, Upworthy, the New York Times, Buzzfeed, Blavity, the Root, the Huffington Post and more.

Currently, he is head writer for the theatrical production Black Bois and is co-editor of the Black Trans Prayer Book alongside Lady Dane Figueroa Edidi.

Find him on Instagram (@jmaseiii) and www.jmaseiii.com!

Reviews

[Serena · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book nailed so many of the strange facets of grief, and I was all about that. I lost my father a few years back and J Mase nailed some of those feelings and emotions head on. Great short read, and I loved the mix of poetry and short narrative, as well as some "worksheets". Definitely recommend.

[Austen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This little book tells you the truth about grief, and opens its pages like arms to remind you that you're not alone, even when you are the most alone you've ever been. J Mase III doesn't pull punches, but he does give you the words you might not have known you needed. If you need a blessing and reminder that you are worth it, you'll find it in this book. If you need someone to just stop force feeding you platitudes and get real, it's also in this book. As a reader, you can really sense the heart that went into the creation of each and every page.

[Lara Lillibridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this poetry collection so much. Started to just thumb through it, and was immediately captivated. Frank, heartbreaking, yet full of hope for the unknown trans person reading, this bookends to the literary conversation and is one of my Pride Picks for 2019.

[Andrew Child · Rating 5 out of 5]

have it on your shelf. this is one I will be coming back to a bunch and just sitting and reading it grounded me and lit a fire for my work (artistic and emotional)

[Marianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are luminous and moving poems. The rest of the material didn't all work for me but the stuff that did, really did.

[Hollowspine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, I don't often read poetry collections, but this one seemed like something that shouldn't be passed up if you have the chance to read it. I liked that it worked as a poetry collection, but also that it invited me to participate, be inspired and gave me questions to think about and ways to get some of those negative thoughts out of my head! I enjoyed the refreshing honesty about how crappy life can be sometimes too.

[Sara Kenney · Rating 5 out of 5]

J Mase III is a beautiful poet and writer. Reading this was totally cathartic for me, having lost my dad at the end of April 2021 and now trying to reignite/thoughtfully revisit my artistic career at the same time. It’s nice to have permission to grieve, especially in the midst of lost work, opportunities, and the absence of so many people who should be here. Happy this workbook came into my life when it did.

[Ricepettu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one mighty little book of amazing! It speaks truth, and moves your soul. But it also makes you develop this strong urge to get your head out of the clouded space of "being" and carefully think about doing. To find truth and outcomes in one and the same book is truly rare. I wish this book in the life of every trans person alive on the planet! 💜

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! As a poet myself I am so impressed with J Mase III's honesty and committment to the intended reader: someone trying to deal with grief and/or with gender issues. Dear Mase, "thank you for sharing yourself with this greedy world". The photo of your dad is priceless: a man I would love to have known.

[Shelby Forsythia · Rating 5 out of 5]

A magnificent personal perspective on grief, heartache, and being trans. My favorite moments were the love letters to/prayers for trans readers. Mase is not afraid to laugh, yell, and swear! Vital ingredients for a book on loss.

[A]

Leaving this unrated because this is not for me rn. I have not gone through the profound grief that J Mase III describes in these poems and as such I didn't really connect with them as much as I would otherwise, so I can't really rate it.

[Cassidy · Rating 4 out of 5]

a genuine delight. full of beautiful insights and words i needed to read. i feel grateful for little books like this.

[Ryley K · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book about being raw with grief from losing a parent. And also a book for trans Black and Brown trying to navigate a world that is hostile to them.

[Dtphill · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful book! Part memoir, part artists workbook, part emotional support tool, and part poetic rumination on grief and growth and holding on. It's a lot of work being done in such a little book and all the more impressive for that. Mase has an amazing voice that is adamant about survival but humorously insistent that you be the person who decides on the terms. There is a lot of laughing in here. Some crying too. It's real and about reality. Not all of the struggles and burdens detailed here are ones I have experienced or am experiencing, but I got a lot out of the love and respect Mase communicates and asserts. I think you will too. Check it out.

[T.ScottReviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 Stars
CAWPILE = 8.43

Honourable Mention 2021