EVERYONE ON THE MOON IS ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL by Julian K. Jarboe (Lethe Press)
We worked with Julian K. Jarboe on their debut short story collection, EVERYONE ON THE MOON IS ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL. The collection is consists of 16 stories of literary speculative fiction, featuring themes of body dysmorphia, environmental calamity, and blue-collar disaffection, told in a unique, funny, and deeply human voice. We fell in love with the book after just a few pages.
The book's potential appeal to the LGBTQ+ community was apparent, and while targeting that audience, we also wanted to go broader. As LitHub wrote:
“[The book] is mostly set in a dystopic near-future, which means it feels very contemporary.” Publishing right around the country’s shut down in mid-March 2020, we knew it would strike a chord. We got coverage in the Los Angeles Review of Books, The Millions, The Rumpus, and other outlets, as well as excerpts in LitHub, Boston Review, and Electric Lit. The book appeared on ‘Best of 2020’ lists in Publisher’s Weekly, LitHub, Chicago Review of Books, and Bustle, and the Best Short Stories list in Book Riot. We were thrilled to get the word out about the book to readers stuck in quarantine looking for an exciting new literary voice with whom to spend some time.
Some highlights:
A rave in Los Angeles Review of Books
A publicist’s dream review: “Jarboe’s vivid imagery underscores a distinctive view on dynamism and mutuality: the world and the body are endlessly intertwined and reflective....the results are dizzying and painful and, ultimately, glorious.”
Electric Lit excerpt
This excerpt pulled from the title piece Everyone on the Moon is Essential Personnel was recommended reading by Casey Plett, author of Little Fish.
First Draft with Mitzi Rapkin (Lit Hub)
An in-depth discussion about the writing process and how Jarboe’s trans identity impacts their work.
Publishers Weekly Review & listed on Best Books of 2020
We were thrilled the book got so much Best of 2020 attention! “Jarboe’s outstanding debut collection demonstrates a flair for queer surrealism and an ear for lyrical prose...Readers are sure to be blown away.”
In 2021, EVERYONE ON THE MOON IS ESSENTIAL PERSONNEL won Lambda Literary’s Lammy award for LGBTQ Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror.
