Bluebird to publish From Gay to Ze by Lotte Jeffs and Stu Oakley

Carole Tonkinson, Publisher at Bluebird, an imprint of Pan Macmillan, has acquired World all language rights to From Gay to Ze: The Not-straight Path to Parenthood by Lotte Jeffs and Stu Oakley, hosts of the award-winning podcast Some Families, from Abigail Bergstrom at Bergstrom Studio and Martin Redfern at Northbank Talent Management.

Informative, funny and empowering, From Gay to Ze is the first book of its kind for those curious about LGBTQ+ parenting.

There are more options than ever before for queer people to start families, but a lack of both specific LGBTQ+ focused information and mainstream representation can leave parents, prospective parents, friends and relatives in the dark about what life can be like for an LGBTQ+ parent. Authors Lotte Jeffs and Stu Oakley spoke to dozens of experts and queer families, and this hugely-needed book is the product of those conversations and their own experiences of becoming parents through IUI and adoption, respectively.

Whilst, as the authors point out, 90% of queer parenting is just… parenting, being queer when you’re a parent brings with it a host of conundrums that mainstream guides – which tend to assume heterosexuality – cannot solve. From adoption, surrogacy, fertility treatment and other routes to parenthood, to donors, trans parenting, how to deal with homophobia and much more, From Gay to Ze is the must-have toolkit for queer parents, parents-to-be, and anyone looking to support and understand the journey LGBTQ+ families undertake.

Through a host of real-life stories and experiences, this ground-breaking book will help anyone understand what it means to be a queer parent.

Lotte and Stu have launched a Substack newsletter fromgaytoze.substack.com to build a community of readers in advance of publication and expand the From Gay to Ze brand beyond the book, reflecting the scope of ambition for this title.

Lotte Jeffs says: ‘As soon as we met Carole, Jodie and the Bluebird team it was clear their enthusiasm for this book matched our own. It’s great that they understand the huge necessity for this kind of parenting guide and I’m so excited to work with them in bringing it to life.’

Stu Oakley comments: ‘For Bluebird to see and represent us as queer parents, and let us tell our story, is beyond a dream. It’s so vital that LGBTQ+ parents feel part of the wider parenting community, which is predominantly heteronormative. There is very little out there for us. Through our stories I hope we get to answer questions that anyone who is curious about queer parenting, or those wanting to understand more about our world, may have.’

Carole Tonkinson adds: ‘When Lotte and Stu’s proposal came in, all of us on the Bluebird team downed tools and read it straight away. The response in Bluebird – and subsequently around the whole of Pan Mac – was off the charts. When the book finally came to our acquisition meeting, the feeling was unanimous: this was the brilliantly conceived, beautifully written book on queer parenting that the world needs.

For queer parents, friends, educators, HR departments and more, From Gay to Ze is a hugely important contribution. We can’t think of more informed, thoughtful and engaging guides to this vital subject area. We’re still pinching ourselves that we get to support and amplify Lotte and Stu’s voices.’