Interest in Queer Literature has Increased in 2022

While there has been plenty of backlash regarding LGBTQ literature, interest in queer books isn’t slowing down. According to sales numbers obtained from NPD Group, queer book sales this year have surpassed those of 2021 to the tune of 39%. This indicates a change in generational attitudes towards the genre, which could be attributed to Gen Z attitudes towards the LGBTQ community.

(Earlier in 2022, OFM even released two books with queer themes.)

This year, the charge of queer book sales is led by adult fiction. The genre has sold a whopping 1.3 million more units that the prior year. Last year, sales were led by books in the young-adult (YA) genre. The strength of LGBTQ stories within the genre could signal a shift, leading more publishers to take a gamble on queer authors writing queer stories within the genre. Interestingly, while adult fiction is leading the growth charge, YA is still the highest category share.

While this is great news, illustrating the demand for a wide array of stories and experiences within modern literature, book bans are having a moment, to put it lightly.

The PEN America Foundation reported that 1,586 books overall disappeared from shelves between July 2021 and March 2022. Books featuring queer folks or people of color as their protagonists are disproportionately targeted. Matthew Aragon, a bookseller at Westside Books, states that he’s “Definitely seen an increase in the support and purchasing of queer books at his store.”

The increase in representation through literature has many positive effects. Ryan La Sala, author of The Honeys, states, “There is so much power to be found in knowing who you are and knowing that you deserve to live.”

It seems that with the rise of interest in queer books this year, self-empowerment will grow. Though, as we know, when queer people gain power, the legislation comes back to combat it. While the collective LGBTQ community has power, the fight against these book bans also lies in the hands of publishers, booksellers, and librarians.